The 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene.
Much of this first reading could very well be written to us by God today. In the last 75 years, this world has seen violence and evil that makes the Roman Coliseum look like a peaceful afternoon. In the 1940s, the Nazi Holocaust killed more than 12 Million. In the 1960s and 70s the Sandinista Uprising killed thousands. There were in the 1980s and 90s, genocides in Rwanda, Yugoslavia, Haiti, and there continues to be regular killings in the middle east and the Sudan. Political violence is being called for and applauded in the form of direct assassination and riots (wrongly called protests). In all that time, over 50 Million unborn Americans have been slaughtered before they had time to draw their first breath.
“I cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not intervene.”
In the face of all this tragedy, we have to be wary of thinking that this world is beyond help. It’s not. But that help can’t come from political maneuvers, nor can it come from international relations. What we have in this world is a spiritual problem. We have opened the doors to evil and have simply stopped fighting it. And while there is hope – we have to face it from our perspective.
We are not international powers. We are not in a position to pull strings of power and authority. But we do have a part to play. We have our responsibility in all this. Our response and our concern is not trying to bring about world peace – although that is a worthy prayer intention. We are to heed the words of Jesus and of St. Paul. Jesus tells us to trust in God – to have Faith.
It’s truly a saintly effort to keep our faith in the face of the mystery of evil. God allows evil because if he were to stop it he would be denying human freedom. And to deny free will is to deny the ability to love and the ability to repent and the ability to ask for forgiveness. And God will not deny us that which makes us truly human. He allows it to continue because he is merciful and wants to give us time to repent… Those men who do great evil – and us – who sin in lesser ways. The prophet Habakkuk understands this when he tells us: if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.
But we must continue to have faith and to trust. We do that by realizing that this world can never be the utopia we would like it to be. We are configured and ordered toward eternity. St. Paul tells us to “take as [our] norm the sound words that [we] heard from [him], in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” We are to concern ourselves with our salvation and the salvation of those souls entrusted to us – particularly our children. St. Paul tells us that we are given strength that comes from God for this purpose!
There is cause for hope – God’s mercy is present among us! But even if this world does turn around and get better, we will not live forever. We are a race and a species destined for eternity and we must live in that reality.
And so as we face the mystery of evil in the past, in the present, close to home, and in the future, we can take comfort in God’s tender mercy but we must also stir into flame the eternal priority which is given to us all by our good and loving God.
This Wednesday is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which celebrates the miraculous military victory over Islam at the Bay of Lepanto in the 16th century. It is tangible evidence of the power of prayer - especially the Holy Rosary - and the role that all of us are called to play in world events. We don’t need to weigh ourselves down with every tragic detail nor is there merit in raging on social media about any of it. Nothing will have any real value or effect beyond our prayers.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us and for all who suffer in this world!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Skeezix Jumonville (death anni)/family
- Sun 8:00 am (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30 am In celebration of John Aubry and Thomas Dale Williams (birth anni)/Magoun
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00 am In memory of Carol Folk LaHatte/P Lancaster
- Wed 9:00 am For the special intentions of the Guizerix family
- Thu 9:00 am In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30 pm In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 5:30 pm For a special intention of Charlotte Booth
- Sun 9:30 am In memory of Edgar Lancaster/family
Altar Candles this week are burning in memory of Vicki Morelli
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/4 5:30p | - | P Wilks | A Keene |
| 10/5 9:30a | Cooper and Courtland | D Ellerbee | - |
| 10/11 5:30p | - | L Bullard | M Rome |
| 10/12 9:30a | Annie/Thomas Meyers/Katelyn | C Guizerix | - |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and Sunday from 9a until Mass
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall (with Coffee & Donuts) after the 9:00a Mass during the School Year unless otherwise indicated
- Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
- Oct 4/5 First Sunday Benediction after all Masses
- Oct 5 Living Rosary presented by our school children following Sunday Mass
- Oct 11/12 Feast of St Edward the Confessor. Saturday potluck following 5:30 pm Mass
- Oct 17 Quarterly Healing Mass on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
- Oct 20-23 No daily Masses as Fr Ryan will be on Retreat.
For Your 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
ROSARY GROUP meets on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join in prayer. For more information, contact Louise Magoun (318-341-2403), coordinator.
MAUSOLEUM Construction on the Mausoleum will begin in late Spring 2026. It is possible to purchase spaces at any time. Our sales representative, Garth Daniels, can be reached at (318) 295-4409 If you have any questions or you know of anyone else interested in making a purchase, please encourage them to speak with Garth or call the church office.
PARISH CENSUS CAN BE FILLED OUT ONLINE This entire month we’re trying to get everyone to fill out a census page. Even if you’re not a parishioner and only come to Mass here on occasion, we’d love to be able to be in touch with you! You can fill out one of the sheets at the back of the Church OR you can go to https://www.saintedwardtallulah.church/census
FIRST SUNDAY BENEDICTION at the conclusion of weekend Masses October 4/5 as part of our larger program to enhance Eucharistic Devotion and to understand what a gift we have in the Most Holy Eucharist.
LIVING ROSARY As we celebrate October as the month of the Holy Rosary, our children will lead us in a Living Rosary following Mass on Sunday, October 5,.
FEAST OF SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR Our Patronal Feast day is October 13. We will celebrate our patronal saint at all Mass on the weekend of October 11-12. Additionally, will have a Saturday evening potluck supper following Mass at the Church Hall. All are invited to join in this celebration.
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.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.
Our Return to the Lord
Stewardship When will I have given enough–of my income, of my time, of my talent? Today’s Gospel suggests that only total stewardship will do. “When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say “We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.”
SECOND COLLECTION is for our once monthly building fund.
* includes ALL of the Retired Priests collection
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
| August Budget | $ 10,000 |
| August Collections | $ 17,705 |
| August Total Expenses | $ 11,647 |
| September Budget | $ 10,000 |
| September 28 collection * | $ 4,815 |
| September Collections To Date * | $ 20,180 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Sharyn Marsh (Oct 8), Marsh Wood (Oct 11)
Happy Anniversary Sharyn and William Marsh (Oct 5)
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.
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, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Anna and John Luke Bigelow, Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Caroline and Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Gene Cox, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Family/Friends of Cynthia Hicks, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Patricia Lively (Wilks), Lonnie Hollowell (Naya), Charles Howington, Callie Halbach Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, John Kurfiss (Watts), Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller,Cole Norris, Randy Parker, Russell and Betty Petersen, David Peterson, Quintin Purvis, John Neill, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Sara and Jess Shields (Keene), Debbie Kedrick Sims, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, EmmyLu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
