August Birthdays at St. E's ~ Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!






08/03 ~ Ashanti Williams

08/09 ~ Peter Thompson & Mieko Timmons

08/10 ~ Walker Bland

08/11 ~ Mary Dunn

08/12 ~ Nichelle Scott & Daphne Sylvester

08/20 ~ Paulette Wright

08/21 ~ Vincent Cotman

08/23 ~ Melvon McMillan

08/25 ~ Lyric Weston

08/26 ~ Tracey Hall


~ Love is just a small word with a huge meaning ~
~ Anonymous ~

What is the Kingdom of Heaven? ~ by Ronnie Archer

The readings today remind us of what we are looking for. What we dream is what we are looking for.

Appearing to Solomon in a dream, the Lord invites him to "ask HIM for something, and it would be granted." Because Solomon did not ask for wealth, or longevity for himself, but for wisdom and an understanding heart, so that he could best serve God's people, God gave him even more. He was given wisdom and understanding such as has never been equaled. Solomon had been blessed to help the people of his time. It pleases God when we humble ourselves and ask for His help to serve each other.

In the second reading of Romans, we hear that "ALL things work together for the good of those who love God." and "who are called according to His purpose." And "those He foreknew, He predestined; those He predestined, He also called; those called, also are justified and glorified." All things work together for good; not just nice, pleasant things, but all things. God is God alone and He IS in control of this world, so that for those that really love God, and are called according to His purpose, not ours, He makes the trials of our lives, as well, work for the good.

Today's Gospel of Matthew gives more parables about the Kingdom of God. We all have a desire to find the Kingdom, but have we given up "other" desires to obtain it. First, there is the person who finds the buried treasure in the field, and out of joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys the field. Then the parable about a merchant searching for fine pearls; he sells all he owns and buys it, and the third parable compares the kingdom to a net thrown into the sea, catching all kinds of fish, hauling it to shore and what is good being separated from what is bad.

Are we "buying and selling all we have" for the wrong reasons? Are we coming to church to meet Christ? If not, then we're coming for the wrong reasons. Do we understand all of these things? If we don't, then we cannot put it into practice. The Kingdom of heaven is right here on earth. If we don't achieve it here, we won't achieve it. By helping others, we find joy...that is the Kingdom of heaven!

All are called, justified and glorified.



~ Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

The St. Elizabeth Haitian Commission has been formed! ~ by Mary Ann Allen

Last Sunday, July 20th, Fr. Andrew introduced the newly formed Haitian Ministry Commission to the parish. He spoke about our special project that will be a twinning arrangement with an Orphanage and School for Deaf Children in Haiti. These students are learning American Sign Language as you can see from the picture above. There are approximately 21 students in the orphanage and they are from the ages of 7 to 14 years.

Jay Schwermer will be travelling to Haiti toward the end of this month and will visit the orphanage, meet the children and their guardians and teachers and then determine just what the role of our parish will be in assisting them. Jay will carry with him a small welcome package, a notebook with parish photos and a soccer ball signed by our parish members as an introduction to our parish.

One of the important steps for our committee and the church is to involve as many of our youth as possible in this project. There is even the possibility of an immersion tour into the Haitian culture for some of our young people to take part in. This has been tentatively planned for 2009.

There will be much more information about this project after Jay returns from his Haitian visit. In the meantime, here is a listing of committee members. If you don't see your name included and you wish to be a part of this wonderful project, please let a committee member know that you are interested.

HAITIAN MINISTRY COMMISSION

Micole Jordan & Mary Ann Allen, Co-Chairs

Mieko Timmons, Recorder

Jannie Allen

Mildred Green

Michelle Jordan

Jackie McDonnough

Melvon McMillan

Rosemary Overton

Patrice & Jay Schwermer

Katie & Scott Stell

Lucy Thompson

Kiyoko Timmons

Kariin Timmons

Mary & Sam Walker

Larry & Barbara Williford

God Waits Patiently for His People ~ by Lula Lamb

The Gospel story uses a parable that tells us much about the justice and mercy of God. The wheat are those who believe and understand how the Kingdom grows; the weeds are those who do not believe. So Jesus tells the parable of the weeds in the wheat field. The Sower (Jesus) allows both the wheat (those who work for God's Kingdom) and the weeds (those who work against God's Kingdom) to grow together until the harvest (the end of Time).

During the growing season, the slaves had been asleep and allowed the enemy's weeds to grow in with the wheat. When the slaves discovered what had happened, they wanted to jump right in and clean the mess up, but destroying the weeds before the end of the season might ruin the wheat as well.

God is unwilling to sacrifice the good in order to punish the wicked. God has the patience needed for every sinner to come back to the fold. Judgement belongs only to God. God truly is a just judge. He sees and knows all; and He judges us according to our deeds.

We must never sleep on the Scriptures, but always be awake and keep an open mind. Grace is what will save us. God is with us always and the Spirit within you will speak to God. The Spirit knows God so we should never lose the courage to read the Scriptures.

Never be too busy to prepare for Christ; otherwise, you might miss Him. One cannot be a car just by going in the garage; nor can one be a Christian by just going to church. We know weeds are present in our world, but the wheat is also growing and will prosper in the end. The grace of Christ will triumph over sin and evil. Remember, if you can make time for email; you can make time for the Scriptures!


~ Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~

A Surprise for Our Priest

Very quietly for the past two Sundays, parishioners have been passing around and signing a special commemorative card as a remembrance of the Sixth Anniversary of Fr. Andrew's Ordination to the Priesthood. Fr. Andrew was ordained at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Martalli, India on July 21, 2002.

Last Sunday this card, which will eventually be placed in a large frame, was presented to our unsuspecting priest! The card was already filled with numerous names, but still more parishioners lined up after Mass to place their signatures wherever space could be found. It was a moving tribute to our priest.

After Mass, everyone went downstairs to the church hall where two appropriately decorated Anniversary cakes and refreshments awaited our celebrating parish family.

See Love ~ by Cathy Woodson

Develop a Thirst for Justice and Peace

Truly care for all.

Challenge one another on issues of human rights, human dignity, and equality for all;

Celebrate differences and work for the good of all;

Respect all creation and believe in your abilities to use power for the good of everything;

Live harmoniously and responsibly with the earth; sharing resources and not hoarding for a few needs;

Develop a thirst for education and use knowledge to create good things;

Believe that everything created has a purpose; seek to use everything in a purposeful way.


April 2008
Written by: Cathy Woodson

"My Word Shall Not Return To Me Void" ~ by Ronnie Archer

All of God's creation is designed to work according to God's design. In our first reading of Isaiah, God says, "just as the rain and snow come down and they do not return until they have accomplished their task of watering the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the sower and bread to the one who eats, so shall the word that comes from His mouth... it shall not return void, but will do God's will for which it was sent."

In the second reading, Romans 8, we hear that the Israeli people at that time were suffering in the wild. They had lost the presence of God. God's word has power, but only when we receive it. Paul tells them that "the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the glory of God to be revealed for us."

In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear the parable of the sower and the seeds. The seed sown on the path hears the word with no understanding of it, and evil comes and takes away what was sown in the heart. The seed on rocky ground is one who hears the word, and receives it with joy, but has no root, so when trials and suffering come, he falls away. The seed among thorns is one that hears, but the cares and riches of the world choke the word, rendering it unfruitful. The seed on rich soil is the one who hears, understands it, fulfills it with the mind, heart and strength.

How do we receive the Gospel? Are we the seed that falls on bad ground, that prefers the easiest of life? Are we the seed that is really hard, like a rock, where the word cannot take root in us? Are we the seed that is worried, falling between the rocks? We all can identify ourselves in this parable. The seed in each situation is us. Which category do we fall in? Are we listening or merely hearing?

Every one of us has the gift of the holy Spirit, that we can proclaim God's word. We need to experience and live in the glory of God. We can do so when we receive the word in our life.

God waits because His word will be fulfilled in time. God's glory is beyond us and our suffering.

Let us love God with our mind, heart and strength. Cooperate with God as Mary did and say "Amen" so God's word takes flesh in us.

God bless us to receive the word in our life.


~ Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

The God of the Unexpected ~ by Mary Ann Allen

We gather each week, to be fed not only by the Body and Blood of Christ, but also to be enriched through the Word of God. Today's Word teaches us about humility and God's Kingdom.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." This is the invitation given to us by Jesus in today's Gospel to become members of His Kingdom. But what kind of kingdom is this?

For centuries, the people of Israel had built up in their minds, a vision of a mighty kingdom whose head would be a glorious King who would defeat their enemies and establish them as a powerful nation. Little did they realize that God had other plans. Instead of pomp and glory, this king would arrive in humility. God had planned the Kingdom not for the wise, but for those who would be as little children. God is truly a God of the unexpected.

Jesus uses Himself as an example of how we can further His Kingdom. He invites us to take up His yoke so that we can walk in the direction He wants us to go. Our path in this earthly life may be burdensome but with a humble and trusting heart, we can become the "little children" God's Kingdom was designed for.

By leading a humble life, we come to understand ourselves so that we can allow God to show us His way. The person who refuses to discover who they really are is like someone who sees a mountain ahead and doesn't know how to climb it. They don't realize that the mountain is their pride, which keeps them from giving up the pursuit of the things of this world.

The person who allows God to direct them is able to free themselves of worldly attachments. This emptying of themselves creates the dwelling place in their heart, mind and soul where Christ can live.


~ Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

July Birthdays at St. Elizabeth's ~ by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!






July 1 ~ Diane Neylan and Conrad Scott

July 3 ~ Nicholas Hall

July 6 ~ Kenneth Soistman

July 8 ~ Treshawn McCall

July 13 ~ Woodie Kaine

July 15 ~ Mary Ann Allen

July 19 ~ Shirley Hinton

July 20 ~ Mary Baker

July 20 ~ Roland Smith

July 26 ~ Lucy Thompson

July 27 ~ Keon Wilkins Green

July 31 ~ Tyshell Jones


~ "Love is just a small word with a huge meaning." Anonymous

Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles ~ by Ethel Cooley

This is a special day on the Church's calendar. The Church holds these two men in high honor. St. Peter, the Rock on which the Church is built and St. Paul, the Apostle to the Nations.

We were reminded that "our mission and our calling are from God." Peter and Paul were weak men. Peter was trained by Jesus; he walked on water; traveled to defend Jesus; but in the end, denied him. Paul, on the other hand, wasn't trained by Jesus and never met him, but Paul responded to the words of Jesus.

Seeing and hearing Jesus Christ strengthens us. We must be prepared to take the place of the Apostles. We must always be at God's service. We must not be afraid. If we become afraid, remember it is on the Apostles' Blood that we stand.

Which type of Christ are we following? The prophets Elijah and Jeremiah were two of the strongest, but they did not live to see that Jesus was God. We pray and ask God for what we want. But maybe we should ask God what HE wants! In the end, remember not to be afraid. Remember that Christ is the Lord.

~ Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

St. Elizabeth Youth Day Slide Show

You can find the St. Elizabeth Youth Day Slide show on the parish website at the following address:

http://stelizabethcc.org/

Please click on Parish Life on the left side menu bar. Many thanks to Ken Soistman who took the pictures and made them available to us.