Who do you say I am? ~ by Josephine Fernando

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 22:19-23
Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
Rom 11:33-36
Mt 16:13-20

In today's gospel message, the focus is on St. Peter's affirmation of faith, "You are the Messiah." Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah, who left heaven and took the form of a human being to be one with us here on earth.

We are not children of God by chance. We are redeemed by the Blood of Christ. The Mass is the highest form of worship in Roman Catholicism. A representation of the one and only unique sacrifice offered at Calvary, which can equal no other sacrifice of the past, present or in the future to come.

Jesus shed His Blood at Calvary, out of love for the entire human race. Jesus was not an ordinary man. Some said that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. For some, Jesus was John the Baptist and for others, Elijah; and for still others, Jeremiah.

Jesus asks each one of us the same question: Who do you say that I am? It is a personal question that the Lord asks us and we all have our different answers. However, it is good to answer our Lord and to seek Him to the fullest.

Since the birth of Jesus, the course of history has been changed. This all did not happen as a chance event. Yes, indeed, Jesus did build His church on St. Peter, who was our first Pope. Right from St. Peter, we have our popes, the visible Vicar of Christ on Earth.



~ Painting by Pietro Perugino, Sistine Chapel (painting reversed)

JAZZ! A memorable festival at St. E's

Several local jazz groups made our St. E's Food and Jazz festival a memorable event! We want to thank them for their great music!


1. No Restriction

2. James (Saxmo) Gates

3. Glennroy Bailey & Co.

4. Russell Wilson

5. Carlton Ayles


The sound man and DJ - Mike Smith.


Our thanks to everyone who worked so hard to locate and enlist these groups to enhance our festival.


Photo by Ethel Cooley

2011 St. Elizabeth Jazz and Food Festival Winners

A good time was had by all! Especially by the winners of the Raffle! Here they are:


1st prize - $500 - Berretta Washington, Ticket # 0670

2nd prize - $250 - Cassandra Jones, Ticket # 0790

3rd prize - $100 - Cassandra Bland, Ticket # 1526


Other winners:

Tastefully Simple Door Prize Winner - Terrie Pendleton

"Most Raffle Tickets Sold" - Rosemary Overton

Bingo 50/50 Winner - Dorothy Williford


Photo by Ethel Cooley

Beyond the lost sheep of Israel ~ 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 56:1, 6-7
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (4)
Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Mt 15:21-28

It appears that wherever Jesus went, people were drawn to him. His teachings and the miracles that occurred as he ministered to the people caused even non-Jewish peoples to recognize that a prophet, a holy man had entered their lives.

And thus it was with the Canaanite woman in Matthew's Gospel who came to Jesus for help. Her daughter was being tormented by a demon. This foreigner had seen what marvels Jesus had accomplished and she had faith that he could release her daughter from the demon.

Strangely, we see Jesus being uncharacteristically unsympathetic to this troubled mother. He claimed he was sent "only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and that it was not right "to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." (Mt 15:21ff)

But the woman was persistent. She refused to become discouraged at Jesus' words and instead, she responded with courage to his remarks.

Her persistence paid off! "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." (Mt 15:28) ...and her daughter was healed.

What lesson does this incident that occurred during the public life of Jesus have for us today? For one thing, in order to be effective in our prayer life, we must first be reconciled to others and to conform to God's commands.

We must also have faith and turn to God when we have a need and then, to be persistent in our prayer, just as the Canaanite woman was. We cannot become discouraged if our prayers are not immediately answered. Our response comes in God's time, not ours.

We are assured by today's readings that Jesus came to bring salvation to everyone. His salvation goes beyond race or nation. ALL are included. As the psalmist says as he praises God: "So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation." (Ps 67:3)


~ Image: Christ and the Canaanite Woman by Germain-Jean Drouais
at Free Christ Images

Do Not Be Afraid ~ A Reflection on the Readings of the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a
Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
Rom 9:1-5
Mt 14:22-33

The theme of Matthew's Gospel this week is Faith. We find the disciples crossing the lake in the midst of heavy seas and they were frightened. Their boat was being tossed about by the waves and the wind. They became even more terrified when they saw Jesus coming toward them over the water. They believed they were seeing a ghost.

But Jesus reassured them by saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." (Mt 14:27)

Peter was counting on those words when he asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water toward Him. And for those brief moments, Peter did indeed walk on the water toward Jesus.

But something changed. Outside forces undermined Peter's faith. Instead of allowing his faith in Jesus' words guide and sustain him, Peter let fear enter the picture - fear of drowning in the tumultuous waters of the lake. "Lord, save me," he cried. (Mt 14:30) And Jesus reached out to him.

Isn't this so like ourselves? If we are overcome by doubt and fear in everything we do, we become paralyzed and are unable to accomplish anything.

Jesus calls us to keep our faith, hope, convictions and trust in Him. We can always count on the presence of Jesus during every crisis. When we are in need, He is always there for us, reaching out His hand to us and lifting us up. All we need is FAITH.


~ Image on living wide awake blog

Leadership Meeting with Bishop DiLorenzo, July 21, 2011 ~ from Minutes by Ethel Cooley

Fr. Francois, members of Parish Council, Finance Council and other parish leaders met with Bishop DiLorenzo on July 21, 2011 in our parish hall. We had as our guest, Mr. Enoch Pou, Jr. who represented Chestnut Commons, LLC and spoke to the development of the old St. Elizabeth School. The property has been purchased from 5th Street Baptist Church. The group proposes to gut and renovate the school into 18 apartments, mostly 1 bedroom apartments. The plan is to build 46 additional apartments on the property.

Rezoning has to be completed and then financing obtained. There was a question and answer period with Mr. Pou. He stated that the projected rent would be the market rate of between $600-$900 per month. Section 8 applications would not be denied but those applying would be expected to pay the market rate.


Bishop DiLorenzo inquired as to how the parish of St. Michael and St. Elizabeth were working together. He was informed of the assistance that the Knights of Columbus would be giving us for our annual Food and Jazz Festival. He also learned that parishioners of St. Michael's are assisting in the program at Overby-Sheppard School. The St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir has been invited to sing at an upcoming Mass at St. Michael's.

He considers the "health" of St. Elizabeth to be strong and our parish is considered a "home" parish for our people.




~ The information in this article was taken from the minutes of the meeting with the Bishop, as written by Ethel Cooley, Office Assistant, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

~Photos by Ethel Cooley

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

Happy Birthday, Everyone!






* Please Note: If your name is missing from this list, please contact Ethel Cooley in the parish office to fill out a parish registration form so your name will be placed in the Parish Data System.


08/03/11 ~ Ashanti Williams

08/07/11 ~ Mary Jaquez

08/09/11 ~ Tonya Jones, Peter Thompson and Mieko Timmons

08/10/11 ~ Walker Bland

08/11/11 ~ Christopher Jaquez

08/12/11 ~ Lisa Moore and Daphne Sylvester

08/20/11 ~ Paulette Wright

08/21/11 ~ Vincent Cotman, Jr.

08/23/11 ~ Melvon McMillan

08/25/11 ~ Lyric Weston

08/26/11 ~ Candido Antomattei and Tracey Hall


~ Clipart by Webweaver

Saturday, AUGUST 6th ~ St. Elizabeth Jazz & Food Festival

Calling all Jazz and Food Lovers!

Don't miss the 2011 St. Elizabeth Jazz & Food Festival, our annual Church Fundraiser! It will be held on the grounds of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on Second Avenue and Fourquerean Lane.

Food, Music, Vendors, Community Education, Games!

Date: Saturday, August 6th

Time: 12 Noon - 7:00 p.m.

Entry Donation: $2.00 for age 12 and over


Be sure to tell your neighbors, family, and friends to come and enjoy the great music and good food!

Multiplication of the Loaves ~ by Ronnie Archer

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:1-3
Ps 145:8-9, 15-18
Rom 8:35, 37-39
Mt 14:13-21

Before Jesus worked this miracle, John the Baptist had been arrested and beheaded. Jesus was sad and withdrew to Himself, thinking that He would be left alone in His grief; but the people followed Him on foot. They wanted to get close to Him.

When Jesus left the boat, He saw the large crowd and His heart was "moved with pity for them." (Mt 14:13ff)

The disciples preferred Jesus to "dismiss the crowd so they could go to town to buy food for themselves," because all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. (Mt 14:13ff)

Jesus did not want the people to be sent away; he asked the disciples to bring the bread and fish to Him. Ordering the crowd to sit down on the grass, He took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, saying the blessing, He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to give to the crowds.

The crowd ate and were satisfied. After feeding the multitude, there were twelve baskets full left over.

Jesus needed to be alone for awhile to be able to carry out His ministry. In our own lives we also need our time alone to withdraw to ourselves in order to be able to do what is required of us; but sometimes we don't have a choice when we want, or need to be alone. Situations will arise that we do not expect, nor can predict; but we have to handle them when they do come.

Jesus knows that we need physical food to replenish our strength and give us energy to carry out our tasks at hand; BUT He knows that we also need spiritual food for our souls that ONLY He can provide.

One way that we "withdraw" to ourselves to receive the "spiritual food" that is necessary for us, is when we attend Mass, listen to and heed the Word and receive the Body and Blood of Christ that is blessed and broken for us.

Jesus does not want us to turn away from the suffering of others. We need to be fed spiritually to be able to share others' suffering. The strength that we receive from the Word and the Eucharist enables us to go out and share.

The multiplication of the bread and fish was a sign to prepare the people and the disciples for HIS spiritual food for their souls. It was a sign of Jesus' Power!

We should thank GOD and recognize that this food is a gift from God!


~ Image by Erica Middleton at Hermano Leon Clipart