The Third (Gaudæte) Sunday of Advent
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Sunday, the Church calls for rose-colored vestments. We do this once in Advent and once in Lent around the middle of each as we transition from the broader-focused part of the season to the more intense, more specifically-focused part of the season. With Lent, this is even more complicated as Lent traditionally has five sub-seasons. Advent only has two, “Early” and “Late” Advent.
The purpose of the Rose Sundays is to interrupt the more penitential aspect of Advent or Lent in the way an athlete takes a moment to psychologically prepare him- or herself for the final sprint. I tend to do this when I’m hiking. Before a step ascent, I stop, take some water, retie my boots, take a deep breath, and step into focused in and psyched up.
All Sundays are feast days - even those of Advent and Lent, but the two Rose Sundays are especially oriented toward the idea of Joy in the Lord as a source of strength. Even when something is hard, we human beings tend to be willing to face it so long as we have good reason. A high schooler on summer break won’t wake up for a tactical nuclear explosion next door, but they’ll be in the gym at 5a if the football coach requires it. Soldiers are willing to put their lives on the line not because of what stands in front of them, but because of who waits behind. Christians have been ready and willing to endure all sorts of trials - internal and external - because a life of prayer brings about a sense of purpose and wonder that we call Joy.
In our Liturgy (our formal, public, ritual worship), this joy and associated gifts from the Lord are symbolized by, among other things, the use of beautiful fabrics and art. This is why most worthy vestments are accented with gold and silver brocades and ribbons. Even penitential purple and mourning black are always lined with the joyful and glorious Christian faith that Jesus is Lord and He has already defeated the enemy - death has lost its sting so long as we are in the Lord!
More than just being pretty, rose as a color is found in nature in two very different ways. First, there’s the flower that bears the name. The Rose is an ideal image of the Christian life. It’s beautiful and pleasing to the sight and smell. At the same time, it’s fickle to cultivate, has many shades and comes equipped with spoked thorns both large and small. Roses are a microcosm of the Christian Life and they have been strongly associated both with the Christian life and the Blessed Virgin Mary since the first Christian historical books were written.
At the same time, the color rose appears twice every single day in the sky. Rose vestments symbolize the first pink streak in the eastern sky just before the sun rises. These rose visions proclaim to those who with eyes to see that night is almost over. The Catechism calls Advent a time of “joyful and spiritual expectation” (CCC 524), and rose is the color that lets us peek at the joy without skipping the expectation.
Now historically, Rose vestments were something else entirely. In the old days – we’re talking centuries ago – the best rose chasuble wasn’t just dyed fabric. It was often woven or embroidered with hundreds of tiny flowers, layer upon layer, until the whole vestment looked like a rose garden in full bloom. Some religious communities in Europe even made “rose” vestments entirely out of real rose petals sewn onto a backing – imagine the scent in the sanctuary! The priest literally wore a walking bouquet as a sign that the desert of waiting was about to burst into flower. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing” (Is 35:1-2). That prophecy from Isaiah, read every Gaudete Sunday in the old lectionary, suddenly made perfect visual sense.
There’s a deeper lesson here, too. We live in a culture that wants every symbol to be instantly Instagrammable. But some beauties are shy. Some truths only give themselves to those willing to stop, look twice, and ask, “Why is Father wearing pink today?” The rose vestments reward the curious heart. They teach us to chew slowly, the way Ven. Fulton Sheen used to love quoting Sir Francis Bacon about books that must be “chewed and digested.” Some liturgical symbols are to be tasted, others swallowed, but a few – like Gaudete rose – are to be read wholly, with diligence and attention.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat & Marleigh Bullard, Patrick Thomas, & Eva & R L Reynolds/family
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In memory of deceased members of Bolton and Howington families
- Mon NO MASS
- Tues 9:00a In memory of Delia and Thomas Trichell/B Hayes
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Angela Canizaro/Boothe
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Kathleen Mills/Massey (Legacy)
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Mary Ernst (death anni)/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Donald and Payton Trichell/family
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In memory of J E “Boyzie” Jumonville/family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning in memory of Becky, Beverly, and Edgar Lancaster
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/13 5:30p | - | A Farlow | A Keene |
| 12/14 9:30a | Cooper & Courtland | K Collins | - |
| 12/20 5:30p | - | M A Gilfoil | M Rome |
| 12/21 9:30a | Annie, Thomas Meyers, Katelyn | Youth - Jammal | - |
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
- Dec 14 Angel Tree gifts should be delivered to Church Hall
- Dec 21 Birthday Party for Jesus following Sunday Mass in Church Hall
- Dec 21 Adult Christmas Party - 6p in Church Hall
For Your Information:
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas is a Holy Day of Obligation. As an experiment this year and because of our increased numbers, our Christmas schedule will be a little different:
Christmas Eve (Wed, Dec 24) 4:00p Simple Mass without Music Christmas Eve (Wed, Dec 24) 6:00p Main Mass with Music, Caroling beforehand, Blessing of Creche Christmas Day (Thu, Dec 25) 9:30a Mass (in Latin) Note: due to single digit attendance at Mass on Christmas Morning for the past several years, there will be no English Mass on Christmas Day. All are welcome to attend the Latin Mass (sermon in English).
ANGEL TREE items should be returned to the Church Hall by (this) Sunday, December 14. You can still make a monetary gift to be used for personal care items, a religious book, and food items for family food baskets. (Cash gifts may be put in the collection basket, given to Father Ryan, or left at the church office.) Special thanks to our coordinators, Dana Hamilton and Dana Dukes, for their hard work!
THE CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS will be (next) Sunday, December 21 in the Church Hall after Mass and in place of Sunday Catechism. Thanks to Kendra Collins for her hard work again this year. If you would like to help out, please contact Kendra, Father Ryan, or the Church Office.
OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY (for adult parishioners and their guests) will be on Sunday, December 21 beginning around 6p in the Parish Hall. Stephenie Marsh and Shannon Woods can answer any questions. Participants may bring chips, dips, and other finger food. Thanks in advance to all those helping out!
ENVELOPES for CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND PONSETTIAS can be found at the entrance to the church. You can make donations “In Memory of” (deceased) or “In Honor of” (living) if you would like to do so. Please place envelopes in the collection or return them to Fr Ryan or the church office.
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 has established support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members with the purpose of 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.
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.
Our Return to the Lord
Stewardship Each of us has his or her own role to play in the coming of the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist was called to be the herald of the Messiah, preparing the way of the Lord. To what is the Lord calling me?
SECOND COLLECTION is for the Retirement Fund for Religious Brothers and Sisters. Please consider supporting those who have given a lifetime of service to our Catholic Church.
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
| November Budget | $ 12,500 |
| November Collections | $ 17,012 |
| November Expenses | $ 11,641 |
| December Budget | $ 10,000 |
| December 7 Collection | $ 3,406 |
| Collections To Date | $ 3,406 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday to Katherine Ernst Bedgood (Dec 14), Johnny Gilfoil (Dec 15), Peggy Scurria (Dec 16), Bart Wood (Dec 19), Christy Guizerix (Dec 22), Catherine and Harrison Riddick (Dec 22)
Happy Anniversary to Nap & MaryKathryn Book (Dec 14)
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, Chris, Susan, and David Cagnolatti, 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, Lori Sullivan
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Craig Cox, Gene Cox, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, Fred and Cathy Fulton, Morgan, Alex, and Palmer Gilfoil, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Patricia Lively (Wilks), Lonnie Hollowell (Naya), Charles Howington, Callie Halbach Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Boyce Miller,Mike Morelli, Cole Norris, Randy Parker, Russell and Betty Petersen, David Peterson, Quintin Purvis, John Neill, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, 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
