February 2009 Birthdays ~ by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!





02/01 ~ Anne Holton Kaine

02/02 ~ Lauren Cotman & Genelle Frizzelle

02/03 ~ Elizabeth Ruffin

02/04 ~ Jennie T. Green

02/06 ~ Cathy Woodson

02/07 ~ Eva Mae Chiles

02/09 ~ Thomas Smith

02/10 ~ Amy Elizabeth Williford

02/11 ~ Sr. Cora Marie Billings

02/15 ~ Kenneth Williams

02/17 ~ Alexandra Williams

02/23 ~ Katrinia Murray

02/25 ~ Tyronna Jones

02/26 ~ Gov. Tim Kaine



~ Everybody lives for something better to come ~
Anonymous

Our New Mission Statement!

We, the members of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Highland Park in the City of Richmond, embrace our ethnic and cultural diversity and are called to grow in our relationship with God and one another through formation at all levels.

With our Christian goal of social justice, we will continue to work towards unity and diversity in support of all our ministries, to evangelize and to be good stewards of our resources.


~ January 2009 ~

Time is Running Out! ~ by Ronnie Archer & Mary Ann Allen

We have heard these words for so long and we hear them so often. We hear them again today and we might tend to take them for granted.

Today's readings indicate that time is running out. The Kingdom is at hand and we are told to repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The first reading today replaces the first reading designated for this Sunday in Ordinary Time because we are celebrating the conversion of St. Paul. This reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us the remarkable story of St. Paul's encounter with the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus; and what occurred afterwards to this man who had spent so much time and energy hunting down Christians and putting them into prison. It was a life-changing experience.

In the second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that "the time is running out, and that the world, as they know it, is passing away."

Paul means that their behavior should reflect the fact that all of their earthly "gifts" come from God, and distractions, whatever they are, should not be allowed to consume their lives.

God is our creator. He is a God of love. Therefore, our supreme devotion, attention and love for Him should be foremost - above all else.

In this world, there are so many desires OF the world... Love, marriage, family, possessions... Then there are the distractions in our daily lives that sometimes bring us sorrow; that we need to evaluate our priorities.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus, in passing by the Sea of Galilee, seeing the two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew fishing, called to them to come after Him. Later, while walking, He saw James and his brother, John. He invited them all to "come follow Him and He would make them fishers of men." They left everything, trusting in Jesus and followed Him.

Are we willing to leave our everyday lives and follow Jesus?

Others should be able to see the joy of Jesus Christ in us daily; in the way we behave, speak and give witness to God working in our everyday lives. Then we will be "fishers of people."

Time IS running out. We must evaluate everything in our own lives, repent and be about the work of God.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Parish History and Mission Statement

M.A. Allen read us the history of the parish from its beginning to the present date.

The land was donated by Fritz Sitterding and the cornerstone put in place in 1925. The church was designed by William Rhodes, a parishioner at that time. The St. Elizabeth window was donated by Joseph Heye. On Christmas Day 1925, the first Mass was celebrated in the church by our first pastor, Rev. Louis A. Rowen.

For more on the history of the parish, see the St. Elizabeth website here and click on Parish History.

Barbara Vaughan told us about the joint Pastoral Council/Finance/Committee Retreat that was held the weekend of January 10-11, 2009 at the old St. Francis/St. Emma Academy in Powhatan.

The main goal was to evaluate the parish and to prepare a new Mission Statement for the parish. They did a wonderful job and copies of the statement were passed out to parishioners and it was read together.

Tree Lighting at the Capitol and the Sing Out For Freedom Concert

On Friday, December 6, 2008, the St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir took part in the annual State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony. Tim Kaine and Anne Holton had invited us to sing Christmas Carols for the annual event.

Afterwards, we gathered in the Executive Mansion for hot cider and cookies and a photograph with Anne and Tim in front of the Mansion Christmas Tree. A number of our St. Elizabeth's parishioners were among the guests who toured the Mansion after the tree lighting ceremony. We were indeed honored to be able to add our voices to the festivities this year.




SING OUT FOR FREEDOM
PRAY FOR PEACE!

This annual Interfaith Choir Concert took place on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Congregation Beth Ahabah in Richmond. The concert is sponsored by Living the Dream and Beth Ahabah.

As the brochure notes, it is "A concert of consolation and joy dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11 and in its aftermath and in commemoration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

We have been part of this concert event most of the past 8 years of its existence and it is one of our favorite concerts; one we look forward to every year.

We saw several of our parishioners in attendance; which we are always grateful for as a show of support for our efforts.

Excellence in Leadership 2009 ~ Strong Men & Women

Our own Sr. Cora has received another well-deserved honor. This one is an excellence in leadership award from Dominion Resources.

In the words of Tom Farrell, Chairman, President & CEO of Dominion: "...For the past 19 years, we have honored the accomplishments of selected African-American role models and turned their life stories into curriculum sets that are distributed through schools and libraries during Black History Month. The Strong Men & Women materials provide our youth with inspiring examples of real people who have converted obstacles into opportunities and achieved leadership status in their chosen fields."

Congratulations! Sr. Cora, we are so proud of you! Thank you for your faithful ministry to us here at St. Elizabeth's.


~ Painting by Gary Thomas and Tom Farrell's quote are taken from Dominion's beautiful folder ~

Come and You Will See!

Are you listening?

When one lives in earthly society, the only way to discover ones role is to ask questions. Why? What? When? How? We are so used to asking questions, that we sometimes forget to listen.

There is a different approach when we live in God's Kingdom. How does one learn what God wants of us and how do we obey God's call? The first reading from the Book of Samuel gives us an example of how to listen for God's call.

We learn that the youth Samuel several times hears his name called even though he is fast asleep. Thinking that the call is from Eli, he immediately gets up to see what Eli wants. Even then, he was being obedient to a call. After this scenario is repeated several times, Eli realizes that the Lord Himself is calling Samuel. So Eli instructs Samuel what to say the next time he hears his name called.

God, of course, is persistent and again He calls Samuel's name. This time, Samuel responds: "Speak, for your servant is listening." By that response, Samuel accepted God's direction in his life and thus became God's voice to the people.

There is another call given in today's Gospel. Two of John the Baptist's disciples have listened to John call Jesus, the Lamb of God. Out of curiosity, they leave the Baptist and follow along behind Jesus, wondering where Jesus was staying. "Come and you will see" was Jesus' invitation to them.

We learn also, that one of those disciples is Andrew who couldn't keep the news of this invitation and his belief in Jesus as the Messiah, to himself. He brought his brother Simon to Jesus, who immediately claims him as His own by giving Simon a new name. "You will be called Cephas (Peter)."

In the same manner, we are claimed by God through our Baptism. We are given our name and are now called sons and daughters of God and heirs to the Kingdom. No longer do we belong to ourselves. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, says Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians. We have been purchased at the price of the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son.

If we are listening for God's Word to us, we now recognize that we need to extend that same invitation to others to become members of God's family and to experience Christ in their lives. Come and you will see...


~ Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

We Are Baptized Into God's Family ~ by Ronnie Archer

We hear very often in our homilies about the humility of Jesus. In today's Gospel reading of Mark 1:7-8, John the Baptist displayed a great attitude of humility in proclaiming: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Jesus displayed ultimate humility by being baptized, because He was sinless. Jesus submitted to baptism and purified the waters to bear our sins and to cleanse us with His blood.

Isaiah 55:7-8 tells us to "seek the Lord while He may be found." In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls us all to repentance. Whether we've done wrong or not, we should be completely submissive to God as Jesus was in His baptism.

At the baptism of Jesus, the heavens were opened for the first time since the fall of Adam and Eve. When God spoke, He acknowledged Jesus as Son. Since then, through our own baptism, God speaks of us as sons and daughters too. Before this, God had always used a term like "friends" when speaking to His people.

This baptism of Jesus, by John the Baptist, was the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. This is when He left home to preach the word of His Father to all people.

Remember that we too, are not only sons and daughters of our parents, but when baptized, we are also brought into the family of God.

It is important to understand the presence of God in our lives, and to understand the role of baptism in our own life. We can become saintly by repenting and by complete submission to Him.


~ The Baptism of the Lord ~

Students make mark on state education! ~ Times-Dispatch Article

Congratulations to Kiyoko Timmons who has been chosen to serve on the Virginia Department of Education's Student Advisory Committee. She is the only representative from the Richmond area. There is a nice article about Kiyoko in Sunday's (January 11, 2009) Richmond Times-Dispatch located here:

Students make mark on state education

Your parish family at St. Elizabeth's is so very proud of you!

January Birthdays at St. E's

Happy Birthday Everyone!





01/01 ~ Tracey Lamb

01/04 ~ Nat Kaine

01/05 ~ Alberto Moore

01/06 ~ Sharon Morton & Patrice Schwermer

01/10 ~ Almetia Strother

01/11 ~ LaVerne Braxton

01/13 ~ Rosalie Robinson

01/16 ~ Mary Alice Hill

01/20 ~ Charice Jones

01/30 ~ Mildred Greene

Do We Recognize The King...How Do We React? ~ by Ronnie Archer

The Epiphany of the Lord... This part of the Christmas Season is most important for us. It reminds us of how different responses to the Christchild are.

In the first reading, from Isaiah, Jerusalem is told that "thick clouds of darkness covers the people of the earth," but that "upon you the light of the Lord shines." Greater things will come: "nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance."

The second reading of Ephesians conveys the same message of the promise in Christ Jesus for all people.

In the Gospel of Matthew today, we again hear the wonderful story of the Magi. The Magi saw His star and they diligently went searching for the newborn King to worship Him; but when King Herod heard about Him, he was troubled. All he felt was hatred. Herod was evil and could not welcome Him because he felt that his reign was threatened. All he wanted to do was destroy Him.

The three Magi recognized the Kingship of their future. They sought Him out and they adored, worshipped and gifted Him.

Where do we recognize ourselves and where do we stand? What type of gifts do we offer to God? Which type of response do we identify with?

What is your gift to God? The number one gift we can offer back to God is our friendship to Him. The second best gift to Him is to extend that friendship to others, and third would be to offer our hearts to God. He deserves to get back what belongs to Him. Are we indifferent to the Christchild by ignoring the plight of others in our midst and living in our own contentment?

Today we recognize that God sent His Son, Jesus, for people all over the world. His desire is for all of us to share in eternal life.

We should diligently search for Jesus, and worship Him by opening our hearts to each other and allow Jesus to be revealed through us to others. What we give to God is always doubled back to us.

When we meet Christ, we will be changed. We will not go back in the same direction from where we came.


~ Feast of the Epiphany ~