The 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time
From The Font
"Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.”
One of the oddest things about modern English is how few names are taken from common words. 200 years ago, the word “Chandler” was as common as butcher or farmer. It means candle-maker. But, I suspect, if that word was still in common use, it wouldn’t be a very popular name. We have a few like “Hunter,” “Chase,” “Crystal,” “Clay,” “Harmony,” “April,” and “Shepherd.” But mostly, our names don’t have any direct meaning in our own language.
For the Jews, though, their names were always connected to a specific, common meaning in their own language. Sometimes, they would be named after their parents, as we see in today’s Gospel, but that just meant adding a prefix. The man Timaeus, whose name means “honored” in Koine Greek, which was the common language of most of the Roman empire and in common use in Biblical Israel. Bar-Timeaeus is an example of ancient “linguistic interference” where the rules of Jewish naming are applied to a Greek name.
The point of all this is to be able to recognize and filter out some of the assumptions that we naturally bring to reading the Bible. One of the most important details that we miss when we read the Bible is to think that the names of people or places are as random as our names. My name is Ryan. My sisters are Stacy and Carlie. None of our names has any meaning in English. My parents chose them because they liked the sound the letters made... But the name of Jesus (in Hebrew Yeshua) means “God Saves.” That’s important to understanding the story. Jesus dies at a place called Golgotha which means “Place of the Skull.” Moses means “to draw out [of water].” David means “beloved.” Mary has two meanings: “longed-for child” and “bitterness.” Bethlehem means “house of bread.”
As we’re reading the Bible, it’s always worth it to pause and ask google “what does the name Peter mean?” There’s a lot of good insight in those details. Did you know, for example, that Simon means “listener” and Peter means “rock?” Heck I think I could make a sermon out of that...
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
You may have seen some kerfuffle in the news about Holy Days of Obligation and some changes that Rome has called for. Most of the reporting I’ve seen mistakes a minor correction for a major change. As we have a Holy Day of Obligation this week, this seems like a good time for some clarification.
Why do we have Holy Days of Obligation?
The obligation to “sanctify time” with feasts, fasts, and weekly days set aside for God literally goes back to the first chapter of the Bible and to the 10 Commandments. As Christians, we have a calendar on which every Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation as well as six other days: Christmas (Dec 25), Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1), The Annunciation (Mar 25), The Assumption (Aug 15), All Saints (Nov 1), and Immaculate Conception (Dec 8). Four of those are stacked into two months - which can certainly be burdensome at an already busy time of year. But some of these days can be transferred or “abrogated” (made non-obligatory) if they fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
What obligation do we have?
All Catholics are obliged to attend Holy Mass at some point between 4p the day before the Holy Day and midnight the evening of the Holy Day. You are not obliged to receive Holy Communion... If you have to squeeze in the Mass around lunch time, for example, you can eat and then go to Mass and simply not receive Holy Communion. That’s a workable option for some of us.
What if I can’t go to Mass?
If it is genuinely impossible to attend Mass on the Holy Day, perhaps you are an astronaut or you are hiking in the Alaskan wilderness, then you are not to blame. We can’t do the impossible. It may also be that the local parish’s Mass schedule is genuinely not feasible due to work, school, or your duties caring for the sick... In that case, you should plan to call the local priest and ask for a "dispensation.” Explain to Father that you can’t make it work and ask him to absolve you of the obligation.
If you miss Mass due to carelessness, laziness, or absent-mindedness, then you need to go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion again. Remember that while modern common sense says “God doesn’t care if I go to Church,” God did write the 10 Commandments which includes a whole item about keeping Holy the Lord’s Day. Also, when Mary appeared at La Salette, she was very clear that unrepentantly failing to keep Sunday holy is condemning people to damnation in our own day and age... The Lord considers this a big deal.
So what changed recently?
In years’ past, in the US, when the Immaculate Conception fell on a Sunday, which was always the Second Sunday of Advent, the feast was moved to Monday and not obligatory. Rome said recently that when Dec 8 is a Sunday, Dec 9 is the Immaculate Conception and that it IS obligatory. It’s a relatively minor issue, but it is relevant for us this year. So Dec 9 is obligatory.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton and Donald Trichell/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Thomas and Delia Trichell/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Darryl Ellerbee, Sr. and Jack Ellerbee/Sullivan
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Pat Bullard (anniversary of marriage)/family Legacy Senior Care Center
- Thurs 5:30p FOR HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION In memory of Leon Humphries
- Fri 7:30a FOR HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION For all the deceased members of the Faith Family of St. Edward
- Fri 5:30p FOR HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION In memory of Becky Lancaste/Williams
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Lee and Irving Rome/LeBeau
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Blanche and Prentiss Wilks
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil | A Keene |
| 10/27 9:30a | Cooper & Maura & Michael M | A Oliver | - |
| 11/2 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | L Magoun |
| 11/3 9:30a | Kathleen & Evelyn | B Sullivan | - |
| 11/9 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | M Rome |
| 11/10 9:30a | Annie & Thomas Myers | K Collins | - |
Stewardship Today’s Psalm says, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Good stewards demonstrate by their living and giving that they understand God as the Source of all they are and have.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2023-2024 | $ 2,111 |
| September Budget | $ 10,555 |
| September Income | $ 15,822 |
| September Expenses | $ 10,384 |
| October Budget | $ 8,444 |
| October 20 Collection | $ 2,672 |
| October Income To Date | $ 6,542 |
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
Oct 31 Vigil of All Saints (Holy Day of Obligation) … Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Nov 1 All Saints Day (Holy Day of Obligation) … Mass at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Nov 2 All Souls Day … Mass at 9 a.m. Blessing of Graves at 10:15 (Silver Cross first)
Nov 24 Fourth Quarter Social … Potluck Brunch….following 9:30 Mass
For Your Information:
Our MAUSOLEUM project is now underway. We are in the pre-sales phase where those who are interested in any way are asked to give us your name and mailing address so that the company can judge if there is sufficient interest to complete the project and so that they can send preliminary information. (Signing up is not an obligation to buy.) If you would like to sign up, you can do so at any Mass or by contacting us via email at the address listed on the inside page of the bulletin. Thanks!
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.
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
VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS AND FEAST DAY OF ALL SAINTS….Friday November 1 is ALL SAINTS DAY and a Holy Day of Obligation so that all must attend Mass. For your convenience, there will be a Vigil Mass on Thursday, October 31 at 5:30 p.m. and on Friday, November 1, a morning Mass at 7:30 a.m. and evening Mass at 5:30 p.m.
ALL SOULS DAY and BLESSING OF GRAVES…..Mass for All Souls Day will be on Saturday, November 2, at 9 a.m. (this is also First Saturday). Blessing of Graves will follow at 10:15 a.m. beginning at Silver Cross Cemetery and moving over to Memorial Park.
FIRST FRIDAY ….NOVEMBER 1 ...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 … … NOVEMBER 2…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.
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION…NOVEMBER 3 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.
FOURTH QUARTER SOCIAL…..NOVEMBER 24, 2024….in the Church Hall following 9:30 a.m. Mass.All are encouraged to put this date on your calendar and plan to attend. Fourth Quarter (Oct, Nov, Dec) Social Committee responsible for setting up, decorations (if desired), and clean up consists of Skeeter and Blanche Wilks, and Louise Magoun chair, Leslye Ellerbee, 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
SAINTS ALIVE…ANGELS AT WORK…. Our THANKS to CHIP SULLIVAN for cutting down and removing the huge tree on the back lot behind the church. For MANY years, there was discussion by the pastoral council about how to get that tree removed. Recently, Chip made it all happen AND, made it look like “child’s play” which we all know that it was not!!! If you see him, please give him your thanks!!!
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Hannah McCarty (Oct 31), Don Wood (Nov 1), Bill Nadeau (Nov 2)
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; 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, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome, Jason Trichell
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), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Nap and Martha Book, 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), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, 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), 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), Randy Parker, John Neill, 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, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
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... through Christ our Lord. Amen
