The Third Sunday of Easter
From The Font
"The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread."
Storytelling is just now being rehabilitated as an art form. For the past hundred years or so movies and, to a lesser degree, mass-printed novels have been the center of attention. Even before that, radio plays and stage production were considered more culturally important than story-telling. Thankfully, the ability to tell a story which is compelling and interesting is once again getting the credit it deserves as one of the very highest forms of human expression.
The Gospel today begins with a fascinating word choice: "recounted." In other places, we'd get "reported" or just "told." But here, we have the clear sense that the story is being told in all its drama. Jesus hid Himself. And then, in a twist worthy of Hollywood, He reveals Himself in the breaking of the bread. The Gospels that we have were originally compiled not to be read, but to be the basis for preaching. The short and sweet stories that we read in 30 seconds would have been incorporated into sermons and "recounted" with all the colorful drama that they deserve. In some ways, we are cursed with the modern obsession with facts and accuracy. Most of the depth of "truth" isn't about facts and figures. Facts and figures are ways to limit and manifest our control over things. Is it more true to describe a tree with "proper" terminology and reference to the Kingdom Plantæ, Phylum Tracheophyta or to say with Joyce Kilmer that "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." When a child looks at a tree, he sees a playground. Is that less accurate than what a scientist has to say? I would argue strongly that the scientific one is the least true of these descriptions.
Just so, the fairly bland written stories of the miracles of Jesus don't really come to life until they are told aloud with the human voice. Not just read, mind you, told!
St Paul confirms in Rom 10:14: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Within the Catholic spiritual tradition, retreat and pilgrimage are both highly regarded as especially valuable and even necessary.
Both have what we call human components alongside the more familiar spiritual components. When we say "human components," we mean that both retreat and pilgrimage acknowledge our natural needs for rest, reflection, and stepping out of normal routines of life.
Priests are required to make at least one retreat of about five days each year. On that retreat, the priest should offer Mass and his ordinary prayers every day, but he should also read, exercise, and spend time in quiet reflection. As many of our folks who have attended an ACTS retreat can attest, retreats aren't necessarily restful or relaxing… They can be, of course. But retreats are work and not play.
Pilgrimages are also a time for daily Mass and daily prayer. But, with a few exceptions, they are meant to be recreational… And I mean that word very deliberately, they're meant to re-create. When we put ourselves into another culture and another way of seeing the world and even another language, we gain perspective on others and ourselves.
In this pilgrimage which I am currently on, I am (now) in Northeastern Spain. Despite our familiarity with some Spanish foods and traditions (noting that Spain and Mexico share a language, but not a culinary palette), Spain is a bizarre place. The culture there is anything but what we might expect. The money culture is almost entirely cash-based - which is shockingly strange for us as Americans. The political structure is pure chaos! As you read this, I have traveled through Basque country, Catalonia, and Castille. All three of those regions are eager to secede from Spain and form their own nations. To quote Jeff Goldblum, "Uh, that's chaos!"
The foods are delicious, but not what we typically think of as Spanish cuisine. This part is all about seafood and the specialty of the region of Pulpo (Octopus, blanched in water, sauteed with olive oil, and served with paprika over toast) and, if you can imagine, barnacles. It's definitely not what we think of when we think of seafood! Of course, that's part of the point! If all we ate when we went on pilgrimage was the same food we eat here and all we saw were buildings and art we could see here, why go?
I say all this, because pilgrimage and retreat aren't just for priests! All of us need what they offer. We need some quiet time. We need some time for reflection. And we need some restorative human moments beyond the spa or the hunting blind or the football game. We don't necessarily need to travel, but we need to rest.
When I did all the research for those talks on stress last year, I was shocked at how few strategies Americans have for dealing with stress. Basically, we have pills… lots and lots of pills. We can pray or meditate. Many of us are blessed to be able to go on vacations. What we really need to do, though, is address the source of our stress - which is a lack of human recreation… Perhaps it's time for a retreat, a pilgrimage, or just a rest?
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard (death anni) and R. L. Reynolds (birth anni)/L Bullard
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
- NO WEEKDAY MASSES THIS WEEK AS FATHER RYAN IS AWAY FROM THE PARISH
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Gertrude Roy/Johnson
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jack Ellerbee and in honor of John Ellerbee (birth)/Sullivan
- Sun 9:30a Pro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/13 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | M Rome |
| 4/14 9:30a | Cooper & Maura | J Howington | - |
| 4/20 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | N Ernst |
| 4/21 9:30a | Kathleen & Evelyn | Youth | - |
| 4/27 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book | C VanderVieren |
| 4/28 9:30a | Chandler & Annie | M Lancaster | - |
Stewardship The disciples in today’s Gospel came to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread. When we share what we have with those who are in need, we, too, will discover Jesus in our midst.
EASTER FLOWERS/DECORATIONS… thank you for your very generous gifts to provide for our Easter lilies and decorations for Holy Week. It is appreciated!!!
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| March Budget | $ 10,555 |
| March Income | $ 16,474 |
| March Expenses | $ 10,693 |
| April Budget | $ 8,444 |
| April 7 Collection | $ 2,647 |
| April Income To Date | $ 2,647 |
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
SECOND QUARTER SOCIAL …. will be held on April 28 following the Sunday Mass and will be our usual Potluck Brunch in the Church Hall. EVERYONE is encouraged to attend and join in the festivities as Father Ryan will have returned from his trip to Spain and will share his experiences. Giving leadership to the event will be the members of the Second Quarter group (April, May, June) group - Libby Bullard, Angel Farlow, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, MaryAnne Gilfoil, Terry and Andy Hall, Isabell Hernandez, Cindy and Jamie Howington, Ann Keene, Alyce and C.W. Keene, Elizabeth and Paul Naya, Bobby Reynolds, and Cathy VanderVieren who will serve as chairperson.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Michael Lancaster (April 13), Joe Storey (April 14), Skeeter Wilks (April 17)
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, Gail Gilfoil Graugnard, 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), Tuleta Sasser(Wilks), 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
