Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
Most modern people would answer this kind of question with references to personal “rights” and freedoms. We tend to think of the here and now almost exclusively. The idea that a moral principle would exceed and override a practical circumstance is almost unthinkable.
The Pharisees, whom Jesus is criticizing, took a similar approach. They concerned themselves entirely with the letter of the law in order to get what they wanted. Human nature hasn’t changed and so the same causes for divorce then are the causes for divorce now… A modern divorce caused by an unwise Facebook post is no different than an ancient divorce caused by a loose-tongued servant or co-worker.
As Christians, we have to look to the teachings of Jesus as truthful, helpful, and, ultimately, as freedom from our human nature’s inclinations to selfishness and sin. Modern people and ancient Pharisees both want what Eve wanted in the Garden - they want to be in charge of right and wrong… they want to be their own masters. But as Christians, we rejoice in the fact that we have but one master: Jesus! Regardless of the moral issue - divorce or honesty or overeating or pride or whatever - if I find myself trying to manipulate God or God’s law, I'm in the wrong! Let’s say that again for clarity - if I’m trying to trick God, I’m only tricking myself.
Jesus phrases the question about divorce in order to call out the Pharisees on their self-delusion. St. Paul does something similar in his letter to the Galatians where he calls them foolish for thinking that they can be saved by means of the law. The law has its value, but it can’t save. All the more, loopholes in the law are worse than useless because while they surely can’t save us, they may very well condemn us!
Every time we get one of these tough sayings of Jesus that hits some of us right between the eyes, it’s important to think first about pleasing Jesus and second about hurting or not hurting feelings! Sometimes the best thing for us is a reality check. Sometimes the best gift is tough love - from one another or from Jesus Himself. Sooner than we think, each of us is going to stand before the Lord and we’re going to want to know that we have more than the law on our side.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Friday is the anniversary of the death of a wonderful and somewhat bizarre figure from our local Catholic history: Fr. François LeVozouet.
In the early 1870s, yellow fever spread across our area, killing 20-50% of the population. Shreveport was especially hard hit. In 1871, Shreveport had ~10,000 residents. By the end of 1873, it was ~5,000. As the people were dying, the priests and nuns were alongside them caring for them, anointing them, and dying with them.
The Diocese of Natchitoches had very few priests, to begin with, and as they were dying in Shreveport, the priests would write letters asking for reinforcements so that they, themselves, wouldn’t die without the Sacraments. Bishop Martín, the founding Bishop of the Diocese and a heck of a saintly bishop, did what he could. Toward the end of the epidemic (at least we know now that it was toward the end), one of the youngest priests in the diocese, Fr. LeVozouet, went to the bishop and asked to be sent to Shreveport. The Bishop made sure Fr. LeVozouet understood that he was very likely going to his death… Fr. LeVozouet assured the Bishop that he did and asked for several days to get his personal affairs in order.
When Fr. Scott Chemino told this story on the eve of the Church in Natchitoches being formally established as a Minor Basilica, he dramatically built up the narrative and explained how Fr. LeVozouet got his affairs in order, mounted his horse, and began the seventy-mile journey from Natchitoches to Shreveport. Fr. Chemino said in his own unique and inimitable voice: “Father LeVozouet set out from Natchitoches only to return two weeks later… IN A BOX!”
Indeed, Fr. LeVozouet did die in Shreveport anointing the dying and assisting with the sick even as he contracted the deadly Yellow Fever. He and four other priests of the Diocese of Natchitoches have been called the “Martyrs of Charity” ever since.
As we are in the midst of a decidedly less dangerous epidemic and as the general response of the Church has been so markedly different, history provides much wisdom. Since March 2020, I’ve thought a lot about Fr. LeVozouet and about the thousands of other priests who have run fearlessly into war zones and plague zones and ghettos and other dangerous places in an effort to save souls because they believed - as every Christian should - that we are but strangers and sojourners here in this life on Earth… This Epidemic has revealed how few of us seem to believe that this life exists only in service to the eternal life (or eternal death) which must follow it… It’s very hard to read the story of Fr. LeVozouet without comparing it to our own age and, for me at least, without comparing myself to that young priest who didn’t simply make the best of his situation but who ran knowingly and deliberately to the needs of others.
This week is an excellent time for us to ask the many, many saints who have died because they went deliberately into personal danger to pray for us that we might have their courage and faith!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jackson Jumonville (death anni)/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of deceased members of the Regan and Adams families/S Regan
- Wed 9:00a In memory of JCB “Skeezix” Jumonville/family
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Lev Dawson/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster/family/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/Rome
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 10/2 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome |
| 10/3 9:00a | Caroline, Cooper, Maura | S Marsh |
| 10/9 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 10/10 9:00a | Henry and Mary Katherine | B Sullivan |
| 10/16 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks |
| 10/17 9:00a | Chandler, Kathleen, Maura | Youth |
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
- Oct 3 SUNDAY MORNING CATECHISM in Hall after 9:00 a.m. Mass.
- Oct 3 Blessing of Pets - Parking Lot - 4:30 p.m.
- Oct 15 Quarterly Healing Mass - 5:30 p.m.
- Oct 16-17 Celebration of Feast of St Edward the Confessor...on Saturday following Mass there will be a Potluck Supper
- Oct 18-22 Clergy Retreat -- no weekday Mass
For Your Information:
CONFIRMATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION... If you or your child is hoping to be confirmed or receive First Holy Communion this year and you haven’t gotten a text from Fr. Ryan yet, please check in with him! We’ll be starting classes soon. Thanks!
BLESSING OF PETS... SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3... In anticipation of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (who is not actually the patron of animals or pets…, but whom everyone seems to think he is), Fr. Ryan will bless household pets in the parking lot ~4:30p. There will be minimal ceremony and so there’s no need to dress up, just bring your pets for a sprinkling. Enthusiastic pets can even remain in the vehicle.
HEALING MASS... Every few months, our usual Friday evening Daily Mass will be offered especially for the sick parishioners of our parish and Father will offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for those of advanced age or those suffering serious health conditions. The next of these Healing Masses will be offered on OCTOBER 15.
FEAST OF ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR... The Church strongly encourages all parishes to celebrate their patronal feasts and even offers a Plenary Indulgence for members of that parish who do so. Our feast day is technically October 13, but the Church allows for us to celebrate it on an adjacent Sunday. This year, on the weekend of October 17, all parish Masses will be celebrated in Honor of St. Edward the Confessor. Everyone who attends and is a member (officially or de facto) of our parish may receive a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions for participating. There will be an informal parish potluck on Saturday, October 16 after the 5:30p Mass.
FATHER RYAN ON RETREAT: OCT 18-22... Fr. Ryan will make his required annual retreat in Alabama this year. Neighboring priests (Fr. Taylor Reynolds & Fr. Dale Meade) will be available in case of emergencies. There will be no daily Masses for that week. The Mass schedule will resume as normal on Saturday evening, October 23.
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.
PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON... Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us from all harm during this Hurricane Season. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Amen. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to our help!
Stewardship The phrase in today’s Psalm, “May you see your children’s children,” is really a prayer for a long life. The good steward knows that every day is a gift from God, to be lived with joy and thanksgiving. “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives!”
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is our once a month Building Fund collection.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| August Budget | $ 8,444 |
| August Income | $ 9,611 |
| August Expenses | $ 9,843 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September 25/26 Collection | $ 3,340 |
| September To Date | $ 8,955 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Margaret Yerger (Oct 5), 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.
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: Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Mary Ernst, Monique Florence, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Charlotte Marsh and Lance and Stephenie, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning
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), 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), Mona Martin-Mills (M Gilfoil), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), 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, Calli Ezell, 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.