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

From The Font

“Then Peter said, ‘Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?’”

Most of our local Protestant churches reject the idea of “hierarchy” in discipleship and ministry. That means that they don’t accept the idea that certain disciples get privileged information from the Lord because of their rank, assignment, or whatever.

Today’s Gospel, though, gives us a very clear example that Jesus did restrict certain teachings to His apostles alone. There are other examples such as the Weeds and Wheat or the Sower and Seed both in Mt 13.

The reasons for the Lord’s choice to restrict some teachings are undoubtedly complex! But we can certainly see some of the more obvious aspects of His reasoning. For one thing, the Apostles were being trained to teach as Jesus taught. When one of His sermons used a more complicated image, especially one which Jesus explained only superficially to the crowds, the future teachers needed to understand more details.

For another thing, some of the teachings of Jesus were a bit too intense for the crowds. We see in John 6 how the Eucharistic sermons of Jesus were hard for the people to absorb. So too, were the messages about taking up one’s cross. Jesus could hardly explain to the crowds that He would be crucified by the Sanhedrin in the coming months or years! So some of the teachings of Jesus had to be reserved.

It’s important to be clear that the Gospels were written by the Apostles who were present at the sermons they’re recounting. As authors, these Apostles left out LOTS of details. Jesus’ sermons would’ve lasted for hours and yet we have only a few selected quotations and stories. That’s not a deception or a fault - it’s the reality of ancient writing and bookmaking.

More than anything, that should reaffirm for us just how important the establishment of the formal Church with the Apostles at the top really was! They were the eyewitnesses and they were charged with passing on the message no book could contain!

Thoughts from Fr. Ryan

This Wednesday is my favorite patronal feast day in our Church! St. Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the city of Rome at the time of Pope Sixtus II (~258AD) who were martyred in the persecution of the Christians by the Roman Emperor Valerian.

Lawrence’s martyrdom was especially brutal. He was tortured by being placed on a grill above hot coals. As the hours went by, the pain was certainly excruciating, but Lawrence took the opportunity to bring some humor to the scene by loudly declaring to the Emperor’s soldiers that he was done on this side and that they could turn him over… While it gives us a chuckle, it was profound evidence to the onlookers of the power of Jesus to allow His disciples to overcome even the most horrific bodily and mental torments.

So much of the power of martyrdom comes from just this realization. Just as onlookers might see a Christian expressing great joy or love or peace and find in that something for which they hunger, so, too, onlookers see in a Christian enduring suffering with poise and supernatural courage a reason to consider seeking Faith in Jesus who can give His followers that kind of strength.

The story of St. Lawrence closely parallels the story of the young men in the book of Daniel (ch 3), where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are cast into Nebuchadnezzar’s white-hot furnace as a means of execution… But the young men are found to be dancing in the flames accompanied by an angel. The result of the whole event is that the king is moved toward Faith in the God of Israel.

As the young men in Daniel were punished for refusing to bow down to the golden statue of the king, so Lawrence was executed for refusing to burn incense in worship of the emperor cult.

Over time, Lawrence’s humorous quip made him a patron of cooks, especially those who worked around open-fire grills. And so, nowadays, we call Lawrence the patron saint of Barbeque… And in a previous parish, I was able to host an annual barbeque for the deacons of the diocese on the Feast of St. Lawrence. It was a hoot!

These sometimes bizarre patronal saints aren’t just there for fun or quirks. Neither is there some official chart. Surely a farming saint like Isidore the worker is logically a patron of farmers. But a farmer could certainly ask for the intercession of St. Joseph the carpenter or St. Walstan (a farmer and miracle-worker). They could also invoke any saint to whom they feel a connection for success in their life and work.

Even beyond this, we have some saints like Joseph of Cupertino who had a miraculous gift of flight and who is the patron of pilots. We have St. Clair of Assisi who had a miraculous experience of a “window of light” appear next to her through which she could see the Mass being offered in the chapel and so she is the patroness of TV… These are humorous to be sure, but they also invite us to recall the Lord’s constant involvement in every aspect of life, not just the Church part.

Why not ask for prayer from St. Lawrence as we light the pit and from St. Andrew, patron of cattleman as we cook up a delicious steak?

Mass Intentions for the Coming Week

Sat 5:30p In memory of Curley Mills/Mills-Thompson
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
Mon NO MASS
Tue 9:00a In memory of Dorothy Neill/Gustafson
Wed 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
Thurs 9:00a In memory of John Johnson/family
Fri 5:30p In memory of George Magoun/family
Sat 5:30p In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Mike and Sue Rome
Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish

ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Blanche and Skeeter Wilks

Assistants at Holy Mass

Date	Servers	Lector(s)
8/6 5:30p	None Scheduled	C VanderVieren
8/7 9:00a	Chandler, Maura, AnneMarie	C Guizerix
8/13 5:30p	None Scheduled	P Wilks
8/14 9:00a	Preston, Cortland, Evelyn	S Marsh
8/20 5:30p	None Scheduled	MK Book
8/21 9:00a	Cooper and Maura	Youth

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
August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Mother is NOT a holy day of obligation this year
August 16 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
August 17 Wednesday Evening Catechism - Parish Hall - 6 p.m.

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.

PASTORAL COUNCIL... will hold its regular meeting on TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Center. Newly appointed members of the Council are Norman Ernst and Jason Trichell. They join four other members: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, Louise Magoun, 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.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY… MIKE and SUE ROME will celebrate their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary this month. The Rosary group and the Saturday night Mass group are organizing a Potluck Supper to be held after Mass on Saturday, August 20, 2022 in the Church Hall to celebrate with Mike and Sue. Everyone is invited to join in the occasion!

EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.virtus.org for the latest training bulletins. Any questions or issues can be reported to the office. Printed resources are available on the table at the entrance to the Church. “Protecting our Children, Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” includes Resources and Contact Numbers for reporting abuse. “Protecting God’s Children, Teaching Touching Safety Quick Reference Guide” The Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Minors and The Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers are available in the Safe Environment section of the diocesan website at DioceseAlex.org or a copy may be requested from the Safe Environment Office (318) 445-2401.

PLEDGE TO HEAL... If you or a family member has been abused or victimized by a representative of the Catholic church or a member of the clergy, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Alexandria encourages those persons to come forward and speak out. Dr. Kneipp is establishing support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members. The focus of these groups is to further emotional and spiritual healing as an adjunct to therapy, in an atmosphere of others who understand the pain, betrayal, and fear associated with abuse. Dr. Kneipp can be reached at 318-542-9805. All calls are confidential.

PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON… Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during the Hurricane Season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hastened to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Our Return to the Lord


Weekly Budget FY 2020-21	$ 2,111
June Budget	$ 8,444
June Income	$ 9,048
June Expenses	$ 9,641
July Budget	$ 10,555
July 30/31 Collection	$ 2,503
July Income To Date	$ 10,849

Stewardship Am I waiting for the “right time to become a good steward? Do I plan to share my time and talents “later”? Today’s Gospel warns those who are procrastinating about stewardship to be prepared - at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Let us Rejoice in the Lord!

Happy Birthday Philip Scurria (Aug 6), Teri Wilson (Aug 17), Kim Donham (Aug 19), Elizabeth Crothers (Aug 21)

Happy Anniversary Shannon & Bart Wood (Aug 15), Sue & Mike Rome (Aug 19), Susan & Johnny Gilfoil (Aug 22)

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, Marie, Norman, and Mary Ernst, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Jamie and Cindy Howingston, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Terry and Susie 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, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Kevin and AnnaBeth Collins (Book), Truman and Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), John and Carlyle Ashly Hoogland, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), Lyn and Calvin Lisonbee (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Janice Spencer and family (Wilks), Meg Keene Thomas, Lucy Thomason (gr-dau of Bentley Curry)(Book), Gabby Trejos (Wilks), 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, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver Bridges, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood.