His Goodness and Mercy ~ by Ronnie Archer

The readings today speak of persistence in praying, faith, and the mercy and love of the Father.

In the first reading, Genesis 18:20-32, Abraham prayed without ceasing, on behalf of, not only his own family, but other innocent people in the city. GOD showed HIS mercy and goodness by agreeing to spare the city, if there could be found at least ten innocent people there.

In the second reading, Colossians 2:12-14, we hear that in spite of being "dead" in sin, we may be brought to life, along with Jesus, through faith in the power of God.

Today's Gospel from Luke 11:1-13, Jesus told the disciples how to pray, beginning with "Father, hallowed be your name...", acknowledging the holiness of that name.

Our goal is to be united with GOD. Our prayers don't have to be "wordy." The first step of prayer is silence, to center our minds on GOD.

Then we should acknowledge ourselves as sinners and ask for forgiveness. We, ourselves, also have to forgive, because our prayer is not heard if we carry grudges and anger in our hearts. Pain will continue to live within us if we're not reconciled within our hearts.

We should remember, not only to pray for ourselves, but also to pray for others. We must believe that we have already received the promise to be glorified.

No loving, earthly parent would give his children anything that would be harmful. If we know how to give good gifts to our children, then how much more will Our Heavenly Father give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask HIM.

Parishioners with August Birthdays ~ Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!


August 3 ~ Ashanti Williams

August 9 ~ Peter Thompson and Mieko Timmons

August 10 ~ Walker Bland

August 12 ~ Nichelle Scott and Daphne Sylvester

August 20 ~ Paulette Wright

August 21 ~ Vincent Cotman, Jr.

August 23 ~ Melvon McMillian

August 25 ~ Lyric Weston

August 26 ~ Tracey Hall


Serve others with eagerness. It will make your heart dance! Author Unknown

Welcoming a Guest: Mary and Martha ~ by Ronnie Archer

The reading of Luke's Gospel, 10:38-42, is about the sisters, Martha and Mary, and the two different ways that they chose to "welcome a guest." Martha welcomed Jesus, but was too busy with other preparations to really "minister" TO Jesus at that time; which the other sister, Mary did, by sitting at his feet and listening to HIM.

Martha "grumbled" to Jesus about Mary not helping her, to which Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing and Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her." Most important is to find out what the guest's needs/wants are; and then attend to that need.

We, at times, put too much emphasis on actions. Sometimes, we should be still and listen to GOD, giving attention to HIM by service to each other; and not to do so with a discontented attitude.

In Joyful Celebration; We Come Together

ST. ELIZABETH and ST. PATRICK

Annual Mass and Picnic

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Mass at 5:00 p.m.

Fr. Andrew Sagayam, Presider

Picnic following Mass

At St. Elizabeth Parish Park

2nd Avenue and Victor St.
In Highland Park

Parables as Allegories

If you were at Mass last Sunday, you were treated to a beautiful homily by Fr. Andrew about the Good Samaritan. Our pastor has a style all his own; many of his insights coming out of his Eastern background.

Most of the homilies and sermons explaining the parables of Jesus that we have listened to over the years have had their basis in Western European biblical exegesis or explanations. Biblical commentaries were concerned with historical settings and later, with literary forms.

The focus of the interpretations generally answered the questions of who the Gospel or Epistle writer was; which Christian community was the writer addressing; what did the parable mean to the Christians of the Apostolic or post-Apostolic times; and finally, what meaning can we derive from these parables in today's world. These types of homilies have a richness of their own and after hearing the Word about the Good Samaritan and listening to the priest's homily about it, we would return home secure in the knowledge of who our neighbor was and what we were to do in caring for even the least of our brothers and sisters.

In contrast, the homily we heard last Sunday turned the story of the Good Samaritan into an allegory, where all its elements were seen as having a symbolic meaning. An allegorical interpretation is perhaps the earliest method for interpreting the parables. For example, the robbers who attacked the traveler could be considered sin and evil. The half-dead traveler is humankind, beaten down by sin. The priest who passed him by represented the Law; the Levite, the prophets. The Good Samaritan was Christ who bound up the traveler's wounds and took him to the inn, which symbolized the Church. The two denarii that he left for the innkeeper represented the two Great Commandments that Jesus left us. The Samaritan's promise to return indicated the Second Coming.

My purpose in this article was not to enumerate all the symbols contained in this parable but to show how allegories can give us a different view of Scripture. I am truly grateful for this homily because Fr. Andrew is broadening our understanding of Scripture from a direction that we usually don't hear much about.

The Good Samaritan ~ by Ronnie Archer

The first reading for this Sunday was Deuteronomy 30:10-14. Moses told the people that the command of heeding the voice of the Lord and keeping HIS commandments and statutes was not too mysterious and remote. That it was "not up in the sky" or out of their reach. Fr. Andrew told us that the Kingdom of God (the treasure) is within each of us; we don't have to look for it elsewhere."

In the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the GOOD SAMARITAN, the scholar of the law tried to test Jesus by asking HIM what must be done to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him, "What is written in the law?" He replied: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus replied, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." The scholar asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus told the story of a certain man (representing mankind), who fell victim to robbers (evil in the world), as he went from Jerusalem (representing a place of peace, heaven), to Jericho (representing earth).

He was stripped and beaten and left half dead. He was passed by two people: first a priest, then a Levite; both of whom were religious elite. A Samaritan traveler, who was considered to be inferior and hated by the Jews, came upon him and was moved with compassion at the sight. He poured oil (mercy) and wine (love) on him and bandaged his wounds. Bandaging meant embracing, welcoming.

Then the Samaritan (representing Jesus Christ), put the "man" on his OWN beast and took him to the inn (the inn represents the Church). The Samaritan then paid the innkeeper with two silver coins, representing a summary of the Ten Commandments into two...LOVE of GOD and NEIGHBOR; and told the innkeeper to take care of him and if there was any additional care needed, HE would repay him..."WHEN HE COMES BACK."

We all are each other's neighbors; we ALL are to care for each other.

Much Ado About Sandals!

Ronnie and I have had email conversations this week about sandals! The conversations stemmed from references that Fr. Andrew made in recent homilies about the wearing of sandals. On the one hand, we have Moses being ordered by God to take off his sandals on Mount Horeb as a sign of respect because Moses was standing on holy ground. (Exodus 3:5)

On the other hand, we have Luke 15:22 and the putting on of sandals as a sign of respect. This is the story of the Prodigal Son and it offers the wearing of shoes in a totally different context. We are not talking about "holy ground" in this instance. To me, the reason the sandals were put on the bedraggled son who was returning to his father's house was to show that this prodigal son was not to be treated as a slave or a servant (who normally went barefoot in those days). He was being reinstated to the position he enjoyed before he left home in the first place. And my guess is that this reinstatement is a major reason why the "good son" was so jealous of his brother. He didn't think it was fair!

Thus, I see these incidences as both showing respect, though in different contexts. Moses showed respect to the Lord by removing his sandals when he learned he was on holy ground. The prodigal son regained respect (and his self-respect) when he was clothed in fine garments and jewels, and was given sandals to wear by his father.

Ms Dawn Crutchfield Visits St. Elizabeth's Church ~ by Ronnie Archer

Dawn Crutchfield, Director of the Office of Black Catholics, reminded us that St. Elizabeth's was one of the first Catholic Churches that she visited when she became the Director of the Office. She told of how warm and welcoming our parish is.

She explained that her role in this position can be compared to a PR person, going around promoting the "best that we are as persons".

Dawn spoke of her experience being somewhere and the radio station, KISS was there, "promoting the station." They were inviting people to "register" and then they would be given an "Ambassador Card". With this card came the benefit of being an "Ambassador for the radio station". This promotion gave her the idea of having people "register" to receive an Ambassador Card for the Office of Black Catholics.

With this card, we would be representing WHO we are as Catholics... a representative of GOD in Jesus Christ; and also WHO we are as Black Catholics, by being a welcoming presence, and when necessary, bringing all who have fallen away from our faith "back to the fold". This could be youth, or anyone who has followed an attraction to a totally different denomination.

She invited all to the next Commission meeting, which will be at St. Bridget's on September 9, 2007; and to the Annual Retreat, which this year will be held in Roanoke, on November 3, 2007.

Being Black is NOT a "requirement" to being a part of this.

Weekly "After Mass" Schedule of Activities

Last Sunday, Fr. Andrew described the post-Mass activities that will be begin soon at St. E's. Here is the present schedule:

1. First Sundays ~ Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass.

2. Second Sundays ~ Birthdays will be celebrated in the church hall for all those who have birthdays during that month.

3. Third Sundays ~ Voice of the People ~ Pastor and parish/finance council members will be available directly after Mass to answer any questions that parishioners may have or address any concerns. Don't miss this opportunity to let the leadership of the parish know what is on your mind. Our goal is always the good of our parish; so it is important to understand that not all suggestions will be implemented.

4. Fourth Sundays ~ Christian Formation ~ This month Fr. Andrew will speak about Benediction: its history and usage.

BENEDICTION (Adoration and Blessing With the Sacred Host) ~ by Ethel Cooley

This liturgical action is a devotion to the Sacred Host outside the Eucharist. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance (a receptacle in which the consecrated Host, in a pyx, is held and displayed) outside the Eucharistic Celebration.

Historically,around the 15th Century, this devotion spread rapidly and became a custom, in order to look upon the Sacred Host apart from the Eucharistic Celebration. It has always been considered that the adoration is laudable but it doesn't replace the Grace we receive in the Eucharistic Celebration. Hence the Adoration to the Eucharist is reserved after the Eucharistic Celebration.

The following are the widely practiced procedures for Benediction:

1. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in an appropriate Altar. The Priest, Deacon, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or someone deputed by the Bishop may act as a Minister to expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance.



2. After the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in an appropriate Altar, incense, prayers, songs, meditations, prayers of the faithful, scripture passages are usually done, according to the timeframe. The Minister incenses the exposed Blessed Sacrament.



3. After a period of Adoration, the whole congregation kneels and recites the Eucharistic Hymn, which is usually Tantum Ergo. (The last two stanzas of the Pange Lingua.)



4. Benediction. The ordained minister puts on the humeral veil. With this veil covering his hands, he grasps the monstrance, makes the Sign of the Cross over the people, during which a small bell would be rung.



5. After the Benediction/Blessing, all recite together the Divine Praises, during which the minister reposes the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.



6. There can be a concluding hymn at the closure.

The benefits of Benediction are numerous and speaks volumes. It is factual, that in France at Our Lady of Lourdes, most of the miracles take place during the candlelit Benediction. Also the individual lives of the Saints were enriched by the Adoration. Teresa of the Child Jesus said, "One hour with the Lord, would be the precious moment in anyone's lives." Because it is there that we know him and he knows us.

St. Anthony of Padua had a profound experience in and through Adoration. Teresa of Avila spent most of her time in blessed Adoration and she knew all that was going on around the world, as Jesus used to communicate to her during the Adoration. Of late, Mother Theresa used to spend at least one hour before the Blessed Sacrament before she took any steps.

Note: Frances Pope asked Fr. Andrew to elaborate on Benediction. Fr. Andrew requested me to write an article to the blog to attempt to explain the meaning and nature of Benediction.

St. E's Website Has Music Now!

If you haven't had an opportunity to check out the parish website recently, you will be surprised to find several new additions. You can now easily find the daily Scripture readings by clicking on the link in the left sidebar. I have placed a link to Saints of the Day there also. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find a link to the St. Elizabeth's Gospel Choir that will take you to the choir page.

And last, but not least, at the bottom of the page, you will find a music bar. Doubleclick on the start button and you will hear a lovely piano rendition of one of our favorite choir songs. It will not play continuously. If you want to hear it again, just doubleclick the start button once more.

As I have time, I will be adding other pages. The menu bar on the left shows you what I hope to add to the site. Let me know if you have suggestions for our St. E's website.

Enjoy!