Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Stop murmuring… No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him”
What Jesus is proposing in this “Bread of Life Discourse” in John 6 is nothing less than a new religion. Jesus is claiming to fulfil the “Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenant” (AKA The Old Covenant) by establishing a “new” Covenant in His own body and blood. Jesus is claiming to be, at the same time, the priest and the lamb of sacrifice…
When people around Him begin to say “this cat is crazy!!” Jesus shuts them down with an unexpected shot. In modern parlance, He says “I know what you’re thinking, but your inability to accept what I’m saying is actually a result of your weak Faith. So shuuuuush.”
In our world, we tend to feel threatened when someone disbelieves or speaks ill of one of our closely held beliefs. One need only look at social media to see how easily some people’s faith is shaken by a single quotation or rude meme. One of the most overlooked aspects of this sermon from the Bread of Life Discourse is the complete confidence with which Jesus speaks. In other sermons, e.g. the Rich Young Man, Jesus is saddened or angered by lack of faith. He isn’t especially emotional here. In fact, He seems to be expecting unbelief. The Greek word is actually “to grumble” (γογγύζετε) rather than to murmur. In many ways, Jesus isn’t saying “Shut Up!” as much as He is saying “look, it is what it is.”
The accusation that the Lord hasn’t given them the Faith to accept this hard teaching isn’t something Jesus uses all that often. It’s one of the many things about this Bread of Life Discourse that make it unique and distinct from His other, more every-day teachings. But it’s also essential to understand why this sermon is so important. This isn’t a moral teaching, which may or may not have a handful of exceptions. This is a fundamental religious aspect of the Church Jesus intends to found. It’s not something found elsewhere (like prohibitions against sexual infidelity), it’s at the heart of the Christian Faith. As such, it IS hard to absorb and hard to live out. It’s hard to believe fully with every fibre of the self that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist… Hence the accusation and thus the need for us to ask the Lord for that grace as often as we need it.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
It’s back to school time already!
In these strange times of ours, some things never change. Back to school is a great time for us to take stock, evaluate priorities, and to establish or reestablish routines and patterns of life. While life isn’t routine, a daily program or structured pattern is a good thing. I say that, of course, as someone with just a little more OCD than most and so I’m partial to my routines more than most. Still, the great spiritual masters of our Church all recommend certain habits of life. There are two vocabulary words that may help us to get into the right frame of mind. Those habits of life which help us make good MORAL decisions are called the VIRTUES. A pattern or structured way of living which helps us grow in love of God and in RELIGIOUS fervor is alternately called a RULE or an ORDO.
The Virtues get a lot of talk, especially from me. There are the Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. There are the Cardinal Virtues: Prudence (Wisdom), Justice, Fortitude (Strength), and Temperance (Moderation). And there are other ungrouped virtues like humility, docility, patriotism, filial piety, etc.
The RULE or ORDO of life is too frequently considered something exclusively for religious brothers and sisters. In fact, most of us should be thinking about our daily prayers, weekly spiritual exercises, and annual religious duties as a kind of rule of life that we keep with the same certainty as we think about our daily eating, weekly and monthly personal habits, and annual medical checkups. We may not need to think consciously about personal habits like shaving or tooth brushing, but we have to plan out our lives around repeating events in our daily, weekly, monthly and yearly lives.
The return of the school day every year calls for a reconsideration of our daily and weekly lives. The beginning of a sport or an activity calls for changes in our weekly and monthly patterns. Maybe we have to plan ahead for expenses or to organize a vacation.
The same should be true of our religious lives. What does my DAILY religious life look like? Is there time for prayer? What about time for religious reading or Bible study?
What does my WEEKLY religious life look like? Is Mass a must-not-miss? Do I fast or do some kind of penance each week? Is there time for visiting the sick or doing some works of mercy?
What does my MONTHLY religious life look like? Do I go to confession? How many books do I want to read? Have I fasted in a serious way?
Finally, what does my YEARLY religious life look like? Have I made a retreat? Have I visited the pastor for a Q&A or just a check in?
Just a few minutes of serious consideration and planning can make a massive difference in our spiritual lives. Setting aside time to pray the Rosary, even in the car, could be a game changer. Going to confession regularly could be the difference between Heaven and Hell! Back-to-school is a good time to consider other routines and habits that make for a good personal and family life.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Bitsy Weimer/Regan
- Thurs 9:00a in memory of George Magoun/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/Lancaster
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Wayne Magoun/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Blanche & Skeeter Wilks
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8/7 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 8/8 9:00a | Chandler, Cooper, and Maura | D Ellerbee |
| 8/14 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book |
| 8/15 9:00a | Henry and Mary Katherine | Youth |
| 8/21 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 8/22 9:00a | Chandler, Kathleen, and Maura | B Sullivan |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
- Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
- August 15 Back to School Potluck Social - 3rd quarter social - following Sunday Mass
- August 17 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
- August 18 Wednesday Night Catechism -- Parish Hall -- 6 pm
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join with the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
BACK TO SCHOOL POTLUCK BRUNCH… Have you thought about what you plan to bring next Sunday, August 15, 2021, for brunch following Mass? Time to get out those recipes and be creative!!! The Third Quarter Social Committee will set up and be sure the A/C is on and the door open! Third Quarter (July, Aug, Sept) Social Committee - Betty and Kenny Smith, chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Bruce and Kate Copes, Dana and Randy Dukes, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Susie and Terry Murphy, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan, Shannon and Bart Wood. Members of the committee should contact Betty to offer support.
PASTORAL COUNCIL... will hold its regular meeting on TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, at 6:00 p.m in the Church Center. Appointed members of the Council: MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, MaryAnne Gilfoil, Louise Magoun, Levi Washington, and Blanche Wilks. Appointed as Trustees by the Bishop are Michel Lancaster and Cathy VanderVieren. Appointed by the pastor to serve as Finance Council Chair is Darryl Ellerbee. All members are requested to make a special effort to attend. Parishioners are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussions.
WEDNESDAY EVENING CATECHISM... WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, In the Church Hall at 6 p.m. Father will answer questions after each talk. Guests are welcome!
ALTAR CANDLES… Anyone wishing to provide candles for the altar in honor of their loved one or in prayer for some intention may do so simply by asking. A small donation is recommended, but not required. A list of dates is in the sacristy and a date can be reserved up to one year in advance.
MASS INTENTION REQUESTS… If you would like to have a Mass or Masses offered for a Special Intention (in Memory, in Honor, a birthday, anniversary, etc) you should contact the Church Office with the date you would like as well as the Intention. The usual Mass stipend offering is $5 per Mass. What a nice gift to give to the person who “has everything”!!!
FUND RAISING WITH GROCERY TICKETS... If you shop at Doug’s and do not already do so, you may want to save your grocery tickets and place them in the bag on the table at the entrance to church. The church will be given 1% of the total of combined purchases (excluding milk, cigarettes, and alcohol). Our thanks to the ANGEL who collects the tickets and prepares them to submit to Doug’s.
Stewardship “The gifts of God that the angel brought to Elijah - food, water, rest, and encouragement - were given, not for his own good alone, but to strengthen him for service. How am I using my gifts to serve others?
This week’s second collection will be to support Maryhill Renewal Center
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| July Budget | $ 8,444 |
| July Income | $ 7,574 |
| July Expenses | $ 9,001 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August 1 Collection | $ 1,923 |
| August Income To Date | $ 1,923 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Teri Wilson (Aug 17)
Happy Anniversary Shannon and Bart Wood (Aug 15)
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.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; 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, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Harper Bedgood, Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Mary Ernst, Monique Florence, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Charlotte Marsh and Lance and Stephenie, Brittany and Brian McFall, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning, Sharon Hansen of Gonzales
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Molly Corulla, Sara Cannon (Gilfoil), Truman and Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Carol Dipert (Rome), Jared and Ainslie Oliver Duff, Tommy Dunning, Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Kathy Garley Hanlon (Gilfoil), Rita Hargrave, Sharon Jackson (Wilks), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Cameron and Katie Murphy Murray, Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson, Lee and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Theresa and Albert Thom (Rome), Meg Keene Thomas, Elaine and James Trimble (Rome), Teresa Vidrine (Wilks), George and Katie Magoun Williams, Joe Yerger
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver, Bailey Rome, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood
Those Catholics residing at Christian Acres, Louisiana Transitional Center for Women, and our local Detention Centers and for their families and loved ones.