The Transfiguration of the Lord
From The Font
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
For the Jews in the Old Testament, THE single theological principle that was foundational to everything that every Jew - educated or not - knew was the “Shema.” Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is ONE.” God is perfectly singular! There are no other gods and no one else compares to God.
Then when Jesus is baptized and again at the Transfiguration, the voice from Heaven and some visible image (the bird, the light) function as an image of the Most Holy Trinity. This isn’t just Jesus teaching that God isn’t quite as ONE as the Jews thought - at least not in the way they thought it... This is a miraculous voice, a supernatural voice, declaring the truth.
Certainly, the supernatural visuals were the most jarring thing for the people experiencing these miracles... But the intellectual fallout just cannot be overstated. Nowadays, we’re surrounded by theological errors on every side. Televangelists are blathering nonsense on the TV and radio. Every doofus with a webcam is plastering their image on the internet. Plenty of Catholic priests and bishops are spewing errors left and right. And that’s before we even speak about Protestant theology. We’re literally surrounded by people who teach errors about Jesus all day every day. And so when someone says something insane, it barely phases us. In fact, when someone says something brilliant it rarely even gets past our noise filters.
For ancient peoples and for more homogenous societies, diversity of opinion was not remotely allowed or accepted. Ancient Jewish Rabbis weren’t innovating! Nobody was looking to bring some new insight to the table. Which made Jesus all the more shocking, especially given His connection with so many miraculous events.
When we read about the events like the Transfiguration, we want to keep in mind not just the effects on those experiencing them, but also the impact these teachings and stories had on the cultural leaders of the society. We’re especially aware of that during Lent when we read the Passion, but it’s also worth meditating upon and considering year round.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Many of the Bishops in the United States have come together to call for a “Eucharistic Revival.” Vatican II calls the Holy Eucharist the “Source and Summit of the Christian Faith.” Pope St. John Paul rightly noted that where people are more devoted to the Holy Eucharist - especially where Eucharistic Adoration is offered - everything just goes better!
On First Fridays and First Saturdays here at St. Edward, we expose the Holy Eucharist in a “monstrance” - an ornate display stand - to give us time to be with the Lord “face to face” so to speak. Those who participate find real benefits! Prior to my obligations in Delhi, I had just started to incorporate this Adoration into our monthly schedule. We had only had three weekends of it before I had to cancel. Beginning this weekend, we’ll begin again with First Sunday Benediction... Practically, after Holy Communion, I’ll expose the Holy Eucharist in the Monstrance along with a hymn called “O Salutaris Hostia.” We’ll take a few moments in silent prayer. Then we’ll sing another hymn called “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum.” Then I’ll give the blessing for the end of Mass with the Holy Eucharist in the Monstrance. Then, we’ll say the Divine Praises and Mass will be over.
Timewise, we’ll be cutting about 5 minutes off and adding about 10 minutes and so we shouldn’t notice any real difference in the length of Mass. After a few months, we’ll all be acclimatized and it’ll be completely natural. In the short term, I hope we’ll all engage with this initiative of our bishops around the US and find holiness in it! Pope St. John Paul II had this say about Eucharistic Adoration:
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.
American Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote in his autobiography (Treasure in Clay): The [Eucharistic] Holy Hour is not a devotion; it is a sharing in the work of redemption. In the garden … Our Lord asked, ‘Could you not watch one hour with me?’ He asked for an hour of reparation to combat the hour of evil, an hour of victim union with the cross to overcome the anti-love of sin. To find out more about Eucharistic Adoration, consider visiting these websites:
- https://catholic-link.org/how-to-go-to-adoration-eucharist
- https://watch.formed.org/eucharist
- https://catholicworldmission.org/guide-to-eucharistic-adoration
- https://www.omvusa.org/blog/what-is-eucharistic-adoration
- https://www.wordonfire.org/topics/eucharistic-adoration
- https://stpaulcenter.com/why-do-catholics-have-adoration
- https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/adoration
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and Eva and R.L. Reynolds/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Delia and Thomas Trichell/Tommy
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Deceased members of the Regan, Adams, and Weimer families/Sug
- Thu 9:00a (Legacy Nursing & Rehab) In memory of Rosa & Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Lee Rome/Kevin Collins
- Sat 5:30p In memory of George Magoun/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Blanche and Skeeter Wilks
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lectors | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/5 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | M Ernst |
| 8/6 9:00a | Cooper and Maura | B Sullivan | None Scheduled |
| 8/12 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | L Magoun |
| 8/13 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | K Collins | None Scheduled |
| 8/19 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | M Rome |
| 8/20 9:30a | Chandler and Annie | Youth - TBD | None Scheduled |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and on Sunday from 9a until Mass
- Sunday Catechism and Donuts after Mass during the school year unless otherwise indicated
- Wednesday Morning Catechism about 9:30 a.m in Church and on Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p
August 6 Sunday Mass time changes to 9:30 a.m.
- August 6 First Sunday Benediction (at the conclusion of Holy Mass)
- August 13 Third Quarter Social for Back-to-School
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. There will be an informational (no obligation) meeting on August 30 in the Parish Hall. Fr Ryan can also answer any questions you have. A flyer is available at the back of the Church or via email from Fr Ryan. 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
THIRD QUARTER SOCIAL…. is scheduled for Sunday, August 13 following the 9:30 a.m. Mass as our children and their families get back into the routine of the school year. Plan on joining in this Potluck Brunch and bring your favorite brunch dish. Setting up the Hall, having the A/C going and cleaning up following the event will be handled by the Third Quarter (July, Aug, Sept) Social Committee - Betty and Kenny Smith and Shannon and Bart Wood, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Dana and Randy Dukes, Kaci and Norman Ernst, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Susie and Terry Murphy, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan.
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.
MARYHILL RENEWAL CENTER… The weekend of August 12-13, we will take up a collection for our beloved Maryhill Renewal Center. Established in the 1940s by Bishop Charles P. Greco, Maryhill is used extensively by many seeking a spiritual and restful place to hold retreats and functions throughout the year. It continues to serve as the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Alexandria. Funds from this collection will be used for the ongoing maintenance of the structures and grounds in order to keep this sacred gift available to us. Please be prepared to give generously.
Stewardship “The hand of the Lord feeds us,” sings the Psalmist; “He answers all our needs.” Often, though, it is with the open hands of generous stewards “willing to share His many gifts that God’s people are fed and their needs met.
SECOND COLLECTION… is our monthly Building Fund collection.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| June Budget | $ 8,444 |
| June Income | $ 14,015 |
| June Expenses | $ 14,718 |
| July Budget | $ 10,555 |
| July 29-30 Collection | $ 1,452 |
| July Income To Date | $ 9,841 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Philip Scurria (Aug 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 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, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, Bill Kennedy, Hannah Wood McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Sue & Mike Rome
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning, Keith Capdepon
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), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe and Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, 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), Charles Howington, Dee Jones (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Cindy Mathieu (Wilks), Boyce Miller, John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), George and Ann Shepherd, Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger,
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
Our parishioners and friends who are participating in the ACTS Retreat this weekend at Maryhill Renewal Center
