What is it about St. E's, anyhow?

Ronnie and I were having an email conversation today, about parish members who inspire us and help show us, by their example, how to live truly Christian lives. Just think about it. I bet any of us could pick out persons in our parish who have had an impact on our lives in just this way. Surprisingly, some of the people making the list aren't necessarily the ones who are in leadership roles either. What about that person next to you. Even though they may have trouble in their own lives (and who of us doesn't), because we are a parish family, they would be there for you.

I know for certain, that if I didn't have my sons to help me with something I couldn't handle myself, there are several people in our parish I could ask for help who would be there in a minute to do what needed to be done. That's the kind of trust and care that my parish inspires.

It appears that we tend to look out for each other, doesn't it. I have no doubt that this is probably how our parish has stayed together in spite of all the powers and events that have tried to close us down. Each person also has several others they look to for help and guidance. There are a lot of cross connections among us and thus, we are bound together and the parish remains whole.

It would be foolish not to acknowledge that sometimes some of us are at cross purposes with each other. Maybe there are personality conflicts and jealousies among us too. But in spite of them, what binds us all together are our love for THIS parish, our strong sense of family, and a powerful desire to keep OUR parish alive.

Parishioners with September Birthdays ~ Ethel Cooley

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVERYONE!


09/01 ~ Kariin Timmons

09/02 ~ Gloria Johnson

09/04 ~ Astrid Jones and Thelma Neal

09/06 ~ George Strother

09/08 ~ Shelton Jones and Henry Taylor

09/09 ~ Meghan Riemer and Terence Smith

09/10 ~ Erica Green

09/16 ~ Martha Thompson

09/17 ~ Venus Glover

09/18 ~ Veronica Archer, Isaiah Goodwyn, Fr. Andrew Sagayam

09/23 ~ Maria Barrow

09/24 ~ Marla Strother


"A person can't stumble when he's on his knees."
Author Unknown

Through the Narrow Gate ~ by Barbara Vaughan

The Gospel reading from Luke 13:22-30 offers us food for thought. Jesus is asked the question: "Will only a few be saved?" What is even more thought provoking is Jesus' reply, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate." In the first reading, God promises to give His people a sign. In the second reading, Paul cites, discipline is the path to salvation.

Life for John the Baptist was one of preaching repentance to everyone, reminding the people that the Kingdom of God was at hand. While Jesus was on this earth, he lived a normal life. He wore no outward signs of repentance. He preached repentance of the heart.

Christ teaches us that we must keep our hearts engaged always with God. Find a desert place, where there is quiet and listen for an invitation from God. God judges us internally. He knows what is in our hearts. In the quiet place, the door is opened and we must accept the invitation to come in. It is our responsibility to walk into salvation. If we refuse on earth, we will be refused in Heaven.

Living the life of Christ is a very surprising life. Jesus was so diverse in his preaching that it is difficult at times to see and hear what is in the message. But God promised to give His people a sign; and that sign is the sign of the Cross.

God collects those whom He loves. Be alert, keep your heart prepared and keep life simple. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. We are all God's children and He wants all of us to be saved. Remember to discipline your children. Discipline develops strength. Only the strong will enter the narrow gate. Whatever we do on this earth will reflect in Heaven.

As we celebrate the Eucharist around the table, know that today, we eat and drink in God's company.

O Lord, Come to My Aid ~ by Vince Neylan

The prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy cistern as punishment for preaching a return to God. Fortunately, one who had heard him speak was so moved that he interceded on Jeremiah’s behalf and persuaded the king to reverse his decision. Jeremiah was saved. This was certainly part of God’s plan for Jeremiah…a test, if you will.

Do we know God’s plan for each of us? Do we follow our calling? We do know that God never abandons us. He always hears our prayers. We know that God will never abandon us because through Jesus Christ we are promised the Holy Spirit.

On that first Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, the Holy Spirit came to us in the form of tongues of fire. Fire can bring warmth and light, but it can also create division between those who have different viewpoints than our own. The symbol of fire is also present at Baptism, when we receive a lighted candle symbolizing cleansing and purification--making us worthy to be called followers of Christ.

Let us strive to keep the Baptismal and Pentecostal fire burning brightly within our hearts. As we examine our own hearts, let us share the fire in our hearts—God’s love—with others.

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary ~ by Ronnie Archer

Today, we reflect on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the "taking up to heaven," body and soul. Mary is seen as fully sharing in the mystery of Christ's resurrection; a definitive statement of her complete redemption.

Mary was a simple and ordinary girl, like most other girls of her time. She did not travel the world; nor did she hold a "title" of any sort. Her humility and her simplicity were the reasons that God visited her and chose her to be the source of His Son's incarnation.

As soon as Mary received the message from the Angel, she went to serve her cousin, Elizabeth. Mary was the first Apostle for Jesus Christ, because she believed and trusted in Him, that He would save all of humankind from death. She was the only person in the whole world, to walk with, to experience and to completely know Jesus Christ from conception, during his growing years, his ministry, passion, death, Resurrection and His Ascension where he is now seated at the right hand of GOD, the Father and He will come in glory. It is right to believe that. God has taken Mary into heaven as Christ promised... ALL who believe in HIM will be WITH HIM.

The Assumption holds a lot of meaning for us, as we share our life with Jesus through Baptism and the other Sacraments. We are called to hope that God will receive us into HIS Kingdom and grant us the same Beatific Vision.

Mary "sowed" herself to be an instrument in Salvation History; and she "reaped" to be the Mother of all who live in Christ. We should remember that what we sow, we shall also reap.

The Voice of the People

The voice of the people rang out loud and clear last evening as we spoke for our priest. Our voices were heard. Joy came in the morning...

Where Your Treasure Is... ~ by Ronnie Archer

"For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."

Again, this week, we hear what our priorities should be...

The Wisdom (18: 6-9) reading tells of the faith of the Israelites at the time of the Exodus. In the 2nd reading from Hebrews (11: 1-2, 8-12), we hear again how faithful Abraham was, and how he trusted and obeyed when God called him to another land; as was Sarah, in trusting, obeying and following God's call as well.

The Gospel of Luke (12: 32-48) emphasizes the Kingdom of God. The goal of all of humankind is the Kingdom of God, where there is no weeping and no suffering. The goal is achieved by changing ourselves. When we change ourselves, we change society. If there is no change, and no desire to change, there is no growth. Whatever God calls us to be; we should strive to be the best that we can be.

God wants us to not be afraid and to trust in Him. When God gives TO us; He expects something FROM us. He wants us to use what He is giving us to build His Kingdom and bring souls to salvation.

The human standard of judgement is external. Each time we receive the Eucharist, we should ask ourselves, do we ever catch God? God never looks externally. His standard of judgement is internal. God always looks at the heart.

We hear these readings repeatedly, so that we can stand firm. Our faith needs to be constantly strengthened and nourished. Seek and find the Kingdom of God in our midst. The moment Christ came to earth, the Kingdom was here.

We must be alert and prepared at our MASTER'S coming!

Tenth National Black Catholic Congress ~ by Phyllis Booth

Reflections on the Tenth National Black Catholic Congress held July 12-15, 2007 in Buffalo, NY at the Buffalo Convention Center.

I am proud to have been one of twenty-four representatives of the Diocese of Richmond, VA. As a member of the Black Catholic Commission of our Diocese, I selected Spirituality as my focus from the Eight Principles of the National Organization.

Since the theme was "Christ is With Us: Celebrating the Gifts of the Sacraments," I wondered how the presenters would relate such a broad theme to Spirituality. The first general session "Celebrating the Gifts of Baptism" answered my concerns. Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holly of Washington reminded the audience that Baptism makes us children of God. We become members of a holy family with God as the head. Our earthly parents love, teach, guide and lead us on our journey to believe God's "word" to be wholly true.

Noah Lett, presenter for "A Eucharist Which Is Christ: His Physical Presence for Our Every Circumstance" used John 2:1-12, The Wedding at Cana, as the Sacrament of Marriage. During a joyful celebration a problem arises. The wine runs out.

Mr. Lett divides the story into two parts. The first half reflects life before celebration. We (members of the body of Christ) needed to see God in the flesh (the word is flesh). The second part shows God's Glory, through the action of Mary, the servants, water and jars. The visible signs or symbols were the people and the wine to taste. God gives us wine that doesn't run out through his Son each week. Our symbol is invisible, the spiritual presence of the Son, if we understand and believe the "word" that the Eucharist we partake changes into the body and blood of the Son and strengthens us.

The Spirituality Principle Workshop: "Stepping Deeper Into Black Catholic Spirituality" lead by Dr. Joyce F. Gillie and the members of the Spirituality Leadership Commission used the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and the Eucharist to help participants to recognize God's Gifts.

The RCIA program illustrated the joys catechumens received during the process and the parish members renewed their journey through welcoming, supporting, bonding and praying with and for the candidates. The symbols used in Baptism and Confirmation (white cloth symbolizing Christian dignity, hope and joy; the candle symbolizing Christ; the flame, illumination; name of saint) help to empower our belief system to follow the sacraments. The oil symbolizes anointing and cleansing of the mind, ears and mouth.

Confirmation shows soul growth and maturity. The catechumen accepts his/her responsibility of faith; receives the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the twelve fruits.

The Eucharist is thanksgiving with Christ and other believers. The Eucharist changes or transforms us through the spiritual food mentally and spiritually as we reach the rite of passage - mature believers.

In Colossians 3:10, "Put on the new self..." Read and then ask yourself "Who Are You? What is Your Purpose?" Educate yourself and know the value of what you have. Spirituality is what you live out each day, living the experience of Catholic teaching. The power is in what you see; who you are.

Read Isaiah 43:19, "I do a new thing..." Become the new you and know that Christ is with us in the Sacraments.

The Congress, I believe, is one of the best presented by the National Black Catholic Congress. It's my hope during the next five years, many Catholics will become more aware of the mission of the NBCC and attend the eleventh congress in 2012.

Building a Bigger Barn ~ by Ronnie Archer

On this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we can clearly see a connection in all three of the readings. In the first reading, Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 2: 21-23, and the second reading, Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11, we hear how futile it is to place great importance on possessions of this world, while NOT making God our priority.

Luke's Gospel, 12: 13-21, gives us the parable of the rich man who intended to build larger barns in which to store his bountiful harvest... for himself.

The theme for the past few weeks has been the love of God and neighbor. The man in the parable committed the sin of omission. He wasn't serving God, nor was he concerned about anyone else. No matter how much we have, we are no more than a beggar if we are only receiving and not giving. If the gifts that are given to us are not shared with others, they are useless.

Because of an emptiness in us, as humans, we tend to be selfish, which causes us to forget others and satisfy ourselves. Only God can fill this emptiness. There is no complete happiness, no meaning in life, without GOD.

Voice of the People ~ July 29, 2007

St. E's town meeting for July focused primarily on the question of what to do about the rectory. The building is in major need of repair; but before any renovations can begin, decisions have to be made as to the future use of the building.

The following are some of the great suggestions made by parish members. Please Note: these are ONLY suggestions. No decisions have yet been made.

• Living quarters upstairs with meeting rooms downstairs. Renovate bathroom area and office.
• Create a Retreat area with a chapel in the rectory.
• Use rectory as rental space for weddings, receptions, luncheons, etc.
• Use house as a teen activities center.
• Rent the rectory and the office.
• Sell the rectory.
• Rectory could be turned into a group home for the homeless or for pregnant teens. Check into grant possibilities.

Other suggestions about the church and grounds:

• Network with United Methodist for office space in the proposed Multi-use Complex.
• Use Maintenance funds from Capital Renovation to paint outside of rectory, repair gutters, power wash, removal of tree, etc.
• Renovate the Church kitchen and repair bathrooms. Divide area into office and meeting space.

~ Compiled from town meeting minutes kept by Phyllis Booth ~