All Saints
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
The intellectual tendency of the last 300 years is to “de-mythologize” religion away from a robustly supernatural interaction with God into an anemic intellectual and symbolic practice without any real effects beyond my psychological contentment. In our own age, that means the value of going to Church is measured by the sermon and the positive feelings we have when we drive away.
This is, of course, ridiculous. Even a quick skim of the Bible shows a deeply supernatural religion subsisting across thousands of years. Where the Church is rightly understood to be supernatural, zeal and passion beyond mere intellectualism abound. In Europe, that’s mostly in the Charismatic aspects of Catholicism. The Charismatic renewal is associated with the “Charisms” of the Holy Spirit: praying in tongues, locutions, etc.
In the US and Africa, the Charismatic Renewal is thriving alongside what some mistake to be its opposite, traditionalism. Traditionalists tend to be strongly doctrinal and tend to argue that most of the problems in the Church and the world are due to unnecessary innovations and faulty thinking about human nature. These can be repaired, traditional Catholics assert, by simply doing what had worked for the previous centuries: traditional liturgical practices and personal spiritual practices like novenas, the Rosary and, fasting.
While there are hundreds of books analyzing these phenomena, the centerpiece of Catholic zeal has always been the supernatural, seen perfectly in today’s first reading where the saints cry out “Salvation comes from God!” The more attention, concern, and focus we give to the supernatural in our own lives - whether it be through the lens of the Charisms of the Holy Spirit or the lens of Traditionalism - the more we will undoubtedly find that the promises of God in this life (aka the Fruit of the Spirit, Ephesians 5).
With that in mind, let us consider something that seems unrelated. Who is the patron saint of Barbecue? I joke that it’s St. Lawrence the Deacon who was martyred by being grilled alive. He, himself, joked with the executioner by saying “turn me over, I’m done on this side.” Morbid humor aside, is he really the patron saint of barbecue? If so, who decided that? Is there a form or process?
“Patronage” of this or that saint began as a mixture of the culture of the day and the practical theology of the early saints. The idea of spiritual patronage is historically complex and is deeply tied to our Catholic sense of the supernatural.
For one, the economy of the Roman Empire in the first several hundred years of Catholicism was strongly driven by “patronage” - a system in which non-elites and non-soldiers would go around soliciting a daily or weekly stipend (cash gift) from “patrons” who would pay these in expectation of political support or favors when asked. At the same time, though, Christians in the early Church were discovering the supernatural was much closer to them than it had been to the Jews. Holy Water, the veneration of relics, and praying for the intercession of specific saints for specific types of healing weren’t precisely biblical ideas, but there wasn’t really a bible at the time either. Lots of the “discoveries” of the early Church were a mixture of prayer and experiment. The Holy Spirit revealed himself both in a personal way and in an historical way. And so this or that saintly Christian spent hours and hours in prayer to realize some insight but they might also realize that holy water was necessary for an exorcism… From both work and prayer, they discovered that theology began on the knees and extended into the mind and the world.
And so while this or that Pope has declared a certain Saint as the official patron of something or somewhere, the vast majority of patrons are simply chosen by some group or individual as their patron because of their history, interests, or needs.
Our parish is officially under the patronage of St. Edward the Confessor. Our secondary (formerly primary) patron is St. Agnes of Rome. These saints were chosen by the Bishop and historical circumstance.
What does a patron do? Simply put, they pray for us and extend “actual” Grace to us through Our Lady, Mediatrix of all Graces, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate. Practically, that has real meaning in terms of the spiritual experience people have here. There’s also an essential component of example and human fraternity. Ultimately, the patron is someone with whom we can actively seek spiritual friendship and guidance. St Edward, pray for us!
Upcoming Events
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Confessions every Fri & Sat ~5p until Mass and Sunday ~9a until Mass
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Sunday Morning Catechism (with Coffee & Donuts) after the 9:30a Mass unless otherwise indicated
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Nov 1 Parade of Saints following Sunday Mass in the Parish Hall.
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Nov 1 Blessing of Graves for All Soul’s Day following the Parade of Saints - Silver Cross cemetery first followed by Memorial Park *DEPENDING ON WEATHER*
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Nov 15 Altar Server Training, optional, following Sunday Morning Catechism
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Nov 22 Potluck Brunch following 9:30 Mass. Mark your calendar and plan to join in this faith family event to give thanks for our many blessings.
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP meets on Monday at 5:30p for prayer and supper. Everyone is welcome. Contact Louise Magoun (318-341-2403), coordinator for more information.
FORMED.ORG has weekly features at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at https://signup.formed.org
MAUSOLEUM construction is expected to begin soon. If you have any questions or you know of anyone else interested in making a purchase, please encourage them to call the church office for additional information.
ALTAR SEVER TRAINING will be available on Sunday Nov 15. It will last about 25 mins and is optional. Students who have never served should plan to attend. Students who have never attended a training should plan to attend. Other students are welcome to attend for a refresher… If a student is interested in serving, but not sure, they are welcome to come as well and see what it’s like. If needed, Father will schedule more.
THE PARADE OF SAINTS will take place on Sunday, November 1 in place of Sunday Morning Catechism. All children are encouraged to dress up as a saint and to memorize a sentence or two about that saint to tell Father when he introduces them in the hall during Coffee and Donuts. Afterward, all are encouraged to drive down to Silver Cross (the old cemetery) (appx 3 mins) for the blessing of the graves for All Souls’ Day. Both of these activities will provide parents an excellent opportunity to talk with their kids about earthly life, eternal life, and the reality of earthly death. All are encouraged to attend!
POTLUCK BRUNCH will be on November 22 following the 9:30 Mass to celebrate Thanksgiving. ALL are encouraged to participate. The Fourth Quarter (Oct, Nov, Dec) Social Committee who will give leadership to the event 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.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY CHOIR CANTATA practice has begun at First Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon. They are looking for additional voices to join in “joyful song.” Michael Lancaster and Mike Rome from our faith family are participating and can answer any questions you might have or if you’d like to join in.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat & Marleigh Bullard, Patrick Thomas, & Eva & R L Reynolds
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a For a special intention of the Guizerix family
- Mon 5:30p SPECIAL MASS FOR ALL SOULS DAY
- Tue 9:00a For healing for Susie Murphy/family
- Wed 9:00a For healing for Patricia Guizerix/family
- Thu 9:00a (Legacy Nursing Center) In memory of Donald Trichell (anni death)/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Jamie Howington, Sr. (anni death)/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Marie Johnson (anni birth)/family
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In celebration of the birthday of Joseph McFall/family
Altar Candles this week are burning for the special intentions of the Wilks family
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Acolytes | Lector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/31 | 5:30p | - | A Dawson |
| 11/1 | 9:30a | Annie & Mary Katherine | B Sullivan |
| 11/7 | 5:30p | - | Farlow/Vandervieren |
| 11/8 | 9:30a | Finley & Thomas Meyers | K Collins |
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
|---|---|
| Sept Budget | $ 10,000 |
| Sept Collections | $ 20,253 |
| Sept Expenses | $ 12,270 |
| October Budget | $ 10,000 |
| October 25 collection | $ 2,542 |
| October to Date | $ 11,912 |
STEWARDSHIPJesus said, “The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest. What wonderful good news for those who give of their time in service to others!
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is our once monthly collection to support our Building Fund.
Community Celebrations
Happy Birthday to Hannah McCarty (Oct 30), Patsy Lemoine (Oct 30), and Richard Lemoine (Nov 1)
Happy Anniversary to Stephanie and Lance Marsh (Nov 6), Christy and Skipper Guizerix (Nov 7)
In Our Daily Prayers…
For our Pope, Leo XIV, 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, Chris, Susan, and David Cagnolatti, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Ann Claire Fordice and her children, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Timmy Harris, Sylvester and Isabell Hernandez, Brian Johnson, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Phillip and Peggy Scurria, Sug Regan, Mike & Sue Rome, Lori Sullivan, Mary Trichell
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Carl Bryant (Wilks), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Gene Cox, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, Donna Fulton (Ellerbee), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Morgan, Alex, and Palmer Gilfoil, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, family of Wade Hargrave, Ricky Hendrix (Howington), Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Andrew and Chelsea Keene-Lewis, Kerry and Todd LaBiche(M Gilfoil), Lil Lancaster, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Jessica McCoy (Reynolds), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Mike Morelli, Randy Parker, Betty Petersen, David Peterson, Quintin Purvis, John Neill, Curt and Brianne Rome, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Debbie Kedrick Sims, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Christopher Weems & Patrina & Bruce Weems, Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Will Richardson, Chandler Wood
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.