The Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
"He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.”
We have to wonder why people who have just heard Jesus preach and experienced a miracle would be so quick to disobey Him... Even when His teachings seemed especially odd, as we’ve been considering as we read the Bread of Life discourse in John chapter 6, the man was a miracle worker!
In some ways the impulse to share exciting news is just baked into our DNA. The current social media frenzy is just an extension of the same disordered need to make a spectacle of oneself that has always been part of who we are. It may well be the same impulse that young people seem to be unable to control when they feel compelled to do something stupid, record it, and upload it to the internet is just the modern version of what previous generations did after saying the famous words “hold my beer, let me show you somethin’.”
Not all of us have the urge to be the center of attention, and that urge can be put to good use, but it’s certainly not an urge or a tendency that we can simply indulge at will.
This Gospel story is very much about the need to be “in possession of ourselves.” The great spiritual masters write about the need to be in control of our emotions, our urges, and, of course, our decisions. If I can’t resist my urges, then I am a slave to them. If I am not “in possession” of myself, how can I give myself to Jesus or to my spouse? It takes a lifetime to be in absolute possession of myself. Even the great spiritual saints like John of the Cross or Mother Theresa struggled with their human urges and passions. But they would say that the work of self-mastery is an essential part of Christianity.
It’s interesting that Jesus connects obedience to God with love of God... They’re not the same, but the inability to obey God has a direct effect on the ability to love God deeply.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
I am so, so very blessed to be here in this parish! I honestly couldn’t be happier and more thankful to be in Tallulah.
We FINALLY got the Mausoleum contract signed - the sales period will begin as soon as the company is able to arrange it. We’re still a ways off from construction, but we’re finally moving forward and I couldn’t be happier about it.
We’re also doing really well as a parish. At our most recent pastoral council meeting, I was just so thankful to be surrounded by people who love this Church, care about our community, and are willing to work to make good things happen.
I, for one, am also thankful that the big tree in the middle of Bond Street is finally down. Huge thanks to Chip Sullivan for making that happen.
As I’m writing this, I’m also leading some of our parishioners and some of our regular guests on a pilgrimage. While I’m certainly unsettled about being out of the parish so much this year, It’s an incredible blessing to be able to minister wherever the Lord may call me and St Edward has made that possible.
Heck, we’re even extending some of our offerings in Spanish, which makes St Edward one of the very few parishes for a good long way in every direction that is able to offer services in English, Latin, and Spanish. We have a Quinceñera for a young lady in November and I’m excited for it!
St Edward is also increasingly able to help out at Tallulah Academy. Our very own Louise Magoun is helping with English and I’m the only local minister teaching this year. Of course, many of our parents are in positions of leadership with the school board and the athletic programs.
Back at the Church, our Catechetical program on Sunday mornings will be starting up again next weekend and our First Holy Communion class will get going soon as well. I know there are some youngsters who ask me every weekend when the donuts will start again. The time is near!
I’m also especially thankful for those parishioners who have come to be a part of our community from outside of Tallulah. It says something quite powerful when people drive to a small Church from other communities... It says that our Faith community is welcoming, nourishing, generous, encouraging, and that our experience of the Catholic Faith isn’t just a habit or a duty or a bit of momentum... Our Faith here at St Edward is alive and nourishing to us and to others. That’s a good reason to be excited about being a member here.
And so while I’ve got lots of reasons to feel blessed to be here, I hope everyone reading this who is a part of St Edward feels the same way!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jim Jumonville/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon through Thurs NO MASS as Father Ryan is leading the Pilgrimage
- Fri 5:30p In memory of John “Skeezix” Jumonville/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of R. L. Reynolds (death)/Bullard
- 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 **
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/7 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | C VanderVieren |
| 9/8 9:30a | Kathleen & Evelyn | D Hamilton | - |
| 9/14 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Keene | M Ernst |
| 9/15 9:30a | Annie and Thomas Meyers | Youth | - |
| 9/21 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | L Magoun |
| 9/22 9:30a | MaryKatherine & Courtland | C Guizerix | - |
Stewardship The good steward must not show favoritism. The rich may have many material gifts to share, but St James reminds us in the second reading that God has chosen the world’s poor to be rich in faith and inheritors of God’s kingdom.
NEXT WEEKEND'S SECOND COLLECTION supports the Retired Priests’ Fund for which we are assessed each month to support those faithful priests who have reached retirement age after many years of faithful service. This collection remains in our parish and is untaxed for assessment purposes.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August Income | $ 10,660 |
| August Expenses | tbd |
| Sept Budget | $ 10,555 |
| Sept 1 Collection | $ 3,197 |
| Sept Income To Date | $ 3,197 |
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
Sept 14-15 Tax Free second collection for Retired Priests Fund that is retained in our parish
Sept 15 Sunday Catechism begins following Sunday Mass
Sept 18 Pastoral Council meeting - 6 p.m. - Parish 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
THE WORD AMONG US… a monthly publication serving as a daily devotional guide, can be found on the table at the entrance of church. Please feel free to take a copy to use in your daily prayer life. In addition to the daily scripture and meditation, there are interesting theme focused articles for study.
ALTAR CANDLES… Anyone wishing to provide candles for the altar in honor of their loved one or in prayer for some intention may do so simply by asking. A small donation is recommended, but not required. A list of dates is in the sacristy and a date can be reserved up to one year in advance.
FUNDRAISING WITH GROCERY TICKETS... If you shop at Doug’s and do not already do so, you may want to save your grocery tickets and place them in the bag on the table at the entrance to church. The church will be given 1% of the total of combined purchases (excluding milk, cigarettes, and alcohol). Our thanks to the ANGEL who collects the tickets and prepares them to submit to Doug’s
MASS INTENTION REQUESTS… If you would like to have a Mass or Masses offered for a Special Intention (in Memory, in Honor, a birthday, anniversary, etc) you should contact the Church Office with the date you would like as well as the Intention. The usual Mass stipend offering is $5 per Mass. What a nice gift to give to the person who “has everything”!!!
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Charlize Richardson (Sept 7), Kathleen Ellerbee (Sept 8), Lori Sullivan (Sept 11), Dan Copes (Sept 12), Gabriel Paz (Sept 15, 2014), Ann Claire Fordice (Sept 15)
Happy Anniversary Sally and Bobby Reynolds (Sept 9, 2019)
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), 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, 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
