The 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?”
Fairness is so often a function of perspective. Is it fair that the crying child gets his or her way over and above the well behaved older sibling? From the point of view of the children, it’s not fair at all. From the point of view of the wiser parents, it’s certainly fair.
The point of view with which the Lord looks upon us is beyond even the edges of our comprehension. From our limited perspective, so many things seem unfair. Still, we have to trust that He and He alone knows what is just or fair.
How many times have I gotten away with some minor crime or sin? How many times have I driven 5 or 10 over the limit? How many times have I told a small lie (or a large one) and gotten away without consequences? From my point of view, this is good luck or even Divine blessing, but isn’t it also unfair? Isn’t it unjust?
In the same way, how many times have I been unfair in my treatment of others? How many times have I “moved the goalposts?” Haven’t I expected more from another than I offered? Haven’t I judged my own actions by the good intentions behind them while condemning the actions of others based on some harsher criteria?
The Lord, and He alone, is always faithful to His own teaching and self. The Lord never moves the goalposts. He isn’t tempted to set a double standard. We’re the ones who do that.
And so when it comes to the Lord’s teachings, we have to be very deliberate in rejecting any attempts - by ourselves or by others - to change those teachings in our own favor. With our limited perspective, any change will work against us. Any change will be destructive.
Throughout history, we can see over and over again well meaning people who have tried to improve upon the Lord’s teaching. Some of them may have even found a way to twist those teachings to their own benefit. At least, to their own benefit in this brief life. But again, the Lord’s perspective is so far beyond ours and His desire nothing more or less than our salvation that any effort of ours to do anything other than receive and obey will do nothing but harm to ourselves and to those we love.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
With the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the blessing of pets coming up this week, I want to take a moment to be clear about a question that gets much more attention than it really should: will my pet go to Heaven? The very short answer is yes...
But it requires specific context. The study of existence is called metaphysics. Within that field, we say that some things exist “conditionally” meaning that they exist only because something else exists.
As a quick experiment: imagine an LSU-themed unicorn... purple and gold and a bright shiny horn. Easy enough. That unicorn exists in the mind of everyone reading this. But it doesn’t exist anywhere else. If all of those who read this were to forget that image and/or die, the LSU unicorn would no longer exist. BUT if one of us keeps thinking about it or writes it down or has a great memory, then that unicorn continues to exist.
This “contingent” kind of existence is different from my existence (which is not contingent upon the memory of human beings). So, too, my cat has an existence separate from me and my mind.
All of us, cats, people, purple unicorns, etc depend upon the mind of God! None of us exist without His constant creation. So everything which exists depends upon God (is “contingent”) in a different sort of way.
When it comes to eternity, only human beings can exist in Heaven or Hell. When my cat dies, she’s dead. That’s it. But she persists in my memory. If (please God!) I go to Heaven, all my memories will go with me. The LSU unicorn, my cat, my great uncle Ed, my childhood imaginary friend... all of them.
Here and now, memory is “less” than real experience. A memory is hazier, less sensory, “less real” than the original experience itself. But in Heaven, knowledge (and memory) is not limited by the body. There is no meaningful distinction between memory and new experience.
So if I want to experience my beloved pet or my beloved relative, my memories of them will be as real as the experiences themselves.
And so, we can say that our pets will be with us in Heaven. But we need to understand that they will have a “contingent” existence. We shouldn’t say that they are in Heaven on their own. They exist as part of us.
Honestly, this can be confusing. No one wants to begin an answer to a question by saying “let me start with a complicated philosophy lecture.” For better or worse, a lot of important answers do start that way. If you want to know about the Church’s real teaching on capital punishment, war, gender, contraception, or the male-only priesthood, I can’t give you an answer without some serious foundational understanding of human nature and the way that society arises from that nature and the purpose for which God created us. None of that fits into a 350 word article in the parish bulletin! Still, it’s good for us to scratch the surface of some of these harder-to- understand topics because they remind us of how much more there is to know.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of In memory of Mary Ernst/Magoun
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of SeSe Holstead and Jackson Jumonville/family
- Wed 9:00a In honor of the second birthday of John Aubry and Thomas Williams/Magoun
- Thu 9:00a (Legacy Nursing & Rehab) In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/family
- Sun 9:30a Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lectors | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/30 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | M Ernst |
| 10/1 9:30a | Cooper & Maura | B Sullivan | None Scheduled |
| 10/7 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | L Magoun |
| 10/8 9:30a | Kathleen & Evelyn | K Collins | None Scheduled |
| 10/14 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book | M Rome |
| 10/15 9:30a | Chandler & Annie | Youth | 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
October 1 Sunday Catechism following the 9:30 a. m. Mass
- October 4 Blessings of Pets at 5:15 p.m. in the church parking lot
- October 6 First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart 5:30 p.m.
- October 7 First Saturday Devotion to the Blessed Mother 9 a.m.
- October 13 Quarterly Mass for Healing….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 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
CHOIR FOR CHRISTMAS ON THE BAYOU… This year’s music program for the December festival is “The King is Here.” The performance is scheduled for December 3 at First Baptist Church followed by the fireworks program on the bayou. Practice has begun and will be at 4 p.m. each Sunday afternoon. If you would like to join in to make a joyful noise, please do so!
BLESSING OF LIVESTOCK & PETS IN HONOR OF ST FRANCIS ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4… everyone is encouraged to bring their pets to the Church parking lot for a special blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. The blessing will be offered at 5:15 P.M.
FIRST FRIDAY…OCTOBER 6 ...Holy Hour and Mass....5:30 p.m. ...make a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and attend first Friday devotions for nine consecutive months.
FIRST SATURDAY … OCTOBER 7… Mass and Holy Hour … 9 a.m. Our Lady of Fatima called for special devotions to be offered on the first Saturday of each month. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
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.
Stewardship The first son in today’s Gospel said he would do his father’s bidding, but did not. The second son balked at first, but then repented and did as he was asked. What service is God calling me to do? Which son am I more like?
SECOND COLLECTION is our monthly Building Fund collection.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August income | $ 9,372 |
| August Expenses | $ 12,273 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September 23-24 Collection | $ 1,100 |
| September Income To Date | $ 6,262 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Levi Hamilton (Sept 30, 2018), Susie Murphy (Oct 1), Jerry Ezell (Oct 2), Katelyn Naya (Oct 2, 2014), Sharyn Marsh (Oct 8)
Happy Anniversary Mariza and Enrique Paz (Oct 2), Sharyn and William Marsh (Oct 5)
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, Carol Dunning, Keith Capdepon
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), 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), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, 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), 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
PRAYERS FOR OUR FARMERS! O God, Source and Giver of all things, Who manifests Your infinite majesty, power and goodness in the earth about us, we giveYou honor and glory. For the sun and rain, for the manifold fruits of our fields,for the increase of our herds and flocks we thank You. For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful. Supreme Lord of the harvest, graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, in union with Christ Your Son, as atonement for our sins, for the growth of Your Church, for peace and charity in our homes, for salvation to all. Amen.
