FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 6, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 6, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 Greetings!!

As you may have noticed in the vestments, altar cloths and even the colors in the bulletin, we have returned to the greens of Ordinary Time.  Ordinary Time begins on the Monday after the Sunday following January 6 and continues until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  It begins again on the Monday after Pentecost and ends before the First Sunday of Advent.  Today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  We have been in Ordinary Time since June 9th; but since there are so many feast days that take place on a Sunday after Pentecost, today marks the first Sunday since the beginning of March that green is the Liturgical color.

When we see the word 'ordinary' we might think of the words plain, unremarkable, common, etc.... but in terms of the Liturgical Season, Ordinary is derived from the Latin word Ordinalis, meaning ordinal or numbered.  This Liturgical Season focuses on Christ and His public ministry.  As we hear about the ordinary life of Christ in the Scriptures, let us find, cherish and uplift the ordinary moments in our lives in which we can find Christ and the Father's many blessings.  Many times in my homilies you hear me reference "Ora et Labora" (Pray and work).  During this Ordinary Time, let us commit to not just thoughtful prayer and reflection on the Holy Scriptures but to also put our faith into action through the teachings of Christ.

Your help is needed.  This week starts the beginning of the New Fiscal Year.  We are growing as a parish community.  Our income needs to meet our expectations.  We have submitted our annual budget to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  Our yearly budget is $365,000.00 and the need for our weekly offertory is $7,019.00.  You will see all this information, the weekly offering amount and how much of our budget had been met in "Our Parish" section of the bulletin with the collection information starting next week.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 ~ Image Source

A Trip to Virginia Beach for the Children - St. Elizabeth Church - Umoja Family Ministry - June 28, 2025 ~ Photos by Liz Wiznerowicz

 St. Elizabeth Church

Umoja Family Ministry

Children's Trip to Virginia Beach

June 28, 2025

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul - June 29, 2025

 St. Elizabeth Church

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

June 29, 2025

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

Today we celebrate and remember Saints Peter and Paul, the Apostles who gave witness to Christ and continue to inspire Christians throughout the centuries.  

St. Peter is the patron saint of the City of Rome, fishermen, net makers and shipbuilders.

St. Paul is one of the many patron saints of missionaries, evangelists, writers and public workers.  Please pray for the modern day Catholic Missionary who sacrifices so much to spread the Gospel and our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV who is the successor of Saint Peter.  

Saints Peter and Paul were both martyred, so we use red liturgical colors this Sunday to honor them.  Next week you will see on the altar, vestments and in the bulletin the return to the greens of Ordinary Time.

This weekend, we welcome Msgr. Walter Barrett who will be the celebrant at our Sunday Masses.  It is always a delight to have Msgr. Walter at St. Elizabeth.  This weekend I am away doing the Diocesan Mission Appeal.  I have been asked to be at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church in Virginia Beach.  St. John's is a big and busy parish in the Sandbridge part of VA Beach.  They have four Masses and confessions so it will be a full weekend.  Pray that the parish is generous and they help our parish of St. Elizabeth.

Starting next week with the start of the new fiscal year, please notice in both the printed and emailed versions of the bulletin, we will give more info on our yearly budget and our weekly collections.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor  

~ Image Source

 

St. Elizabeth Church - Dominic's Eagle Scout Project for our Parish - June 2025 ~ Photo and Commentary by Eva Wiznerowicz

St. Elizabeth Church

 Dominic's Eagle Scout Project

June 2025

 

~ Eva's Commentary: Dominic is a Boy Scout who made and gifted these tables and benches to Saint Elizabeth for his Eagle Scout Project to achieve Eagle Scout.  They are located in the Parish Office yard and will be an amazing place to gather and fellowship.

  

Vacation Bible School, June 16 - 20, 2025 - St. Elizabeth, St. Paul and Holy Rosary Churches at the Cathedral ~ Photos and commentary provided by Eva and Liz Wiznerowicz

 St. Elizabeth Church

Vacation Bible School

June 16 - 20, 2025

~ Commentary by Eva:  Vacation Bible School was hosted at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart from June 16 to June 20.  The program was a collaboration between St. Elizabeth and Holy Rosary Catholic Churches and the Cathedral.  14 children from St. Elizabeth attended.  This year's theme was the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the children learned about St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque, St. Gertrude, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Servant of God Julia Greeley.  All these important and holy women had a connection to the Sacred Heart. 

~ Further Commentary by Liz:  VBS was hosted by Cathedral with St. Paul, Holy Rosary and St. Elizabeth.  We had 14 students and 2 adult volunteers (Eva and me).  It was June 16-20 with about 60 kids in attendance.  The theme was "Our Home in the Sacred Heart of Jesus".  The kids learned about the Sacred Heart, about the Saints devoted to the Sacred Heart and played games and did crafts to reinforce the message.  We finished each day with Mass in the Cathedral.

Celebrating Our Choir Director, Kim Ford's Graduation from Nursing School! - St. Elizabeth Church - June 15, 2025 ~ Photos provided by Eva Wiznerowicz and Sr. Beulah

 St. Elizabeth Church

A Parish Celebration

Kim Ford's Graduation from Nursing School

June 15, 2025

(Eva's Photos)

(Sr. Beulah's Photos)

 

Love Transforms Hate! - Peaceful Demonstrations - Washington DC - June 2025 ~ Photo provided by Deacon Chris

~ Love Transforms Hate ~

Peaceful Demonstrations

Washington DC

June 2025 

Anne Gibbons

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - June 22, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Feast of Corpus Christi

July 22, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 Corpus Christi

Greetings!!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.  This feast honors Jesus Christ, Really, Truly and Substantially Present under the appearances of bread and wine.  As Roman Catholics, we are called to believe in the real presence of Christ.  This theological truth is called transubstantiation (when, at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over bread and wine, "this is My Body," "This is the chalice of My Blood," Do this in remembrance of Me.)

This past week was Vacation Bible School!  We collaborate with the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Catholic Church for our annual VBS.  This year 14 kids from our parish attended.  Also, a special thank you to the Cathedral for the use of their wonderful classroom space and the many volunteers from our church that helped make it such a success for all of the kids!

Also, please pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.  Our New Holy Father has engendered a renewed interest in religious life, especially with the charism of a life directed to God and service to others.  Our world today could surely use more vocations.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - June 15, 2025

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

St. Elizabeth Church

June 15, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Happy Father's Day!!

On this Most Holy Trinity Sunday, we give thanks for how God our Father has revealed Himself to us in the Trinity.

God the Father - Creator and author of all life in the Heavens and on Earth.  Please take time to pray and give thanks for the beauty of life and all Creation.

God the Son - Jesus our Redeemer, who entered human history as both God and Man to give us the gift of eternal life through His resurrection and our Baptism.  Pray to Jesus and have Him help us with the challenges of daily life in both our joys and sufferings. 

God the Holy Spirit - the giver of the Gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.  Pray to the Holy Spirit and pray for one of the gifts to help you and your spiritual life on earth to be closer to Christ and to Love others.

Congratulations and special thanks to Kim Ford on the milestone accomplishment of her Nursing Degree.  We are proud of Kim and know she will be successful in her career.  Please join us for a reception after the 10 a.m. Mass today to celebrate Kim Ford.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Pentecost Sunday - June 8, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Pentecost Sunday

June 8, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Today we celebrate Pentecost!  The feast is celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter Season.  The Greek word "pentekoste" means "fiftieth."  Pentecost is considered to be the birthday of the Church as it marks the the start of the disciples answering Jesus' call to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Next Sunday, we will be celebrating the graduation of our Choir Director, Kim Ford.  We will have a reception after the 10 a.m. Mass.  If you are interested in bringing a dish for the reception you are welcome to do so!  More information about the event can be found in this bulletin.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Diane Neylan from the Choir or the Parish Office.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

 

~ Image Source