Photos From Our Easter Vigil 2008 ~ Taken by Ken Soistman

~ The Easter Proclamation is Sung ~















~ Our Beautifully Decorated Sanctuary ~















~ Vivian Proclaims the Creation Reading ~















~ Shelton Proclaiming the Epistle ~

~ The Sprinkling Rite ~



~ This Is My Body ~

A Visit From Bishop DiLorenzo

"Why didn't they tell us, so we could be prepared?" was Bishop DiLorenzo's theme today, as he met with parishioners in the church hall after Mass. He came to discuss where we are as a parish in the greater scheme of diocesan planning for the future and to answer our questions about the future of St. Elizabeth's.

The Bishop spoke about how our diocese has changed from having a predominantly Caucasian population to a multicultural and diverse one with a huge increase of Filipino, Korean, African American, Vietnamese, Hispanic and other ethnic Catholic minorities.

Each of these groups have their own styles of worship and devotions, creating a rich tapestry of Catholic life in the Diocese of Richmond. Some of these groups want their own churches; others desire to be integrated within a larger church community but being able to retain their cultural identities within that larger community.

These immense changes within our diocese have also been felt in the diocesan offices with the creation of new entities such as the Hispanic Apostolate and the Asian Ministries that join the Office for Black Catholics as the major minority outreach programs of the diocese.

There is a new effort planned to bridge the gap to reach those young people between the ages of 17 and 30; many of whom lack any religious affiliation at all. This age group is the future of our church so we need to find ways to encourage these young people to return and participate.

There are also plans already underway for the training of lay people for Master degrees and certificates in areas such as parish administration. The fact of only 8 priests being available for 12 parishes in the City of Richmond is a harsh reality that all of us have to face. This calls for creative and collaborative leadership with the sharing of resources and ministries.

The future of St. Elizabeth's is still uncertain, though it appears from the surveys we filled out in the past, that the majority of our parish members hope to be paired with St. Paul Catholic Church because of its proximity to us.

What we do know is that we are already the faith filled and welcoming community that the Bishop desires all the parishes strive to become. We are an integrated community that works well with other Catholic churches; as well as, with the larger Christian community in Highland Park. We have several people who have been trained in various ministries such as Liturgy, Christian Formation and Social Ministry.

We realize that we need programs that will keep our young people interested in the church. They are our future and the only way we will be able to maintain a Catholic presence in Highland Park.

And finally, it was brought to the attention of the Bishop that we were happy with our priest and want him to remain with us.


~ photograph by Mildred Green ~

Let's Welcome Bishop DiLorenzo to St. Elizabeth's This Sunday!

We invite all St. E's parishioners to be in attendance this Sunday, March 30th, to welcome our Bishop as he celebrates Mass with us at 8:30 a.m. Bishop DiLorenzo is continuing to implement the document, "We Walk By Faith" in our diocese.

Perhaps, you recall the surveys we were asked to fill out a year or so ago, regarding our parish community in the areas of Word, Worship, Community and Service. The purpose of Bishop's visit is to share the results of those surveys with us.

All of us are invited to join the Bishop after Mass downstairs in the church hall. A light meal will be served and the results of the survey will be discussed. Don't miss this important meeting with our Bishop.

HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! ~ by Ronnie Archer

The Great Easter Vigil began as usual, with the Service of Light. The congregation processed outside to the back of the church, where the Blessing of the New Fire and the Preparation and Blessing of the Paschal Candle took place. All were given a twig and grains of incense that were "thrown" into the fire, symbolizing the "burning away" of our old nature and the dedication of ourselves as "living sacrifices" to our God.

The procession came back into the darkened church; individual candles were lit from the Paschal Candle, and the Easter Proclamation was sung beautifully, again by Diane Neylan. Candles were extinguished, and the readings were profoundly proclaimed by Vivian Sullivan, Cathy Woodson and Meghan Barbato.

The Gloria was sung with bells ringing; the Epistle and Gospel were proclaimed; the homily given.

This is the night when Christ destroyed death and gave new meaning to humankind. God created humankind last, at the end of creation. His intention was for us to be first in His Kingdom, occupying the highest position. He loved us humans above all else, giving us dominion over everything. Therefore, He created humankind in His image, giving us the gifts to love, to think, to choose; desiring us to be of service to each other.

God loved His human creation so much that He came as His own Son to live among us; to show us the pathway to everlasting life. He allowed His Son to be persecuted, tortured and killed as a Living Sacrifice for our sins; and He elevated Jesus on the third day to confirm that He had indeed really died so that The Father would be glorified, giving humankind a chance for eternal life. No one else has ever given us an example of that, only Jesus Christ.

We have to have the desire to meet Christ, and have the faith to remain strong enough to meet Him. We have to destroy our old natures and put on Christ. If we are too willing to keep our old nature, then we will be destroyed. We can only see the light through Jesus Christ.

Life is worth living because we can have eternal life with Jesus. May God bless us all, so that we can be witnesses for Him.

After the homily, the Litany of the Saints was led by our Cantor, Diane; and our Baptismal vows were renewed. Led by the choir, the congregation sang, "Wade in the Water," accompanied by Scott Stell on the piano, while being sprinkled with Baptismal Water. Following the General Intercessions, the Liturgy of the Eucharist took place. "Jesus Is Here Right Now" was sung during the distribution of Holy Communion; following prayer afterwards, the Mass ended with the recessional hymn, "He is Risen!"...ALLELUIA!

After Mass, the congregation gathered in the church hall for fellowship and a nice dinner, prepared by members of the parish and served by some of the ladies of our parish.


Easter Sunday 2008

~ Public domain image from Clipartpal
~ Art by William Hole

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion ~ by Cathy Woodson

Each year at the end of our Lenten journey, we come together for another opportunity to participate in the Paschal Triduum of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord. We gather walking in the spirit of Jesus, the one who called all to another way of being.

The readings on Good Friday bring each of us to a silent reflection not only of the death of Christ, but of our own 'commending our spirits to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.' We hear the words of Isaiah, foretelling of a servant for all humankind; one who had "no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him."

The words of Isaiah describe a person who blends in with the community, the ordinary person of Jesus living among the society. Not one who would stand out and be noticed because of physical characteristics, but because of his love of the Father, his teachings and the life he lived while on earth. People were able to see, others to ponder him and those who followed him. There is nothing magical about faith. We are believers and because we believe in the life, love and teaching of Christ, we embrace the love and tenderness of Christ.

On Good Friday, we don't come just to relive the memory; but together in community, we profess our love and desire to be Christ to one another, to see the Cross and to know that we too are required to be the cross to family, friends, and to all God's people. It is easy to declare our love for Christ internally; but it is our willingness and efforts to continue striving to be Christ to others that we seek support and help from our faith community. We need one another just as the disciples and other followers needed one another as they watched Jesus' words come to life and as they lived and experienced death on the cross.

We bring our failures and humanness to seek forgiveness, feel sorrow, and to embrace the cross because it brings our salvation. We do this so that we look forward to the next step in this journey, new life in Christ. A new life that calls us to truth, justice and love ~ requiring us to love, walk humbly, and be Christ to all. In our new life, we speak truth to the power of the love of Christ and we take the next step in our journey.


~ Art by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902) at Catholic-Resources

Holy Thursday Footwashing Ceremony ~ by Mary Ann Allen

On Holy Thursday, in a very moving ceremony, Fr. Andrew washed the feet of our newest group of Apostles during The Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. This year's parishioners represented six persons who have been members of St. Elizabeth Church the longest and six persons who have most recently joined our parish community.

Afterwards, each person was given a gift bag containing hot cross buns, a crucifix with stand and a certificate naming which apostle they would represent. No one knew whose name they would be given. It was all spontaneous so that all of us would be surprised.

Here is the list of the Twelve Apostles for 2008-2009...

St. Andrew ~ Roland Smith
St. John ~ Ken Soistman
St. Peter ~ Mary Ann Allen
St. Jude ~ Katie Stell
St. James the Lesser ~ Jennie Green
St. Thomas ~ Patrice Schwermer
St. Bartholomew ~ Meghan Barbato
St. James the Greater ~ Mary Threadgill
St. Matthew ~ Sharon Morton
St. Simon the Zealot ~ Elizabeth Ruffin
St. Matthias ~ Mary Baker
St. Philip ~ Frances Pope


This was the first time I had ever participated in this ceremony and believe me, I was really hesitant at first because I would rather be one who serves the community than to be served. But I got over it and I am very grateful that I did. It was terribly moving for all of us to be in this place, on this special night, to reenact that evening long ago when Jesus, the Suffering Servant, showed us how to serve others by washing his disciples feet.


~ Photographs by Mildred Green ~

Called To Be Seated at God's Table ~ by Katie Stell

On this Holy Thursday, we are reminded that each one of us is important in God's eyes. Today, we are called to focus on the destination we hope and pray for, which is to join with God our Father in the Eternal Banquet.

The journey begins here in our earthly lives. Each of us individually receive Communion, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, to remember that one day we will be in the Kingdom of Heaven. But the journey is not complete here.

We question the meaning of the Eternal Banquet and today, we are called to understand the other half of the foundation, the other half of the journey: our Community. God is calling us to be seated at His table. To accomplish this, we must open our hearts to His teachings. He teaches us to live our earthly lives always in His example; for God is also part of a Community, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... the Holy Trinity.

Each of us is here for a reason. We have been called; we have been chosen for this Family, this Community. We will not walk this journey to the Divine Table alone, by ourselves. Rather, we must walk together. We need each other. We need the support of our Community to reach our destination. We each must do our part to work for this Community. Each person must carry his or her Cross. We must pray for the sins of ourselves; to pray for the weaknesses of ourselves. We must also pray for the sins and weaknesses of the others in our Community.

We were reminded that Judas is alive in every community and that each of us is to be tested, targeted. We may feel safe within the walls of our Church, but we must go out into the world. We must recognize the threat of Satan in our everyday lives and pray diligently for our own protection and the protection of our Community.

Know that you have been chosen in this place, at this moment, to be a member of this Family. Carry your Cross. Call on your Community for strength and prayer. Open your heart to them. Walk with each other on this journey and together we will be united in Heaven.

What we have learned this Holy Thursday is that we each will be tempted; but if we pray for strength and are strong for our chosen Family, forgive and seek forgiveness, love and be loved and to remember to pray for the protection of our priest who is our Spiritual Guide and Shepherd, we will all be united at the Divine Table, the Eternal Banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.


~ Image from Turn Back To God

Palm Sunday: Who Would You Choose? ~ by Phyllis Booth

Palm Sunday's Readings begin with the glorious procession of Jesus and the disciples into Jerusalem. The scene is one of joy, happiness and thankfulness; the Kingdom of the Lord has arrived and we'll become a joyful and happy people. The crowd sang Hosanna to the Son of David and lined the road with their cloaks and branches. The city was amazed and wondered who is this! They were told, "Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet!" The crowd welcomed Jesus into the city.

The First Reading by Isaiah recalls the harsh treatment the humble savior will receive as he comes to teach obedience, humility and justice to the children of God. Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians tells us of the love Jesus has for the world. He came knowing that he'll take the form of a human; his appearance will be human and he'll serve as a slave; being an obedient disciple of God until his death on a cross.

The Passion was well read and proclaimed. Matthew's Gospel relates the story from the point where the feast of the Passover begins. Jesus and the 12 disciples are in Jerusalem. The Chief Priest and Judas Iscariot have planned his capture. Jesus follows the journey already predicted for him. He reminds the disciples to have great faith because the coming events will bring sorrow to all who believe in him.

When Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest and questioned, he remained silent rather than argue about accusations he was accused of saying or teaching. Upon being ordered to tell if he was the living Christ, Jesus' reply was "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Caiaphas accused Jesus of blasphemy and urged the crowd to give their opinion. Jesus is sent to Pilate. Pilate cannot find any wrongdoing in the accusations presented and asked the crowd to choose Jesus or Barabbas to be set free. The crowd chooses Barabbas.

In choosing Barabbas, the crowd finally learns the truth about Jesus of Nazareth. All that the prophets before Jesus told of the Messiah came true on the hill of Calvary. He even rose from the tomb three days later. Barabbas, the revolutionary was free. Would he continue to follow his former life or become one of Jesus' disciples? Barabbas had tried to bring freedom to the people earlier. The freedom Jesus offered was release from the oppression of the unfair laws, taxes and customs of discrimination. His teachings provided a way for all to share a life of abundance of the earth's produce and products; to love one another; to provide for the widow and the poor and to receive God's grace and eternal life.

Two thousand years later, we are still struggling to believe and find the peace Jesus promised. The faith Jesus asked his apostles to have is hard to master in this technological world. The world gives instant gratification and we're happy for a time, while everlasting life seems an illusion.


~ Image from Hermano Leon Clipart

Holy Week Schedule of Services ~ Ethel Cooley

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE


Palm Sunday, March 16th ~ Mass at 8:30 a.m.

No Mass on Wednesday, March 19th

Holy Thursday, March 20th ~ Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, March 21st ~ Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday, March 22nd ~ The Great Vigil of Easter at 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday, March 23rd ~ Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. E's Stations of the Cross #5 ~ Led by Joyce Coy

First Station: Jesus is Condemned

As God's own people, we have Christ as our head. He delivered himself up for our sins. In accepting a cruel death, He won for us the right to eternal bliss with God our Father.


Second Station: Jesus Takes His Cross

As the redeemed of the Lord, we are called to walk in the footsteps of the humble, cross bearing Christ. Each of us has his daily cross to bear to be worthy to share our Saviour's glory.


Third Station: The First Fall

The only safe way to the promised land is the way of the cross. As pilgrims here, we retrace the same path Christ trod for our salvation. Through trial and affliction, we go forward with eyes fixed on our heavenly goal.


Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother

The Mother of Jesus cares for all the redeemed who still journey on this earth. Her spiritual maternity will last until all the elect are safe in the heavenly fatherland. She helps us on the sorrowful way to keep our gaze focused on our true home.


Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Help Jesus

Love of God and of neighbor marks the true disciple of Christ. When God was a very close neighbor, Simon of Cyrene hesitated. He had to be compelled to help our Redeemer carry His cross.


Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face

As God's chosen ones, we are to show mercy and compassion in our dealings with others. It is our mission to comfort the sorrowing, to put new heart into the disheartened, and to raise the spirits of those we meet.


Seventh Station: Jesus Falls Again

As God's own people, we continue our search for a future and abiding city. The road is long and rugged, not always easy to follow. When we fall, we must rise again like our Saviour on the way to Calvary.


Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women

The theater of our earthly pilgrimage is sometimes a valley of tears. The daughters of Jerusalem weeping for our Saviour were reminded, as we are now, that they had reason to weep for themselves and their children.


Ninth Station: The Third Fall

Our Cross-Bearer stumbled a third time in the dust, yet won a name which is above all names. But the hour of shame had to precede His hour of glory. So must it be for all of us, the people He has redeemed.


Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Clothing

We purify and renew ourselves that the vision of Christ may shine more brightly in the church and the world. So we strip ourselves of deed of darkness; we cast off all hindrances to our growth in the new life of Christ.


Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

They crucified Him, mocked His dignity and deprived Him of physical freedom. Thus He acquired for us our heritage, the dignity and freedom of the sons of God.


Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

He was holy, innocent, undefiled. He knew nothing of sin, but came to blot out the sins of the world. He proved His love by laying down His life for us.


Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

At the end of our earthly journey, we, like our blessed Redeemer, are taken down from the cross of this life. United with Him in the likeness of His death, we shall be so in the likeness of His resurrection also.


Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

In God's plan, each of us becomes acquainted with suffering until finally death closes our eyes. But the grave will not hold us captives forever. In God's hour we shall rise, nevermore to die.


Closing Prayer:

God, our heavenly Father, we raise our minds and hearts to You in praise and thanksgiving. Though weak and sinful, we wish to follow Your only Son, our Lord Jesus, on the way of the cross. May your Holy Spirit help us use our Saviour's strength effectively in our place in life.

We ask the special aid of our blessed Lady, ever Virgin and Mother, in following Christ and in making His way of the cross our way of life. Amen.


~ Taken from The Catholic Devotional, Vance E. Lichty, Editor ~

~ The Crucifixion by Tintoretto,1565 from Free Christ Images

Ending Our Lenten Journey With the Sermon on the Mount

Dear Friends,

We will soon reach the end of our Lenten journey. Our theme this Lent has been "Lord, renew and transform your people." To help you to experience this renewal and transformation, we ask that you read and meditate on Chapters 5, 6 and 7 of the Gospel of Matthew. These chapters comprise the Sermon on the Mount. Chapter 5 contains the Beatitudes.

Something in those three chapters is certain to speak to you as you continue your desert journey. It might be something you wish to attain in your spiritual life; or it may be something you wish to offer to God as your gift of renewal or resurrection. All will be precious in the sight of our God.

The word or phrase or thought you select is what you want to write on a small piece of paper. On Good Friday, when you come up to venerate the Cross, there will be a basket or bowl near the altar or the cross where you can place that piece of paper.

We hope that you will be present at as many of our Holy Week services as possible. We gather together not only as a Parish Family; but also, as God's Family.

May the graces of Holy Week be yours...

Your Liturgy Committee


~ Sermon of the Beatitudes by James J. J. Tissot
~ Image by Free Christ Images

If You Believe, You Will See the Glory of God ~ by Ronnie Archer

The theme of today's reading is resurrection and eternal life.

In the first reading of Ezekiel, the people were walking in exile and could not see the hand of God. God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, by telling the people, "God will open your graves and have you rise from them," offering hope to them that they would return to their own homeland.

The reading from Romans tells us that there is no pleasing God if we are in the flesh; BUT if Christ is in us, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit within is alive. If the Spirit of God who raised Jesus dwells within us, then He will give life to our mortal bodies.

In John's Gospel, we hear that Lazarus, whom Jesus dearly loved, fell ill and his sisters sending word to inform Jesus. When Jesus heard this He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, rather, it is for God's glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified."

Jesus did not go to Bethany immediately, but waited until after three days had passed, because the Jewish belief was that the spirit remained in the body for three days after death. Jesus wanted to be sure that no question would be raised about the reality of Lazarus' death; then Lazarus' resurrection would be more believable to them.

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, He directed them to "remove the stone," but Martha, Lazarus' sister, said: "It's been four days now, there would be a stench"... to which Jesus replied: "Did I not assure you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God displayed?" They took away the stone and Jesus looked up and thanked the Father for hearing Him. He knew that God always heard Him, but He had to do this for the sake of the crowd that had gathered, so that they would believe that God sent Him.

Jesus called Lazarus out and he came out with hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus commanded them to "untie him and let him be free." Then many of those who came to console Martha and Mary, seeing what He did, came to believe in Him.

Jesus wants the opportunity to give God glory. We have to be open to whatever God wants to do in our lives, even though we might not understand it. When God breathes, He gives new life. To be with Christ means to be in His Spirit. His Spirit is love, forgiveness, humility, compassion and service.

Gathering together is a gift of God. Every time we assemble to worship God, we make use of this gift, because one more soul goes to heaven. Every gathering can bring God's goodness.

Jesus wants us to believe that He is the Messiah and believing in Him brings eternal life.

Let us pray for every one's salvation, making use of the gift. Take action and God will bless this. Risen life begins when we believe in the risen Lord; not when we die.


~ Fifth Sunday of Lent ~

Reflections on the Stations of the Cross #4 ~ by Lula Lamb

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Die

Jesus stood before Pilate as an innocent man. He did nothing that deserved capital punishment, or the abuse he was given. He was wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. But he has said "yes" to God and placed his life in God's hands to destroy the power of sin and death.

Now that he is condemned to death, let us ask for God's grace to be with him and to accompany him on his journey to more fully understand it and be more fully grateful for its gift.


The Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross

Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will die. It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! Each step he took cut deeply into his already battered shoulders.

I couldn't believe he could manage even a few steps. With each step, he enters more deeply into our human experience. As we imagine each step he takes, pause now to say "thank you" in our own words, deep in our hearts.


The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

The weight is unbearable. Jesus falls under it. He lies on the ground and knows the experience of weakness beneath unfair burdens. He feels the powerlessness of wondering if he will ever be able to continue. This was already too much. He is pulled up and made to continue.

Let us remember how he loves us and that this is all about his mercy and the gift of life we have in him.


The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother

Jesus' path takes him to a powerful source of his strength to continue. All his life, his mother had taught him the meaning of the words, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord." Now, they look into each other's eyes. How pained he must be to see her tears! Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his mission and stirs his heart to its depth. Love and trust in God bind them together.

He has tasted the separation and loss that every person in the world knows who has lost a loved one. And he has understood the heart of every loving mother who grieves at the suffering of her children. He has become so completely one with us.


The Fifth Station: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

I am so relieved that he is getting help even though my heart went out to Simon for being drawn into the journey. Jesus even experiences our struggle to receive help. Depending on others - not being able to make it alone.

He is made to experience the poverty of not being able to carry his burden alone and receive the satisfaction of being able to do this on his own.


The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Jesus' journey at times is brutal. He has been whipped and beaten. His face shows the signs of his unity with all who have ever suffered injustice and evil, abusive treatment. He meets a compassionate, loving woman who pushes past the Roman soldiers and wipes the vulgar spit and mocking blood from his face. He smiles and continues on the journey. On her veil, she discovers the image of his face - his gift to us to consider forever.

We give thanks for this unity with us in every aspect of our lives.


The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. My heart sinks as he seems to just lose control. I can feel the jarring pain through my whole body. In deep exhaustion, he stares at the earth beneath him. "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return."

He has seen death before. Now he can feel the profound weakness of disability and disease and aging itself, there on his knees under the weight of his cross. I hope that we know we can always turn to Jesus for understanding and comfort.


The Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

The women of Jerusalem and their children came out to comfort and thank him. They are not there to condemn him. They had seen his compassion and welcomed his words of healing and freedom. They try to comfort him.

He had broken all kinds of social and religious rules to connect with them. Now they are here to support him. He feels their grief. He suffers, knowing he can't remain to help them more in this life.


The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

This last fall is devastating. Jesus can barely proceed to the end. Summoning all his remaining strength and supported by his inner trust in God, Jesus collapses under the weight of the cross.

Jesus had lost so much blood, he looked dead. His executioners look at him as a broken man, pathetic yet paying a price he deserves. They help him up so he can make it up the hill of crucifixion. Jesus finds himself in unity with all who fall in any way.


The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes

Part of the indignity is to be crucified naked. The soldiers simply had to strip him of any dignity he had left. The wounds on his back are torn open again.

He experiences the ultimate vulnerability of the defenseless. No shield or security protects him. As they stare at him, his eyes turn to heaven. His incarnation is almost complete.


The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Huge nails are hammered through his hands and feet to fix him on the cross, sending spasms through his whole body. How can he stand it? He is bleeding much more seriously now.

As the cross is lifted up, the weight of his life hangs on those nails. Every time he struggles to pull himself up to breathe, his ability to cling to life slips away, so that we might be free.


The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

With great courage and compassion, Jesus still speaks of mercy and love. Between two criminals, a mocking title above his head, with only Mary and John and Mary Magdalene to support him, Jesus surrenders his last breath: "Into your hands I commend my spirit" and died.

To watch life leave the body of someone you love is unforgettable.


The Thirteenth Station: Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross

The nails are removed and that horrible crown of thorns is removed from his head. Jesus is made as presentable as possible, his hair is pulled back and his face is wiped clean before being handed over to his mother. What a tender moment!

Jesus' lifeless body lies in his mother's arms. He has truly died. The ultimate sacrifice, complete.


The Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

No mother should ever have to bury a child; but the body of Jesus is taken to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the death.

Such emptiness is felt. We are drained of all emotions. In a few days, in this final act of surrender, who would have imagined this tomb will be empty and a sign of Jesus' surrender to the forces of sin and death for us all. Let us understand that he had to suffer and die so as to enter into his glory, for us.


~ Image by Hermano Leon Clipart

The Hague International Model United Nations ~ by Micole Jordan

Micole Jordan, one of our St. Elizabeth's teenage parishioners, was a delegate to the International Model United Nations held at The Hague, Netherlands last month. She gave this report to her parish family of her adventures in Europe. We are so proud of her!
_____________________________________

Good morning everyone,

I wanted to take this time this morning and tell you a little about my trip to Europe. I went for a conference called The Hague International Model United Nations. It was a 5-day simulation of the United Nations. We merged resolutions, which are written plans of action, and debated each resolution that was passed by the chair. There were 17 people in my group that came from all the schools in Henrico County. There were also three teachers that went with us. Five of us, including me, represented the Human Rights Watch at the conference. The twelve remaining people represented the Syrian Arab Republic. Each delegation at the conference was given a county or non-governmental organization, like Human Rights Watch, to represent. We each were in charge of knowing the issues of a particular committee. For example, I was in the Human Rights Committee and I had issues like land degradation, the dissemination of racist and xenophobic materials, and including rights to the Human Rights Charter.

The conference was located in the capital of the Netherlands, The Hague or Den Hagg. We stayed in a hotel not far from the World Forum, where the conference took place. We took the tram everywhere we went; it is such an efficient system. In the Netherlands, we visited the cities of Amsterdam and Delft. The teachers had several things planned for us to do, so we always left the hotel early to go to the conference and then stayed out until 10 or 11, visiting museums or going to souvenir shops.

I loved the museums we went to: the Van Gogh, the Anne Frank House and Rembrandt. You get a new appreciation for art seeing it up close; and the Anne Frank House was so eye opening. The "leg-breaking" stairs she had to go up every day made me feel like I was transported to that time. Some of our group came out crying, because it was so moving.

We went to Germany next. The teachers stayed in a hotel while the students stayed with German host families. It was weird thinking I was going to be staying with a complete stranger, but Miriam, my host, was so nice, I loved staying with her. Her parents didn't speak much English so I had to repeat a few things, but it was ok. The second day we were in Germany, there was a Carnival. It's similar to Mardi Gras, except they pass out candy and occasionally, offer you beer. It was fun, just very long. We were standing outside for over three hours, but there were a lot of floats and music and people in costumes. We went to Strasbourg, France the third day in Germany. There was the Strasbourg Cathedral, a huge beautiful church that we toured.

Paris was our next stop. We traveled by train and it took about 2 hours. Paris, France has some of the greatest architecture in the world, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triumphe. Our hotel was across the street from the Arc de Triumphe. We went to the Notre Dame Cathedral the first day there, and that night the Catholic people in the group and I went inside the church to receive the ashes for Ash Wednesday. It was a nice service, all in French, but I could somewhat follow along. We continued to the Eiffel Tower after the service and went all the way to the top. It was so pretty looking down at the whole city of Paris.

My favorite part of France was going to the Louvre. It's a huge museum that has artifacts, paintings and art from all around the world. The famous Mona Lisa lives there, as well as Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, etc.

The last day, we went to another church called the Sacred Heart. We had to climb mountains of stairs to get to the top, but it's worth it. The church was like a tourist spot though, because of all the people sitting on the stairs. But it has the best view of the landscape that we have seen in Paris. We watched the sunset with the Eiffel Tower placed perfectly in the background. Overall, the trip was a great learning experience. It taught me about so many other cultures from the Dutch to the German to the French; even to the many people I met at the conference from all around the world.

Seeing with Eyes of Faith ~ by Lula Lamb

In today's readings, we are taught about seeing and faith. We tend to judge others based on exterior qualities, but God looks into the hearts of every person and knows their real identity. We are also taught how we must trust in the light of Christ and make time for God when he visits.

When we heard the story of the anointing of David as king in the first reading, we are somewhat confused. David was not the child his parents wanted; he was not the strongest nor the smartest nor the richest. To them, he was just a farm boy (servant) working in the fields.

Children did not work in the fields; they oversaw the servants working in the fields. His parents really didn't give him a second thought. He didn't exist. They had to think twice when asked if they had any other children when God rejected his other brothers. We must always be prepared to accept the unexpected. God is the God of the poor and he specifically chose the youngest son.

In the Gospel, it is the man who was blind from birth who is able to "see." Instead of rejoicing over the cure of a man born blind, the religious leaders are filled with hostility and stubborn refusal to accept that something good had been done. Instead of praising God for such an amazing thing, the religious leaders started questioning everything so they could find the sin that had to be there. Jesus has broken the law about the Sabbath (as they interpret it), so they know that he must be a sinner and threw the man born blind out of the temple. But Jesus doesn't reject anyone. Jesus looked for him, revealed his identity and finished the job of giving him spiritual sight.

Jesus disapproved of the religious leaders for assuming to know and see. Their attitude caused them to be blind and prevented them from entering the temple of God; as it is only the perfect ones that can enter the temple. The religious leaders were unable to "see" the power of God at work in Jesus. Aren't there times when we can look right at something and not see it because we don't believe it's there?

We need to make time for Jesus. Humble ourselves and confess our blindness. Don't let the Devil keep you away. We must make time to give back, for Jesus will never reject you. By confessing your blindness, your eyes will be opened so that you see Him, the Son of Man and enter into the temple of everlasting life.


~ Fourth Sunday of Lent ~

~ Graphic by Hermano Leon Clipart