The Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
"...a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.”
The Christian life is an ongoing adventure. Every day is a challenge to love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength... One of the most essential tools that we need to meet that challenge is the radical honesty of humility. It’s shockingly easy for a Christian to see the world as it is and to think that he or she is “above” all the mess. That attitude can then metastasize into various types of pride that look very holy on the outside but which are as deadly as any type of pride is.
And so from the point of view of the practicing Christian, these words of St Paul about a thorn in the flesh are understood to be a gift and a reminder that God is God and I am not! But from the view of someone who isn’t Catholic, or who understands Christianity in a Calvinistic (Baptist) way, or who is not really engaging with his or her Christian Faith, these words of St Paul might bring to mind the famous quotation of St Teresa of Avila: “If this is the way God treats His friends, it’s no wonder He has so few of them!”
The prevailing American Protestant idea that Jesus did all the hard work and so we don’t have to do anything other than love Him has done more damage and is more dangerous than most of us realize. When it comes to Christianity, lots of Americans tend to think that the rules of being human don’t apply... Even though every human being understands the necessity of overcoming difficulty (see my other article this week), many Christians struggle to understand how these words of St Paul (and many, many others) fit into the easy Christianity of Joel Olsteen, Charles Swindoll, Rick Warren, Barbara Brown Taylor.
As Catholics, we know that no one who is still living and breathing is saved! Every choice and every moment is precious to the Lord and is given to us as a gift which we use to serve the Lord or to serve ourselves. Every moral decision will be held up before us at the moment of Judgment. And so we can’t just let life happen around us, we have to engage it, practice virtue, avoid sin, be humble, and be thankful for blessings and thorns from God.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Happy belated Independence Day!
Part of the reason I’m as strange as I am is that I have a degree in philosophy... and, what’s worse, I specialized in political philosophy. Since high school I’ve been reading and writing about Social Contract Theory and Hobbes’ State of Nature.
That gives me an interesting perspective on the USA. I often hear people say, “we need to return to the Christian principles on which our nation was founded.” Sadly, our nation wasn’t founded on Christian principles at all. Our Founding Fathers called themselves Christians, but they professed a type of philosophical-religion called Deism which isn’t really Christian at all. The founding principles of our nation weren’t Christian either - they were the philosophical ideals of Freemasonry mixed together with the failed experiment of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood. And those principles were just a self-serving mishmash of 17th and 18th century philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. But what makes the USA what it is, is NOT the failed philosophy of the so-called Enlightenment (which was not a good thing!). It wasn’t the brilliance of the Declaration of Independence or the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution - all of which are deeply flawed and even anti-Christian / anti-Human documents. What made and what makes the US so amazing is the core idea of a place where people can strive freely...
We take that idea for granted, but it’s shockingly rare to find a piece of dirt on this planet where you can you believe is right... And many of us are increasingly frustrated by the fact that it’s harder and harder to find that freedom even here in the US. While the Founding Fathers were philosophically-speaking French Revolutionaries, the cultural leaders of the US were Christian libertarians. They believed that personal freedom should be almost absolute, but that anyone who didn’t exercise that freedom with a sense of moral and personal responsibility didn’t belong here...
That can seem like a silly contradiction! But when we think about it as Christians, it’s logical... In fact, it’s still considered the basic principle of an ideal Catholic society. The technical term is “Subsidiarity” and the principle is that authority should be exercised in the smallest and most local possible way. Families should manage their own affairs. When families are in conflict, the local community or the local pastor steps in. When there are larger conflicts or interests between communities (like roads or law enforcement) then a local government forms. When larger interests (like civil defense) are required, another layer of government forms. While it wasn’t the intent of the founding fathers, the communities of our nation grew out of this libertarian / subsidiarity form of government and it has been one of the most successful forms of government in world history.
Rather than wade into emotionally charged topics like Roosevelt’s New Deal or LBJ’s Great Society (both of which I argue were disasters), we can and should be thankful for our nation. It remains today one of the best places on Earth to live, to be free, and to pursue happiness and holiness.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Paul VanderVieren/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Irving Rome/Lebeau
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Pat Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and Eva and R.L. Reynolds/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 5:30p In honor of a special birthday/Magoun
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Cathy VanderVieren
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/6 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | A Keene |
| 7/7 9:30a | Cooper and Maura | J Howington | - |
| 7/13 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | N Ernst |
| 7/14 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | M Lancaster | - |
| 7/20 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | C VanderVieren |
| 7/21 9:30a | Annie and | Youth | - |
Stewardship As we celebrate the Independence of our country, we will do well to echo the Psalmist saying, “Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.” May we always recognize and use wisely the gifts of freedom and abundance He has showered upon us.
THIS WEEKEND’S SECOND COLLECTION will be for our monthly Building Fund
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| May Budget | $ 8,444 |
| May Income | $ 8,572 |
| May Expenses | $ 11,940 |
| June Budget | $ 10,555 |
| June 29-39 Collection | $ 2,299 |
| June Income To Date | $ 11,402 |
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
July 7 First Sunday Benediction following weekend Masses
July 17 Pastoral Council meeting - 6 p.m. - Parish Hall
July 19 Quarterly Mass with Anointing of the Sick - 5:30 p.m.
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, 2024. Father has more information. 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
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION… JULY 7 …. at the conclusion of weekend Masses as part of our larger program to improve Eucharistic Devotion and to understand what a gift we have in the Most Holy Eucharist.
PASTORAL COUNCIL..as we begin a new fiscal year in the church, we would like to thank MaryKathryn Book and Kendra Collins for their service to our faith family. Both are rotating off the board after serving for three years. New members appointed to the Board for a three year term will be Kathleen Ellerbee (youth voice) and Mike Rome.
The Council will hold its regular meeting on WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Other appointed members of the Council are: 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.
THE WORD AMONG US… a monthly publication serving as a daily devotional guide, can be found on the table at the entrance of church. Please feel free to take a copy to use in your daily prayer life. In addition to the daily scripture and meditation, there are interesting theme focused articles for study.
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.virtus.org for the latest training bulletins. Any questions or issues can be reported to the office. Printed resources are available on the table at the entrance to the Church. “Protecting our Children, Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” includes Resources and Contact Numbers for reporting abuse. “Protecting God’s Children, Teaching Touching Safety Quick Reference Guide” The Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Minors and The Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers are available in the Safe Environment section of the diocesan website at DioceseAlex.org or a copy may be requested from the Safe Environment Office (318) 445-2401.
PLEDGE TO HEAL...If you or a family member has been abused or victimized by a representative of the Catholic church or a member of the clergy, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Alexandria encourages those persons to come forward and speak out. Dr. Kneipp is establishing support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members. The focus of these groups is to further emotional and spiritual healing as an adjunct to therapy, in an atmosphere of others who understand the pain, betrayal, and fear associated with abuse. Dr. Kneipp can be reached at 318-542-9805. All calls are confidential.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Jude Nadeau (July 7), Chip Sullivan (July 11), Aidan Collins (July 12), Luke Aucoin (July 15)
CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Levi Washington who was recognized by Major League Baseball as a player in the Negro League. Coach played catcher for the Kansas City Monarchs. MLB held the ceremony on June 20, 2024, in Birmingham, AL, at historic Rickwood Field!
In Our Daily Prayers…
PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON...Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during the Hurricane Season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hastened to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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; our 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, under full-time care and for those who care for them, and for those otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn & Nap Book, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil, Terry Farlow Hall, C.W. & Alyce Keene, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Hannah McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry & Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome
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), Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), David Cagnolatti, Willetta and Mac Cagnolatti, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe & Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Jimmy Fordham (Gustafson & Fordice), Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Gail Gilfoil Graugnard, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Chelsea Keene & Andrew Lewis, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), Emery and Kale Kirkland (Gilfoil), Calvin “Beans” & Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), James Albert Martin, Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Vickie Morelli (Ernst), John Neill, family of Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Gannon Sims, Robbie Sims, Keri Post, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Mary Claire Warner and her parents, MaryBeth and Steve, Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
