Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
From The Font
“Blessed is the womb that carried you… Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
For most of the ancient world, including the Jews, religion was a matter of family. Various gods were believed to act as patrons of cities, families or nations. The Jews understood themselves to be God’s Chosen People.
Even today, more and more, the rise of woke culture has actively reasserted that race, skin color, etc confer a moral righteousness without any reference to choices or decisions. Of course, this is Marxist nonsense… But it’s entirely compatible with the barbaric paganism of the ancient world.
Jesus rejects this entire mode of thinking and says that the choices we make, especially those choices which flow from love of God and love of Neighbor define righteousness or moral goodness (which is translated here as “Blessed”).
The impact of this teaching is incredibly important. For one, just think about the simple fact that in the ancient world, you couldn’t just convert from one religion to another. Only a very small number of folks who weren’t born as Jews were able to become Jews. Almost entirely as a function of marriage. But in our Christian Faith, literally no one can become Christian without converting (even in infant baptism we have the Godparents profess Faith on behalf of the child).
This principle of deliberate choice to convert and follow Jesus rather than the principle of family patronage remains relevant today, especially in light of the many, many efforts to revive ancient pagan traditions under the guide of enlightened atheism.
Of course, the other thing to remember is that once we’re a part of the Lord’s family, we can’t just rest on our laurels! We have to continue to hear the word of the Lord and observe it! Unlike ancient religions, Christianity isn’t a one and done sort of thing. My holiness, my happiness, and my salvation are mine to gain or lose little by little with each choice I make in my day. Will the next choice be an expression of my Faith? Will I do as the Lord asks?
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
The idea of “divine patronage” goes back to the very beginning of human history and culture. Just about every city, army, and important family had a patron god of some sort. Even the Jews - who were monotheistic - claimed the One True God as their patron and considered themselves the Chosen People.
When Jesus established the Church on the person of Peter the Apostle, He chose not to mention quite a lot about the practical spiritual life that Christians would embrace. Other than saying that Christianity would be the completion and perfection of Judaism, Jesus didn’t mention much practically about public prayer, private prayer, fasting, penance, sin and reconciliation, anointing of the sick, marriage, funerals, baptisms, relics, holy water, blessing objects, blessing people, the priesthood, bishops, consecrated religious, chaplets, chapels, church buildings, community management, financial management, etc. And He didn’t mention what, if anything, was to be done with the title Chosen People and the Jewish, now Christian idea, of Divine Patronage.
The Apostles were told, in no uncertain terms, that they were in charge and they needed to figure out what they needed to figure out… They imitated Judaism in a lot of their early decisions and when something arose that they didn’t know how to deal with, they prayed, discussed, and acted.
One of the earliest question marks was to do with relics. All over the world - from Spain to Rome to India - the bodies of martyred Christians were being associated with miracles… Judaism didn’t offer much insight in that regard and so the apostles prayed, discussed, and eventually used the idea of divine patronage as a way of thinking about what would become the theology of the “Communion of the Saints.”
Our patron, St. Edward the Confessor, is a kind of poster child for this way of thinking. He was a holy guy and set an excellent example of leadership, piety, support for the Church, and being an attentive father to his children. But that’s not why he was canonized. He was canonized because miracles - lots of miracles - began to happen to people who went to Westminster Abbey to pray at his tomb. Even though Edward’s dynasty was ended with the military blunder of his son at Hastings in 1066, the new ruling family couldn’t ignore all the miracles! And so it was that Edward because St. Edward.
Many modern Protestants criticize the theology of the Communion of Saints as unbiblical, and they're mostly correct. But every miracle that has taken place since about 85AD is unbiblical! But Jesus told us that believers in Him would do greater works than He did (Jn 14:12)... hence the Church and the opportunity to add to and clarify the limited explanations provided by the Lord.
Patronage is an odd part of our Faith to be sure, but it’s a very real thing. All we need to do to have a patron saint is to ask that saint to pray for us. And all we need to do to take advantage of the Communion of Saints is to ask for those saints to pray for us. It really is that simple.
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 Thanksgiving for John Aubrey and Thomas Williams for their first birthday/Magoun
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Edgar Lancaster/family
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Alex “Bubba” Jumonville/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Lee Rome/LeBeaux
- 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 10/8 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book |
| 10/9 9:00a | Courtland and Preston | C Guizerix |
| 10/15 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 10/16 9:00a | Cooper & Maura | Youth-Henry & Kathleen |
| 10/22 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 10/23 9:00a | Kathleen and Evelyn | J Howington |
Upcoming Events
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Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
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Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
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Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
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October 11 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m (Note change of date)
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October 12 Wednesday Evening Catechism - Parish Hall - 6 p.m. (Note change of date)
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October 15/16 Celebration of Feast of St Edward the Confessor - Potluck Supper in Hall on Saturday following 5:30 Mass
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October 22 America Needs the Rosary in St Joseph at 10 a.m. (see notes below)
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.
FR RYAN’S RECOMMENDATION AT FORMED.ORG An explanation of the Angels by Bp. Fulton Sheen. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at https://signup.formed.org/
PASTORAL COUNCIL… for October will be moved forward a week and will meet on October 11 at 6 p.m. in the Church Hall. Father Ryan will be away at Priest’s Retreat on the regularly scheduled date.
WEDNESDAY EVENING CATECHISM… for October will also be moved forward a week and will be on Wednesday, October 12 at 6 p.m. in the Church Hall.
FEAST OF ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR… is October 13 and our faith family will celebrate the Feast at the Masses on October 15 & 16. Following the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass, there will be an informal, casual potluck supper (soup, salad, sandwiches). All are invited to be a part of the event in the Church Hall!
AMERICA NEEDS THE ROSARY… St Joseph Catholic Church in St Joseph will host a rosary and faith procession on October 22. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the procession will begin at 10 a.m. from the Church. A procession with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will go from the church to the downtown St. Joseph Amphitheater. All are invited to participate.
ANGEL TREE RECIPIENTS… Do you know of a family who needs help with Christmas gifts and food items for their children? Additionally, we will expand our program to include the elderly and special needs adults who may be in need. We are attempting to identify those persons by the end of October. If you know of need, please advise Father Ryan or the Church Office as soon as possible.
PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON… Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during the Hurricane Season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hastened to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| September Budget | $ 8,444 |
| September Income(include Retired Priests Fund) | $ 20,892 |
| September Expenses | $ 9,966 |
| October Budget | $ 8,444 |
| October 1-2 Collection | $ 1,525 |
| October Income To Date | $ 1,525 |
Stewardship Jesus healed ten lepers in today’s Gospel. Only one (10%) came back to say thank you. I, too, have received many blessings from the Lord–indeed, all I am and all I have is gift! How and how often have I remembered to thank Him?
SECOND COLLECTION For the Office of Life and Justice to assist Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana focus on three primary objectives: mental health, disaster response, and basic needs.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Sharyn Marsh (Oct 8), Sharyn Marsh (Oct 8), Marsh Wood (Oct 11), Sidney Johnson (Oct 13), Kenny Smith (Oct 14), William Marsh (Oct 16)
Happy Anniversary Sally and Bobby Reynolds (Sept 9, 2019)
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, Leslye Ellerbee, Marie, Norman, and Mary Ernst, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, 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), Marie Farlow Bellard, Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Kevin and AnnaBeth Collins (Book), Diane Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Carol Drawe Guidry (Gilfoil), Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), John and Carlyle Ashly Hoogland, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (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), Vance Sullivan and grandmother, Judy Sullivan, Meg Keene Thomas, Gabby Trejos (Wilks), LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood