The 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
“...do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.”
Hypocrisy is one of the hardest issues for us to deal with as Christians! Brennan Manning famously wrote “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle!”
That makes today’s gospel, if anything, harder to hear! Jesus reminds us that the failures of our leaders don’t absolve us of responsibility for faithfulness and obedience to them. Quite the opposite, in fact. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Why, after all, did Jesus choose Judas as an apostle if not to teach us that human nature hasn’t changed since Adam and Eve... Our leadership will always fail us in their humanity! But when those fallen human beings - men and women alike - teach the truth, we are bound to it!
Of course, in our day and age, we have some leaders who fail to teach the truth! That’s a heavy burden on us. It’s not the first time in our history as a Church, though. Some very important theologians in the early Church (c.f. Origen and Tertullian) failed in various ways and are not remembered as saints today. All through history that’s been the case. Even so, we are bound to obedience to Jesus and His Church. So what do we do when it’s unclear as to whether some teaching is true or false?
First, we have to err on the side of trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through the Church.
Second, we have to distinguish between the “official” teaching of the Church and so-called “interpretations” of it. If we can’t point to it in the Catechism or in Canon Law, it’s not official.
Finally, we have to make real and serious efforts to understand a teaching which seems wonky... We can’t just find a priest or deacon who says what we want to hear! How many couples have used contraception with that as an excuse?!? If we’re going to do something which is at odds with the moral instruction of the Church, we need a good and founded reason to do so.
Few things are more frustrating than being forced to put up with people who don’t live up to a high standard... But holiness demands we take up whatever cross Jesus offers us...
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Friends, I am heartbroken.
As I explained last week, I drove to New Orleans to speak with the Louisiana Cemetery Board. I was able to spend an hour with two excellent employees who assured me that everything we needed was in our file and ready to go. (I was so happy I went out for a celebratory meal of hummus and a delicious Turkish Pizza-thing called Pide to celebrate! Google it, trust me!)
At my retreat this past week, I got an email asking me to adjust one of the documents, which I did. It was no big deal. I was assured again that everything was good to go...
This past Tuesday, I got an email that three more documents were needed and that I had about 2 days to get these documents filled out by the Bishop, notarized, and over-nighted to New Orleans or our application would be delayed until the summer... I have no words. It was half shock and half rage. Even several days later, I’m beside myself with disappointment.
(Because of my background in philosophy and Catholic political theory, I’m naturally a bit of a libertarian. But these kinds of things really hammer home how detrimental bureaucracy is...)
For better or worse, we’re still going to move forward, but we’ll have to wait until the summer to submit our application for our cemetery license.
I spoke with our representative at American Cemetery Consultants who reassured me that Louisiana is just like this. He will put in a call and hopefully allow us to keep to our schedule without significant delays. Assuming our licensure goes through in the summer, we’ll be able to start the pre-sales right away and we can move the construction forward with only a month or two difference in the completion time...
That’s the best I can say. Our contractors are amazing! They’ve been very helpful and encouraging the whole way.
I’ll share more info as it becomes available.
Our Holiday Season Angel Tree is coming up. If you know of families or individuals who are in need, please submit their names to me as soon as you can.
One more piece of practical business this week. For the past few years, the idea of reviving the Adult Christmas Party has been floated to limited interest at the Pastoral Council and in private conversation. This year, though, the idea was floated again and garnered significant attention.
After consulting with the Pastoral Council and a number of our regular volunteers, I had decided it’s worth a try. Because of their proximity to one another, we’ll forgo the Burning of the Greens and have the Adult Christmas Party a few weeks prior to Christmas, probably on a Sunday evening in mid- to late-December.
Specific dates and details will be forthcoming. The basic details will be as the party used to be in years’ past.
Any questions can be addressed to me.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Nettie and Phillip Scurria/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Marie Johnson/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Leon Humphries
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Mary Agnes York/P Gilfoil(Legacy Nursing & Rehab)
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Jackie Jumonville/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Donald 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 Mary Anne Gilfoil
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lectors | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/4 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil | N Ernst |
| 11/5 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | J Howington | None Scheduled |
| 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 | K VanderVieren | M Ernst |
| 11/19 9:30a | Mary Katherine and Courtland | 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
Nov 5 Sunday Catechism following the 9:30 a. m. Mass.
- Nov 19 Potluck Brunch for Fourth Quarter Social following Sunday Mass
- Nov 19 Angel Tree begins
- Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day
- 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
PARADE OF SAINTS…. will be on Sunday, November 5 as our young people dress the part and tell us about the saint that they have chosen for All Saints recognition.
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
ANGEL TREE... Our annual Angel Tree is getting ready to kick off at the beginning of Advent. Many, many thanks to Mrs. Dana Dukes for heading up the project. If anyone knows of families who may be in need, please let Fr. Ryan or Dana know as soon as possible.
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 greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel. What wonderful good news for those who give of their time in service to others!
SECOND COLLECTION… is for our monthly Building Fund
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September income | $ 6,442 |
| September Expenses | $ 11,006 |
| October Budget | $ 10,555 |
| October 29 Collection | $ 1,842 |
| October Income To Date | $ 8,450 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Jason Trichell (Nov 5), Maura McCarty (Nov 10), Randy Dukes (Nov 11), Brian Johnson (Nov 11), Max Paz (Nov 13, 2015), Cathy VanDerVieren (Nov 13)
Happy Anniversary Stephenie and Lance Marsh (Nov 6), Christy and Skipper Guizerix (Nov 7), Marie and Norman Ernst (Nov 10)
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), 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), 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
