Third Sunday of Lent | St. Edward Catholic Church, Tallulah

From The Font

“Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices…”

“Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them…”

For many modern Christians, the Bible is THE definitive word on the message and life of Jesus Christ. But even the Bible itself in the Gospel of St. John (21:25) says “there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

Catholics should not and do not think of the Bible as the definitive Divine Revelation. In fact, THE definitive revelation of God to us as Human beings is the man, Jesus Christ, who IS the Word of God.

The teachings of Jesus are included in the Bible, but they’re also to be found in the writings of the earliest Saints who were, themselves, disciples of the first Apostles. Saints like Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp record teachings of Jesus and events from His life which are not recorded in the Bible. The Apostle’s Creed - which our Methodist brothers and sisters say instead of our own Nicean Creed isn’t found in the Bible, it’s found in the Didache, an early record of the teachings and liturgies of the Apostles which also includes teachings and events in the life of Jesus which aren’t found in the Gospel. Of course, there’s nothing troublesome about that at all! The Lord didn’t promise us a book with all the necessary details to get to Heaven - like some kind of user manual. Rather, He tells us that HE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Also, those extra teachings and life events - which are interesting and useful - aren’t hiding some secret from us… They contribute to the integrity of the whole teaching which Jesus gives us through the testimony of the Gospel writers…

There is a fine line to walk in religion between the right worship of God and the idolizing of certain aspects of the worship of God. Some people obsess over the choreography of the Liturgy, others obsess over the Bible or the feelings of prayer… When it comes to the Bible, we have to remember that it’s a resource and a gift, not an end in itself.

Thoughts from Fr. Ryan

This Friday is the Solemnity of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. Believe it or not, we’re exactly nine months from Christmas Day 2022!

The Feast Day is a blessed occasion. But this year it’s double fun because it falls on a Friday during Lent. As Catholics, we don’t fast on feast days… Sundays aren’t penitential days - even if they happen during Lent… And solemnities aren’t penitential days… The only exception is if that day is preempted for some reason. If, for example, the Assumption or St. Joseph’s Day fell on Good Friday or Holy Saturday… But it doesn’t this year and so this Friday you can go to town on a steak or a burger or a sloppy joe or whatever you like. If you gave up chocolate or parcheesi, you can have it this Friday.

Now there’s a common misconception that eating what you gave up for Lent on Sundays or on a day like this Friday is “cheating.” But that’s just not the case. The purpose of fasting and penance in general is not just to deprive ourselves of something for some specific period of time. Rather, penance is about offering ourselves to the Lord in specific little ways. It’s about putting the Lord before ourselves.

That happens in relationships all the time… Every time a spouse hands over the remote control, he or she is doing a little relationship penance. Every time we sacrifice of ourselves for the good of someone else (which is the technical definition of love), we are mirroring the fasting and penance that we offer the Lord during Lent. In those human relationships, it’s the thought that counts. It may be that your spouse wants to watch the same show you do. It may be that your little sacrifice will turn out to bring more joy or pleasure than you expected or even planned. The fact that things work out better than planned doesn’t undermine the loving sacrifice at all!

This Friday works out just like that. We have a brief respite in the midst of our penance for some joy… And doesn’t that make the whole thing so much better? I’ll be honest, I’m planning on a steak dinner and it’s going to taste better because it’s completely above board and it’s on a Friday in Lent… That’s not cheating and it’s not outside the spirit of the season. Quite the opposite, I’m recognizing even more than usual that every good gift comes from the Lord! I’m all the more appreciative that God is good. And the next Friday, when we’re off meat again, I’ll recognize all the more how much I owe the Lord for His goodness to me.

In our modern world, fasting is hard to understand. We are so wealthy and well cared for that even something so minor as replacing meat with crawfish fettuccine is considered penitential. Truthfully, that wealth makes fasting all the more important. It reinforces our desperate need to realize and recognize our poverty of spirit. Wealth and comfort are dangers to the spiritual life. The more we can ignore what we lack spiritually with a life of comfort and recreation, the less we will grow spiritually and the more we will need to hide it from ourselves. Fasting undoes so much of that with such a minimal effort. There are few better spiritual tools that we have in this life. And Lent is the perfect time to make use of it.

Mass Intentions for the Coming Week

Sat 5:30p For a special St Joseph intention/Magoun
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
Mon-Sat AM No Daily Masses this week (Fr Ryan is preaching a mission in Lake Charles)
Sat 5:30p In memory of Curley Mills/ Mills-Thompson
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish

ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Theresa Thoms and James Trimble, deceased members of the Rome family

Assistants at Holy Mass

Date	Servers	Lector(s)
3/19 5:30p	None Scheduled	MA Gilfoil
3/20 9:00a	Chandler, Kathleen, Maura	Youth (MaryKatherine/Kathleen)
3/26 5:30p	None Scheduled	A Farlow
3/27 9:00a	Preston, Evelyn, Courtland	B Sullivan
4/2 5:30p	None Scheduled	C VanderVieren
4/3 9:00a	Caroline, Cooper, Maura	K Collins

Upcoming Events

Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
Sunday Morning Catechism is concluded for the season. It will begin again in the Fall.
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
Sunday Morning Catechism has concluded for this school year. There will not be coffee or donuts in the Hall after church until the Fall.
April 16 Easter Egg Hunt - Church Hall at 10 a.m. see notes elsewhere in bulletin

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 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 certainly welcome to attend.

NEWS FROM CATHOLIC MOM’S GROUP IN VICKSBURG……... IT'S HERE! The FIRST Catholic Moms Group meeting of St. Paul's on 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.

EASTER EGG HUNT...on the church grounds on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. Stephenie Marsh will give leadership to the event so please check with her to offer your assistance. We will need hard-boiled eggs that are dyed or plastic eggs with treats so your help is appreciated.

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 12/13 collection	$ 1,320
March Income To Date	$ 5,411

Stewardship The parable in today’s Gospel clearly warns that we, like the fig tree, will be judged by our fruit. While God mercifully provides us with time and opportunity, let us give witness to our faith with deeds of kindness and generosity!

Let us Rejoice in the Lord!

Happy Birthday Angel Farlow (March 20), Terry Hall (March 27), Cooper Wood Ellerbee(March 27), Dana Dukes (March 28), Teddy Oliver (March 28)

Happy Anniversary Alyce and C.W. Keene (March 21)

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, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver Bridges, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood