The 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.”
Some of the best poetry human beings have ever written has revolved around the theme of God’s greatness in comparison to the things of the world.
No matter how old or sophisticated we get, size is something that impresses us as human beings. When I was in college at LSU, I sat next to Shaq at a football game… I’m a big guy. He was WAY bigger. It was jarring. When I first went to the NOMA, I walked up the gigantic seascape hanging in the great room and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Everyone who’s been to the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty or the Arch in St. Louis comes away a little shocked by the sheer magnitude of them. It’s no wonder that people like to write poetry and songs about gigantic things.
There’s real spiritual merit to thinking about God in terms of size. It’s an analogy, of course, God isn’t limited by a physical boundary, but still it’s a good analogy. God is so big and grand, that everything which exists could be stacked onto his shoulder and it would be less weighty than a light Tallulah fog… His love is “deeper than the the holler, stronger than the river, higher than the pine trees growin' tall upon the hill…”
We know that all images of God are just images. But they can be incredibly helpful. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that “grace builds upon nature” and that “gifts are received according to the mode of the receiver.” Both of these mean that God communicates Himself to us in ways we can comprehend. If I let Him, God will use language I can understand, images to which I can relate, and passions to which I am drawn to teach me to love Him and to serve Him in order that I can spend eternity with Him forever in Heaven.
And this is why personal prayer is an essential part of the Christian intellectual life. We need to study Scripture and the Catechism, but understanding and wisdom are gifts from the Holy Spirit. And if we let Him, the Holy Spirit will take these images from our experience (like big things) and use them to reveal Himself to us.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Halloween, All Saints and All Souls… It’s a great little trilogy of days.
Halloween is about confronting our natural fear of death. All Saints is about confirming our Christian Hope that even I can be saved and spend eternity with the Lord in Heaven if I give it my all. And All Souls brings the other two together by embracing one of the most important components of Christian Hope: Purgatory.
In our predominantly Protestant area, Purgatory is more of an accusation or a criticism than an expression of God’s mercy… But that mostly comes from a lack of understanding.
Purgatory arises from two seemingly contradictory Biblical ideas. One the one hand, NONE but the pure of Heart shall see God… From God covering the eyes of Moses way back in the Book of Exodus through to the Sermon on the Mount, it’s clear that Heavenly communion is for the perfect. BUT… St. Paul is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Jesus, Himself, asks if any are good. And so there’s a heck of chasm there. If we’re all sinners and only the perfect can exist in Heaven, then what? Well, the short answer is that EVERYONE goes to Hell. Right?!? Yes! If Jesus is right that only the pure shall see God and He then questions whether any are really good on this Earth… Then all of us, every single one are going to Hell… BUT… Jesus tells the “good” thief, who isn’t all that good, that he will be in paradise “today.” In short, we’ve got a lot of very mixed messages. And even if we trim a few of the more confusing ones, we still have the core problem of Heaven requiring perfection. None of us are perfect in this life.
A purgatory, like its English cognate a purge, is just a means or process of purification. For us as Catholics, we posit some process of purification by which those who ardently desire to spend eternity with the Lord and who have lived lives which make that possible are fully and completely purified. That’s it. That’s not so controversial. Purgatory isn’t an alternative Heaven or Hell. It’s not an eternal place. It’s a process.
Now… many saints and mystics have had much to say about it and that may or may not be helpful to consider if you’re interested in the theology of Purgatory. But the simple understanding is completely sufficient for most of us: Purgatory is a manifestation of God’s mercy. And without it, most of us would be damned to Hell.
I, for one, LOVE celebrating all three of these days. I love to watch a good scary movie on Halloween because I want to face my fears. Then, I want to think about all those people who loved Our Lord in this life without special fanfare or dramatic accomplishment. I guarantee they don’t care that their names aren’t part of our liturgical calendar! They’re in Heaven with the Lord and that’s more than enough for them. And then, I want to celebrate All Souls by blessing the cemetery and praying for those who I love who have died. Just as I hope those who love me will pray for me when I die.
All this talk of death can seem a bit heavy, but I think once a year, we can handle a few days of heavy thoughts!!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Thomas Trichell
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 5:30p Vigil of All Saints…In memory of Lee Rome/Lancaster
- Tue 9:00a All Saints…..In memory of Thomas Trichell/Brenda
- Wed 9:00a All Souls…In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Marie Johnson (anni of birth on 6th)/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Donald Trichell (anni of death on 7th)/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) |
|---|---|---|
| 10/29 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 10/30 9:00a | Henry, MaryKatherine, & Maura | M Lancaster |
| 11/5 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome |
| 11/6 9:00a | Chandler and Annie | S Marsh |
| 11/12 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren |
| 11/13 9:00a | Courtland, Preston, Maura | A Oliver |
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
Oct 30 Parade of Saints presented by children in Church Hall following 9 a.m. Mass
- Nov 1 All Saints Day….a Holy Day of Obligation….Mass on Monday, Oct 31 at 5:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 1 at 9 a.m.
- Nov 2 All Souls Day …. Blessing of Graves at 10 a.m. following the 9 a.m. Mass
- Nov 4 First Friday Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - 5:30 p.m.
- Nov 5 First Saturday Devotions to our Blessed Mother - Mass and Holy Hour - 9 a.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.
FR RYAN’S RECOMMENDATION AT FORMED.ORG… If you haven’t had a chance to watch The Chosen (https://watch.formed.org/the-chosen) yet, don’t wait another second!!! It’s amazing! Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!! St. Edward has a new Website at http://www.SaintEdwardTallulah.church You can find the bulletin there (and subscribe to our emails). In the coming months, Fr Ryan will be putting videos of talks and presentations up there as well as links to info at FORMED.ORG.
HURRICANE IAN… we have been moved by the stories of death and loss in Florida and the Carolinas. In this state, we know all too well how devastating a hurricane can be. Thank you to those parishes and communities who have already responded – helping our new Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana in their response or through financial contributions to Catholic Charities, or other agencies. We are asking you to further assist in this effort and to provide resources to respond to other natural disasters in the future. This special collection on the weekend of October 29-30 will be sent to the Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund to benefit Hurricane Ian relief. Please be generous.
CHRISTMAS ALONG THE BAYOU…..the community choir that will provide music on Sunday, December 4, 2022 for the community festival is seeking members interested in singing with the group. If you would like to join in, rehearsals are on Sunday at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Show up and join in!!!!
ALL SAINTS DAY….a Holy Day of Obligation….Mass on Monday, Oct 31 at 5:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 1 at 9 a.m.
ALL SOULS DAY AND BLESSING OF GRAVES… Blessing of Graves at 10 a.m. following the 9 a.m. Mass,
FIRST FRIDAY…NOVEMBER 4 ...Mass and Holy Hour....5:30 p.m. ...make a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and attend first Friday devotions for nine consecutive months.
FIRST SATURDAY … NOVEMBER 5… 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,
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 2022-2023 | $ 2,111 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September Income | $ 20,892 |
| September Expenses | $ 9,966 |
| October Budget | $ 10,555 |
| October 22/23 Collection | $ 1,348 |
| October Income To Date | $ 7,121 |
Stewardship We are called to be good stewards of our personal vocations. St. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is, therefore, ours, too–“that our God may make (us) worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.
SECOND COLLECTION Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund for victims of Ian.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Hannah McCarty (Oct 31), Don Wood (Nov 1), Jason Trichell (Nov 5)
Happy Anniversary Stephenie and Lance Marsh (Nov 6)
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, 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 & Keene), Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), 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), 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
