The Epiphany of Our Lord
From The Font
“We saw His star at its rising...”
In our supposedly scientific world, the idea that anything supernatural can exist is dismissed absolutely... Of course, that dismissal is, itself, unscientific! 100 years ago, we thought we knew what was inside the atom. Right now, we happily admit that we don’t understand the fundamentals of physics and the universe. And yet, it’s assumed absolutely that what we call the supernatural is absurd, impossible, and out right wrong. How manifestly stupid!!
Still, the idea that religion and the supernatural are impossible is so common that even many Christians unconsciously assume that it’s true. As such, lots of us read today’s Gospel and think “well, this so-called star is clearly meant to be a metaphor or something spiritual - but it’s not real.” Most of you reading this have heard me explain the astronomical events which took place around the birth of Jesus and the movements of Jupiter, the constellation Virgo, the constellation Leo, the inner planets and both the sun and the moon. These events are easy enough to understand and they even shed light on why God would have allowed the Babylonian Exile and the collapse of the two Davidic kingdoms.
I think it’s important to be clear that the Bible isn’t written to be a science or a history textbook... Stories like Jonah and the Fish or Lot’s wife being turned to salt are clearly meant to be metaphorical. At the same time, sermons like the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 are very clearly meant to be understood as what we would call scientific fact.
Other passages have to be read in their context. But we, as Christians, should keep our hearts and minds open to the reality that God is very real and that He has the power to do whatever He wills. Every day in places like Lourdes, people are healed miraculously... The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima is well documented. Literally nothing is beyond God’s power. If anything, the astronomical events which came together to make the Star of Bethlehem are “easier” and more “natural” than the simplest miracle in our world. God didn’t need to change anything, He just needed to arrange everything at the moment of their creation back in the Big Bang, which He did.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
In the early Church, bishops were very, very local. A bishop would have had a Cathedral Church and maybe four or five rural churches to serve. And so, he was generally able to travel to the home of each Catholic family on a somewhat regular basis. Most bishops got into the habit of making their visits and blessing each home at the beginning of the year, around the time of Epiphany. As the Church grew in numbers, the bishop couldn’t do it himself. So bishops started sending priests out at this time of year to bless homes. As the Church continued to grow, even the priests couldn’t make it to everyone’s home near Epiphany and so two traditions arose. First, priests were instructed to bless water at Epiphany and to use that water to bless chalk. The faithful would then take that chalk to their homes and inscribe a blessing upon their doorposts. They were told to write the initials of the wise men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) in the midst of the year. For example, for 2024:
MM + C + M + B + XXIV
This inscription is designed to remind everyone who passes through the door of the true meaning of Epiphany which begins by realizing that the Lord made Himself known to us in a specific space and time. Also, the letters serve as shorthand for the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat (“Lord, Bless this home”).
While many of us simply assume that we’re heading for heaven (a dangerous assumption), the truth is that God chose a specific people - the Jews. As such, only the Jews had any reason to believe that the resurrection of the dead would
apply to them. When the Wise Men from the East recognized God’s design and they found the Christ child and were welcomed by Him… WOW! Symbolically, this is the sign in the scriptures that Jesus came not only to save the Jews (symbolized by the shepherds), but also to save gentiles (symbolized by the magi). It’s an incredibly important moment and so we, as the gentiles we are, mark our homes with the names of those gentiles who symbolize our admission into the promise of being chosen by God. Simply make the marking that you see here above the door (on the frame) with blessed Epiphany Chalk and add a prayer of your own choosing to thank God for His goodness to us.
I should add that this isn’t some kind of totem, taboo, magic or other wacky thing. This is kind of like making the sign of the cross with your house instead of your hand. It’s meant to convey a real blessing and then to remind us of God’s work in our lives. Beyond this blessing and marking, the chalk is not special and can’t be used to convey other blessings. You can’t, sadly, mark the cross on your misbehaving child or your broken TV...
I also encourage you to make sure everyone in your home understands the message of the chosenness of the Jews and the meaning of the gentile wise men so that when people ask what that writing is - we’re able to use it for a little evangelization.
This is also an ideal time to invite your pastor over to your home for a yearly house blessing… and maybe a piece of pie.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Nettie and Philip Scurria/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Mary “Nanny” Ernst/Gustafson
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Anna May and Curt Farlow/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Louise Testa/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 Josephine Hodge by Angel Farlow
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | None Scheduled |
| 1/7 9:30a | Chandler and Annie | D Ellerbee | None Scheduled |
| 1/13 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | None Scheduled |
| 1/14 9:30a | Mary Katherine and Courtland | C Guizerrix | None Scheduled |
| 1/20 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book | None Scheduled |
| 1/21 9:30a | Cooper and Maura | Youth | None Scheduled |
Distribution of Holy Communion from the chalice is currently on hold due to flu in Tallulah
Stewardship The three wise men who came from the East to pay homage to the infant Jesus brought Him rich gifts of gold frankincense, and myrrh as part of their worship. What gifts have I brought to this celebration to offer to the newborn Savior?
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for our once monthly Building Fund.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| November Budget | $ 8,444 |
| November income | $ 8,917 |
| November Expenses | $ 11,704 |
| December Budget | $ 10,555 |
| December 31 collection | $ 4,940 |
| December Income To Date | $ 15,294 |
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
Jan 16 Pastoral Council meeting on WED, JANUARY 17, 2024 at 6 p.m. 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.
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
2024 STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES… If there is someone who did not sign up for envelopes but would like to have them, we have more sets available. If you take a box, you should be sure to sign up on the sheet with the boxes of envelopes so that we will be able to post your offerings to the appropriate account.
2024 FLOWER CALENDAR is on the bulletin board at the entrance of the church. Please consider special events in your life or that of your family and consider putting flowers on the altar at least once this year for one of those events. If each family provides flowers for just one week, we would have fresh flowers for the entire year. Just pencil your name or intention in on the calendar and the church office will call to remind you of the date.
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION, JANUARY 7... 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.
VICKSBURG CATHOLIC MOMS GROUP - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As we start a new calendar year and new resolutions we hope you make your Catholic Moms Group part of it! We will be meeting Monday January 8 at 6 pm in Glynn Hall. If you're not receiving emails or have any questions please send us, Brittany McFall or Kathleen Harris, a message at vicksburgcatholicmomsgroup@gmail.com.
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.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday C. W. Keene (Jan 9), Matilda Johnson (Jan 10)
Happy Anniversary Alyssa and Teddy Oliver (Jan 10)
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), 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
