The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood”
One of the most central aspects of the practical living of Judaism is what we call the “Kosher Laws.” These laws govern what the Jews eat, how they prepare it, and establish many “taboo” foods which are absolutely off-limits even to touch. At the top of the list of taboos is blood. Blood is a big deal for the Jews. The blood of so-called “clean animals” (which were edible according to the Kosher Laws) could be used for certain religious rituals in the temple and could be touched during meal prep, but in both cases substantial cleanup was required.
“Unclean” blood, though, was a different thing altogether. Contact with “unclean” blood could require someone to stay out of the temple or the market for days at a time. Even one’s own blood (as in the case of menstruation) could make a person temporarily “unclean.” If a Jew were to make contact with the human blood of another person (as in the case of childbirth), everyone involved would be kept away from the community for a set period of time...
So in that context, we have to understand that any mention of the blood of human beings was intensely taboo for the Jewish people. It was strongly associated with sin, sickness, isolation from the community, and death. Human blood was as off-limits as religion and politics at a contentious Thanksgiving meal...
And yet Jesus insists not just that He is the bread of life which must be eaten. That could be understood metaphorically. Jesus insists that His blood is true food and that people must drink it. There’s not even the slightest potential for metaphor there. This is just about the most extreme taboo the Jewish people have. Even the idea of drinking Human blood remains for us an horrific, gut churning image. It was the kind of thing that would have been associated with the demonic at the time.
And yet Jesus says it three times and when people walk away, He doesn’t back down or reword it. Thankfully, the Holy Eucharist is given to us in the guise of bread and wine which is more palatable. Still, this context is important for us to be aware of. What Jesus is saying here is as serious as essential as anything He says in all of His other sermons.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
The evening of Thursday, 21 August 1879, was a very wet night in Knock, Ireland. At about 8p, Mary Byrne was walking home with her friend Mary McLoughlin. Byrne stopped suddenly when she saw at the gable of the church three life-size apparitions. She ran home to tell her parents and soon others from the village gathered. The witnesses saw an apparition of Our Lady, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist. Behind them and a little to the left of Saint John was an altar upon which a lamb was being adored by angels. A farmer, about half a mile away from the scene, later described what he saw as a large globe of golden light above and around the gable, circular in appearance. For nearly two hours a group of several dozen stood or knelt, gazing at the scene. The apparition never spoke aloud and, after about two hours, it faded and never returned.
The shrine at Knock is gearing up at the moment for its 150th anniversary in a few years time, but this year, in particular, it’s getting extra visitors because of the global call for Catholics to reinvigorate their devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Knock is a place strongly associated with Eucharistic adoration and devotion to the Mass and to the Holy Eucharist. It’s also a place that is strongly associated with another appearance of Our Lady, the apparitions at La Salette in France.
In 1846, Our Lady appeared in La Salette, France, and reminded the people that the Holy Mass celebrated on the Lord’s Day was no minor obligation, but was essential for holiness and salvation. Her words there implied a connection to Ireland and when She appeared at Knock, that connection was immediately understood.
Part of the reason the Church has called for a revival of Eucharistic devotion traces back to COVID-times. For better or worse, the rush to cooperate with lockdowns did a lot of damage to our understanding of the Holy Eucharist in the way in which clergy declared that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass wasn’t essential. Of course, they were obliged to obey the law and, of course, Church law allows them to temporarily lift the obligation. But rather than say “(1) this is really bad, (2) we should trust in the Lord and prioritize Heaven over Earthly health, and (3) we need to get back to Mass right away because live-streams are not the same as Mass,” lots of priests and bishops forgot to include holiness and salvation as part of their message. And so a lot of Catholics came to understand from all that bad messaging that Sunday Mass isn’t REALLY necessary - as long as we have a good reason to be away.
In an effort to be politically correct and whatever else, lots of Catholics came to believe that Sunday Mass is not a big deal. And so Mass attendance post-COVID is down by 40-50% in many places. (Not here thankfully!) Hence our need to refocus our attention on holiness, salvation, and, therefore, on Jesus’ true presence in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Our Lady of Knock, pray for us!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Nettie and Phillip Scurria/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Thomas Trichell (death)/Tommy
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Fred Wyly (death)/Magoun– at Legacy Nursing Home
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Gertrude & Marion Roy, Alex Roy, Marie & John Johnson/family
- Sat 5:30p In celebration of a special anniversary of the Magoun family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of MaryAnne Gilfoil
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/17 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil | M Rome |
| 8/18 9:30a | Annie and Thomas Meyers | Youth-Courtland | - |
| 8/24 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | N Ernst |
| 8/25 9:30a | MaryKatherine & Courtland | K Collins | - |
| 8/31 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | A Keene |
| 9/1 9:30a | Cooper & Maura | D Ellerbee | - |
Stewardship “Those who seek the Lord want for no good thing,” says today’s Psalm. But in the second reading St Paul reminds us that, but for that, thus blessed by the Lord, the good steward should “give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| July Budget | $ 8,444 |
| July Income | $ 8,906 |
| July Expenses | $ 10,902 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August 10-11 Collection | $ 1,803 |
| August Income To Date | $ 3,559 |
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
- August 18 Third Quarter Social will be a Potluck Brunch in the Hall following Mass. See notes elsewhere in the bulletin.
- August 21 Pastoral Council meets at 6 p.m. in Church Hall
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.
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
THIRD QUARTER SOCIAL…This weekend following Sunday Mass, we will have a Potluck Brunch in the Church Hall for all parishioners and guests. Hope you will join us for the faith family event. Giving leadership to the event will be the Third Quarter (July, Aug, Sept) Social Committee - Shannon and Bart Wood and Betty and Kenny Smith, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Dana and Randy Dukes, Kaci and Norman Ernst, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan
VICKSBURG CATHOLIC MOTHERS GROUP…… will be launching another exciting year! Join them Sunday August 25th at 5:30 pm in St. Paul's Glynn Hall (side entrance off of Walnut St.) 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! You may reach them at vicksburgcatholicmomsgroup@gmail.com or on Facebook at Vicksburg Catholic Moms Group. Leaders are Brittany Fall and Kathleen.
PASTORAL COUNCIL..will hold its regular meeting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Appointed members of the Council are: Kathleen Ellerbee, Norman Ernst, Jamie Howington, Mike Rome, Jason Trichell and Shannon Wood.. 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.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Elizabeth Crothers (Aug 21)
Happy Anniversary Sue and Mike Rome (Aug 19), Susan and 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 Pope, Francis; our 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, under full-time care and for those who care for them, and for those otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn & Nap Book, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil, Terry Farlow Hall, C.W. & Alyce Keene, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Hannah McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry & Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome
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), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), David Cagnolatti, Willetta and Mac Cagnolatti, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe & Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, 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), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Chelsea Keene & Andrew Lewis, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), Emery and Kale Kirkland (Gilfoil), Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), James Albert Martin, Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Vickie Morelli (Ernst), John Neill, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Gannon Sims, Robbie Sims, Keri Post, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Mary Claire Warner and her parents, MaryBeth and Steve, Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
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
