The 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
There “was a man with an unclean spirit”
There are several groups of Protestants who believe that all of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, including exorcism and miracles, ended roughly with the death of the last of the Apostles, St John, in ~91AD. We call these folks “Cessationists.”
While it’s not important for us to know all the ins and outs of each Protestant denomination, it is important that we understand the broad strokes of Christians with whom we live. If, for example, we don’t understand what our Baptist friends mean by “being saved,” we can get confused about what we, ourselves, believe.
It’s natural for us to assume that all Christians see the world the same basic way. It’s shocking how often Catholics and Baptists alike will say to me that we’re “basically the same.” But that’s just not remotely true! Catholics are a lot closer to Jews than we are to Baptists. Most Baptists are, for example, cessationists. They don’t generally teach that miraculous healing is real. They don’t generally believe that the Holy Spirit is engaged with our lives in a practical way and a Baptist theologian would vigorously disagree
with the theme I’ve been preaching about for the last two years - about listening to the Holy Spirit in prayer.
All of that doesn’t mean that John Q Baptist doesn’t believe in those things! Baptists are, after all, not dogmatic - meaning that they don’t give much concern to these kinds of questions at all... And I’m certainly not looking to shame anyone or throw anyone under the bus. My point is that most of us Catholics believe in miracles very much and we probably assume that our non-Catholic Christian friends do too. But that may not be the case... And so there’s a need for us to try to understand their point of view, but there’s also a need for us to take responsibility to know our own Faith and be able to share that Faith in a way that is charitable, reasonable, and personal!
I have some great stories of Cessationists who have called me over the years with hauntings and the like who were in need of an exorcist. I always ask what their pastor said to them that led them to me... Most of the time, it’s been “call the cat-licks, they deal with that stuff.” And so we do. We do deal with that stuff.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Friday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as “Candlemas.” It recalls the Holy Family going to the temple and offering the traditional sacrifice of two turtle doves. As they were leaving, they encountered both Simeon and Anna, two aged (and unconnected) prophets who were known locally for their personal holiness. Simeon, in particular, had been told by the Lord that He would see the Messiah before he died. And so when He saw the baby Jesus, he said:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
The word that Simeon uses for light (φῶς) has some fun connections in ancient Greek. One of its associated meanings is “firelight.” And so the association between these prophetic words of Simeon and the use of candles or oil lamps came about early on in Christian history. It’s become traditional to bless candles for use in the Church and in the home on the Feast of the Presentation when Simeon’s prophecy is read at Mass.
Candles can, of course, be blessed any time of year. And you can always bring candles to daily Mass or drop them by the rectory and I will bless them and get them back to you as soon as possible. Remember that we only bless items which we intend to put to exclusively religious use. So if you have a lovely vanilla-scented jar candle that you want to use in your prayer nook, you can certainly get that blessed. You don’t have to get it blessed, but you can. If you have a taper-candle that’s going to do triple duty on the dinner table, the prayer nook, and the mantle-piece, then it’s preferable not to have that blessed.
Miscellaneous items that we use exclusively for religious purposes are called “sacramentals.” A sacrament (lower case ‘s’) is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality. A Sacrament (upper case ‘S’) is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality which is specifically instituted by Jesus for our salvation. A sacramental is a physical representation of a spiritual reality which is meant to help us raise our hearts and minds to God. That can be an image, a statue, a rosary, a candle, a medal, Holy Water, or many other things. If we’re going to set something in our lives aside for exclusively religious use, it’s good to have that item blessed.
A blessing is an extension of the authority of Jesus which is conferred on the Apostles and through the Apostles to modern bishops, priests, and deacons. The blessing isn’t meant to be magical, it’s an act of the Church which formally draws something out of worldly use and sets it apart for religious use. The word “holy” ultimately means “to set apart.” (Blessings of people and Sacramental consecrations are a little different.)
When you’re asking for a simple blessing of a thing, I can do that as you’re entering or leaving Church. Some blessings are more complicated and it’s helpful to leave the item with me for a day. Either way, you can ALWAYS text me and we can work together to get you and your family closer to Heaven. Don’t hesitate!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 5:30p No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Racer Holstead (birth)/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Thu 9:00a In memory of C.L. Keene and Inez and C.B. DeMoss/Keene
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Lee Rome/Lancaster
- Sat 5:30p In memory of MaryAgnes York/P Gilfoil
- Sun 9:30a Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Kathleen Mills by Angel Farlow
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/27 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | Norman Ernst |
| 1/28 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | J Howington | None Scheduled |
| 2/3 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow | A Keene |
| 2/4 9:30a | Chandler and Annie | M Lancaster | None Scheduled |
| 2/10 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil | C VanderVien |
| 2/11 9:30a | MaryKathrine & Courtland | S Marsh | None Scheduled |
Stewardship Moses told the people, “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen.” God still provides among His people the gifts and talents necessary to continue the work of His Church. What gifts are yours to share?
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is to support the Church in Latin America.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| December Budget | $ 10,555 |
| December income | $ 15,444 |
| December Expenses | $ 10,483 |
| January Budget | $ 8,444 |
| January 21 collection | $ 3,140 |
| January Income To Date | $ 7,318 |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and on Sunday from 9a until Mass
- Sunday Catechism with Coffee and Donuts after Mass unless otherwise indicated
- Wednesday Morning Catechism about 9:30 a.m in Church and on Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p
Jan 28 Special Talk from Fr Ryan 6 p.m. in Church Hall. See opposite side for details
- Feb 2 First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - 5:30 p.m.
- Feb 3 First Saturday Devotions to our Blessed Mother-Mass and Holy Hour– 9 a.m. Feb
- Feb 3/4 First Sunday Benediction
- Feb 3/4 Blessing of throats
- Feb 11 First Quarter Social — Mardi Gras potluck brunch – following Sunday 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.
PILGRIMAGE!... Fr Ryan is leading a Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome in Italy in September of 2024. More information is available at HolyTravels.org/FrHumphriesItaly . Please pass the word around!
FORMED.ORG… FORMED has an entire page of weekly featured videos that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA…This weekend, January 28, we will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. For many in Latin America and the Caribbean, a rising secular culture, difficult rural terrain, and a shortage of ministers all present obstacles to practicing the faith. Your support for the collection provides lay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and religious formation, and other programs to share our Catholic faith with those who long to hear the Good News of Christ. To learn more about how your gifts make a difference, visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.
SPECIAL TALK FROM FR RYAN... Sunday, January 28, 6pm in the Hall, Fr Ryan will give a talk on a highly requested topic. How do we make sense of all the troublesome things going on in the Church? Attendance is in decline across the Western world. There are public, even angry disagreements on essential matters of doctrine between bishops and cardinals. The news has a new story every day about what is happening or what might be happening in the near future. There’s a great deal of anxiety about our recent past and our near future. Fr Ryan will explain what those issues are and how we, as Christians, deal with them. Any- and everyone is welcome to attend!
FIRST FRIDAY …. FEBRUARY 2...Holy Hour and Mass....5:30 p.m. ...make a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and attend first Friday devotions for nine consecutive months.
FIRST SATURDAY … FEBRUARY 3… Mass and Holy Hour … 9 a.m. Our Lady of Fatima called for special devotions to be offered on the first Saturday of each month. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION…FEBRUARY 3 …. at the conclusion of weekend Masses as part of our larger program to improve Eucharistic Devotion and to understand what a gift we have in the Most Holy Eucharist.
FIRST QUARTER SOCIAL… Mark your calendars to join in on Sunday, February 11, in the Church Hall following Mass for Potluck Brunch. The First Quarter (Jan, Feb, March) committee to decorate and clean up consists of Margo Corulla and Darryl and Abby Ellerbee (co-chairs), Norman and Marie Ernst, Katherine Ernst, Brian Johnson, Sidney and Mary Jane Johnson, Robbie and Tori Kivett, Ed Mills, Billy and Courtney Nadeau, Teddy and Alyssa Oliver, Mike and Sue Rome, Jason Trichell, Mary Trichell, Levi Washington
VICKSBURG CATHOLIC MOMS GROUP…..Calling all Moms!! Whether you have toddlers or your chicks have flown the coop, Catholic Moms Group is for you! We will be having our next meeting celebrating our 2nd Annual Anniversary Monday February 12th at 6 pm in Glynn Hall. We hope to see you there, even if it's for the first time!! More information contact Brittany McFall or Kathleen Harris at vicksburgcatholicmomsgroup@gmail.com, or visit our BRAND NEW Facebook page: Vicksburg Catholic Moms Group.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Courtland Jude Collins (Jan 29), Hazel Bedgood (Feb 2), Evelyn Grace Kivett (Feb 2), Susan Gilfoil (Feb 3)
Happy Anniversary
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 Pope Francis; 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: MaryKathryn and Nap Book, Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, Terry Farlow Hall, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Hannah Wood McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Sue & Mike Rome
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Willetta and Mac Cagnolatti, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie and Donald Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe and Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Jimmy Fordham (Gustafson & Fordice), Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Dee Jones (Keene), Calvin “Beans” and Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Cindy Mathieu (Wilks), Boyce Miller, Vickie Morelli (Ernst), John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Walter and Vivian Scott, Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Mary Claire Warner and her parents, MaryBeth and Steve
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
