GETTING READY FOR MASS JULY 4-5

Mass times for Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2020

• Saturday at 5:00 pm (inside)

• Sunday at 9:00 am (inside)

• Sunday at 11:00 am (inside)

PART 1: THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Scripture Readings at Mass Sunday, July 5, 2020

• First Reading: Zecheriah 9:9-10

• Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13

• Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

What to listen for in the first reading

The first reading is from the Prophet Zechariah. It was written somewhere around 520 B.C. Through the words of Zechariah, God wants His Chosen People to have hope, as they have just been saved from slavery while in exile in Babylon. God is giving them hope. Listen to the first reading and see if you can hear this.

What to listen for in the second reading

The second reading is from Saint Paul as he writes to Christians in Rome. Paul probably wrote this Letter to the Romans in the winter of A.D. 57 on his third missionary journey. Paul had several aims in mind when he wrote this letter. He hoped to resolve a problem in the community that was driving a wedge between Jewish converts and the pagan (Gentile) converts. The Jewish Christians saw themselves as special because of they were Jewish, part of the nation of Israel that was God’s “chosen people”. The Gentile Christians also struggled with pride; for it seems they viewed themselves as Israel’s replacement as the “new people of God”. Saint Paul is speaking to them about the fact that we’re all called to holiness. Listen to the second reading and see if you can hear this.

What to listen for in the Gospel

Today’s Gospel comes from the very end chapter 11 of the Gospel of Matthew. In Chapter 12 Jesus will confront the controversies regarding the spiritual significance of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14). While the Old Covenant celebration of the Sabbath centered on earthly rest from earthly labor (see Exodus 20:811), Jesus offers heavenly rest in the New Covenant. Today’s reading from the end chapter 11 is cuing up his teaching in chapter 12. Jesus is speaking to the heavy burdens that Jewish leaders placed on people. Ask yourself: where does life feel heavy? Why?

This weekend's homily in one sentence

What would it be like if your life were easier?

“A yoke is a heavy wooden beam laid across the shoulders and fastened around the neck of a team of animals, usually oxen, and tied by rope or straps. The yoke enabled the team of animals to pull a plow or a cart. Yokes were also used on slaves and prisoners. Metaphorically, the yoke was used both positively and negatively as a symbol of servitude. Thus Paul spoke of the ‘yoke’ of slavery (Galatians 5:1). Israel broke the ‘yoke’ of the Lord in refusing to abide by the Law (Jeremiah 2:20), and Peter speaks of the ‘yoke’ of the Law—that is, the ceremonial laws of Israel—as a burden even the Jews had not been able to bear (Acts 15:10). In contrast, it is no great burden [with] Christ: ‘My yoke is easy, and my burden light’ (Matthew 11:30).” — Catholic Bible Dictionary, page 967

PART 2: ANNOUNCEMENTS

Getting to know Fr. Mark | His family and priesthood

• Born on October 21, 1972, 47 years-old

• Born and raised in Houma

• Parents are Prosper and Beverly Toups

• Two brothers: PJ and Philip

• Three sisters: Mary, Priscilla, and Diana

• Graduated from Terrebonne High in 1990 and Nicholls State University (B.A. History) in 1994

• Seminary at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans

• Ordained May 26, 2001, a priest for 19 years

Getting to know Fr. Mark | His favorites

• Favorite thing to do when he’s not working? He loves to fish

• Inshore or offshore? Wherever the redfish are, but any day on a boat is a great day

• Best book he’s read recently? Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge

• Best movie he’s watched during COVID-19 quarantine? Knives Out

• Television, movie, or a book? To relax, it would be a movie; he tries to read a book a month for work

• Most used app on his phone? Bleacher Report or ESPN

Getting to know Fr. Mark | Miscellaneous

• What’s been the hidden blessing of COVID-19? Rediscovering time with and for his family

• What’s been the hardest part of COVID-19? Not being able to celebrate Mass with people

• Sunrise or sunset? Both, but he loves the sunrise; he’s usually up at 4:00 am

• Hobbies: Graphic design is a creative outlet and he would love to once again start a garden

• He’s served as a consultant to Bishop Fabre since 2015

• Friday is his day off; until January 1st he’s at the Pastoral Center on Wednesdays

• Blog: marktoups.com

Mass schedule for next weekend

• Saturday, July 11 Mass at 5:00 pm is inside the church.

• Sunday, July 12 Mass at 9:00 am is outside.

• Sunday, July 12 Mass at 11:00 am is inside the church.

• You can also watch a previously recorded Mass on our website: ourladyoftheisle.com.

An update on office personnel

• We remain grateful to Ariel Terrebonne, who served Our Lady of the Isle as Secretary until June 25, 2020. We wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. Thanks for all you have done for us!

• With regards to the administrative management of the parish, Fr. Mark will assess administrative needs during his first 100 days.

• In the meantime, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Office of Finance began providing bill payment, bookkeeping, and accounting for Our Lady of the Isle as of July 1, 2020.

• During his transitional assessment of the parish, in person office hours have been adjusted to Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 12:00-4:00 pm.

Mass intentions for the weekend of July 4-5

Harold Leblanc, Otto Santiny, Madeline Beraud, and Penny Besson (by Roselyn and Kelly Besson); Roger Aucoin, Unamae and Albert Vince, and Wayne Vince (by Karen and Mike Aucoin); Rosaley Gary (by Elgene Gary); Peggy Sue Chighizola (by Mom, Dad, PJ and John Chighizola); Hamilton and Olivia Landry, all Landry and Adam family members, Shirley Ledet, Shirley Landry, Zan Broussard, Elaine Adams (by Pat Landry); Amber Dubois (by Thomas and Gloria Bradberry); Raleigh and Kay Lasseigne (by Floyd and Julie Lasseigne and family); Ouida and Clyde Pregeant, Sr., Thelma and Theo Lafont, Emilie and Theard Lafont Sr., Flavia and Wallace Duet, Sr., Ella and Earnest Knight, Elizabeth “Lib” and John Blanchard, Mark Pregeant, Louise and Henry Pregeant, and Darwin Lafont (by Nadine and Clyde Pregeant, Jr.); Arthur Bellanger (by Sybil Montet)

• Don’t see a name that should be on this list? Call the office or email Fr. Mark and we’ll take care of it immediately.

Prayers for those who are sick

• Mike LeBlanc, L.E. Franks, Thomas Byron, Joyce Bernard, Brian Santiny, Louise Lafont, Brad Berk, Paul Douglas, Danny Green, David Cook Don’t see a name that should be on this list? Call the office or email Fr. Mark and we’ll take care of it immediately.

Thank you for your stewardship!

• Our total online and in-person giving for June 27-28 was $3,824.50. Thank you for your generosity! And, thank you for your support during COVID-19!

• Did you know? As of July 1, the financial impact on Our Lady of the Isle because of COVID-19 has lead to $24,434.41 of lost revenue. We just wanted you to know. And, every little bit helps. Talk to Fr. Mark if you would like to help bridge the gap.

Daily Mass schedule

Mondays: 8.00 am | Tuesdays: 8.00 am | Wednesdays: 8.00 am | Thursdays: 8.00 am

Contact information and Office Hours

• New office phone (starting Monday): (985) 438-4162.

• Office hours during the month of July: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 12:00-4:00 pm

• Fr. Mark Toups: mtoups@htdiocese.org

July 4-5, 2020 Bulletin

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