THE COSTS OFDISCIPLESHIP

Today’sresponsorial psalm,Psalm 40, is morefamiliar to us with therefrain “Here am I,Lord.” This “Here amI” is Jeremiah’s greatprophetic response toGod’s call. Buttoday’s story ofJeremiah and therefrain “Lord, come tomy aid!” remind usthat there are alwaystwo sides to following

the call of God. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews knewthis, too. He reminded his readers that even weighted downwith burdens and sins, we can still persevere by keeping oureyes fixed on Jesus, who himself knew the shame and pain ofthe cross, but saw beyond it to the joy of sitting at the right ofthe throne of God.

Jesus himself gave the disciples a “sneak preview” ofa baptism that would not be as wondrous as the one in theJordan that inaugurated his ministry, but would be one of fireand anguish. Today’s words from scripture may not beterribly soothing, but in their honesty and strength we canacknowledge the difficulties of daily discipleship, and takecomfort in the assurance of our own salvation in Christ.Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Vigil: 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2; Ps 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Lk 11:27-28Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Ps 45:10-12, 16; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56

Tuesday: Ez 28:1-10; Dt 32:26-28, 30, 35cd-36ab; Mt 19:23-30

Wednesday: Ez 34:1-11; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 20:1-16Thursday: Ez 36:23-28; Ps 51:12-15, 18-19;

Mt 22:1-14Friday: Ez 37:1-14; Ps 107:2-9; Mt 22:34-40Saturday: Ez 43:1-7a; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Mt 23:1-12Sunday: Is 66:18-21; Ps 117:1, 2;

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Monday: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday: St. Stephen of HungaryFriday: St. John EudesSaturday: St. Bernard

SANCTUARY LIGHT

AUGUST 13TH - AUGUST 19TH

The Sanctuary Light at St. John will burn in memory of Mark Rioux.The Adoration Light at St. John will burnin memory of Ray Tunstall.The Sanctuary Light at Our Lady will burn in memory of Jay Duhon.

IN SYMPATHY

Our Communities of Faith extend our sympathy and prayerfulsupport for the family of Roma Drago, brother of MichaelDrago. May the Lord grant comfort and peace to this familyand may he and all who sleep in Christ, find in His presencelight, happiness, and peace.

NEW TO THE PARISH

Welcome to: Scotty & Kacie Henderson (and their sons, Cade & Will) inSlaughter; and Mr. F. J. Bello in Zachary.

CONGRATULATIONS

AND WELCOME

TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

BAPTIZED IN THE LORD

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Our Lady of the Assumption

Vince Joseph Hall

son of David Anthony and Brigette Hall

St. John the Baptist

Larsyn Rae Margaret Kennedy

daughter of Lance and Lauren Kennedy

Logan Raphael Martin

son of John and Amanda Martin

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYMASS SCHEDULE

The feast of The Assumption of the Blessed VirginMary falls on a Monday this year, therefore it isNOT a holy day of obligation. However, we willhave a Mass on Monday, August 15th at 7:30am atSt. John the Baptist. The office will be closed that day.

Pray for our Military and their families

Marvin Ashford, Jr., Army James A. Benning, USMCMatthew Boyd, Army Cody Castello, USMCEugene Cazedessus, USMC LeLand Crochet, III, USMCMatthew Charlet Dart, USN Chandler Derouen, ArmyPatrick Deslatte, USN Jacqueline Deslatte, USNStephen DiLorenzo, Army Adam Foster, USNThomas Foster, USN Brad Gautreaux, USMCJ. Michael Head, USMC Joseph N. Jones, Jr., ArmySabrina Jones, LaNG Markus Kippers, USNDustin Knight, USN Joseph L. LeBlanc Jr., ArmyStanley Mays, USAF Andrew Metcalf, ArmyBen Gordon Morseth, USCG Gordon Newman, ArmyRobert Brett Parker, LaNG Brian Plauche, USAFAndrea Byrd Prosser, USCG Mike Prosser, USCGJesse B. Richard, Army Nicholas Richards, USNMichael Roberts, USCG James Rouchon, USMCJarrod Mason Sealey, USAF David Welch, LaNGGordon M. White, USAF Christopher Williston USAF

Father Bernard Bañares of the Diocese of Legazpi in the Philippines will be here next weekend August 20th & 21st to speak to us about the mission needs of his diocese. Legazpi has a population of one million people who are served by 90 active priests and 140 religious. It serves the people through schools and special apostolates/ministries such as among street children and the mentally challenged, as well as programs to help families, youth and the poorest of the poor. The Diocese of Legazpi has developed a five year plan to build the Christian community and serve the needs of the people. They need our financial help. Your donations will help form the clergy, religious, and lay leaders; support scholarships for poor but deserving seminarians; serve the poor through social outreach programs; fortify ministries on evangelization, education, and the renewal of society through the promotion of justice, and peace.

WEEKLY COLLECTION 08/07016St. John the BaptistIdentified Contributions (182 Families) $ 9,885.50Unidentified Contributions $ 772.25Building Maintenance (14) $ 641.00Youth Ministry (5) $ 66.00Legacy of Faith / Capital Camp (97) $ 9,694.00Legacy of Faith / OLA Parishioner (1) $ 100.00ONLINE GIVINGRegular Contributions (37) $ 6,656.00Building Maintenance Fund (8) $ 220.00Youth Ministry (1) $ 20.00Legacy of Faith Capital Camp. (35) $ 3,850.00CAMPAIGN TOTAL $ 6,015,333.90Our Lady of AssumptionIdentified Contributions (46 Families) $ 2,336.20Unidentified Contributions $ 526.00Building Maintenance (4) $ 110.00ONLINE GIVINGRegular Contributions (6) $ 800.00Building Maintenance (1) $ 10.00

✞ ~ ✞ NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE ✞ ~ ✞

Sunday, August 14TH Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time-7 am: Mass / Coffee & Pastries-10 am: Divine Mercy/Rosary-11 am: Mass -OLA-9 am: Mass-10 am: Feast Day Family Celebration To the CelebrationMonday, August 15th The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryOffice Closed-7:30 am: Mass at SJB-8 am: 24 Hour Adoration Begins-6:30 pm: Charismatic Prayer Group-6:30 pm: Scouts-7 pm: N.A. MeetingTuesday, August 16th -6 pm: Adult Choir- OLA-6:15 pm: Confession-6:30 pm: MassWednesday, August 17th - 7 am: MassThursday, August 18th -7:30 am: MassFriday, August 19th -7:30 am: Mass / Divine Mercy / Coffee & BiscuitsSaturday, August 20th -4 pm: Confession-5 pm: MassSunday, August 21st Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time-7 am: Mass / Coffee & Pastries-10 am: Divine Mercy/Rosary-11 am: Mass-OLA-9 am: Mass

Jubilee Year of Mercy August 14, 2016

Last Sunday’s “Parable of the rich fool” delivered a compellingreason to do the right thing—now: “You fool, this night your life willbe demanded of you” (Luke 12:20). Today, Jesus warns us: “You alsomust be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Manwill come” (12:40). Though we do not know when our Master willcome, we do know what our Master expects to find. Jesus expects usto be vigilant (12:37) and diligent (12:42) in our work for thekingdom, but also filled with reverent mercy toward our fellowservants and ourselves. Hopefully, Jesus’ warning not to get drunk andbeat each other up (12:45) does not apply to us literally! But whatchanges do I need to make, right now, so that the many people outside“the Master’s house” will want to come inside to experience thehealing comfort of Jesus’ own mercy in the compassion of Jesus’modern-day disciples? —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc

R.C.I.A.

For those interested in becoming Catholic,existing Catholics wanting to come home tothe Catholic Church, those adults needing toreceive Confirmation, or Catholics justwanting to learn more about the Catholicfaith, RCIA is a Journey of Faith andKnowledge designed to meet those needs.

Classes begin Thursday, September 1st at 7:00 pm. Check out the parish website or contact the parish office formore information; OR just attend the opening meeting.Alternate meeting times can be arranged if there is aschedule conflict.

Altar Society

The Ladies’ Altar Society of SJB will resume their monthlymeetings on Thursday, September 1st at 10:00 am.

All ladies of the parish are invited to jointhis organization that was formed manyyears ago to assist the pastor and parish inmany invaluable ways. The members ofthe Altar Society are responsible for thechurch decorations, the altar cloths andlinens, the candles, the priests’ vestments, and generallyanything that helps make the worship space more invitingand prayerful for parishioners. Please consider joining uson Thursday, September 1st.

Handmaids of the Lord

This year Handmaids of the Lord is going to have an offsite Morning of Reflection in October. We will return onsite next year .

The retreat will be held at St. Mary of the Pines RetreatCenter in Chatawa, Mississippi. This is about a 1.5 hourdrive from Zachary. It is a beautiful campus located in thepiney woods of Chatawa. It is frequently used as a retreatlocation for priests and religious. It also serves as aretirement home for the Sisters of Notre Dame.

The retreat is October 28-30, 2016, titled Annual Women'sRetreat : "Sir, We Want to see Jesus!" Sister NoelToomey, is a Dominican Sister of Peace in New Orleansand is the presenter. She serves as a spiritual director, retreatgiver, and teacher of spirituality. The retreat begins onFriday with supper at 5:30 p.m. And ends onSunday at noon. Cost is : $135 for singleoccupancy, and $115 double.

Space is limited. Contact Jennifer Johnsonas soon as possible if you would like toattend.

Men’s Club of SJB

The Men’s Club of SJB is hosting its annual rafflefor two season tickets to the LSU home footballgames. (South End Zone: L:419; Row 28; Seats 32, 33)

Chances are only $5.00 each.The drawing will be held on September 8th.Tickets available from any Men’s Club memberor in the Parish Office.

24 Hour Adoration

Our monthly 24 Hour Adoration for August begins Monday,August 15th at 8:00am in the Adoration Chapel following thespecial 7:30am Mass for the Assumption of Mary at St.John’s. If you are able to take an hour, please contactSuzanne Payne at suzanpayne@gmail.com. Even if you donot sign up for a hour, please take the time to make a visit.

Life Fest and Respect Life Mass

The 2nd annual Diocesan Life Fest will be held at 10:00am onSaturday, October 1st in the Tracy Center Ballroom of theCatholic Life Center. The theme for this year is “Called toCompassion: Living Mercy”. The keynote presenter will beFr. Andrew Merrick, Director of Vocations for the Dioceseand Spiritual Director for the March for Life Pilgrimage. Breakout session topics include: Mercy at the End of Life,Prison Ministry, Artificial Reproductive Technologies &Infertility, and Living Out Every Day Mercy. This FREE event will also feature Adoration,Kids Track for ages 5-11, music by Greg&Lizzy,various exhibitors and the Annual Respect LifeMass at 4:00 pm. For more information,contact the Marriage & Family Life Office at242-0323 or visit their website:www.MFLDiobr.org.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

966 "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from allstain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life wasfinished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, andexalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that shemight be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord oflords and conqueror of sin and death." The Assumption ofthe Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son'sResurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of otherChristians:

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition youdid not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined tothe source of Life. You conceived the living God and, byyour prayers, will deliver our souls from death.