The 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
Christianity is, at its foundation, Jewish… Our Sacramental way of thinking traces directly to the Temple with its priesthood, ablutions, ceremonials, and sacrifices. Our Liturgies of the Word trace directly to the Synagogue and the preaching of the Rabbis. Our moral codes and our understanding of sin and merit trace directly to the Old Testament scripture and the Law of Moses.
When a modern group picks and chooses some ideas of Christianity but rejects Judaism as a foundation, they’re really not Christian, properly understood. Mormons, for example, don’t believe in the unicity of God. As such, they’re not really Christians. Unitarians deny that the “God of the Old Testament” is the same God of Christianity, they’re not Christians, either. That’s not a moral judgment, it’s a factual statement.
At the same time, Jesus, Himself, did away with some aspects of Judaism. His Sermon on the Mount famously says that “neither a jot nor a tittle of the law shall pass away UNTIL ALL THESE THINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE.” “These things” are the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ. Even then, He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill.
That can seem contradictory… Jesus did away with the dietary restriction of Judaism. He did away with the Sabbath. He did away with the bloody temple sacrifices. But He did so because His perfect Sacrifice on Mt. Calvary made them obsolete…
This can be confusing. In part, it’s confusing because we modern people don’t really understand the worldview of ancient religion. And in part, it’s confusing because we modern people don’t really study Christianity as closely as many of our predecessors did. (But we tend to believe we understand it better than them… It’s a bad combination.)
The most important takeaway is that our Faith isn’t 2000 years old, it goes back to Abraham. And those years and that teaching greatly inform the practice of our Faith. Those Christians who reject that history tend to fall into error.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
The SuperBowl is one of the last - if not the very last - genuinely All-American thing. Americans used to get together and watch Seinfeld in huge numbers. We watched the finale episodes of Friends and Cheers and M*A*S*H* in huge numbers. We used to watch the Oscars and the Emmys and the Grammys in huge numbers. But the internet, Netflix, and, especially political polarization, has made it near impossible for us to agree that anything at all is good… For the most part, we all agree the SuperBowl is a good excuse to throw a party, eat food that’s terrible for us, and watch overpriced short films whose budgets could feed a third of the world’s poor. It’s really about the most American thing there is on the planet! And I won’t pretend I’m somehow above any of it! I love a good SuperBowl party!
There’s something very human about gathering to watch a competition. Even if we support different teams, there’s something so wonderfully human about a low-stakes competition that gets us excited and passionate and, honestly, trains our minds to deal with the grief of loss in a healthy and functional way. Seriously, it’s a hugely underappreciated aspect of sports on tv!
St Benedict, the founder of Western Monasticism, believed strongly in the necessity of play. In fact, he built recreational time into the very rigid lives of his monks. When the Benedictine Monks and the various other orders which evolved from the Rule of St Benedict began to develop the system of education that was the predecessor to our Catholic Schools of today, they were careful to include sports and recreational activity into the curriculum. Even when I was in Seminary, there was what we called “forced fun.” I’ve never exactly been Mr Coordination… I know that’ll be shocking to most readers. Still, I didn’t like the traumatic experience of going back to Junior High and being the little fat kid who was the last one to be picked for the Basketball team, again…
Even so, I understand why St. Benedict prescribed recreational play for his monks and why sports remain such an important part of the school experience.
I know that I occasionally cast shade on the more serious LSU and Saints fans, but it’s worth appreciating the good that comes from athletics.
That said, I’m not going to stop giving people grief for skipping Sunday Mass in order to go to a sporting event… Like any good thing, athletics can be made into an idol which is spiritually dangerous and even damning.
Still, I hope we all enjoy the SuperBowl this weekend. It’s a real opportunity to have a shared experience with our fellow Americans and to laugh along at the commercials. Even if we have to put up with some woke nonsense and political posturing, at least it’s a chance to try a dozen new recipes involving Rotel™ and Velveeta™!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster (birth anniversary)/Family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon - No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Thomas Trichell and for healing for Delia and Tommy/Brenda Hayes
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Cogan Fulton/Lancaster
- Thu 9:00a In memory of May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of John Johnson/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning in memory of Mary Agnes York by Sue and Mike Rome
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 - Travis Hamilton |
| 2/25 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 2/26 9:00a | Annie and Chandler | S Marsh |
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 17 Quarterly Mass for Healing at 5:30 p.m.
- Feb 19 Mardi Gras Potluck BRUNCH after the Sunday Mass
- Feb 21 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
- 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
PASTORAL COUNCIL... will hold its regular meeting on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Appointed members of the Council are: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, Norman Ernst, Louise Magoun, Jason Trichell and Blanche Wilks. 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
CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME to the Catholic Faith Family… last weekend, Patten Dill, son of Kyle and Marti Dukes Dill, Shreveport, and Eloise Duff, daughter of Jared and Ainslie Oliver Duff, Monroe, were baptized at St Edward. Our faith family members, Randy and Dana Dukes and Teddy and Alyssa Oliver, are proud grandparents!
Stewardship Stewardship involves more than just the gift we bring to the altar. Today’s readings say clearly that it is fidelity to God’s law that makes our offering acceptable.
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND supports our monthly diocesean newspaper that should go to every household in our faith parish. If you do not receive it, please advise Father Ryan or the church office.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| January Budget | $ 10,555 |
| January Income | $ 9,721 |
| January Expenses | $ 10,433 |
| February Budget | $ 8,444 |
| February 4-5 Collection | $ 4,031 |
| February Income To Date | $ 4,031 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Mike Rome (Feb 14), Tim Harris (Feb 15)
Happy Anniversary Susie and Terry Murphy (Feb 13)
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, MaryJane Johnson, 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), Charles Howington, 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
