FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18, 2026

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 18, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

I am currently in Michigan making a visit to my sister, but I will be back in Richmond on Tuesday.  I thank Msgr. Richard Mooney for celebrating our Sunday Masses in my absence.

Those who are raised in the Catholic Faith are baptized before the age of 7 and receive their other two Sacraments of Initiation, First Communion and Confirmation at different times.  Those who are not baptized before the age of 7 are asked to go through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).  This is because Canon Law recognizes 7 years old to be the "age of reason".

Code of Canon Law Can. 97 §2: "A minor before the completion of the seventh year is called an infant and is considered not responsible for oneself (non sui compos).  With the completion of the seventh year, however, a minor is presumed to have the use of reason."

This means that those who are 7-years-old and older go through formation in OCIA and receive Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at the same time.  If you were baptized in a Christian religion but never received First Communion or Confirmation in the Catholic Church or you have never received any Sacraments and you are interested in becoming Catholic, I invite you to join our OCIA classes that start at the end of January.

I will be leading the first several classes when I return from Michigan.  This article from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains the steps of OCIA if you are interested in learning more about the process.  You can read it by visiting bit.ly/usccb-ocia online.  Or you can email me or our Director of OCIA, Chris Metzger at ocia@stelizcc.org.

Lastly, next week, January 25th, marks the start of Celebrate Catholic Schools Week!  All Saints Catholic School (ASCS) is just down the road from our Parish on Noble Ave.  ASCS is part of our parish, as we contribute every year for children to pursue their education.  ASCS came into existence in 1982, a mergfer between St. Elizabeth Parish School and St. Paul's Parish School.  The present building was at one time St. Paul's School.  In 2004, St. Patrick's merged into All Saints School.  Van de Vyver school served students for 50+ years from 1910 to 1969.  Some of its families' subsequent generations have gone on to attend All Saints.  See this bulletin for more information about supporting our schools and enrolling your students!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 ~ Image Source

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - January 11, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Baptism of the Lord

January 11, 2026

 FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord!  It is also the First Sunday in Ordinary Time.  During this time of year, we acknowledge Christ manifested in our world with feasts such as Christmas, Epiphany and the one we celebrate today.  Because of this, we continue with white and gold liturgical colors this Sunday and will move to the green of Ordinary Time next week.  We will be in Ordinary Time for a few weeks before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18th.  Our Lent schedule will be shared soon so please keep a look out for that.

I would like to share how our Parish has grown since last year.  We now have 212 registered households and 542 members.  Of our registered members, 122 are children ages 0 to 17.  Sacraments in 2025:  Baptisms: 17, First Communions:  8, Confirmation:  3, OCIA: 5, Marriage:  2.

We have more than 20 children enrolled at different Catholic Schools, including All Saints Catholic School, Cristo Rey Richmond and Saint Gertrude High School!

Our Parish continues to grow!  If you are a new family to the Parish and would like to register, we have forms on the bulletin board by the front doors or visit stelizcc.org/join-our-parish

I encourage everyone to visit the Vatican News website and to add it to your regular news rotation.  We hear constantly of terrible things happening in our country from our news sources, so I encourage you to refresh and read something different.  The Vatican covers global news but also all the important things happening in our Church.  Visit:  www.vaticannews.va

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Feast of the Epiphany - January 4, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Feast of the Epiphany

January 4, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord!  Epiphany has several meanings, including "manifestation" or "sudden insight."  In the context of the feast, it means that the God-man Jesus Christ was manifested to the world, as represented by the Magi and different peoples from whom they came.

On the feast of the Epiphany, many Catholics bless their homes by writing the letters C, M and B and the numbers of the year on the top of their front door frame with chalk.

For example, for the year 2026, it would look like this:  20 + C + M + B + 26.

This combination of letters and numbers holds a special meaning.  The initials have two meanings.  Historically, they refer to the names traditionally attributed to the Magi:  Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.  Spiritually, they refer to the blessing itself, represented by the Latin prayer:  "Christus, mansionem benedicat" (May Christ Bless this house); the crosses recall our salvation in Christ.

There are many ways to celebrate Epiphany.  There are traditions such as the one above, eating king cakes, special prayers and most importantly, going to Mass.  Click HERE to view the entire prayer for blessing your home and household on Epiphany from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  In this new year, we pray for peace in our world, safety for youth and children as they return to school and for unity in our communities.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Definition for Epiphany from etwn.com

~ Image Source

Christmas Eve at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Misc. Photos - December 24, 2025 ~ Photos by Mary Romanello, Romanello Photography

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Christmas Eve at St. E's!

December 24, 2025

 

~ Photos by Mary Romanello, Romanello Photography

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St Elizabeth Catholic Church - Feast of the Holy Family - December 28, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Feast of the Holy Family

December 28, 2025

 FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.  The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph should inspire us in our lives and in our interactions with our families.  Throughout the year, we read Gospel stories that show the support that Joseph and Mary offered to each other and Jesus.  As we read about the Flight to Egypt in today's Gospel, let us think of and pray for the refugee families around the world who flee violence and seek safety.

The holiday season can be a stressful time for many, and I know that it is not easy for some to get along with family.  It can be easy to be impatient, quick to anger and worry about not everything being perfect.  Let us remember that the most important part of this season is Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Savior of our world.  Pray that we may be more like the Holy Family.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6-7)

"JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family.  Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love.  Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, Foster father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm.  Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you.  Help us to be instruments of peace.  Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.  May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you.  Amen."

Lastly, we will have Mass for the Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary and for peace in the new year on Wednesday, December 31st at 5 p.m.  We will have a potluck following the Mass and you can sign up to bring a dish by scanning the QR code or visiting the link in this bulletin.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Prayer from the Missionaries of ther Holy Family

~ Image Source

Christmas Eve Mass - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - December 24, 2025 ~ Photos by Sister Beulah

St.  Elizabeth Catholic Church

Christmas Eve Mass

December 24, 2025

(Click on photos to enlarge)

~ Photos by Sister Beulah

Christmas Eve at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Kim and the Children at Christmas Eve Mass - December 24, 2025 ~ Photos by Sister Beulah

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Kim and the Children at Christmas Eve Mass

December 24, 2025

(click pictures to enlarge)

~ Photos by Sister Beulah

 

Christmas Eve at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - The Children's Christmas Program - December 24, 2025 ~ Photos by Sister Beulah

Christmas Eve 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Children's Christmas Program

December 24, 2025

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Telling the Nativity Story

 

  

~ Photos by Sister Beulah

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 21, 2025

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent!  We are only a few days away from Christmas!  I encourage everyone to come to the children's program at 5 p.m. before Chrisatmas Eve Mass.  All of our young children have been rehearsing for many weeks now and your support would mean so much to them.  The program will consist of four short scenes with narrators and actors.  Inbetween scenes and before Mass starts we will be singing Christmas carols and hymns with the choir.  Mass will start at 6 p.m.

Our Christmas Mass Schedule is the following:

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th:  Reconciliation Service from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th:  Children's Program at 5 p.m., Vigil Mass at 6 p.m.

Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25th:  Mass at 9 a.m.

New Year's Eve - December 31st:  Mass for Peace and Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary. Mass at 5 p.m. (Potluck afterwards!  Sign-up today!)

Our annual raffle was a great success this year!  The net total (after all expenses) was $22,339.19.  All funds raised will go to the general operating fund of the church.  This is our biggest annual fundraiser and will make a big impact in the coming year.  Thank you  to everyone who participated!  With the delays in the construction of our new parish center, we will most likely need to wait another year to hold our Jazz Festival, but we will hold the raffle again in 2026.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday - December 14, 2025

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Third Sunday of Advent

Gaudete Sunday

December 14, 2025

 FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent!  This Sunday is also known as Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete - the Latin word for "Rejoice").  If you attend 8:30 a.m. Mass, you will hear this Sunday's Entrance Antiphon:  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.  Indeed, the Lord is near."  The Entrance Antiphon comes from the Missal, and we speak it before the 8:30 a.m. Mass if there is no opening hymn.

We are 10 days away before we celebrate the Birth of Christ.  This Sunday, we rejoice that "the Lord is near" and for the next 10 days we should continue to prepare our hearts, minds and souls for the Christmas season.  For one or a few days, I encourage you to join the online Rosary group that meets every day at 7 p.m. (Zoom link is on our website).  We will hold Confessions from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. on December 24th.

Our Christmas Mass Schedule is the following:

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th:  Reconciliation Service from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th:  Children's Program at 5 p.m., Vigil Mass at 6 p.m.

Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25th:  Mass at 9 a.m.

New Years' Eve - December 31st:  Mass for Peace and Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary:  Mass at 5 p.m.

I would like to say congratulations to the winners of our Annual Raffle that was drawn on Homecoming Sunday.  The prizes went to friends of the Parish and parishioners, The Meyrieux Family, Delores Thompson and Ray Murray.

Lastly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in the Christmas Giving Tree!  It means so much to our parish and community families that children will have presents for Christmas.  There has also been a tremendous response to our Parish Food Pantry.  Thank you for all of your support!  If you would like to learn more about contributin to our food pantry, please speak to Sister Mary Mwangi on Sundays or email her at mmwangi@stelizcc.org.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source