The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From The Font
“If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts!”
Logic would predict that if any of us heard the voice of God, we would be inclined to listen with attention rather than harden our hearts against it… Bizarrely, it’s usually the opposite. A shockingly high percentage of religious people across all traditions and cultures tend to reject - consciously or unconsciously - at least a few essential parts of the faith they profess… If it weren’t so prevalent, it would seem impossible.
The reason is probably simple. It’s probably that all religions establish a coherent system of belief and, by our human nature, we want to customize that system to our own liking. And so we feel compelled to do this or that our own way and when that conflicts with the larger system, we hold on to our own personal version even at the expense of the larger faith.
Christianity - as the true Faith - adds to this the specific challenge that the Lord has made us with specific gifts, specific purpose, and - for the good of our salvation - specific weaknesses and drawbacks. We don’t usually think about our weaknesses in that way, but they’re given to us as gifts. Our tendencies toward greed or perfectionism or gluttony or hard-headedness or whatever confirm that God is God and we are not. They function, as St. Paul says, as a thorn in the flesh to build up humility and lead us to the Lord’s mercy.
The weaknesses that God builds into us are then poked and prodded by our religious Faith not in an accidental way, but in a purposeful one. That’s why so many people step away from certain aspects of Faith - because those aspects are especially hard. That’s not accidental, it’s essential! Some part of the Faith which is easy for me will be nearly impossible for someone else and vice versa.
And so we don’t need to panic if some part of our Faith seems especially challenging or onerous. We simply need to trust that God has thought all of this through and if some part of the Church’s teaching is extra-hard for me, that same part is likely to be what gets me into Heaven if I embrace it and see it for the gift that it is.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Friday is the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, aka Our Lady of the Rosary. It commemorates the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
The Battle was the end of militant Islam’s thousand-year-long effort to conquer Europe. Modern revisionist history tries to paint the picture of Islam as a “religion of peace.” In reality, from the days of Muhammad, Islam was a violent and expansionist religion with a theology built almost entirely on the premise that everyone must “convert or die.” Islam arose just as the Roman empire was collapsing and it spread like wildfire across the Roman cities of North Africa and what we call the Middle East which we left suddenly without Roman armies to protect them and without Roman government to manage them. When the Romans conquered an area, very little changed. The local coinage would be replaced with Roman coins and the tax structure would differ, but for most of the world, being conquered was relatively straight-forward. But when Islam conquered, everything changed. Anyone who resisted would be murdered or worse (gross sexual violence regardless of age or gender is literally part of the religious books and is the moral right of the conquerors). The spread of Islam was accompanied by fear and despair.
It wasn’t until the 1100s that Europe began to recover a sense of shared identity under the banner of Christendom (Christ’s Kingdom). That banner united the Europeans into a vast, but poorly organized army. And that army then went to work casting the vile Moslems off the Iberian Peninsula and out modern day Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. The final great effort of the Ottoman empire to gain a foothold in what we call Europe was a naval incursion set to land at the Bay of Lepanto in modern-day Greece.
The army was coalesced by Pope Pius V and funded by Phillip II of Spain and commanded by Don John of Austria. In short, the battle started badly for the Christians. As the day progressed the wind was against them and most of the ships in flames or taking on water flew the Christian banner. Three separate groups were invoking the intercession of Our Lady during the Battle. When the wind suddenly changed and the Christians suddenly surged to victory, the Pope credited the victory to the Rosary. Many of the sea captains had installed images of Our Lady of Guadalupe on their ships and so they gave her credit. Others saw a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin just before the winds changed and they claimed Our Lady had appeared. The Pope, being the Pope, got the final say and so he established a new Feast for Our Lady of Victory aka Our Lady of the Rosary to commemorate the battle. Of course there are myriad poems, plays, books and songs which also commemorate this important battle.
It marked the functional end of serious hostilities between Christians and Moslems until the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran. While it’s reasonable to blame that on ineffectual western leadership, especially US President Jimmy Carter and the Oil-hungry Brits, the fall of the Ottomans after WWII made it all but inevitable. The future of Islam isn’t clear, but what’s certain is that Our Lady will be our greatest ally, come what may!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In honor of Jude Marlin Nadeau and his parents, Courtney and Billy/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Lillie “SeSe” Holstead/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Jackson Jumonville/family
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of John Johnson/S Johnson
- Fri 5:30p In memory of JCB “Skeezix” Jumonville/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro 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 | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 10/1 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 10/2 9:00a | Chandler, Annie, & Maura | D Ellerbee |
| 10/8 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book |
| 10/9 9:00a | Courtland and Preston | C Guizerix |
| 10/15 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 10/16 9:00a | Cooper & Maura | Youth-Henry & Kathleen |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
October 2 Potluck Brunch (third quarter social group acting as hosts) - after Sun Mass
- October 7 First Friday Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - 5:30 p.m.
- October 11 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m (Note change of date)
- October 12 Wednesday Evening Catechism - Parish Hall - 6 p.m. (Note change of date)
- October 15/16 Celebration of Feast of St Edward the Confessor - Potluck Supper on Saturday following 5:30 Mass in Hall
- October 22 America Needs the Rosary in St Joseph at 10 a.m. (see notes below) -
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.
POTLUCK BRUNCH on October 2, 2022 following Sunday Mass.Third Quarter (July, Aug, Sept) Social Committee - Shannon and Bart Wood and Betty and Kenny Smith, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Bruce and Kate Copes, Dana and Randy Dukes, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Susie and Terry Murphy, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan. All are encouraged to join in this faith family event.
PASTORAL COUNCIL…. for October will be moved forward a week and will meet on October 11 at 6 p.m. in the Church Hall. Father Ryan will be away at Priest’s Retreat on the regularly scheduled date.
WEDNESDAY EVENING CATECHISM …for October will also be moved forward a week and will be on Wednesday, October 12 at 6 p.m. in the Church Hall.
FEAST OF ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR…is October 13 and our faith family will celebrate the Feast at the Masses on October 15 & 16. Following the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass there will be an informal, casual potluck supper. All are invited to be a part of the event in the Church Hall!
AMERICA NEEDS THE ROSARY …. St Joseph Catholic Church in St Joseph will host a rosary and faith procession on October 22. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the procession will begin at 10 a.m. from the Church. A procession with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will go from the church to the downtown St. Joseph Amphitheater. All are invited to participate.
ANGEL TREE RECIPIENTS….Do you know of a family who needs help with Christmas gifts and food items for their children? Additionally, we will expand our program to include the elderly and special needs adults who may be in need. We are attempting to identify those persons by the end of October. If you know of need, please advise Father Ryan or the Church Office 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.
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
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August Income | $ 9,993 |
| August Expenses | $ 11,352 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September 24-25 Collection | $ 1,214 |
| September Income To Date | $ 8,771 |
Stewardship When will I have given enough – of my income, of my time, of my talents? Today’s Gospel suggests that only total stewardship will do. “When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say ‘We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.’”
SECOND COLLECTION... is our once monthly Building Fund
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Susie Murphy (Oct 1), Katelyn Naya (Oct 2, 2014), Sharyn Marsh (Oct 8)
Happy Anniversary 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 Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; 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, Marie, Norman, and Mary Ernst, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Kevin and AnnaBeth Collins (Book), Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Carol Drawe Guidry (Gilfoil), Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), John and Carlyle Ashly Hoogland, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Janice Spencer and family (Wilks), Vance Sullivan and grandmother, Judy Sullivan, Meg Keene Thomas, Gabby Trejos (Wilks), LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood
