The First Sunday of Advent
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
The days are coming, says the LORD...
Despite the mockery of sitcoms this time of year, the prophecies of the Old Testament are shockingly accurate when it comes to Jesus. Beginning with Moses and through Isaiah, Daniel, and Haggai, prophetic predictions about the Messiah are spot on. Given that we have the Old Testament, the New Testament, and two millennia of brilliant saintly Christians, we have no excuse not to know the time.
Every generation has good reason - historically and spiritually - to consider itself the end of days… In our day, we have the prophecies of Our Lady at LaSalette, Lourdes, Fatimá, etc to add to that. Even so, there’s only so much that any one of us can do with that. It’s an essential part of the life of the Church and the clergy have specific responsibilities in regard to the end of days, but for us as individual Christians, the more important “time” which “you know” is that all of us are making our way toward our own moment of judgment with the King of the Universe…
As such, “it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…” How are we preparing? What are we doing?
St. Paul explores this theme passionately throughout his letters. While it seems like Paul expected the universal end of days to come in his lifetime, his writing applies to us just as clearly and effectively with the benefit of years of spiritual insight from the saints.
All of us would do well to take the time in this new year to read the Gospels and the Letters of St. Paul and perhaps some other spiritual writings as a concrete and intentional way of preparing ourselves. It’s a tragic irony that we have access to more writings about Jesus, Salvation and Heaven than any human generations before us and yet we’re so overwhelmed with options that most of us are frozen and unsure of what to pick or choose. The devil is always keen to trip us up and he can use excess good to our detriment just as he can use lack of it.
Make an early new years’ resolution this week to give the Lord something extra this year!
The Season of Advent
As the season of Advent unfolds, a purposeful atmosphere permeates all the Liturgies of the Church. Amidst the anticipation and hope, there’s the distinctive absence of the Gloria during Sunday Mass. This intentional silence holds a profound significance, inviting us to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and the spirit of penance that characterizes this sacred season.
The Gloria, a hymn of praise and adoration, is a central element of the Roman Catholic liturgy, traditionally sung during the Mass. However, during Advent, it is purposefully withheld. This omission is not a sign of neglect or oversight but a deliberate choice that carries deep theological and spiritual meaning.
Advent, which is derived from the Latin word meaning "coming," marks the beginning of the liturgical year. It is a season of joyful anticipation as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. However, this period is not only about looking back to the historical event of Christ's birth but also about anticipating His glorious Second Coming.
The omission of the Gloria during Advent is a liturgical expression of this dual focus. The Gloria resounds with exuberant praise, proclaiming the glory of God revealed in the Incarnation. Its absence during Advent creates a sense of yearning, underscoring the longing for the Savior's arrival. The Church, during this time, embraces a posture of waiting, cultivating a spirit of patient expectation.
But Advent isn’t just about waiting and what will be... Advent is a penitential season, inviting believers to engage in self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation. The withholding of the Gloria aligns with this penitential character, emphasizing a more somber and reflective tone in worship. The liturgy during Advent directs attention to the themes of hope, repentance, and quiet anticipation, setting the stage for the festive celebration of Christ's birth.
In this intentional silence, the Church echoes the sentiments of John the Baptist, the herald of Christ, who proclaimed, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths" (Matthew 3:3). The omission of the Gloria serves as a symbolic act of clearing away the noise and distractions, creating a spiritual space for believers to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord.
As the season progresses, the liturgy subtly shifts. In some places, even the shade of violet or purple vestments is changed from a darker purple to a bluer one. This is meant to be a nod to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to signal a shift in tone from “early Advent” to “late Advent” which begins on the 17th of December, after Rose Sunday.
The Advent silence is fully broken on Christmas Eve when the Church joyfully declares with the Angel, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will!" The resounding return of the Gloria marks the culmination of the Advent journey, celebrating the fulfillment of God's promise in the birth of Jesus Christ..
From the Saints
“The liturgy of Advent…helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the events of daily life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.” – Pope St. John Paul II
“There are two births of Christ, one unto the world in Bethlehem; the other in the soul, when it is spiritually reborn. Men think of the former much more than the later, and celebrate it every year; but the spiritual Bethlehem is equally momentous. . . . It was the second birth that Saint Paul insisted on when he wrote from prison to his beloved people, the Ephesians, asking that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and that they be rooted and grounded in love. This is the second Bethlehem, or the personal relationship of the individual heart to the Lord Christ.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Donald and Payton Trichell/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 9:00a In memory of Kathleen Mills/Massey family
- Tue NO MASS
- Wed 9:00a For special intentions of family of Matthew Schnur
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Becky, Edgar and Beverly Lancaster/family Legacy
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Lee and Irving Rome/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Mary Agnes Gilfoil York/family
- 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 Margo Corulla
**ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of **
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/30 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | N Ernst |
| 12/1 9:30a | Kathleen & Evelyn | C Guizerix | - |
| 12/7 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | A Keene |
| 12/8 9:30a | Annie & Thomas Meyers | D Hamilton | - |
Stewardship ”Be on guard,” Jesus warns in today’s Gospel, “lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence.” Let us heed His warning and follow the advice of St. Paul, conducting ourselves in a way pleasing to God, overflowing with love for one another.
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for our once monthly Building Fund.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| October Budget | $ 8,444 |
| October Income | $ 8,197 |
| October Expenses | $ 8,963 |
| November Budget | $ 8,444 |
| November 24 Collection | $ 1,949 |
| November Income To Date | $ 8,529 |
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
- Dec 1 First Sunday Benediction following Mass
- Dec 6 First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - 5:30 p.m.
- Dec 7 Parade for “Christmas on the Bayou” at 4 p.m.
- Dec 8 Christmas Concert at First Baptist Church at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks
- Dec 15 Birthday Party for Jesus following Sunday Mass
- Dec 15 Adult Christmas Party in the Church Hall beginning at 6 p.m.
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
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION…DECEMBER 1 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.
FIRST FRIDAY ….DECEMBER 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.
CHRISTMAS ON THE BAYOU…. PARADE will be on Saturday, December 7 beginning at 4 from Tallulah High School. Kasi Ernst and Kathleen Ellerbee will give leadership to putting together the St Edward float for the parade. They will be calling on others for help and will need some of our young people to be on the float. Please offer your help! CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT…. will be on Sunday, December 8 at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church and everyone is encouraged to join in this community event. Several of our parishioners are participating in the choir and we thank them for their commitment. Following the program, the fireworks program over the bayou will be presented.
BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS…DECEMBER 15…will be held in the Church Hall on Sunday following Mass. Kendra Collins and Dana Hamilton are giving leadership to the event for our children; and, if you can assist in any way, please contact Kendra, Dana, Father Ryan, or the Church Office.
ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY…DECEMBER 15….will be held in the Church Hall at 6 p.m. for adult members of our Faith Family and their guests. Drinks will be provided and parishioners are encouraged to provide chips and dips and other finger foods. Shannon Wood and Stephenie Marsh will give leadership to this event and you are encouraged to contact them to offer assistance with decorations, etc.
ANGEL TREE … you have the opportunity to select, from a display in the church foyer, Angels that you may want to purchase gifts for during the Christmas season. Dana Dukes is giving leadership to our Angel Tree project this year. If you have questions, please contact her or the church office. Angel Tree Gifts should please be at the Church by Sunday, December 8.
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION….IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY…Sunday, December 8 and Monday, December 9 are both days of required Mass attendance. Masses for the Sunday obligation are Saturday 5:30p, Sunday 9:30a and Sunday 5:30p. Masses for the Monday obligation are Sunday 5:30p and Monday at 9a and 5:30p
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Lance Marsh (Nov 30), Valerie Paz (Nov 30), Nick and Chris Hall (Dec 7)
Happy Anniversary Dana and Randy Dukes (Dec 3)
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, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome
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), 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), 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, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Randy Parker, John Neill, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
Our bereaved: The families and friends of Joseph Farlow and Vikki Ernst Morelli.
