Scripture Readings

October Scripture Readings

and a listing of Feast days and saints

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 Luke 10:17-24

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Hebrews 1:2-3, 2:2-4 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10 Weekday Galatians 1:6-12 Luke 10:25-37 Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi Galatians 1:13-24 Luke 10:38-42 Weekday Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Luke 11:1-4 Weekday Galatians 3:1-5 Luke 11:5-13 Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary Galatians 3:7-14 Luke 11:15-26 Weekday Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kings 5:14-17 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 Weekday Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1 Luke 11:29-32 Weekday Galatians 5:1-6 Luke 11:37-41 Weekday Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46 Weekday Ephesians 1:1-10 Luke 11:47-54 Weekday Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7 Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 12:8-12

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Exodus 17:8-13 2 Timothy 3:14— 4:2 Luke 18:1-8 Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:13-21 Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist 2 Timothy 4:10-17b Luke 10:1-9

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48 Weekday Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53 Weekday Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 12:54-59 Weekday Ephesians 4:7-16 Luke 13:1-9

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 Weekday Ephesians 4:32— 5:8 Luke 13:10-17 Weekday Ephesians 5:21-33 Luke 13:18-21 Weekday Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30 Weekday Ephesians 6:10-20 Luke 13:31-35 Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, apostles Ephesians 2:19-22 Luke 6:12-16 Weekday Philippians 1:18b26 Luke 14;1, 7-11

30 31

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 11:22— 12:2 2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2 Luke 19:1-10 Weekday Philippians 2:1-4 Luke 14:12-14

October

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

For church open to everyone. We pray for the church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

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RESPECT LIFE MONTH October 2022

Crossroads offers light, hope and life

By AMANDA GARCIA

The Catholic Church recognizes October as Respect Life Month. This month, the church is encouraged to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death.

At this year’s Respect Life Month, we have much to be thankful for as we are now a postRoe America! On the day of the Supreme Court ruling, the United States Conference of Catholic of Bishops said, “Today’s decision is also the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life … (USCCB Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson). It is no coincidence that this long awaited moment was declared on June 24, 2022, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In anticipation of a Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, Louisiana legislation worked very hard to pass several trigger laws to immediately make Louisiana an abortion-free state following the ruling. One such law is the 2006 Human Life Protection Act that explicitly removes the option of abortion by stating:

No person may knowingly administer to, prescribe for, or procure for, or sell to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, or other substance with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being. No person may knowingly use or employ any instrument or procedure upon a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being.

In the weeks following the ruling, legal disputes ensued and abortions continued in Louisiana. The Shreveport abortion facility, Hope Medical Group for Women, filed a request with the Louisiana Supreme Court asking them to reverse the First Circuit Court of Appeals decision that shuttered the three abortion facilities in the state pending further legal challenges. As of August 12, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied the request, keeping the First Circuit’s decision in place. Louisiana’s prolife laws will remain in effect pending further legal proceedings in the First Circuit Court of Appeals on the preliminary injunction.

Currently, the atrocities of abortion can no longer legally take place in the state of Louisiana—Victory! The USCCB’s Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson says “now is the time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue, and for coming together to build a society and economy that supports marriages and families, and where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into the world in love.”

Unfortunately, abortion is still accessible in some states, therefore we must continue to

address the reasons women choose abortion a

and then do our best to eliminate the challenges and help moms in need.

They are struggling financially or feel they cannot afford a baby.

Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center sees women and families from all walks of life, including single moms with children and even happily married couples who feel they cannot afford a baby right now. Choosing an abortion often stems from a desire to take care of their family and the cost of another baby is daunting.

They have experienced trauma.

While there are many heartbreaking reasons why women find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy, we advocate for life no matter what. Abortion adds trauma on top of trauma and only leads to more hurt and shame.

They feel unsupported to be a mom.

They are told they must choose their dreams, their school, their career, a boyfriend or spouse over their baby. Abortion is the only choice that says, “You’re not strong enough, capable enough or smart enough to do both. You must sacrifice your child for your future.”

They feel forced, pressured or coerced.

Although the law protects women from forced abortion, we know it still happens. Many of our clients have shared that they never wanted their abortion but felt coerced or pressured by a boyfriend, parent, or even the abortion clinic worker.

They do not understand when life begins. They don’t believe abortion kills a growing human being worthy of value and dignity.

Education is a key way we help change culture, open people’s eyes to the truth about abortion, and help moms choose life for their babies.

During Respect Life Month, we invite you to join us in prayer for such women who may be contemplating abortion for some of these reasons and for the protection of all unborn children. We pray in thanksgiving for the current laws enacted in Louisiana and pray that our public officials will recognize and uphold the dignity of all human life and for an end to all abortion in our country and the world.

We know that ultimately our battle is spiritual. Our enemy wants people to give in to a culture of death and darkness, and we offer light, hope and life. To do this, though, we need your prayer support. Please join our team of Crossroads Prayer Partner’s today: https:// friendsofcrossroadsprc.org/support/pray/.

Most sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus I trust you. BC

RESPECT LIFE MONTH October 2022

Called to serve moms in need

Our Blessed Mother models a profound witness to love and life in the Gospel account of the Visitation. Luke’s Gospel tells us that, when Mary learns that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant, she travels to the hill country “in haste” (Luke 1:39). Despite being unexpectedly pregnant herself, Mary responds to this news with urgency.

She embarks on a long and perhaps difficult journey to be with her cousin during her time of need, bearing Christ to her as he lay quietly hidden in Mary’s womb. And, although Jesus is veiled from view, when Mary first arrives John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, recognizing the presence of Christ (Luke 1:44). Mary, with Jesus, spends the next three months at Elizabeth’s side.

The witness of our Blessed Mother invites us to become more aware of the needs of pregnant and parenting moms in our own parishes and communities. A woman with an unexpected pregnancy may have any number of fears and challenges: Facing judgment from her friends and family, losing her job or housing, or being abandoned by the father of her child.

Following Mary’s example, we can ask ourselves how to better know these mothers, listen to them, seek understanding, and help them obtain the necessities of life for themselves and their children (Lori, Most Reverend William E. 2022. Homily for the Opening Mass of the 2022 National Prayer Vigil for Life. Delivered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2022. Https://www.usccb.org/prolife/ archbishop-william-e-lori-opening-mass-2022national-prayer-vigil-life). How can we, like the Blessed Mother, lovingly support mothers in welcoming and caring for God’s gift of life?

Throughout the whole of Scripture, Mary’s words are few. Yet, in her sacred encounter with Elizabeth, a powerful declaration pours from her lips. Mary proclaims to all generations that the Lord lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry with good things, and remembers his promise of mercy from age to age (Luke 1:46-56). In both word and deed, Mary speaks a message of hope—not only to Elizabeth, but also to every mother in need and to each of us.

Mary’s witness is an invitation to step out in love and compassion. It is a summons to make haste to help vulnerable women who may be isolated and alone. By doing so, we too can bear Christ within us and help others experience his presence.

Inspired by the Blessed Mother’s example and guided by the Holy Spirit, may we offer Christ’s presence and love to mothers in their time of need through our faithful service and support.

NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. BC

Top reasons to oppose assisted suicide

A Deadly Mix with Our ProfitDriven Health Care System

Some patients in Oregon and California have received word that their health insurance will pay for assisted suicide but will not pay for treatment that may sustain their lives.

Puts Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse and Coercion

Once lethal drugs have been prescribed, assisted suicide laws have no requirements for assessing the patient’s consent, competency or voluntariness. Who would know if the drugs are freely taken since there is no supervision or tracking of the drugs once they leave the pharmacy and no witnesses are required at the time of death? Despite a reporting system designed to conceal rather than detect abuses, reports of undue influence have nonetheless surfaced in Oregon.

Elder abuse is considered a major health problem in the United States, with federal estimates that one in 10 elder persons is abused. Placing lethal drugs into the hands of abusers generates an additional major risk to elder persons.

Assisted suicide laws often allow one of the two witnesses to the request for lethal drugs to be an heir to the patient’s estate. Therefore, an heir or friends of the heir can encourage or pressure the patient to request lethal drugs and then be a witness to the request.

Dangerously Broad Definition of Terminal Illness

Assisted suicide laws typically appear to limit eligibility to terminally ill patients who are expected to die within six months but don’t distinguish between persons who will die within six months with treatment and those who will die within six months without treatment. This means that patients with treatable diseases (like diabetes or chronic respiratory or cardiac disease) and patients with disabilities requiring ventilator support are all eligible for lethal drugs because they would die within six months without the treatment they would normally receive.

Pain not the Primary Issue

Untreated pain is not among the top reasons for taking lethal drugs. Per official annual state reports, in 2016, 90 percent of Oregon patients seeking lethal drugs said they were doing so because they were “less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable” and were “losing autonomy,” and 49 percent cited being a “burden” on family, friends or caregivers. And in Washington, 52 percent cited being a “burden” as a reason, while only 35 percent cited a concern about pain.

No Psychiatric Evaluation or Treatment Required

Despite medical literature showing that nearly 95 percent of those who commit suicide had a diagnosable psychiatric illness (usually treatable depression) in the months preceding suicide, the prescribing doctor and the doctor he or she selects to give a second opinion are both free to decide whether to refer suicidal patients for any psychological counseling. Per Oregon’s official annual report, from 2013-2016 less than four percent of patients who died under its assisted suicide law had been referred for counseling to check for “impaired judgment.”

If counseling is provided to patients seeking assisted suicide, its goal

Cutting someone’s life short before their time deprives them of unknown opportunities for God’s grace to work in their life.

isn’t to treat the underlying disorder or depression; it’s to determine whether the disorder or depression is “causing impaired judgment (emphasis added).” The doctors or counselor can decide that, since depression is “a completely normal response” to terminal illness, the depressed patient’s judgment is not impaired.

Threatens Improvement of Palliative Care

There is compelling evidence that legalizing assisted suicide undermines efforts to maintain and improve good care for patients nearing the end of life, including patients who never wanted assisted suicide.

Fosters Discrimination

Assisted suicide creates two classes of people: Those whose suicides we spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year to prevent and those whose suicides we assist and treat as a positive good. We remove weapons and drugs that can cause harm to one group, while handing deadly drugs to the other, setting up yet another kind of life-threatening discrimination.

There are many more reasons why legalizing assisted suicide is a bad and dangerous idea. For further information, visit www. usccb.org/toliveeachday and www. patientsrightsaction.org.

Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

BC

RESPECT LIFE MONTH October 2022

Now and at the Hour of our Death

We prepare for eternal life by choosing to love and follow God now, in our daily lives and decisions. For example, through prayer and regular reception of the sacraments, especially confession and the Eucharist, we obtain grace to live in ever-deeper communion with God and with one another in lives of faith, charity and justice. We ask for Our Blessed Mother’s help now, and we entrust ourselves to her further as we “surrender ‘the hour of our death’ wholly to her care.”

Forming Our Consciences

Our journey with Christ naturally includes equipping our consciences to make morally good judgments and acting accordingly. Learning about the dignity of human life and the indispensable respect for it, as well as applicable principles for medical care, is particularly important in preparing for our eventual passing.

Some bishops offer guides applying moral principles to local legal options. Parish and online resources are also widely available for careful and prayerful study, and the Ethical and Religious Directives from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops give direction for health care services to those who are seriously ill or dying.

A Note on General Principles

No summary can substitute for thorough catechesis, but some general principles are clear. We are entrusted by God with the gift of life, and in response, we care for our lives and health in obedience and gratitude to our Creator.

This obliges us to make use of appropriate, effective medical care. However, even effective treatments may at times impose such a great burden that we, in good conscience, may forgo or discontinue them. This applies even to lifesustaining treatments. Of course, nothing should be done or deliberately omitted to hasten death.

The church affirms the inviolable dignity of every person, regardless of the duration or extent of the person’s incapacity or dependency. Nothing diminishes the unchangeable dignity and sanctity of a person’s life, or the obligation to protect and care for it. In principle, assisted feeding and hydration should be provided unless it cannot sustain life or is unduly burdensome to the patient, or if death is imminent whether it is provided or not.

Moreover, no one should choose suicide, nor counsel or assist another to take his or her own life.

Discerning Treatment Options

Judging the effect and burden of treatments can be difficult, especially as death draws near. To understand health facts and treatment

Charles Faucheux, MD Charles Faucheux, MD (GYN) (GYN)

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options, we need professional medical advice. To understand Catholic moral teaching, we need to consult church teaching and those who can faithfully explain it.

Speaking with Loved Ones

After informing our consciences, we need to inform our families. If we are unable to make decisions, they most often have legal authority to make surrogate decisions on our behalf. Or we may designate a health care agent by a durable power of attorney.

Though it is often helpful to also have written, signed documentation, no living will “check box” can ever replace clear conversations about our faith-guided principles. The best option is to choose an agent who will make medical decisions on our behalf in accord with our Catholic faith and church teaching.

We should also inform family of our pastoral care preferences, and make clear that after death, we desire prayer, funeral rites, and Christian burial.

Accompaniment before and after Death

Those who are sick should not be alone, as multiple popes have reminded us in messages for the annual World Day of the Sick. Patients who have serious or life-threatening illnesses, as well as their families, can be provided with physical, psychological, and spiritual care through teambased palliative care. Hospice care can provide Gregorysimilar integrated care for those nearing death and for their families. Morris,

Pastoral care is integral to both palliative and hospice care, and includes making available the Eucharist, confession, anointing of the sick, and viaticum. It also includes supportive prayer and support for decision makers. It may be helpful to familiarize ourselves with local services (OB/GYN) available in preparation for our own passing or that of loved ones.

Even after death, accompaniment continues. Our prayers can help those who are being purified in Purgatory, so it is a spiritual work of mercy to pray for those who have died.

Hope in the Resurrection

Those who die in God’s grace and friendship live forever with Christ. Heaven is not an abstract idea, but a true and lasting relationship with God that is beyond all earthly description and understanding. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and everlasting life by preparing now, in hope, for our passage from this life into eternal life.

We need not fear. Christ is with us.

Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. BC