November Birthdays at St. E's ~ by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday Everybody!







11/01/10 - Frederick Archer, Laverne Braxton and Courtney Jones

11/02/10 - Althea Williams

11/03/10 - Mary Tucker

11/04/10 - Karen Carter Brown

11/08/10 - Thomas Williams

11/11/10 - Keeya Majors and Kaestner McDonnough

11/12/10 - Norma Antomattei

11/21/10 - Ronald Timmons, Jr. and Stacy Wright

11/22/10 - Phillip Alexis

11/25/10 - Christina Lindsey Davis

11/29/10 - Kevin Teachey


~ Clipart by Webweaver

What's his problem? ~ by M.A. Allen

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Ps. 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 (7a)
2 Timothy 4:7-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Our Gospel reading from Luke was the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the Publican or tax collector. We generally find ourselves looking down on the Pharisees that Jesus encountered as people who were hypocrites of the worst sort because of the way they practiced their religion and how they treated the common people.

In reality, the Pharisees were looked up to by the people. They were leaders in the temple and synagogues and followed the Mosaic laws to the letter. On the other hand, the publicans were despised by the Jews because as tax collectors, they were known to cheat the people in their dealings with them.

We know from the Gospel reading, that God was pleased by the way the tax collector prayed. The man realized he was not worthy and he asked God to be merciful to him.

But the Pharisee had a problem. Even though he had done all the right things, this Pharisee wasn't content with all the good things he had done. His prayer was ruined because he began to compare himself to the tax collector. The Pharisee tried to make himself look better and even more worthy in God's eyes.

That was a big mistake! Whenever we try to compare ourselves to others so as to make ourselves look better than everybody else, our prayer becomes nothing but an exercise in pride and arrogance.

We can please God most in prayer, by using the example of the tax collector. We give thanks to God for all the gifts He has given to us. We humbly ask for His mercy and recognize we can do nothing without Him.


~ Image by Hermano Leon Clipart

St. Elizabeth's gives an Ordination Gift

We received a thank you note from Mrs. Margaret Anyu, whose son was recently ordained in Africa. Mrs. Anyu had asked Fr. Andrew if we could assist her son with a gift of a Mass Kit for his ordination earlier this year. As you can see, her son, Fr. Pontianus Tardzenyuy, has received his gift and sends his greetings and thanks for this special gift.

~ Photos courtesy of Mrs. Margaret Anyu

Pray without Ceasing ~ by Ronnie Archer

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 17:8-13
Ps. 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2
Luke 18:1-8

Our theme for today is prayer and persistence. If we pray continuously and we feel that nothing is happening, that God is not listening to us... THAT is when we have to be persistent. God hears our prayers, but He alone, knows how and when to answer us.

In the Exodus reading we hear how Moses had the "upper hand" in the battle, as long as he could keep his hands up and on the staff of God. BUT he became weary, and he couldn't do it alone; he had to have help from Aaron and Hur to support his arms on each side. But the persistence paid off, the battle was won.

In the second reading, Paul tells Timothy to remain faithful by constantly turning to scripture. He knew WHAT he had learned and from WHOM he had learned it. Timothy was told to be persistent whether convenient or not; to convince, reprimand, and encourage through all patience and teaching.

In the Gospel from Luke 18, we hear the parable of the persistent widow, who was trying to be assured of justice for her "case". She decided to pester the dishonest judge... and she got what she knew she deserved; so HER persistence also paid off.

The judge was a dishonest judge, and he did not care about God; nor did he care about the widow, but because she kept PESTERING him, he decided to grant her, her wish.

Justice means to render a decision from facts, in fairness and righteousness; not because of feelings from persuasion, but that is exactly what the judge did... only because he was tired of the woman's annoying persistence.

God's justice isn't like that... humility, faith and persistence in prayer is what God wants of us... because of His LOVE FOR us. The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to him day and night?" (Luke 18:7)

God wants humility, trust and perseverance in all qualities of prayer. God will not ALWAYS intervene immediately. He answers His faithful in HIS OWN time, we cannot make a judgement on OUR OWN terms. He knows better than we do. We have to leave things in His hands.

Pray with courage, strength, perseverance and patience... for... "With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter: v 8)

St. Elizabeth's Men's Day Celebration 2010

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 5: 14-17
Ps. 98: 1. 2-3, 3-4 (26)
2 Timothy 2: 8-13
Luke 17: 11-19

On Sunday, October 10th, St. Elizabeth's celebrated our annual Men's Day. Each year, the Men's Group invites a guest homilist to celebrate with us. This year, Deacon Calvin Bailey from the Basilica in Norfolk gave a wonderful spirit-filled homily for our appreciative congregation.

A new tradition also came into being at St. E's this day as four men of the Church were honored as pillars of our parish community. Those so honored were James Thompson, Sam Walker, Burton Robinson and Roscoe Moon. James and Sam are long time members of our gospel choir. Burton and Roscoe have been active in parish ministry for many years as ushers and Men's Group members.

- - - - - - - - -

In our Gospel reading today, we can see Jesus teaching us what it means to be grateful. Jesus was moved with compassion at the plight of the lepers. We know that lepers were ostracized members of the community. They were considered unclean. They were not even allowed to worship with their people. Nine of them were members of the chosen people of God. The tenth was a Samaritan: a man who was in the wrong place at the right time, as Deacon Bailey reminded us.

Jesus did not make a big spectacle of curing these lepers. He simply told them to show themselves to the priest. They were on their way to the city when they realized that they had been cured. Can't you just imagine the joy that must have been theirs as they rushed to the temple to show themselves to the priest?

But one of them remembered who had cured him. And that one returned and "fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him." (Luke 17:16) He was the Samaritan, a man who was the foreigner among the ten.

"Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17:17)

Sometimes we find ourselves being the "other nine"... How often do we take our blessings for granted; not remembering that we have a responsibility to thank God for all the blessings we receive every day. We forget that God is in the midst of everything that happens to us.

Thus, following the example of that Samaritan, let us be the ones to fall at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving for all he has done for us.

A Day at the Spa Fundraiser ~ by Melvon McMillan

Time: 9 A.M. - 12 Noon

Enjoy soothing water aerobics, chair massage by our certified massage therapist, zumba, work out in our fitness center and relax with a healthy snack while listening to our guest speaker.

Sponsored by: St. Elizabeth's Women's Group

Location: North Richmond YMCA at 4207 Brook Rd.

Donation: $25.00

Wear leisure clothing, bring a towel and swimwear.


See you there!


Sign up now!!!




~ Contact Melvon McMillan for more information.

God's Free Gift ~ by Josephine Fernando

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Hab. 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Ps. 95: 1-2. 6-7. 8-9
2 Tm 1: 6=8, 13-14
Lk 17: 5-10

Today's Gospel focuses on faith. Faith is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned or merited. When we experience trials, we hope that we will come out of it triumphantly, because of our faith in Christ Jesus. We hope that situations will get better, because of our faith.

We live by the three cardinal virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. Though we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb, salvation is an ongoing process, in hearing and obeying God's Word. The Ten Commandments have been condensed into two commandments: You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second one is: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt. 22: 37-39)

It is when we love Christ, that we can love our fellow beings and share our resources and talents with them. God is Love. In the Old Testament, (Gen. 14: 20) Abram gave one tenth of everything to God. Jesus loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor.9:7). The first Christians shared their riches with those in need. We cannot beat Christ in His manifold blessings and gifts that He bestows on us. So let us be generous in answering our Bishop's Appeal of 2010.

The definition of Faith, as it appears in the Letter to the Hebrews (11:1), is that faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Our trials bring us closer to the Lord. They develop in us an urge to trust the Lord, to have a childlike faith in Him. The Lord asks us to have faith as the size of a mustard seed that grows into a large tree.

Christianity is based on one's faith in Christ Jesus. We have not seen the Lord, but yet we believe that He is our Lord and Savior and Master. He rejoices in our Faith. Faith can move mountains. We need to believe and trust that our Lord is in full control of the situation and therefore, we need to pursue and move on. There is no problem so big that Christ cannot solve it. Amen.

October Birthdays at St. E's ~ by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday Everybody!






10/01/10 ~ Heather Rapp

10/02/10 ~ Barbara Vaughan and Stanley White

10/03/10 ~ Gertrude Allen and Jackie McDonnough

10/05/10 ~ Deshawn Murray

10/11/10 ~ Barbara White and Irene Whitlock

10/15/10 ~ Roscoe Moon

10/19/10 ~ Sabiya Davis

10/21/10 ~ Cassandra Bland

10/22/10 ~ Stephonia Owolabi and Mary Thompson Walker

10/31/10 ~ Vivian Sullivan