Following the Way ~ by Phyllis Booth

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 6:1-7
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 (22)
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

The first reading depicts the disciples preaching the Word of God and the numbers accepting the Faith increasing greatly. The Hellenists complained about the daily distribution because their widows were being neglected. The twelve apostles met immediately and presented a plan that the community accepted. This plan saved the community because the twelve turned to the Advocate in prayer asking for guidance and wisdom. This same Advocate is with us today, hoping we'll remember that Jesus said that he was sending the Advocate to be with us and that we needed to seek him as we grow spiritually.

The second reading reminds us that we rejected the One God sent as a living stone to open the path to a spiritual life. Our rejection was redeemed by Peter when Jesus designated him to be the Rock. That Rock became the cornerstone of our faith. A cornerstone is the foundation of a building. The Rock Peter accepted became the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a firm foundation because the Faith preached twenty centuries ago still stands through persecution, religious storms and all the evils of society. The Catholic Church still exists. It exists because Jesus remains our Spiritual Cornerstone.

The Gospel reading from the 14th chapter of John depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd, preparing the apostles to accept His going to be with the Father. He says: "Do not let your hearts be troubled... I am going to prepare a place for you... I will come back again and take you to myself." These words sparked fear in the hearts of the apostles.

Fear of the unknown is one of our human conditions. The apostles had lived through the sadness of losing Jesus for three days and now the joy of having, loving and knowing Him was being upset. Jesus wanted to alleviate or heal their fear by telling them He was going away for a while. Fear is a great emotion and being human, the apostles' reaction showed they did not comprehend what Jesus meant or wanted.

Jesus wanted the apostles to believe in God and to believe in Him without questions... with blind faith. This blind faith is expected of us today. We haven't seen Jesus or God. Jesus said that those are great who believe and haven't seen Him... "Where I am going there are many mansions... I shall prepare a place for you..." Just trust in His words, the words of His Father. "I am the way and the truth and the life."

If we truly accept Jesus' words, we will not worry, be fearful, angry, sad or unhappy. Jesus' way of life is our destination. Jesus' words are truth, and Jesus is life, mercy and love. We are people of faith and we know where we are going. Our reward is eternal life with Jesus and His Father and the Holy Spirit.


~ Image by Ain Vares

I am the Gate...

Fourth Sunday of Easter

"Good Shepherd Sunday"

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
1 Peter 2, 20b-25
John 10:1-10

Not only is today "Good Shepherd Sunday," but this day is also dedicated to prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The readings fit this special theme perfectly.

Leadership is necessary to keep the community of believers united. As we look at the Gospel reading, we can see the roles that the shepherd must assume.

1. The shepherd must know his flock. Jesus knows us and all our needs.

2. The shepherd must feed and nourish his flock. Jesus taught, preached and provided us with the Sacraments for our journey.

3. The shepherd must protect his flock. The Church protects us from false teaching.

4. The shepherd must lead his flock. The Church has provided us with Bishops who lead the dioceses that are made up of various parishes whose members are the People of God.


Without a true shepherd, the sheep go astray and are at the mercy of thieves and robbers... And thus it is with us also. Without a shepherd and guardian of our souls, someone who has given His life for us, we would still be wandering aimlessly in sin and at the mercy of Satan.

But Jesus has told us that not only is He the shepherd that we follow, He is also the gate through which we must go in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We believe... for only Jesus' way is the right way.



~ The Good Shepherd by James Powell

2011 Mothers' Day Honorees at St. E's

This year, the Women's Group honored nine parishioners who had reached their Eightieth Birthday! Prior to announcing the honored guests, Sr. Cora Marie Billings gave a short talk describing the work that these women had done for the church during their years of service at St. Elizabeth's. After the women had been called forward, they were given corsages and gifts as the congregation applauded in thanking them for all they had contributed to St. Elizabeth by giving of themselves in so many various ways.

The women so honored:

1. Marguerite Branch
2. Mary Hill
3. Jannie Allen
4. Katherine Lamb
5. Phyllis Booth
6. Mary Tucker
7. Perzelia Dandridge
8. Elizabeth Ruffin
9. Gwen Woodruff


~ Clipart by Webweaver

Were not our hearts burning? - A Reflection

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Ps 16:1-2,5,7-11
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we are still experiencing the inexpressible joy over Jesus' victory over death. As Peter proclaimed to the Jews of Jerusalem, Jesus had been delivered up to be crucified and had been put to death by evil men, and yet..."God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it" (Acts 2:24) This was good news!

Our Risen Lord could not keep this joyous miracle a secret either, for we know from Scripture that Christ appeared to many of his followers at different times in order that they might believe he had truly risen and to instruct and prepare them for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They would then leave fear behind and begin their public ministry of proclaiming the Good News of the Resurrection.

Today's Gospel relates one of the appearances of the risen Christ. The disciples did not recognize Jesus as he travelled with them on the road to Emmaus. His resurrected body seemed different to them. Even as Jesus explained the Old Testament prophecies pertaining to the Messiah, their understanding of who was speaking to them remained clouded. It was only at the table after they arrived at their destination, were their eyes opened and "...he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." (Luke 24:35)

These beautiful words have deep meaning for us today, as we gather together for Mass to listen to the Word and to receive Our Lord's Body and Blood. We find him in Scripture and we recognize him in the breaking of the Bread, just as his disciples did so long ago.

We believe that the Blood of Jesus has saved us. Jesus has conquered death; so the fear that death is the end of everything and not the beginning, has been broken.

We realize that our life here on earth is only temporary; that we are actually on a journey that will take us back home... to the place where we will rest in God's Light forever.


~ Image from Hermano Leon

First Communion at St. Elizabeth's ~ May 1, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS!

to our First Communicants

May 1, 2011

DeShawn
Kelsey
Keon
Lyric
Vincent

~ Photos provided by Angela Cotman ~

The Easter Alleluia ~ by Ronnie Archer

Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday

Acts 2:42-47
Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
1 Pt 1:3-9
Jn 20:19-31

Alleluia/Halleluja - the word we use to express the praise and joy of the Easter season.

Some of the disciples were discouraged at Jesus' crucifixion. We know that that loving, sacrificial act changed the course of history over the past two thousand plus years.

All components of life are important, because they are a part of our human life experience. Some of us are frightened of death, but it is a part of life that we cannot escape.

Yes, the crucifixion happened, but then came Easter morning, and the Resurrection of Jesus....so Easter time is a time of joy, because it tells us that death can be conquered. That one act gave us the hope that we too can have eternal life.

Jesus appeared several times after the Resurrection, which increased the faith of His disciples. We must continue to pray for a strengthening of our own faith.

The fact that we, on this Sunday, celebrated the First Eucharist of five of our youngest parishioners is a testimony to our faith in our parish.

This first Sunday after Easter also is Divine Mercy Sunday, which was instituted by Pope John Paul II. We need God's mercy to be saved.

Jesus told His apostles, "Peace Be With You". When we try to do what is right in God's eyes, we can be at peace.

Even though we have to go through darkness at times, we have to have strong faith to be able to "come through."

Let us all pray for continued faith and the peace that only God can give us!



~ Images from Hermano Leon Clipart

May Birthdays at St. E's ~ Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everybody!

05-01-11 ~ Minnie W. Davis and Sabrina Thompson

05-04-11 ~ Samuel Walker

05-08-11 ~ Chansay and Kenise Ford, and Jerimah Henderson

05-09-11 ~ Betty Alexis

05-11-11 ~ Robert Fitzgerald, Sr. and Annella Kaine

05-17-11 ~ Ya-Sin Miller and Gwendolyn Woodruff

05-18-11 ~ Sr. Maureen Carroll and Tyler Jones

05-19-11 ~ Anitra Green and Jacqueline Hall

05-20-11 ~ Maeola Strother

05-23-11 ~ Danielle Smith

05-26-11 ~ Robert Fitzgerald, Jr.

05-29-11 ~ Timothy Lamb and Robert E. Shannon



~ Image from Webweaver