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Mother Jane’s Reflection

For the Traveler (An excerpt)

John O'Donohue

Every time you leave home,

Another road takes you

Into a world you were never in.

New strangers on other paths await.

New places that have never seen you

Will startle a little at your entry.

Old places that know you well

Will pretend nothing

Changed since your last visit.

When you travel, you find yourself

Alone in a different way,

More attentive now

To the self you bring along,

Your more subtle eye watching

You abroad; and how what meets you

Touches that part of the heart

That lies low at home: …

When you travel,

A new silence

Goes with you,

And if you listen,

You will hear

What your heart would

Love to say.

A journey can become a sacred thing:

Make sure, before you go,

To take the time

To bless your going forth,

To free your heart of ballast

So that the compass of your soul

Might direct you toward

The territories of spirit

Where you will discover

More of your hidden life,

And the urgencies

That deserve to claim you.

May you travel in an awakened way,

Gathered wisely into your inner ground;

That you may not waste the invitations

Which wait along the way to transform you.

May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,

And live your time away to its fullest;

Return home more enriched, and free

To balance the gift of days which call you.

~~~~~

Mother Jane is on sabbatical until October 1. Please direct pastoral needs to one of our worship leaders, Doug, Jason, or Laureli; financial questions to Doug or Garry; and vestry matters to the Senior Warden, Doug MacCullagh. Fr. Paul Stephens will be with us for Sunday worship while Mother Jane is away. If you would like follow Mother Jane while she is away, you may subscribe to her blog on Substack, Buen Camino Mother Jane.

Buen Camino,

Mother Jane

The Gospel

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 18

[Jesus said,] “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

—Matthew 18:15–20 (NRSVue)

Happenings at St. Patrick’s

Sunday, September 6^th, 11:30 AM: BBQ in the Breezeway / Potluck
Sunday, September 13^th, 11:30 AM: Second Sunday Craft Day
Sunday, September 20^th, 11:30 AM: Vestry Meeting
Sunday, September 27^th, 11:00 AM: Service time change! (no longer 10:00 AM)
Sunday, October 4^th, 11:00 AM: Blessing of Animals (within Holy Eucharist)
Sunday October 4^th, 6:00 PM: Lecture on History of the Bible (discussion to follow on Wednesday, October 7^th at 6:00 PM)

Vestry Corner

Announcements and information from the Vestry will be placed here, along with the latest approved Vestry meeting minutes.

Please click here to download the July 2026 Vestry Meeting Minutes.

As we being to share ministry with St. Thomas, Diamondhead, the Vestries of both parishes have decided to call Mtr Jane as interim Rector for both parishes. As such, we will need to make some minor adjustments to accommodate our shared path together. One of the first things we have to do is to adjust our service times on Sundays, to allow Mtr Jane to celebrate the Eucharist and preach at both locations. Therefore, we have decided, that since St. Thomas has shifted their service times to 9:00 AM, we at St. Patrick’s will adjust our Sunday service start time to 11:00 AM. This change will start on Sunday, September 27^th. Please plan accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please speak to a member of the Vestry or one of the Wardens, Doug MacCullagh or Justin Pope.

Who Does What Now?

A brief primer on the various lay ministries available at St. Patrick’s. Please note that each ministry title should not be looked at as a burden, but as a limit of the ministry; if you volunteer for one, we aren’t asking you to do any more than as described here and in our (yet-to-be-finalized) Customary.

Verger: Combining both the ceremonial and the practical, this ministry is given to an individual who is familiar with liturgical praxis and the local congregation. The ceremonial aspect is that they lead the processions in and out of the nave, and organize the order of the service, under the direction of the leader/officiant. The practical is that they do many of the duties required to ensure a smooth flow of the service, such as ensuring that readers are prepared to read, acolytes and servers are vested and in place at the appropriate time, the altar is set up correctly and the candles have sufficient oil to last the service, chair/pews have been arranged appropriately for the service, etc. This ministry does require training under the direction of the Rector.

Lector (Reader): Assigned to read either one passage of scripture at the public service, or to read the intercessions/Prayers of the People. The list rotates throughout a given month, and generally, you will not be asked to read more than twice per month, and copies of the lessons are sent out in with the monthly Reader/Server Schedule.

Lay Eucharistic Minister (Lay Minister): Assigned to administer the Chalice to the congregation during the Eucharist, and may take on some duties traditionally assigned to acolytes, such as bearing the Gospel book during the Gospel procession, carrying the processional cross during the entrance and exit procession, and aiding the clergy in setting the table by bringing over the elements and needed items from the credence table. There is some training involved in this ministry, and the Diocese does require that LEMs be licensed on an annual basis, but it is a fairly highly visible, yet low taxing ministry available to the laity.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor: This ministry, like LEMs, does require a license from the Diocese, and is renewable on an annual basis. The duties of an LEV are to bring communion to those who could not make it to a Sunday Eucharist due to health or other issues. Some minor training is needed, but this pastoral ministry

Acolyte: Usually a child or youth, but may be an adult, acolytes assist in carrying the processional cross, Gospel book during the Gospel procession, and torches during processions, in addition to very minor additional duties as tasked from time to time. Minor training is required, but we're looking for people who display a sense of reverence for their duties to be acolytes.

Lay Worship Leader: This is the most training intensive ministry available to the laity at St. Patrick’s. A short course, self-paced, with a written test is given by the Diocese, to provide a brief (but thorough) education on the theology and shape of the liturgies that the laity can lead in public. This is a licensed position within the Diocese, and enables the individual to lead public worship, such as Morning Prayer, at other churches and locations within the Diocese, as directed by the Bishop or the Dean of the Convocation in which the LWL resides. This license can be renewed on an annual basis, and requires attendance at continuation training events or workshops provided by the Diocese (these can be via Zoom, at present).

Altar Guild: Assist in the set-up and clean-up of the altar and paraments of the church for services. Frequently working in teams, these lay individuals are the backbone of the services provided by the parish. The set-up the sacred vessels on the altar; fill the oil-burning candles and replace votive candles that have burnt out; change out the altar cloths to the appropriate liturgical color; clean and care for the vessels and linens used during the services; and order the supplies needed for worship services. This ministry requires more of a commitment, time-wise, than some of our other ministries, but it is a rewarding service to the church.

Choir: The choir meets an hour before the service begins to practice the music for the service; at this time, we do not meet during the week unless there is a special service on that day. You are welcome to commit as much time as you are comfortable with, whether it be one Sunday a month, or all services. Some musical understanding is expected.

Admin/office help: This ministry is wide-ranging and varying. Duties are currently split among several people, so it is possible to do only those duties you feel comfortable with. These include: producing bulletins for services; printing bulletins for services and setting them out; filing away financial and vestry documents; editing and keeping up with our Facebook page; editing our website (using Square Space); editing and disseminating the weekly e-newsletter; other minor duties as requested.

Tech—“Oz”: The people behind the curtain that allow our services to be broadcast live, and for people watching via Zoom to participate in the service as well. No experience is needed for this vital, yet fun ministry.

And there are other ministries that are vital, behind-the-scenes work that make St. Patrick shine: tending the garden; the monthly clean-up-crew; sending out birthday, sympathy, and “get well” cards; preparing the coffee and water before services; cleaning up the kitchen after refreshment/coffee hour; etc

Please consider how you might serve God and neighbor in any of these important ministries.

St Patrick’s Prays Together

Let my prayer be set forth as the incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

“When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words be without heart.”

—John Bunyan

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray especially for Alex, Anne, Barbara, Bear, Brad, Brody, Bruce, Caison, Cheryl, Chris, Craig, Donna, Eddie, Gary, Garry, Jason, Jean, Jim, Joyce, Judy, Judy, Kathy, Krystal, Marlin, Martina, Mary, Mary, Michael, Mick, Nancy, Norah, Norm, Patricia, Patricia, Reneé, Rick, Robin, Sarah, Scott, Susan, Teri, Terrell Jr, Theresa, Tina, Tracy, and Trish; for all those who feel isolated due to illness of body, mind, or soul; and all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, and for others known only to You.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; be with the the bereaved and comfort them, and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Almighty and everlasting God, you alone search the hearts and test the minds of your people: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon all who are discerning a call to Holy Orders, especially Carllene, Jason, and Laureli. Guide their uncertain steps, open their ears to your still, small voice, and grant them the courage to embrace your will. Give them pure motives, wisdom, and steadfast faith, that if it be your will, they may be found worthy to serve at your altars as shepherds of your flock; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please email Kristi Johnson and Jason Trumble (click here) if you would like to add, change, or stop a prayer request.

Worship — Faith — Community

Click Here for Zoom Tutorials

Sunday Morning Service

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Eucharist (Rite II)

10:00 AM Central Time

In-Person & Live on Zoom and Facebook

(Uploaded to YouTube after the Service)

For those who are unable to attend in-person services, we invite you to enjoy and participate in the service from the comfort of your own home via the Zoom link below, or on Facebook Live (click here to go to St Patrick’s Facebook Page).

St Patrick’s Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Service 2026

Time: September 6^th, 2026, 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 856 9616 5688

Passcode: 802423

To join the meeting via telephone (no camera or computer needed):

Dial into the meeting: (312) 626-6799 (Long distance charges may apply)
Meeting ID: 856 9616 5688, then press #
No “Personal ID” is required; just press #
Passcode: 802423, then press pound #

Click here for the bulletin for Morning Prayer (Rite II), 15 Pentecost (Proper 18)

Children’s Lesson for Proper 18A (click here to go to website)

Our Officiant this morning is Doug MacCullagh
Deacon-in-Training is Carllene MacMillan
Preacher is Jason M. Trumble
Dr. John Paul on piano
Technical support provided by Brad Bishop and Justin Pope
Bulletins produced and printed by Jason Trumble
Altar set-up and clean-up: Joan McNamara and Garry Owen
Readers: First Lesson—Mary Bostick; Second Lesson—Laureli Latimer; Third Lesson—Brian Albert
Intercessor: Brad Bishop

Evening Prayer 2026

Monday – Friday 6:00 PM CST

Online

St Patrick’s Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Evening Prayer (and Other Weeknight Services)

Time: 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Every weekday in 2026

Click here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 893 4773 3376

Passcode: 384274

To join the meeting via telephone (no camera or computer needed):

Dial into the meeting: (312) 626-6799 (Long distance charges may apply)
Meeting ID: 893 4773 3376, then press #
No “Personal ID” is required; just press #
Passcode: 384274, then press pound #

Children’s Christian Foundations and Formation

Starting (tentatively) in October, St. Patrick’s will be offering a new program for children, offering Christian foundational instruction and continued formation. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Beth Powell or email her at childinfamily@gmail.com.

Christian Formation

Starting in October, our Christian Formation program will resume and include a series of lectures/discussions on the History of the Bible by Dr. Bill Warren, Professor of New Testament and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Please see the below image for more details on this exciting series, or click here to download a PDF of the flyer.

Registration is now open by clicking here and filling out the form.

—In the Community—

What Has Faith Got to Do With It?

On the first Thursday of each month from June through November, The Episcopal Church’s Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values. Click here to register...

During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms).

Good Golly, What’s OLLI?

OLLI (Oshner Lifelong Learning Institute) presents interesting courses and seminars on the campus of USM! These short courses and seminars are available year-round. Curriculum guides can be found on the table in the narthex. Any questions? See Jon Caridad or click here.

Featured at OLLI this Fall:

September 10^th: Bill Coble will present a seminar called “Fabulous New Orleans”, talking about the history and heritage of that fine city near us.
September 29^th: A seminar called “Legend, Myth, and History” will trace the origins of the written heritage of the Old Testament, taught by Jon Caridad.
October 29^th: “Come out, Come out, Wherever You Are” is a seminar about the ancient tradition (and superstition) of exorcism, taught by Jon Caridad.

Long Beach Food Pantry Donations

On the Third Sunday of each month, St Patrick’s will collect and bless donations for the Long Beach Food Pantry and for the Blessing Box. We will also collect loose plate monies and donate them to the Long Beach Food Pantry on that Sunday. Please watch the newsletter for any special requests from the Food Pantry. Dry or canned non-perishable items only. Thanks for your generosity.

Items needed are cup o’ soups, ramen noodles, oatmeal, cheese cracker sandwiches, peanut butter cracker sandwiches, small canned meats, single snack size chips, pull top canned fruit, pull top soups, portable/small can openers, etc.

The Long Beach Food Pantry can be contacted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:00 AM–2:30 PM, either in person at 21081 Johnson Rd, Long Beach, or at 228-861-1291.

Other food pantries in the area that accept fresh vegetables and fruits are Feed My Sheep in Gulfport and Back Bay Mission in Biloxi.

Click here to sign up for The Mississippi Episcopalian e-newsletter.

Would you like to let others know about something in the community? A workshop? A concert? An arts and crafts event? Let Jason Trumble know, and he’ll add it to the newsletter!

Love (III)

George Herbert

Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked any thing.

A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:

Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,

I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?

My dear, then I will serve.

You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:

So I did sit and eat.

Your offering makes our worship and mission possible.

Please give generously.

There is a small fee attached for using this online giving. St Pat’s will gladly cover it, but if you would like to do so, please choose to add the cost to your online donation.