November Birthdays at St. E's ~ Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!





11/01 ~ Howard Braxton, Frederick Archer and Courtney Jones

11/02 ~ Althea Williams

11/03 ~ Mary Tucker

11/04 ~ Karen Carter

11/07 ~ Nicole Scott

11/08 ~ Thomas Williams

11/11 ~ Kaestner McDonnough

11/21 ~ Ronald Timmons and Stacy Wright

11/29 ~ Kevin Teachey


~ Everybody lives for something better to come.

Anonymous

"We Have A Responsibility For Each Other" ~ by Ronnie Archer

There are powerful words in today's readings. The words are not only calling us to reflect, but to be active in our compassion and concern for our neighbor.

In the Exodus reading, we are not only told about loving our neighbor as ourselves, but also what harm must NOT be done to alienate, offend or disrespect our neighbor.

The reading from Paul to the Thessalonians teaches us about being faithful in our love for God; and speaks of the importance of imitating Christ.

Matthew's gospel, chapter twenty-two, is very clear about the two greatest commandments, which are the foundation of all the others.

We humans tend to instinctively focus on, and look out for ourselves first, and others last. God desires us to be actively concerned for others.

We are each others' neighbors and we should be loving to all who are a part of our lives. Our first reading speaks of oppressing aliens and the poor in the land. We are called to be actively loving and accepting of all people.

God does not mean for us to just pray without action; we are called to put our prayer into action for our neighbor, for the love of God.

We need each other to get into heaven. Selfishness is a blind path to take; it will destroy not only us, but others as well.

Let's pray for the strength each day to be imitators of Christ; so to love others according to the way that God intended.


~ Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

Pictures of the St. Elizabeth's Parish Picnic by Ken Soistman

Ken Soistman provided the Blog with these fine pictures taken October 5, 2008 at the St. Elizabeth parish picnic.

Give to the Lord the Glory Due His Name ~ by M. A. Allen

An important theme runs through our readings today. It is a call for us to put away selfishness and instead, to give of ourselves in implementing our Christian vocation of building the Kingdom.

We are to follow the example of our God who, in the Isaiah reading, calls Cyrus His anointed one and gives him kingship for the sake of the Israelites. In Psalm 96, we praise our God as we "...give to the Lord the glory due His name."

St. Paul has already incorporated this sense of gratitude into his First Letter to the Thessalonians through the greeting he gives to these early Christians. "...grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you." Paul has his priorities where they belong by acknowledging that it is God who has given this gift of Faith to the Thessalonians through the work of Paul and his disciples.

As we turn to the Gospel reading, we see that the Pharisees measure fidelity to God by how strictly Jewish laws are kept. They set out to trick Jesus into saying something that will pit him either against Roman authority or against giving God what belongs to Him.

However, Jesus immediately recognizes the treachery in their question about whether it would be lawful, according to Jewish Law, to pay the census tax to Caesar. He calls them hypocrites! His response to their question is disarmingly simple: (Give) "to Caesar what belongs to Caesar; and to God what belongs to God."

In other words, repaying to Caesar means we are to build a better world and society. To God, we give our heart, our soul and our entire being in gratefulness for His gifts to us. For if you give; you will receive.


~ Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

More Pictures from the Van de Vyver Gathering ~ by Mary Walker

Our thanks to "Roving Reporter" Mary Walker, who has given us more pictures from the Van de Vyver Reunion Gathering that took place on August 24, 2008 at Holy Rosary Church.

~ Photos by Mary Walker ~

We've Come This Far By Faith ~ by Barbara Williford

The opening song, "We've Come This Far By Faith", sung by all men present as they processed into church, set the tone for the celebration of the 29th Annual Men's Day. With a nearly full church, a feeling of thankfulness, joy and anticipation filled the air.

In his homily, our priest explained that the feast talked about in the Isaiah reading was God's banquet and our reward. In St. Matthew's gospel, he said the food at the banquet represented LOVE; but the message focused on "being prepared" to accept God's invitation to attend the banquet. Those of us sitting in the pews wanted to attend and we came; but preparation means even more. Are we worthy? Do we take our Baptismal vows seriously? Do we witness for the Lord? Individually, we have to answer to God. As St. Paul said, only by living our lives centered on God will we find our reward. Then as we face daily trials we can say, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me".

The Men's Group chose that verse, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me" as their theme. After Communion, the speaker for reflections was introduced. Rev. Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor of the Thirty-First Street Baptist Church, announced that he was "home again"! Rev. Henderson described himself as a "Bapt-o-Catholic". As a young man, he was baptized at St. Elizabeth's in 1970 and confirmed at Cathedral parish. Our church's loss was the Baptists' gain as he received his master's degree from Virginia Union University School of Theology and doctor of ministry degree from Howard University School of Divinity. His strong ties to Highland Park, where he still lives, make him a neighbor. He is often seen running along 2nd Avenue as he does his daily exercise.

His personal message to the congregation began with a reading from 2 Maccabees 6:18. The story told of a scribe named Eleazar who died rather than eat pork or pretend to eat pork as his friends suggested. Eleazar died for what he believed. Rev. Henderson asked those present to "stand like a man". When the world confronts you with many problems; if God is on your side, you can "stand like a man". How do we do this? Sometimes it is not what we do but what we don't do! Using the "3 C's" of Commitment, Conviction and Courage, he went on to describe Eleazar as an elderly man, wise and well respected who preferred an honorable death to disobeying the law. His commitment led to his courage since he was convinced he chose the right path and did the righteous thing. Oftentimes we may lose friends by our choices as Eleazar's friends turned against him. Rev. Henderson went on to say that today, "we are missing men as role models for our young men and women." We need men who show what it means to be in a right relationship with the Lord. Again going back to Eleazar who said, "Even if, for a time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether, alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty." Being true to himself even though he died, Eleazar set an example for an entire nation. Rev. Henderson's final words uplifted all of those present when he said, "Depend on the Lord! A better day is coming and we have the 4th "C" in Christ who is with us. Amen."

In addition to his excellent reflections, Rev. Henderson was accompanied by members of the Thirty-first Street Baptist Male Choir who gifted our Eucharistic celebration with song. A scrumptious St. Elizabeth-style banquet/breakfast was served after Mass in the Church Hall along with cake to celebrate the members who have October birthdays. The Hall, decked out in dark purple, silver and white decorations added a beautiful touch to the morning. The 29th Men's Day was indeed a very special celebration.


~ Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

An Update: The Children of New Jerusalem Orphanage in Haiti

At our recent Haiti Committee meeting we received an update about how Pastor Kenold Chrispin and the children of the New Jerusalem Orphanage fared during the terrible storms that devastated Haiti. Patrice Schwermer has been in phone and email contact with Pastor Kenold and learned that the children were safe and that he had been able to offer shelter to some of his neighbors.

In a more recent email, we learned that Pastor Kenold has emergency needs for food and supplies for the children and their teachers. The committee discussed these needs and decided that we would send him funds from our Haiti Account. Fortunately, someone from the diocese will be leaving for Haiti this week and will take these funds directly to Pastor Kenold for the needs of the children.

The funds that we have sent are funds that YOU have so generously given in the three collections that have been taken and earmarked for our Haiti project. So YOU will have made it possible for Pastor Kenold to buy food and supplies for the children and their teachers. I know they will be very grateful for any help we are able to give them.

Members of the Haiti Committee also spoke about fundraising projects for the future. Some of the ideas include St. Elizabeth T-Shirts, bus trips, selling candy and "pennies from Heaven", which is collecting people's extra change. You will hear more about these projects as plans take shape. The Youth Group has also become involved and they have begun making greeting cards for the children.

As our parish becomes more involved in this project, you will be learning more about the children of the New Jerusalem Orphanage and how you can help make their lives easier.

What More Could A Friend Do? ~ by Phyllis Booth

Monsignor Barrett's homily on the readings was very insightful. The Isaiah reading about a friend and his vineyard revealed the life of the people of Judah in Jerusalem. The vineyard was planted in fertile soil and cared for by the friend. The harvest yielded only sour grapes. The harvest was destroyed due to the relationship between the friend and the vineyard. God is the friend and the people of Judah are the vineyard. The people wouldn't live up to the covenant made with God. What more could the friend do?

God calls us by name when we are baptized and He promises peace and eternal life through Jesus Christ. God's covenant is unbreakable and still stands today. The story read today at Mass is from one told by Isaiah thousands of years ago. The Kings and the Prophets served years ago as the conscience of the people. The prophets' messages weren't received by the people and they killed, murdered or assassinated the prophets.

What more could the friend (God) do? He sends His precious Son as the Good Shepherd to teach and serve as an example of what God expected of the vineyard. The Good Shepherd taught that everything comes from God; that God is merciful and just. The Good Shepherd's message was taught in two kinds of parables. The first is the Window parable (the Kingdom) and the second is the Mirror parable (insight into self). The listening audience of yesterday - and some today - heard and received the message but could not accept the message.

The questions asked in Matthew in Matthew 21:23 were, By what authority are you doing these things? And Who do you think you are? (paraphrased) These questions still seek answers today. The tenants in today's gospel reading killed the Prophetic Prophets first. When the friend sent other servants, they killed the Later Prophets; and when the Good Shepherd sent the disciples, they killed the Apostles.

Our challenge from the Isaiah and Matthew readings is to learn and receive the message in the reading and not reject the message and the messenger. We are on a mission to receive eternal life. We are the final harvest. We believe if we are loyal, caring, compassionate and stand up for justice and mercy for ourselves and our neighbors that God will receive us in the final harvest (Resurrection).


~ Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time ~