Second Sunday of Lent
From The Font
“Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.”
Our modern world has made an idol of equality. In the face of obvious and unquestionable evidence that some are more talented, smarter, prettier, and\or whatever than others, modern people tend to take great umbrance that some are treated differently or have greater success than others… Even Christians seem to have convinced themselves that Jesus is opposed to difference and distinction...
But, the truth is that Jesus, Himself, withholds certain teachings for only His apostles. And even with the Apostles, Peter clearly has first position and James and John seem to get preferential treatment and access on a regular basis… And there’s nothing wrong with any of that! Jesus is clear that He has chosen certain people for reasons that He doesn’t make clear. Later on, He will instruct the apostles to choose others to carry on their work by the means of laying on of hands - which sets the method and precedent for the Rite of Ordination.
A thorough look at the Bible will provide very little evidence or support for the modern cult of equality. Surely, Jesus teaches that God loves all and St. Paul adds that within the Church, there is neither Jew nor Greek, etc. Certainly, the Church has always taught that the spiritual treasures of the Church should be given freely regardless of race, gender, wealth, etc.
And yet, some individuals are chosen especially… The Church is established as a hierarchy (for better or worse) with a clear law, a clear sense of governance and authority, and a top-down structure to implement it.
And while modern people tend to criticize and even fight against that structure, it comes directly from Jesus Himself who subdivided His own followers into those who merely listen, those who follow Him (“disciples”), and those to whom He intended to give direct authority (“Apostles”).
There’s always a grave danger in imposing modern ideals (or idols) onto the Christian way of thinking. Human Nature never changes and so the Lord Jesus, Who made us, was able to establish the Church in a lasting way that doesn’t need correction from whatever philosophy happens to be in vogue just now.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Well this week we have two of our favorite Saints’ Feast Days: St. Patrick and St. Joseph!
St. Patrick was a courageous bishop who was kidnapped as a young man and who, after his rescue, became a priest and then a bishop and then returned to the homeland of his kidnappers to convert the whole island that we now call Ireland… He was a brilliant writer and preacher. He was a spiritual master. But he’s now known mostly as the patron saint of Beer…
The Irish remain deeply religious to this day. And when the Church said such and such a day was a feast day, the Irish took it seriously. Most Catholics did prior to the last century or so. The feast day of the patron saint of the nation was a BIG DEAL and so the Irish partied in honor of their patron. When the Irish immigrants settled in the US, their rather judgmental neighbors, who disliked them as poor and unlearned, found common ground at the pub. And so when the Irish immigrants in Boston, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia showed their drinking prowess in honor of St. Patrick, their stock rose with the locals. It was the shared experience of Irish immigrants and local non-immigrants who really made St. Pat’s what it is today. And in an odd, roundabout sort-of way, it was the over-the-top nature of St. Pat’s that began to bridge the gap and set the stage for locals to fully accept those broadly despised immigrant communities. It’s just like St. Patrick to turn something seemingly all bad (like kidnapping and drunkenness) into something good…
St. Joseph, too, opened the door for the acceptance of broadly disliked Italian immigrants to find a welcome in the US. And like St. Patrick, St. Joseph’s feast day really caught on when the locals realized that the Italians could cook and drink with the best of them… And like with St. Patrick, New Orleans was one of the epicenters for the uniquely Italian-American Immigrant celebration that we call the St. Joseph Altar.
It was mostly Sicilians who settled into New Orleans after a great famine in the Fava bean crop over several seasons in the late 1800s. Sicilian families abandoned their island and asked St. Joseph to protect them as they relocated their families in the US. Many promised St. Joseph special devotion if he did so. When they arrived, they celebrated his feast day with a public celebration that involved food, drink and sweets alongside several wonderfully bizarre Italian superstitions and a special concern for fundraising for the poor. The tradition picked up steam as New Orleans Catholics began to participate. The Italian immigrants and the Irish immigrants struggled to play nice, but the Catholic community in New Orleans (with its own strong tradition of religious festivals (Carnivale and Mardi Gras) was happy to eat and drink with anyone. The St. Joseph Altar is still a hugely important and very religious celebration in and around New Orleans.
It’s remarkable to me that famines pushed such wonderful cultural and religious traditions into our history. God really is good all the time!
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 JCB “Chipper” Jumonville/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Rosa Gremshell
- Thu 9:00a In memory of special organ donor/Magoun
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Darryl Ellerbee/family
- Sat 5:30p For a special St Joseph intention/Magoun
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/12 5:30p | None Scheduled | MB Book |
| 3/13 9:00a | Henry & Mary Katherine | C Guizerix |
| 3/19 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 3/20 9:00a | Chandler, Kathleen, Maura | Youth |
| 3/26 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 3/27 9:00a | Preston, Evelyn, Courtland | B Sullivan |
Upcoming Events
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Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
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Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
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Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
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March 14 Town Hall Meeting for a “State of St. Edward report - 6 p.m. Church Hall. All parishioners are encouraged to attend and participate
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March 15 Pastoral Council Meeting CANCELLED due to Deanery "Listening Sesssion" in Ferriday, LA. (All are welcome to attend in Ferriday at 6p)
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Mar 18 Stations of the Cross as usual, but no Mass as Fr Ryan has to leave for Lenten Mission in Lake Charles
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March 25 Penitential Soup Supper - following Stations of the Cross and 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.
LENT… All Catholics 18 and older are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All Catholics 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Fridays of Lent. Further, all Catholics should plan some penance (not just doing something extra) as a way of uniting ourselves with Our Lord’s death on the cross. Lent is a time for sober self-reflection, for prayer, for fasting, for works of mercy, and for redoubling our efforts to grow in the knowledge and love of God. To that end, St. Edward will offer a shared Way of the Cross on Friday evenings at 5:30p followed by Mass. On Mar 25 and Apr 8, immediately following the evening Mass, Fr. Ryan will host a meatless potluck (in which he will provide a hearty soup) and show a religious film. All are welcome to attend.
TOWN HALL MEETING for a “State of St. Edward” report. Monday, March 14, 2022 - 6 p.m. Church Hall. All parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate! Fr. Ryan will be giving a report on our parish finances as well as several small and not-so-small projects that we’ll be working on over the summer. All are encouraged to attend. The meeting will include an open Q&A for Fr. Ryan.
PASTORAL COUNCIL... will hold its regular meeting on TUESDAY, MARCH 15, at 6:00 p.m in the Church Center. Appointed members of the Council: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, MaryAnne Gilfoil, Louise Magoun, Levi Washington, and Blanche Wilks. Appointed as Trustees by the Bishop are Michel Lancaster and Cathy VanderVieren. Appointed by the pastor to serve as Finance Council Chair is Darryl Ellerbee. All members are requested to make a special effort to attend. Parishioners are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussions.
NEWS FROM CATHOLIC MOM’S GROUP IN VICKSBURG 1. Join St. Paul's Mother’s Group on Saturday, March 19 from 8a-3p in Glynn Hall for the Virtual Dynamic Women of Faith Conference as we listen to keynote speaker Antonia Salzano, Mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and many more. Come as you can, admission is only $10 at the door. This is a great opportunity to go deeper in your faith life and connect with other incredible Catholic moms. 2. IT'S HERE! Our FIRST CMG meeting!! We are excited to be launching St. Paul's Mother’s Group! Join us Monday, March 21 at 5:30p in Glynn Hall for a kick-off event to celebrate this vibrant ministry focused on supporting moms in their vocation of family life. Whether you are newly returning to the faith or are a cradle Catholic looking for fellowship, there is a place here for you. See you there! Contact Kathleen Harris or Brittany McFall at vicksburgcatholicmomsgroup@gmail.com for more information.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| February Budget | $ 8,444 |
| February Income | $ 8,691 |
| February Expenses | $ 8,746 |
| March Budget | $ 8,444 |
| March 5/6 collection | $ 4,091 |
| March Income To Date | $ 4,091 |
Stewardship Peter, James, and John wanted to build a “booth” for Jesus and just stay on the mountain where His transfiguration took place. But the Son of God, the Chosen One, knew that He must instead keep moving toward His Crucifixion. We, too, must rise from worship and do what we can to hasten the coming of the Kingdom.
Second Collection Our Second Collection this weekend supports the Black and Indian Missions of the. Church
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Bobby Reynolds (March 12), Abby Ellerbee (March 12), Shannon Wood (March 15), Mary Trichell (March 16), Alyssa Oliver (March 17), Angel Farlow (March 20)
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 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: Libby Bullard, 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, Emily Chancellor (C Copes), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Molly Corulla, Truman and Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Don Deweese, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, April Franklin (Wilks), 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), 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