Fourth Sunday of Easter
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This past week, Abp. Aymond said the words I've been waiting to hear: we can start returning to Mass! As I point out a little later in the bulletin, there are limitations and restrictions... but we can start getting back to Mass!
One of the hardest things to deal with in a nation as large as ours is the simple reality that one policy\plan\program can never, ever be a good fit for 380 million people. I agree 100% with the decision of our Bishops to abrogate everyone's Sunday obligation so that each one can chose for himself whether the risk of personal exposure is too high. I also agree 100% with the decisions of our National, State and local government to allow people to make the personal decision to stay at home in a self-imposed isolation. That said, I do not agree much at all with the one-size-fits-all solution of national quarantine. For one, every metric of data around COVID19 is inconclusive. We don't really know how contagious, how deadly, or how wide-spread it is. We don't know whether quarantine helps or doesn't. We don't know if it is natural, man-made, or a mixture of the two. We don't know who is actually dying from it and who is dying from one of the other strains of flu that naturally pass around. We don't know if masks or gloves actually help. We don't know much of anything about this virus. What we do know is that politicians, newscasters, fearmongers and opportunists are running wild and doing their best to extort the situation for all kinds of personal gain. We also know that this whole quarantine\lockdown thing is going to increase poverty and that increased poverty has its own death toll. Much of that poverty will be the result of leaders in big cities making decisions which are bad for mid-sized cities, towns and rural America.
From the religious point of view, life is something to be praised, honored, and valued, but it is not something to be hoarded in fear. The Lord's promises aren't about a long and happy life in this world. And while it is sinful to throw life and health away needlessly, it is far more vile to prohibit access to the Sacraments and the Eucharistic presence of Jesus for those who want it. True, Catholic Churches closed across Europe a hundred years ago during the Spanish Flu pandemic, but they reopened rather quickly. Many of us have now been more than six weeks without access to Church. Many have died - not from the flu - without access to the Rites and riches of the Church. If our choices arise from genuine love for God and neighbor, then they are virtuous. But if they arise from fear or from a misplaced priority of health over holiness, they are the opposite of virtue. As I said, I agree with the Archbishop's decision to abrogate the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. And I'm thankful that he's decided to reopen our Churches. What I think we all need to spend some time soul-searching about is our own motivations and priorities. Is it more important to preserve earthly life or to grow in the spiritual life? When those can happen side by side, they should! But what about when they are in conflict? Where are my priorities? Does my faith give me the strength to risk Earth for Heaven?
Getting Back to Mass!
If the video above isn't visible, click here to watch it
Just before May 1, 2020, Archbishop Aymond, acting as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese allowed pastors to re-establish a public Mass schedule under specific safety conditions. This follows a general cancellation of all religious services several weeks before Easter of this year.
At this time, all Catholics in the Diocese of Alexandria are still not obligated to attend Sunday Mass on the order of the Archbishop. Our new Bishop, +Robert Marshall has confirmed this order and will lift the order at a date to be determined.
Beginning May 4th:
- All Masses will be offered in the "Ordinary Form" (English, Modern form) except where otherwise indicated.
- All daily Masses will be open to the public on a first-come-first-served basis. If you arrive and nine others are present, you're asked to return home.
- Sunday morning Masses will be available for live-stream only but Fr. Ryan will provide several brief Communion Services throughout Sunday Morning to allow for as many as would like to come and receive Holy Communion. Contact Ann to reserve your spot(s).
- No more than ten people in total (including the priest) may attend any service or gathering.
- Holy Communion is available only under the single species of the Sacred Host.
- Fr. Ryan is available and happy to bring Holy Communion to you in your home.
- All are asked and expected to observe the precepts of social distancing. Masks and gloves are welcome and recommended, but not required.
Fr. Ryan has been working in cooperation with CatholicUnderground.com to provide broad opportunities to assist at Mass over the internet and he will continue to do so until such time as a full Mass schedule can be re-established.
Further information from Archbishop Aymond regarding the re-opening of Public Masses is available at DioceseAlex.org.
Schedule of Events
- Sunday May 3
- 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- Monday May 4
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- Tuesday May 5
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 11:00a COVID-Catechism
- Wednesday May 6
- Thursday May 7
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 11:00a COVID-Catechism
- Friday May 8
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- 3:00p Holy Hour with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary & Evening Prayer
- Saturday May 9
- 9:15a Holy Mass
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- Sunday May 10
- 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 10a, 10:30a, 11a Communion Services
- Monday May 11
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- Tuesday May 12
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 11:00a COVID-Catechism
- Wednesday May 13
- Thursday May 14
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 11:00a COVID-Catechism
- Friday May 15
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- 3:00p Holy Hour with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary & Evening Prayer
- Saturday May 16
- 9:15a Holy Mass
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- Sunday May 17
- 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 10a, 10:30a, 11a Communion Services
- Monday May 18
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- Tuesday May 19
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 11:00a COVID-Catechism
- Wednesday May 20
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- Thursday May 21
- Friday May 22
- 9:15a Holy Mass
- 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
- 3:00p Holy Hour with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary & Evening Prayer
- Saturday May 23
- 9:15a Holy Mass
Our Return to the Lord
- Weekly Budget FY 2019-20 $2,111
- March Budget $10,555
- March Income $6,292
- March Expenses $7,774
- April Budget $8,444
- Collection Apr 25/26 $2,610
- April Income to Date $7,235
Stewardship Jesus says, ”I came that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Good stewards are grateful for the gift of life and joyfully share their abundance with others.
Mass Schedule & Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 9:15a In memory of In memory of Carroll Regan/family
- Sun 8:15a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Sun 9:15a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased members of our Parish
- Mon 9:15a In memory of J.E. “Boyzie” Jumonville (death)/family
- Tue 9:15a In memory of Bill Adams/Regan
- Wed 9:15a In memory of Josephine Hodge/Weaver
- Thu 9:15a In memory of May DiTomasso
- Fri 9:15a In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 9:15a In memory of Eva and R. L. Reynolds/Bullard
- Sun 8:15a In memory of Rosa Gremshell
- Sun 9:15a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
In Our Daily Prayers…
Our Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; Archbishop Aymond, Bishop-elect Robert Marshall and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives
Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Terri Brown, Libby Bullard, Connie Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Mary Ernst, Margaret Gilfoil, Susan Gilfoil, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning, Margaret Fortenberry of Tensas, Sharon Hansen of Gonzales, Consuelo Marsh of Lake Providence, Jean Cantrell, Marie Cedota
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Sara Cannon (Gilfoil), Georgie Gilfoil Breard, Hattie Brown (Lancaster), Jerry Bullard, Karen Cobb, Jami Cook (Wilks), Carol Dipert (Rome), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Meg Gaumnitz (Copes), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Kathy Garley Hanlon (Gilfoil), Bo Holloway, Terry Lynn Jones (Howington), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Michelle McGuire (Gilfoil), Tobie McKowen (Wilks), Keith Melancon (Regan), Debbie Pettis (Rome), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Lee and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Linda Sanchez (Wilks), Beverly Sibile (Gilfoil), Theresa Thom (Rome), Elaine and James Trimble (Rome), Teresa Vidrine (Wilks), Todd Windham Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Norman Ernst, Anna Ginn, Josh Hall, Chris Hall (USMC), Matt Hall (USArmy), Nick Hall, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver, Bailey Rome, Blake Sullivan, Brice Wood
Those Catholics residing at Christian Acres, Louisiana Transitional Center for Women, and our local Detention Centers and for their families and loved ones.
PLEASE LET US KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS ILL OR HOSPITALIZED OR WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A VISIT. PLEASE HELP US TO UP-DATE OUR PRAYER LIST BY ADVISING US OF ANYONE WHO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE PRAYER LIST.