32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Rural South American, Caribbean, and African peoples tend to think of time the same way that the Biblical Hebrews did. Masses are often scheduled for “midmorning.” Weddings are set for “Tuesday.” Even within the past sixty years, some Catholics in this Diocese didn’t have a fixed time for Sunday Mass, it was just about twenty minutes after Father rang the Church bells. The modern mindset of scheduling life to the minute just didn’t exist in a world without clocks or Daylight Savings Time. Neither did the idea that celebrating life-changing events should be limited to a few hours on one day.
A feast in the ancient world and a party in rural Mexico today can go on for days. Folks may sleep over or travel back and forth, but the sense of time isn’t predictable. The action follows the opportunity and the group, rather than the individual, opts to stop or go on.
In our spiritual lives, the modern idea is driven by self-determinism. We think of ourselves as independent and capable. We are strong, smart, and resourceful and we see that as a sign of maturity and virtue! COVID forced us to call into question much of this way of thinking. Living life second-by-second isn’t as necessary when most of my life is lived at home rather than in the office. And living life entirely in the miniature focus of such a short period of time tends to drain us of the joy and the grandeur of what life can be.
It’s hard to feel strong and independent when we are chained to a chart and a ticking clock. It’s almost comical to end a good conversation or even a chat with a friend just because a chart tells me that some busy work needs to start now.
In many ways, the lockdowns of 2020 and their repercussions in the last several years forced us to peer inside the way people lived for most of human history. It took us away from agendas and schedules and rushing around from one place to another and from one task to another and forced us to appreciate and even become comfortable with just sitting around the house.
Contrast that with the obsessive and catastrophic predictions that every election, vote, ordinance, amendment, etc will bring to a very end our republic and our lives… As we were less obsessed with work, we redirected that obsessive thinking toward the farce of modern politics and the propaganda of the news.
It may well be that there’s some virtue in our type-A culture. But it’s far more likely that a life led rushing from one thing to another is in fact less fulfilling, less joyful, less valuable for society and less “human” than a life with space to consider grand questions and a realistic view of what may be in the future. It’s not an accident that the life of monks and nuns is a life spent waiting on the Lord and that life is called “the way of perfection.”
The Gospel this weekend about the wise girls who have extra oil for their lamps and the foolish ones who don’t is about properly understanding and planning for the work that we do, but it’s much more about being prepared for the spiritual realities of our lives… It’s not an ethical passage about being just a little more OCD about life and work - a message I would heartily welcome!!! - but it’s a passage about spiritual readiness and understanding what waiting on the Lord means for me and for the larger Church.
Spiritual readiness is less about supplies and plans and more about accumulating experience, practicing virtue, and cultivating relationships with the Lord, the Church, and those who are seeking the Lord. The metaphorical oil can’t be transferred, it must be sought with the metaphorical merchants who sell it. Note, the metaphorical merchants - PLURAL, with an S. The idea that there would be multiple 24 hour oil salesmen in ancient Israel is comically absurd. The meaning of Jesus pluralizing the salesmen is to implicate and explicate the different aspects of spiritual readiness which are required. As I said, readiness is about practicing virtue, cultivating relationships with the Lord and His Church, and about community. The girls who try to gather this “oil” at midnight are literally “late to the party.” And any of us who put off this work of readying ourselves risk the same consequences that the foolish girls experience. The Bridegroom looks at them and says that he doesn’t know them.
There is no greater loss and no greater risk than that. And so let’s all refocus ourselves as we enter the holiday season to review and adjust our priorities in terms of spiritual readiness, family life, work life, and our broader concerns.
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 6 First Friday Devotions and Benediction - after 5:30pm Mass
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Nov 15 Altar Server Training, optional, following Sunday Morning Catechism
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Nov 18 Pastoral Council meeting - 6pm in the Parish Hall
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Nov 21 Angel Tree selection begins
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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.
ANGEL TREE Our annual Angel Tree is getting ready to kick off at the beginning of Advent. Many, many thanks to Dana Hamilton and Dana Dukes for heading up the project. If anyone knows of families who may be in need, please let Dana, Dana, or Fr Ryan know as soon as possible. Thank you!
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.
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN Parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at 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.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- 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
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue NO MASS
- Wed NO MASS
- Thu 9:00a (Legacy Nursing Center) In celebration of the birthday of Bernadette McFall
- Fri 5:30p In celebration of the birthday of Brian McFall
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Elaine Larpenter/Rome
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In memory of Mary Ernst (birth anni)/family
Altar Candles this week are burning in memory of Vicki Morelli
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Acolytes | Lector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/7 | 5:30p | - | Farlow/Vandervieren |
| 11/8 | 9:30a | Finley & Thomas Myers | K Collins |
| 11/14 | 5:30p | - | MA Gilfoil |
| 11/15 | 9:30a | Evelyn & Kathleen | Youth |
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
|---|---|
| Oct Budget | $ 10,000 |
| Oct Collections | $ 11,912 |
| Oct Expenses | $ TBD |
| November Budget | $ 12,500 |
| November 1 collection | $ 6,535 |
| November to date | $ 6,535 |
STEWARDSHIP Like the sensible bridesmaids in today’s parable, good stewards make sure that they, and whatever gifts are theirs to share, are ready to serve when the Master calls.
Community Celebrations
Happy Birthday to Joseph McFall (Nov 8), Maura McCarty (Nov 10), Brian Johnson (Nov 11), Bernadette McFall (Nov 12), Brian McFall (Nov 13), Cathy VanderVieren (Nov 13), Max Paz (Nov 13), Jake Guizerix (Nov 14)
Happy Anniversary to Christy and Skipper Guizerix (Nov 7), Marie and Norman Ernst (Nov 10)
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, 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), Merlin and Marily Banta (Copes), 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), Keith and Debbier Dulaney (S Harris), 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, Ricky Hendrix (Howington), Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, 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.