The 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
Jesus “said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'”
Super-mega-nice Jesus is so ingrained in the mind of American Christians, that the first question people generally pose when reading this Gospel is “why is the Bridegroom/Jesus such a jerk to these poor girls who forgot their lamp oil?!?” And that’s not a great starting point for reading the Gospel.
The most basic reality of our connection to God is that God IS God and that I/you/us are NOT. God loves us! More than that word could ever convey, but we are not on some type of even footing with God. We are creatures. Moderns love to use equality-driven images of God in our speech and prayer. We call Jesus brother and think of God as a kindly grandfather. We’re encouraged to reject thinking of God as judge or of Jesus as King. In reality, it’s less that God the Father or Jesus are like family to me and more that I am like Pinocchio or a painting come to life! We are less than God in the order of existence the way that paperclips are less than us...
So when Jesus is teaching us how to participate in this mystery of redemption, our first thoughts need to be that without this, I am less than nothing. I shouldn’t be thinking, “well, God owes me X, Y, and Z...” or “those oil-less girls deserve better than God...”
What Jesus is offering is so far beyond what we deserve that it can’t even be properly explained in human language. This sense of grandeur when thinking about God is closely associated with “Fear of the Lord.” In the sense it’s being used, “fear” means awe or wonder but it also implies an existential sense of a power so beyond me and so uncontrollable that I am a little scared too.
People experience this at the grand canyon or when they are out to sea for the first time. There’s a sense that if this gets away from me, I’m in real trouble...
That’s a reasonable attitude to have when we genuinely realize that God is God and that I am not. I realize that if I die, I have no power to affect anything. Often, Jesus uses harsh moments to hammer home this reality that Proverbs calls “the beginning of wisdom.”
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Monday is the feast of one of our favorite saints, Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini! She was Italian-born but most of her ministry was here in the US. I came across a Litany this week asking the prayers of all the saints and blesseds who have worked predominantly in the US. I don’t have space to reproduce the entire prayer, but I’ve cut and pasted the section listing the names of each saint (which is followed in the prayer by the petition “Pray for us”). I’ve also included the especially moving final prayers of the litany.
Perhaps you could also take a few moments this week to google some of these names you may not recognize. There are some truly amazing stories! Not included on this list (yet) are the Shreveport Martyrs and at least five other Americans whose causes for canonization are being considered!
If you want to pray this litany, you can simply search online for “The Litany of the Saints Catholic” and insert these names into the list of other saints.
Holy Mother of God, PRAY FOR US...
St. Isaac Jogues,
St. René Groupil,
St. Jeande Lalande,
Bl. Diego Luis de San Vitores,
Bl. Stanley Rother,
Bl. Leo William Miller,
All you holy martyrs,
St. John Neumann,
All you holy confessors,
St. Junípero Serra,
St. Damien de Veuster,
Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos,
Bl. Michael McGivney,
Bl. Franics Solanus Casey,
All you holy priests and levites,
All you holy monks and hermits,
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
St. Rose-Philippine Duchesne,
St. Théodora Guérin,
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
St. Marianne Cope,
St. Katherine Drexel,
Bl. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich,
All you holy virgins and widows,
St. Kateri Tekakwitha,
Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez,
All you holy men and women, saints of God,
FATHER of all nations and ages, we recall our country and its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains, we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth.
FATHER all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite; as we come before you with gratitude for your kindness, open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share your gifts in loving service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit: one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Donald Trichell/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Mary Ernst/Gustafson
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Inez DeMoss/family (Legacy Nursing & Rehab)
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and Eva and R.L. Reynolds/Bullard
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Anna May Farlow/family
- Sun 9:30a Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Mary Anne Gilfoil
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lectors | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/11 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | C VanderVieren |
| 11/12 9:30a | Chandler and Annie | M Lancaster | None Scheduled |
| 11/18 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | M Ernst |
| 11/19 9:30a | Mary Katherine and Courtland | Youth | None Scheduled |
| 11/25 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | L Magoun |
| 11/26 9:30a | Cooper and Maura | S Marsh | None Scheduled |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and on Sunday from 9a until Mass
- Sunday Catechism with Coffee and Donuts after Mass unless otherwise indicated
- Wednesday Morning Catechism about 9:30 a.m in Church and on Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p
Nov 12 Sunday Catechism following the 9:30 a. m. Mass.
- Nov 15 Pastoral Council meeting
- Nov 19 Potluck Brunch for Fourth Quarter Social following Sunday Mass
- Nov 19 Angel Tree begins
- Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day- No Mass
- Dec 2-3 Christmas on the Bayou - Parade on Saturday, Music program and Fireworks Sunday
- Dec Adult Christmas Party - Church Hall (date to be announced)
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
PILGRIMAGE!... Fr Ryan is leading a Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome in Italy in September of 2024. More information is available at HolyTravels.org/FrHumphriesItaly . Please pass the word around!
FORMED.ORG… FORMED has an entire page of weekly featured videos that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
PASTORAL COUNCIL..will hold its regular meeting on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Appointed members of the Council are: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, Norman Ernst, Jamie Howington, Jason Trichell and Shannon Wood.. Appointed as Trustees by the Bishop are Michel Lancaster and Cathy VanderVieren. Appointed by the pastor to serve as Finance Council Chair is Darryl Ellerbee. All members are requested to make a special effort to attend. Parishioners are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussions.
POTLUCK BRUNCH... to celebrate Thanksgiving and begin the Advent and Christmas season will be held on Sunday, November 19, following the Sunday Mass. Please mark your calendars and plan to join in this faith family activity. The Fourth Quarter (Oct, Nov, Dec) Social Committee consists of Skeeter and Blanche Wilks, and Louise Magoun as chairpersons with other committee members being Leslye Ellerbee, Jerry Ezell, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Sherry Lynn and Timmy Harris, Michael Lancaster, Billy and Ginny Marsh, William and Sharyn Marsh, Hannah McCartney, Sug Regan, Skipper and Christy Guizerix
CHRISTMAS ON THE BAYOU... The Christmas on the Bayou celebration will be slightly different this year as the Arts and Crafts on the Courthouse Square will be on Saturday, December 2 with the parade at 4 p.m. On Sunday, December 3, the usual music program will be held at First Baptist Church at 6 p.m. followed by the fireworks display on the Mississippi Street bridge.
St Edward will have a float in the Saturday parade. A group of men are building a manger, we have a trailer and a truck to pull it, and we will be asking some of the children to be a part of the Nativity scene using costumes that we already have. For safety purposes, we will also want a few adults to be on the float as well so let us know if you are willing to help. For more information, please contact Father Ryan or the church office,
THE CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR ADULTS will return this year! Our tentative date is Sunday evening, December 17. As in the past, you’re free to invite folks from the community, but no under-21s allowed. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. Thanks in advance to all who will help us bring back this fun tradition!
STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES FOR 2024... We recognize that there are those who absolutely DO NOT want to have stewardship envelopes while there are others who absolutely DO WANT a box of envelopes to remind them of various collections. We would like to accommodate everyone! We think that the best way to do that is for anyone who wants a box of envelopes to sign on the list on the table at the entrance of church. We will then provide you with a box of envelopes in late December. If you do not sign the list, we will not burden you with a box. Should you change your mind at a later time, you can always ask for and be provided with a set of envelopes.
Stewardship Like the sensible bridesmaids in today’s parable, good stewards make sure that they and whatever gifts are theirs to share, are ready to serve when the Master calls.
There will NOT BE A SECOND COLLECTION Those of you who use envelopes will note that there are envelopes in the box for Radio Maria and Archdiocese of the Military; however, those collections are no longer being taken.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-2023 | $ 2,111 |
| October Budget | $ 10,555 |
| October income | $ 9,500 |
| October Expenses | TBD |
| November Budget | $ 8,444 |
| November 5 Collection | $ 3,089 |
| November Income To Date | $ 3,089 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Randy Dukes (Nov 11), Brian Johnson (Nov 11), Max Paz (Nov 13, 2015), Cathy VanDerVieren (Nov 13), Isabel Hernandez (Nov 19), Libby Bullard (Nov 20), Kaci Ernst (Nov 21)
In Our Daily Prayers…
Please let us know of anyone who is ill or hospitalized and would like to receive a visit from Father. Also, help us keep our prayer list up to date by advising us of those who should be added or removed.
Our Pope Francis; Bishop Robert Marshall, and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives
Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, Terry Farlow Hall, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Hannah Wood McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Sue & Mike Rome
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Willetta and Mac Cagnolatti, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie and Donald Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe and Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Richard Garley (Gilfoil), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Dee Jones (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Cindy Mathieu (Wilks), Boyce Miller, John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Walter and Vivian Scott, George and Ann Shepherd, Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Mary Claire Warner and her parents , MaryBeth and Steve
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
