Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls… He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.”
I just can’t read passages like this without thinking about how long it took! Yeasted rolls in the ancient world would’ve taken at least three hours to knead, rise and bake. Butchering a steer and cooking steaks to a safe temperature over a wood fire would’ve taken closer to four or five hours.
Of course, the ancient world didn’t think of time the same way we do! Ancient people set aside a few days for a trip that we would drive in twenty minutes. We get upset with our waiter if we don’t have drinks and apps in ten minutes, ancient feasts lasted days with heavy drinking and simple staples like bread, nuts, olives, fruit, and pasty-textured bean dips like Hummus to fill the gaps. The meat would’ve been ready when it was ready.
Even so, the text of the first reading seems to portray the process of butchering and cooking large pieces of the steer as taking basically no time at all.
Now, I appreciate completely that this isn’t the point of this encounter between Abraham and these “angels.” But, to me, the Bible is chock full of these “ponderables.” There are so many ways in which the Lord can stimulate our minds to consider the mysteries of His creation! My undergraduate degree is in philosophy and I love history and so this question of time fascinates me. It may not be so with you, but what does fascinate you? What are those great questions that start you thinking? What little details catch you?
In teaching “Lectio Divina,” aka meditation upon the Bible, St. Ignatius of Loyola advises us to pay attention to what our minds fixate on. He tells us to slowly read through a passage of Scripture and to stop if some detail strikes us. He says that the Holy Spirit can move through that moment just as powerfully as He can move through the complexities of theology or the experiences of life.
What details in the first reading today strike you as interesting?
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Last year, I wrote about the plenary indulgence available on August 2 for the Feast of the Portiuncula. The Portiuncula is the tiny little chapel where St. Francis of Assisi built his first little hut and began the work of “rebuilding [the] Church.” It’s down the hill from the little chapel of San Damiano where St. Francis had a mystical vision of Jesus who ordered the future saint to “rebuild my Church.” Francis was unsure what that meant as he strolled down the hill, he saw this little chapel that couldn’t seat more than eight people. It dated back to the 300s and the roof had collapsed. Francis took the Lord’s words literally and built himself a small hut next to the chapel and started to rebuild it brick by brick.
It was at this chapel of the “little portion” (AKA ‘porti-uncula’) that Juniper approached Francis and asked to join him in whatever it was God had called him to do. Francis agreed and what we call the Franciscans began.
For those who traveled with us to Rome in 2018, the portiuncula chapel is the one located inside the Basilica Church of the Holy Angels. That’s the location of the famous rose garden where the roses grow without thorns. It’s also the site of the gigantic nativity set which changes each year and the peculiar statue of St. Francis which has a family of doves living in it.
The indulgence is, itself, peculiar. It dates back to 1216 AD, looooong before plenary indulgences were common. St. Francis was awakened one night by the Lord and encouraged to step into his little chapel. When he did, the Lord encouraged Francis to approach the Pope about a plenary
indulgence for all who would visit the chapel and say a prayer for the Church. Pope Honorius III was hesitant, but Francis was a strange bird and everyone knew when he said “the Lord had spoken to me,” only a fool would look the other way. So Pope Honorius III established a plenary indulgence for all who would:
- Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion
- Confess their sins and be completely free from attachment to particular sin
- Pray in the chapel for the Church and specifically for the Holy Father
About a hundred years later, the lines to pass through the chapel were so crowded that some people were left without an indulgence. Later popes expanded the indulgence to be available to any who would say the requisite prayers in any Cathedral and then, later, in any Church.
An indulgence, simply put, is a remission of the punishment due to sin. Let’s say I stub my toe and a choice word passes my lips. I’m sorry about it, so I ask the Lord for forgiveness. Easy enough. BUT, all sin damages the soul. Maybe that choice word earns me an extra month or two in Purgatory. This indulgence contributes to speeding that healing and getting me out of Purgatory earlier. It doesn’t forgive my sins and if I’m not sorry for my sins, no indulgence can save me from the fires. But an Indulgence can assist me in the healing that Purgatory accomplishes and that’s why they’re a good thing to pursue.
I’m writing this year a little early so that each of us can ask any questions we have and make plans to receive the indulgence on August 2.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton Trichell/D Fortenberry
- 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 Lee Rome/E LeBeau
- Thu 9:00a In memory of J.E. Jumonville/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Lee Rome/K Collins
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jackson Jumonville/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 Mary Anne Gilfoil
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 7/16 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 7/17 9:00a | Preston, Evelyn, Courtland | Youth |
| 7/23 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 7/24 9:00a | Cooper and Maura | C Guizerix |
| 7/30 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome |
| 7/31 9:00a | Henry and MaryKatherine | J Howingston |
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
- July 19 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
- August 2 STRESS Workshop – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
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 the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
PASTORAL COUNCIL... will hold its regular meeting on TUESDAY, JULY 19 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Center. Appointed members of the Council are MaryKathryn Book, Kendra Collins, Norman Ernst, Louise Magoun 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.
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… O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen (Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA, originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957)
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| June Budget | $ 8,444 |
| June Income | $ 9,048 |
| June Expenses | $ 9,641 |
| July Budget | $ 10,555 |
| July 9/10 Collection | $ 2,638 |
| July Income To Date | $ 4,563 |
Stewardship Today’s readings speak of hospitality. Abraham, who cheerfully did for his guests all that desert hospitality required, was rewarded with his heart’s desire–a son. Martha also busied herself with all the details of hospitality, but grudgingly and with complaint. Am I a cheerful or a grudging giver?
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Luke Aucoin (July 16), Sue Rome (July 16), Caroline Marsh (July 19), Kendra Collins (July 21), Preston Collins (July 22)
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: Libby Bullard, Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Mary Ernst, Monique Florence, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Jamie and Cindy Howingston, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Sug Regan, 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), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Judy and Danny Beard (Keene), Marie Farlow Bellard, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Kevin and AnnaBeth Collins (Book), Truman and Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Molly Corulla, Don Deweese, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), John and Carlyle Ashly Hoogland, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), Lyn and Calvin Lisonbee (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Janice Spencer and family (Wilks), Meg Keene Thomas, Lucy Thomason (gr-dau of Bentley Curry)(Book), Paul Wayne and LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Elaine Trimble (Rome), Joe Yerger
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver Bridges, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood.