Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
From The Font
“Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.’”
Prior to Jesus, when basically anyone on the planet asked to be saved, they were asking for rescue from a physical threat. Jewish and Greek ideas about the afterlife were bleak and philosophical rather than personal rewards from God. Before Jesus, saving someone meant saving their life.
It’s no accident that Jesus chose to die the way He did. His very public, very painful death was a clear message to everyone that the universe is not how they thought it was. Even these words from the thief highlight how wrong the old way of thinking really was. The thief asks to be saved but Jesus denies him physical relief. The other thief, though, asks not to be saved but that Jesus remembers him… This, too, is wrong, in part. It comes from the Greek way of thinking about memory and memorializing the dead. You may remember the first few chapters of The Iliad go into this kind of thinking about the afterlife. Jesus isn’t going to save the thief who wants physical salvation and He’s not going to merely remember the other thief who wants a kind of Greek memorialization. Jesus is going to offer a new category of saving: an eternal, personal Heaven which is a perfect union with the Lord God. It’s not a super-charged version of Earth with extra-potent bodily pleasures. It’s not a merely intellectual or philosophical place as the Buddhist or Taoists believe. Heaven is a perfect union with Jesus.
We experience a foreshadowing of Heaven in this life when we feel timeless moments with those we love. When we feel perfectly at peace… When we feel totally at home in a relationship… When we recognize how blessed we are to have so-and-so in our lives, we are getting a taste of Heavenly bliss.
So it should make sense that even horrific suffering in this life is a small price to pay for eternal life in Heaven with Jesus! In our own relationships, we understand that sacrifice and compromise is worth it for the joy of friendship and intimacy… How much more is any trial in this life worth it for eternal, perfect union with the Lord.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I can’t believe that Holy Week is already here! I know some of y’all have said that Lent felt extra-long this year, but, for me, it’s been unusually short.
I suppose, that’s because I’ve had so many out of the ordinary events this Lent. While I used to preach a lot of out-of-town missions, since I’ve been a pastor (~12 years), that’s been harder and harder to make time to do. This year, I preached two extended parish missions and a day retreat for Confirmation kids. The missions were deeply fulfilling at a personal level because they required a very different set of intellectual, religious, and spiritual perspectives. I told the folks at both missions that I love being here in Tallulah. And I Do!! In 17 years of priesthood, this is the first time that I’ve been out of “fix it” mode and in “keep it running smoothly” mode… It’s wonderful! Still, the missions afforded me an opportunity to switch modes for just a few days and to preach on some topics from a different perspective than I would use here in Tallulah.
While those two weeks of parish Lenten missions were exhausting, they were also invigorating. I’m so thankful to be able to bring that energy back here to Tallulah especially in light of the struggles we’re facing as a community… Our disordered national, state and regional leadership, those beloved parishioners suffering from serious illness, the remainder of COVID, the ongoing financial crises, and, of course, the storm damage to TA are all weighing on us to the point that we might rightly ask whether we needed to do much extra penance in order for Lent to do its work in our hearts! We might also ask how we’ll be able to shift gears into rejoicing in Easter glory in only a week’s time…
I shared these thoughts about these missions because they illustrate our human need to shift gears from time to time. We need to step out of our ruts from time to time. Lent makes us think about our eating patterns and our personal spiritual program. Easter reminds us to set aside the weight of the world for a bit and simply rejoice that God is God and that Heaven is our real purpose in this life. Even Sunday Mass is a weekly moment to reorient ourselves toward the Lord and realize that the daily grind doesn’t define us. So, too, our daily prayers offer us that same freedom…
I was sharing with someone this week how shifting gears can be difficult, especially shifting into a new gear. The first time I tried Sushi, for example, I just about barfed! Bait soaked in salty brown water (soy sauce). It was so nasty. There was a second try only because people I trusted said it would be worth it. Now, Sushi is one of my very favorite foods. We see the same pattern with prayer. At first, it’s tedious. But if we give it a chance, it provides a freedom from the daily grind and the weight of the world that we all need so desperately!
Shake ups can be hard, but God makes all things work for the good of those who love Him. Holy Week is already here, but the value of that gear shifting isn’t diminished… Let’s make the best of the coming days!
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 NO MASS (Fr Ryan will be at Chrism Mass in Alexandria) Wed 9:00a In memory of Rosa Gremshell Thu 5:30p HOLY THURSDAY In memory of deceased members of the Regan & Adams family Fri 5:30p GOOD FRIDAY Liturgy of the Passion Sat 8:00p HOLY SATURDAY In memory of Jack Ellerbee and in honor of John Ellerbee/family Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Louise Magoun
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/9 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks |
| 4/10 9:00a | Henry and MaryKatherine | Blake Sullivan |
| 4/16 5:30p | None Scheduled | MaryAnne, Beth, Darryl |
| 4/17 9:00a | Chandler, Kathleen, Maura | Youth |
| 4/23 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 4/24 9:00a | Preston, Evelyn, Courtland | J Howington |
Assistants For Holy Week
| Date & Time | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Thursday 5:30p | Caroline, Kathleen, Preston | C VanderVieren |
| Good Friday 5:30p | Evelyn and Chandler | S Marsh, K Collins, M Lancaster |
| Holy Saturday 8:00p | Henry, MaryKatherine, Preston | MA Gilfoil, B SullivanD Ellerbee |
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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April 14-17 Holy Week - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday
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April 16 Easter Egg Hunt - Church Hall at 10 a.m. see notes elsewhere in bulletin
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May 1 First Holy Communion for four of our children followed by a parish wide reception
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May 4 Confirmation for four of our youth followed by a parish wide Potluck Supper
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May 8 Mother’s Day
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May 15 Senior’s Mass for Youth Sunday followed by a parish wide reception
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.
GOOD FRIDAY IS A DAY OF FASTING Please recall that Good Friday is a day of fasting. It’s one of only two fasting days in the entire Church year! These days aren’t set by the Church at random, they are set in order to direct us toward eternal life in Heaven… Crawfish is just as yummy on Holy Saturday as it is on Good Friday…
NO MORNING MASS and NO 5:30 p.m. MASS on HOLY SATURDAY. The Church allows only one Mass on Holy Saturday and it must begin after sunset. As such, there will be no other Masses on Holy Saturday until the 8 p.m. Paschal Vigil.
EASTER EGG HUNT...on the church grounds on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. Stephenie Marsh is giving 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.
SECOND QUARTER SOCIAL will be a Potluck Supper for all of our faith family on WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 following Confirmation of four of our youth. Please mark your calendars and plan to bring a dish and participate to celebrate Caroline, Preston, Henry, and Chandler. The Second Quarter (April, May, June) Social Committee - Libby Bullard (Chairperson), Angel Farlow, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, MaryAnne Gilfoil, Terry and Andy Hall, Isabell Hernandez, Ann Keene, Alyce and C.W. Keene, Bobby Reynolds, Delia Trichell, and Cathy VanderVieren will set up the Hall, have the A/C on, and tidy up afterwards.
EASTER LILIES, FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS envelopes are at the entrance of church. If you would like to have flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one, please pick up an envelope and leave your donation in the collection basket.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| March Budget | $ 8,444 |
| March Income | $ 9,143 |
| March Expenses | $ 8,404 |
| April Budget | $ 8,444 |
| April 2/3 collection | $ 2,643 |
| April Income To Date | $ 2,643 |
Stewardship In the Gospel story of the first Palm Sunday, we hear that the owners of the ass had only to be told, “The Master has need of it,” to give the animal gladly. Do I give as readily to the Lord’s work?
Second Collection next weekend is for INFIRMED PRIESTS. It is worth noting that the proceeds for this collection remain in our parish and are NOT TAXED by the Diocese as it replenishes the once-monthly charge that we pay to the Diocese.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Michael Lancaster (April 13), Skeeter Wilks (April 17)
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, Terry Murphy, Sug Regan, 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), Dee Jones (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, and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Beverly Sibille (Gilfoil), 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