Welcome!

If you are searching for a place to worship God in a committed, inclusive, and intentionally affirming Christian community, you have found it! God is searching for you too.

Come and see!

Mother Jane’s Reflection

Well, we are a full week and one Sunday into our adventure of shared ministry at St Thomas and St Patrick’s. Adventure seems appropriate since it was pouring rain and I read the wrong Gospel. Ahh, well, no great adventure is without challenges!! This week is a more typical Sunday as our focus continues with Jesus’ parables as recounted by Matthew.

Matthew shaped his Jesus stories around a debate between the authorities in the synagogue who rejected Jesus out of hand and the Jewish people who saw a relationship between the teachings and the salvation of Jesus and Jewish tradition. First, it is not a story about Jews rejecting Jesus and the Christian church being the new heir of God’s invitation. Such a limited interpretation would trivialize this parable. Secondly, the gruesome punishment is meant to tell us about God’s ultimate judgment. It is not meant as a guide for church disciplinary committees or political parties to judge one person unworthy of love.

Third, the prophetic voice of Isaiah had, long before the writing of Matthew, predicted the feast for all persons who would respond to God’s loving invitation. In Isaiah 25 we hear the prophet telling the people in bondage that God will prepare a sumptuous feast for all and later in Isaiah 61 we hear that God will also provide the robe of righteousness—the wedding garment—for the feast. This parable of the banquet is an invitation to put on the garment of faith and a warning of the consequences of turning one’s back on God.

For Matthew, what we value and how we treat each other are important. We may be the recipients of unmerited grace, but if we do not return that gift from God with humility, kindness, compassion, and gratitude for others, then we will be left out when the banquet is served. In this really challenging lesson, each and every one is invited to God’s Kingdom. No one earns their ticket. It is a gift. And there are only two ways that you or I can end up outside the gate—either we ignore the invitation or we figure it is not worth our time and we show up in our pajamas instead of the robe of faithfulness given to us by God.

This coming Sunday, let’s all show up! October is the time when the focus of our Vestries turns to stewardship. Let’s work with our parish leadership to build a banquet where all are welcomed and loved by supporting our churches with time, talent, and treasure. There is a joyful noise coming out of our two faith communities and it’s time to tell others about it.

Buen Camino,

Mtr Jane

Image attribution: “Parable of the Wedding Feast”, Russian Orthodox Icon, from https://orthochristian.com/155964.html, originally from https://media.pravoslavie.ru/419850.b.jpg?mtime=1694341191. Retrieved on 5 October 2026.

The Gospel

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 22

Once more Jesus spoke to [the people] in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad, so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

—Matthew 22:1–14 (NRSVue)

Happenings at St. Patrick’s

Sunday, October 11^th, 12:30 PM: Craft Day (Fall Theme, continued)
Wednesday, October 14^th, 6:00 PM: Evening Prayer followed by Christian Formation with light supper (discussion of Sunday’s lecture)
Sunday, October 18^th, 12:30 PM: Vestry Meeting
Sunday, October 18^th, 6:00 PM: Lecture #3 on History of the Bible
Wednesday, October 21^st, 6:00 PM: Evening Prayer followed by Christian Formation with light supper (discussion of Sunday’s lecture)

Happenings at St. Thomas, Diamondhead

Thursday, October 8th, 5:30 PM: Blessing of the Animals w/ Dinner following (TIME CHANGE, DIFFERENT THAN FLYER!)
Sunday, October 11^th, 6:00 PM: Lecture #2 on History of the Bible
Sunday, November 1^st, 6:00 PM: Lecture #4 on History of the Bible

White Cane Walk

Thursday, October 15^th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

On Thursday, October 15^th, the Emerge Center will sponsor a “White Cane Walk” from the corner of South Cleveland Ave and Hwy 90, up S & N Cleveland Ave to the EMERGE Center and St Patrick’s Episcopal Church, to call attention to the need for sidewalks along N Cleveland. St Patrick’s is sponsoring the walkers with water and moral support!! If you would like to walk please join us.

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 August 2026 Vestry Meeting Minutes.

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, Dolores, Donna, Dottie, Eddie, Francis, Gary, Garry, Irina, Jason, Jean, Jim, Joyce, Judy, Judy, Kayla, Kathy, Krystal, Marlin, Martina, Mary, Mary, Maureen, Michael, Mick, Nancy, Norah, Norm, Patricia, Patricia, Reneé, Rick, Robin, Rosie, Sarah, Scott, Susan, Teri, Terrell Jr, Theresa, Tina, Tracy, Trish, William, and the Matherne family; 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, especially Deloris and Sally Jeaux, 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 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Eucharist (Rite II)

11:00 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: October 11^th, 2026, 11:00 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 Holy Eucharist (Rite II), 20 Pentecost (Proper 23)

Children’s Lesson for Proper 23A (click here to go to website)

Our Celebrant, Gospeler, and Preacher this morning is the Rev. Jane Bearden
Deacon-in-Training is Carllene MacMillan
Laureli Latimer as Lay Minister
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: Doug MacCullagh and Jason Trumble
Readers: First Lesson—Brad Bishop; Second Lesson—Brian Albert
Intercessor—Linda Jablonowski

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 #

Christian Formation

Our Christian Formation program will continue with 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.

Members of St. Patrick’s are invited to join us for Evening Prayer and further discussion of Sunday’s lecture on the following Wednesday, over a light supper.

—In the Community—

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:

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, and boxed/packet instant mashed potatoes.

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!

Wedding Toast

Richard Wilbur

St. John tells how, at Cana’s wedding feast,

The water-pots poured wine in such amount

That by his sober count

There were a hundred gallons at the least.

It made no earthly sense, unless to show

How whatsoever love elects to bless

Brims to a sweet excess

That can without depletion overflow.

Which is to say that what love sees is true;

That this world's fullness is not made but found.

Life hungers to abound

And pour its plenty out for such as you.

Now, if your loves will lend an ear to mine,

I toast you both, good son and dear new daughter.

May you not lack for water,

And may that water smack of Cana’s wine.

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.