News - June 2024 RSS Feed

Dear Fr. John, St. Peter Parish Staff would like to thank you for your dedication to St. Peter, It has truly been a pleasure working for you. We wish you well and hope you get some well deserved rest and relaxation. We are so blessed that you will still be in the area. So, see you later!

Summertime has arrived and with it, the ever-present chance of summer storms. High winds, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flash floods, make these storms frightening and dangerous. As I write this, my last column, all eyes are on the Gulf of Mexico as the first tropical system may be developing off the Texas coast. How ironic that the Scripture readings today, especially the Gospel, speak to us about violent storms; and how the disciples were fearing for their lives. Not to fear, but Jesus calmed the storm. In our life, when we experience “storms of life,” we can’t handle it on our own—but we can turn to the Lord who will be with us during the storms of life.

THANK YOU! Words can not express how I felt at my Retirement Mass and Celebration afterwards. Many people commented that they could feel the love the parishioners have for me and the love that I have for you. It was truly a GREAT celebration! There were many people and organizations that were part of the planning process, I thank you for a wonderful celebration. To all the singers, Ms. Mimi Blank, the organist, Judge Sterling Snowdy, the director, I THANK YOU for helping us lift our voices to the Lord in prayerful song. I will not say “goodbye” because I am not leaving Reserve. I am sure I will run into you either at the post office or the store. I will also occasionally celebrate Mass here too. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for allowing me to serve as Pastor of St. Peter Parish for the past eleven years.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, we gather today as a family—a parish family as well as children of God—to celebrate the Eucharist. It is appropriate to think of our family of faith, for in today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus tell the crowds that whoever does the will of God is part of His family. It has been a privilege for me to be a part of the St. Peter Parish Family, especially for the past eleven and a half years to serve as pastor. On July 1st St. Peter Parish Family will once again be shepherded by a native son—Fr. Ray Hymel. I truly see the hand of God as well as the guidance of Msgr. Eyraud in the appointments of two native sons to return home and serve our parish family of St. Peter as pastor.

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE FR. JOHN MARSE’S RETIREMENT ON JUNE 9TH Starting with 11 AM Mass we will celebrate Fr. John’s upcoming retirement with a reception following at the KC Hall. All are invited to attend and celebrate. Food and refreshments will be provided. Designed envelopes are available for those of you who would like to gift Father Marse with a monetary gift. The envelopes are located at the tables at all entrances of the church. The envelopes can be placed in the collection baskets or you may bring your envelope to the celebration on June 9th, we will have a basket available for envelopes.