The 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?”
The Sermon on the Mount is both accessible to almost everyone and deeply, profoundly complex. This little image of salt and light in today’s Gospel is very simple: Christians are meant to be evangelical and to share the Gospel and they must be cautious against failing to do so. In fact, failing to share the Gospel is a sin.
At the same time, there’s a practical layer to this simple teaching: God may forgive the sins of the Christian evangelist, but the world probably won’t… If the Christian loses his or her flavor by hypocrisy, by cowardice, even by mediocrity, can they recover their reputation? Almost certainly not…
Even beyond that, there’s a reminder that the Christian work of evangelization (which is expected of every Christian) is directed toward glorifying God and not the Christian him- or herself.
And there are deeper layers still. Salt, for example, was very, very important in the economy of the Jews and the Romans. In the Roman army at the time, some soldiers accepted their pay in salt which gives us the modern word “salary.” Light, too, was a big deal in the ancient world. Surely they had lamps and candles and whatnot, but they were generally smoky and it was expensive to flood a place with light. As recently as the 1800s, indoor lighting at night was not bright, but something we might think of as a 40W bulb per room. And so when Jesus compares His disciples to such valuables as salt (money) and light (safety and freedom), we might switch in diamonds and gold. It was a gigantic compliment and it spoke to the respect Jesus had for His disciples.
There are even deeper levels if we were to consult the many sermons of St. Augustine or the scholarship of St. Thomas Aquinas. And, of course, there’s plenty that the Holy Spirit might say to me or you personally as we read these words in prayer.
If you haven’t gotten started with our “Read the Bible in 2023 Challenge,” consider diving in, you’ve got plenty of time to catch up!
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Ash Wednesday is a little late this year, coming in the last week of the month. That gives us a little extra time to enjoy Carnivale and to hear the wonderful Gospel readings of Ordinary Time.
In the Church, we have two liturgical calendars that interconnect to make each year utterly unique. The “Sanctoral” calendar goes Jan-Dec and is all about the Saints, hence “sanctoral.” The “Seasonal” calendar goes Advent >> Christmas >> Epiphany >> Ordinary Time >> Lent >> Easter >> Pentecost >> Ordinary Time. The Traditional Calendar actually has several more seasons including a pre-Lent, quarterly “Ember Days,” and “Rogation Days” in Autumn.
The way in which each Season and the saints common to it cycle through the week and the secular holidays and the changing events of the world is meant to form a kind of small-scale drama which reveals to those of us paying attention the way in which the Lord wants us to see the world at large.
As Christians, we are not meant to chase the meaningless drama of the world. There’s no real adventure in careerism, politics, the accumulation of wealth, popularity, etc. The real adventure is getting to Heaven and finding in Jesus the love, peace, patience, joy, etc that He offers. The real adventure is fundamentally supernatural. And the Liturgical calendar is meant to reveal that to us in a symbolic and ever changing way.
That’s why I’m such a big fan of odd little traditions like Epiphany Chalk and the Burning of the Greens. There are, in fact, hundreds of those kinds of little traditions. Each of them helps to get our heads out of the world and into the Lord.
For example, there is a bonfire tradition associated with the birth of St. John the Baptist. Scripture says John was six months older than Jesus and so we celebrate his birthday on June 24, six months before Christmas. As Christmas is one of the longest nights of the year, John’s Birthday is one of the shortest. And so there’s a tradition of building a huge bonfire on that night, which symbolizes the time at which the length of the night will begin to increase… The bonfire is blessed with Holy Water and is accompanied by a party as we prepare ourselves to fight against the night which will get longer and longer until Christmas when it will begin to shorten thanks to the power of the Christ Child…
Now, is that mostly an excuse for a party… of course it is! But so are birthdays and basically every “reason” that we party. But the fact that we frame in our minds this or that reason matters. Thinking about the natural world in terms of the power of light and darkness is helpful for us as humans… And the less we remind ourselves of the little ways in which this world reflects the spiritual drama of our lives, the more detached we become from who we truly are. We get gender theory and tiktok.
The way in which we perceive the world matters and, as Christians, the Liturgical Calendar is an incredible assistant to understanding our world and the adventure of living in it as we await the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In celebration of Patten Dill and Eloise Duff
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of A.P. and Pat Guizerix/Family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of deceased members of Regan, Adams, and Weimer families/Family
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Thomas Trichell and for healing for Delia/Tommy
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster (birth anniversary)/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 Kathleen Mills by Sue and Mike Rome
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2/4 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren |
| 2/5 9:00a | Cooper and Volunteer | M Lancaster |
| 2/11 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks |
| 2/12 9:00a | Kathleen and Evelyn | J Howington |
| 2/18 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book |
| 2/19 9:00a | Henry, MaryCatherine, Maura | Youth - Hamilton |
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
Feb 4/5 Blessing of Throats for Feast of St Blaise following Mass
- Feb 17 Quarterly Mass for Healing at 5:30 p.m.
- Feb 19 Mark your calendar – Mardi Gras Potluck BRUNCH after the Sunday Mass
- Feb 22 Ash Wednesday - Lent begins
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… Pope Benedict was a remarkable man, a saintly priest, and his significance intellectually is hard to overstate. FORMED has a collection of videos that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/pope-benedict-xvi. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
FIRST QUARTER SOCIAL…: Our First Quarter Social will celebrate Mardi Gras on Sunday, February 19, 2023 following Mass. Please mark your calendar and join in a Potluck BRUNCH. The First Quarter (Jan, Feb, March) Committee: Margo Corulla and Darryl and Abby Ellerbee (co-chairs), Norman and Marie Ernst, Katherine Ernst Bedgood, 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
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.
SAINTS ALIVE…ANGELS AT WORK!...Thanks to everyone who assisted with the services and the luncheon last Saturday for the family of Kathleen Mills. Your kindness and generosity was definitely obvious! Continue to pray for our faith family and Kathleen’s family as we all adjust to life without her presence.
Stewardship The Gospel today reminds us that our lives and our deeds must serve as examples to others, pointing the way to the Father. Not for our own benefit do we labor, but so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.
SECOND COLLECTION for our Parish Building Fund
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| December Budget | $ 8,444 |
| December Income | $ 23,452 |
| December Expenses | $ 9,083 |
| January Budget | $ 10,555 |
| January 20 Collection | $ 2,066 |
| January Income To Date | $ 9,681 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Blanche Wilks (Feb 5), Stephenie E. Marsh (Feb 6)
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; 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, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, 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), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James and Carolyn Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), William and Averyell Kessler (Lancaster), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger,
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
