The 5th Sunday of Lent
From The Font
Jesus said... “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.”
We don’t need this verse in particular to be very clear that nothing in His life caught Jesus by surprise. He knew everything that was in His future and He chose it deliberately.
And yet there are many times where Jesus seems to be anxious or even regretful. In His encounter with the sisters of Lazarus after Lazarus had died, Jesus wept. In today’s Gospel, He says “I am troubled.” But He adds clearly, after a miraculous voice from Heaven is heard by the crowd, that He isn’t in any real doubt. He seems to have real Human emotion, but He is also the master of His humanity and so His feelings are ruled by His mind and His intention to do the Will of God at all costs.
This is a good time to remind ourselves that we’re speaking about Jesus and His humanity by way of analogy. Jesus is GOD. He is also fully Human. The human mind does not have language or capacity to understand how that works... It’s absurd to say that Jesus did the Will of God because Jesus IS GOD. Jesus is not separate from God. But our language fails us and so even the Bible and its very carefully chosen vocabulary (both by the saintly authors and by brilliant translators) ends up a tad bit confusing...
That said, Jesus clearly feels things powerfully, but He isn’t ruled by those feelings. Most of us humans, though, struggle to be the master of our feelings. Which is why the voice from Heaven in the Gospel today is sent. And Jesus makes clear that it was sent because the people around Him, in particular His apostles, needed that temporary boost of strength for the few weeks that were ahead of them.
In my experience, these voices from Heaven and most other sorts of supernatural and even miraculous events do serve to give a powerful but very temporary boost to our faith. When I started out in priesthood, I was shocked to find that people who had been miraculously healed were back to struggling with their faith just like the rest of us after only a year or two. I couldn’t believe it! But such is our human nature. Miracles are surprisingly unhelpful in the long-run. Which is why Jesus says it is better to have not seen and yet believed...
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
I want to do a book recommendation today. The book I want to recommend is called "Life of Christ" by Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Bishop Sheen is one of those authors who is almost always reliable for a great read! He's funny, accessible, and unflinchingly clear. I could easily recommend his Autobiography "Treasure in Clay" as well!
Life of Christ is a wonderfully straight forward book about the life of Jesus. It's told in short chapters. It cuts through a lot of the confusion that can arise from trying to mentally sync up the storyline of the Gospels. In particular, I appreciate the way that Bishop Sheen drops in little details along the way about Joseph's career or John's peculiarities.
I don't think we appreciate enough how many details there are which aren't in the Bible or which are overshadowed by more important events happening around them. For 200 years after the death of John, historians were collecting anecdotes, letters, sermons, etc which included hundreds of little details that don't need to be in the Bible. What, for example, were the given names of the Wise Men or the Centurions at the foot of the cross? What were Pilate and Herod doing before Jesus was dragged to their courts? What was Mary doing while Jesus was preaching? How were Mary, Martha, and Lazarus related to Jesus or the Apostles?
None of these questions is going to decide our salvation, but each of them fills in the story which can seem thin when we read the Gospels. We have to remember that the Gospels weren't really meant to be read as the only source of information about Jesus. They were meant to be a tool for preaching and for teaching. It's only in the last 250 years that the idea has become common that we MUST read the Gospels ourselves. Sure, it's a good thing to read the Bible, but it's better to read a book written by a true expert (both intellectually and spiritually). Doubly so, given that his book was written to be read by people without special training in language, history, or theology.
There are hundreds or thousands of good books that a Catholic should try to read in the course of life, but Life of Christ is one of the best. It's great for beginners, intermediates and those advanced in the spiritual life. It's a good refresher and it's a great introduction both to the story of Jesus and to why we, as Catholics, understand Jesus as we do. I really can't recommend it enough!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of a Special Donor/Magoun
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 5:30p No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Darryl Ellerbee, Sr (birth) and Special Intention of St Joseph/Magoun
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Lee Rome (death)/Lancaster
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Mary (Nanny) and Norman Stephen (death anni) Ernst/Magoun
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/family
- Sun 9:30a Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | C VanderVieren |
| 3/17 9:30a | Cooper and Maura | Youth | None Scheduled |
| 3/23 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow | M Ernst |
| 3/24 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | D Ellerbee | None Scheduled |
| 3/28 5:30p Holy Thu | Cooper & Kathleen Elerbee | Libby Bullard | None Scheduled |
| 3/29 5:30p Good Fri | MaryKatherine Marsh, Chandler Wood, and Courtland Collins | Stephanie Marsh (First Rdg & Psalm), Kendra Collins (Gospel Narrator), and Michael Lancaster (The Voice) | None Scheduled |
| 3/30 8:00p Holy Sat | Evelyn Kivett, Thomas Myers Hamilton | MaryAnn Gilfoil (Les. I & III), Beth Sullivan (Les. VI & VII), Mike Rome (Epistle and Intercessions) | None Scheduled |
| 3/31 9:30a Easter Sun | Thomas Meyers | C Guizerix | None Scheduled |
THANK YOU to those Assisting with the Paschal Triduum!
Stewardship “If anyone would serve me,” says Jesus in today’s Gospel, “let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be.” In what ways is Jesus inviting me to follow Him? What service is He asking of Me?
ENVELOPES FOR EASTER LILIES are on the table at the entrance of church.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| February Budget | $ 8,444 |
| February Income | $ 10,106 |
| February Expenses | $ 10,328 |
| March Budget | $ 10,555 |
| March 10 Collection | $ 1,710 |
| March Income To Date | $ 4,700 |
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
- March 17 St Joseph Altar celebrated on Sunday following Mass
- March 20 Pastoral Council meeting … 6 p.m.
- March 30 Easter Egg Hunt on the Church Grounds at 10 a.m. (see notes elsewhere)
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
PASTORAL COUNCIL..will hold its regular meeting on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Appointed members of the Council are: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, Norman Ernst, Jamie Howington, 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.
EASTER EGG HUNT...on the church grounds on Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m. Stephenie Marsh will give leadership to the event so please check with her to offer your assistance. We will need hard-boiled eggs that are dyed or plastic eggs with treats so your help is appreciated.
EASTER LILIES AND HOLY WEEK DECORATIONS ENVELOPES…there are envelopes on the table at the entrance of church which you can use to make donations “In Memory of…” or “In Honor of…” family and friends and contribute to the Easter Lilies and decorations for Holy Week. You can drop your envelope (or check with a notation that it is for flowers) in the collection basket or give it to Father Ryan or leave it at the office.
SPECIAL EASTER COLLECTION... Our second collection on Easter Sunday is one of the two every year that is “tax-free” meaning that it is not assessed by the diocese because it’s meant to help defer some of the assessment we pay to the diocese for the clergy retirement and burial expenses. Any gift made to the second collection on Easter will stay 100% here at St Edward. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Mary Trichell (March 16), Alyssa Oliver (March 17), Angel Farlow (March 20), Finley Nadeau (March 20)
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, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe and 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, Emery and Kale Kirkland (Gilfoil), Calvin “Beans” and Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), James Albert Martin, Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Vickie Morelli (Ernst), John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, 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, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
