Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | St. Edward Catholic Church, Tallulah

From The Font

“Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground.”

It’s hard to overstate how much effect speakers and microphones have had on preaching and teaching. Before amplification, any speech given to a group of more than fifteen or twenty needed a specially-designed room or space. A trained speaker or actor can be heard by a thousand or so people from a raised dais or in a Greek theater. That’s part of the reason that most of the sermons Jesus gave were given in the temple (where there were plenty of raised rostra from which to speak) or on a mountain side (where the people could arrange themselves like a Greek theater).

For the most famous part of His most famous sermon, Jesus deliberately walks down from the mount (from which the “Sermon on the Mount” gets its name) and stands on level ground with His listeners. While it would have been much harder to hear, the symbolism would have made it worth it. The so-called Beatitudes (a name taken from the Latin word for “Blessed are you”) are spoken not from above but from a place of shared rank. It’s not quite about equality (which is a VERY modern and deeply problematic idea) but rather about God descending among us in order to raise us up beyond where we could raise ourselves.

In just the same way that an adult has to bend down to talk face to face with a toddler, so the Lord must descend from Heaven to speak with us. And just as that adult must bend down in order to pick up the toddler, so God descends among us to lift us up to a higher place than we could achieve on our own.

Now, sharp readers will note that the Gospel today isn’t actually the “official” Beatitudes, those are found in Matthew’s recounting of this sermon… Good catch! Both Matthew’s version (Mt 5-7) and Luke’s tell about the same sermon, they just choose different sections of it to record in their Gospels.

Nowadays, we tend to think of sermons as 10-20 minute speeches with a structure and, hopefully, a clear starting and stopping point. But for Jesus, sermons could go on for hours and include meals and Q&A and a few healings and a few venue changes. Oh, how times have changed…

Thoughts from Fr. Ryan

Well, happy Valentine’s day everyone!

There are a slew of Catholic religious feasts which, for various historical reasons, became entirely non-religious public celebrations. Christmas is perhaps the biggest one. The English revival of Christmas in the so-called Dickensian period wasn’t about religious fervor, it was more about public morale and a need for patriotic nostalgia.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Festivals are an important part of being human! That’s why they’re part of our religious practice. Sure, it can be complicated or even detrimental when some of us are keeping the religious feast of Christmas, some of us are keeping it non-religiously and most of us are trying to keep it both religiously and non-religiously. Even so, it helps to understand the human need for feast, for shared celebration, and for setting aside specific days for specific human celebrations.

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love. And gosh is that important to celebrate! Yes, there’s some sadness that we’re ignoring the brutal beheading of a Bishop in the 3rd century. It’s sad that the patronal feast of Beekeepers is overshadowed by candy hearts and chocolate. But there’s a lot of good that can come from celebrating Valentine’s day non-religiously.

But let’s clear up one thing that can derail the whole shebang: the Celebration of romantic love is not a celebration of lust. Even in its non- religious context, Valentine’s day is meant to be a celebration of romance. It’s meant to be a day when all of us - from the single folks to the long-married folks - can appreciate and even celebrate the wonders of human romance. From the butterflies in the stomach to the euphoria of the first kiss to the optimism and hopefulness of could this be “the one” through to the joys and passions of the honeymoon and beyond, human romance is indescribably amazing. And while it changes over the years of marriage, enthusiastic spouses can and should use their deepened understanding-of and love-for their spouses to continue those romantic gestures which they know their love will appreciate and enjoy.

Genuine love grows and evolves and deepens. Mutual appreciation and friendship unite the spouses with a shared sense of life’s value, worth, and purpose. While it will look different for every couple and it’s neither automatic or easy, the years of marriage can and should be filled with romantic human love. Even cultures which vigorously dislike public displays of affection (e.g. the Japanese or the Russians) joyfully celebrate the romantic gestures of couples celebrating monumental anniversaries of marriage.

Marriage is, after all, both a human and a divine institution. Marriage is there at the beginning of the Bible. Jesus’s first miracle is at a wedding where He ensures the abundance of human joy for the revelers. Even the Book of Revelation ends with a description of Heaven, itself, as an eternal wedding feast.

Romantic love is a good thing! So long as we’re careful that it doesn’t descend into sinful lust, Valentine’s Day should absolutely be a cause for celebration!

Mass Intentions for the Coming Week

Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard/family
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
Mon NO MASS
Tue 9:00a In memory of Patsy Tryon/Mills & Thompson
Wed 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
Thu 9:00a In memory of May DiTomasso
Fri 5:30p In memory of Dorothy Neill/Gustafson
Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/D Fortenberry
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish

ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Cathy VanderVieren

Assistants at Holy Mass

Date	Servers	Lector(s)
2/12 5:30p	Non Scheduled	MA Gilfoil
2/13 9:00a	Henry & MaryKatherine	B Sullivan
2/19 5:30p	None Scheduled	L Bullard
2/20 9:00a	Chandler, Kathleen, Maura	Youth-Preston & Emersyn
2/26 5:30p	None Scheduled	A Farlow
2/27 9:00a	Preston, Courtland, Evelyn	A Oliver

Upcoming Events

Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
Feb 15 Pastoral Council Meeting – 6 p.m. - Church Hall
Feb 16 First Communion Class - 6 p.m. - Church Hall
Feb 18 Quarterly Healing Mass - 5:30 p.m. Church
Feb 27 First Quarter Social to celebrate Mardi Gras following Sunday Mass

For Your Information:

ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.

FIRST QUARTER SOCIAL - MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION… Potluck Brunch on Sunday, February 27 following Mass. First Quarter (Jan, Feb, March) group is Margo Corulla and Darryl and Abby Ellerbee (co-chairs), Norman and Marie Ernst, Katherine Ernst Bedgood, Brian Johnson, Sidney and Mary Jane Johnson, Robbie and Tori Kivett, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Billy and Courtney Nadeau, Teddy and Alyssa Oliver, Mike and Sue Rome, Jason Trichell, Mary Trichell, Levi Washington.

ALTAR SOCIETY DUES PAYABLE FOR 2022… All ladies of the faith family of St. Edward are considered members of the Altar Society which is responsible for the needs of the altar such as candles, wine, hosts, altar cloths and linens and decorations. It is now time to pay your $10 dues for 2022 and there are envelopes at the entrance of the church for your convenience. You may return your envelope in the collection basket or to the church office.

ALTAR CANDLES… Anyone wishing to provide candles for the altar in honor of their loved one or in prayer for some intention may do so simply by asking. A small donation is recommended, but not required. A list of dates is in the sacristy and a date can be reserved up to one year in advance.

Our Return to the Lord


Weekly Budget FY 2020-21	$ 2,111
January Budget	$ 10,555
January Income	$ 13,438
January Expenses	$ 9,811
February Budget	$ 8,444
February 5/6 collection	$ 2,567
February To Date	$ 2,567

Stewardship The words of the Psalmist echo the theme of all of today’s readings, “ Happy are they who hope in the Lord.” As good stewards, firmly grounded in that hope, may we bear fruit in due season–assisting the poor, feeding the hungry, and consoling the sorrowful whenever we have the chance.

Today’s Second Collection supports the Diocesean newspaper, The Church Today, which is sent to each household in our diocese.

Let us Rejoice in the Lord!

Happy Birthday Mike Rome (Feb 14), Kate Copes (Feb 15), Tim Harris (Feb 15)

Happy Anniversary Susie and Terry Murphy (Feb 13)

In Our Daily Prayers…

Please let us know of anyone who is ill or hospitalized and would like to receive a visit from Father. Also, help us keep our prayer list up to date by advising us of those who should be added or removed.

Our Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; Bishop Robert Marshall, and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives

Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Mary Ernst, Monique Florence, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood

Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning

Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Judy and Danny Beard (Keene), Marie Farlow Bellard, Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Molly Corulla, Sara Cannon (Gilfoil), Truman and Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Don Deweese, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Tommy Dunning, Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, April Franklin (Wilks), Cogan Fulton (Ellerbee), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Kathy Garley Hanlon (Gilfoil), Rita Hargrave, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Lyn and Calvin Lisonbee (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), John Rogan, Bailey, Lee, and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Meg Keene Thomas, Lucy Thomason (gr-dau of Bentley Curry)(Book), Elaine Trimble (Rome), Joe Yerger

Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver Bridges, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood