Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
From The Font
“This man God raised on the third day and granted that He be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.”
In many ways, Easter Sunday is all about the idea of witness… Jesus died a brutal, public death to witness the consequence of sin. He rose from the dead in secret and appeared to a few specially chosen people until the gigantic public moment of the Ascension during which hundreds of witnesses saw Him rise into Heaven. And ten days later, the Apostles, having received the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire, began the public work of ministry as the official witnesses of Jesus’ teaching, ministry, miracles, and Church.
And we, too, are here as witnesses. We attest with our attendance and our out-of-step beliefs in the teaching, ministry, miracles, and Church of Jesus that He is God. He is the One “God raised on the third day.” And when it comes to making more Christians, it’s not usually our theology or our history or even the beauty of our Liturgy that makes converts - it’s the credibility of the witness who shares his or her faith with someone else. It’s YOUR credibility and YOUR faith which convinces someone else to give Jesus Christ a chance to bring them the “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” that comes naturally from putting our faith in Jesus Christ. We call these the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, but the list itself is a distant second to the witness of it…
Nothing has more impact on the life of faith than the witness of faith. Nothing builds up our faith more than seeing others around us live their faith boldly. Even supernatural events and miracles fade quickly in our minds. But the witness of someone we trust lasts.
In the same way, nothing is more detrimental to our faith than the hypocrisy or shallowness of faith of someone who professes Jesus with their lips and denies Him by their lifestyle.
As we celebrate Easter, let us be thankful for God’s goodness and His supernatural love for us which is so much more valuable than we can even begin to imagine. At the same time, let us be aware of the responsibility that flows from that gift! We are witnesses…
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Happy Easter!!
Well that’s another Lenten season done. Our second “normal” Lent since the Holy Week that we had to celebrate apart.
In his sermon for the “Chrism Mass” that the Bishop celebrates with the priests of his diocese each year, our Bishop spoke about the sense of alienation and separation that has been such a part of our human experience in the past few years as something which helps us to feel all the nearer to the apostles and to Jesus Himself. After all, it wasn’t just physical suffering that Jesus endured, it was the profound sense of betrayal that makes the story of Jesus’ Passion so awful. The disciples, too, felt that way after the Lord’s death. The Gospel tells us they spent much time locked away in secret due to fear.
The Resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a big, giant deal for us who receive the grace of His mastery over death in the Sacraments, it’s also a moment of the Apostles and Mary Magdalene and of His followers in general being reintegrated into the larger community. When Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, they are empowered to go out into the world again and to share in the joy and grace of communal life.
Throughout 2022, I’ve been advocating strongly for us to pay attention to our own mental health and wellness. The last few years have created a LOT of emotional disorders, even in prayerful, strong-minded, and virtuous people! One of the great gifts of Christianity is that it’s deliberately a human religion - by which I mean that God made us and He gave us a mode of worshiping Him which extends from our human nature. To “do” the Christian religion well includes “doing” human life well. And so when the Resurrection of Jesus draws the Apostles out of their isolation, it’s beneficial for them spiritually and emotionally. When Jesus asks us to pray, fast, and do works of mercy, it’s beneficial for us spiritually and emotionally. When the Lord asks us to obey His commands, to share our faith, and to be public about our religious practice, it’s beneficial for us spiritually and emotionally.
Religion isn’t just self-help. It’s much, much, more than self-help. It’s the perfection of our humanity, not merely an improvement of it.
Just like a good teacher knows the strengths and weaknesses of her student and directs him or her to the right career or field of study, so the Lord has created our religion as an extension and perfection of our human nature. It really is the greatest gift He can give in this life!
If we’re looking for happiness or a sense of purpose or an outlet to “find ourselves,” the best place to do that is within the larger context of our Faith. Shockingly many of the greatest scientists, artists, military strategists, poets, philosophers, and humanitarians in world history have been serious, faithful Catholics. That’s not accidental, it’s statistically meaningful. The Catholic Faith draws out from us the best of our humanity and puts it as the service of God and neighbor. That service gives life purpose, meaning, value and direction. And those things bring us joy, peace, love, happiness, and all of the natural pleasure that comes with them.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p 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
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Kirby and Paul Fortenberry/A Fortenberry
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Fri 5:30p In memory of A.E. “Bubba” Jumonville (birth anni)/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Thomas Magoun/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 Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 4/30 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 5/1 9:00a | Caroline, Cooper, Maura | Beth 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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May 1 First Holy Communion for four of our children followed by a parish wide reception
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May 3 Workshop on Dealing with Stress & Anxiety as a Christian. 6 p.m. Parish Hall.
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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.
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 9/10 collection | $ 2,703 |
| April Income To Date | $ 5,346 |
Stewardship In the second reading today, St. Paul reminds the Colossians that they have been raised with Christ, exhorting them to “be intent on the things above rather than on things of earth.” We, too, have been raised with Christ. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Second Collection this 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 Skeeter Wilks (April 17), Marie Ernst (April 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, 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, 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), Paul Wayne and LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), 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