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

Happy Birthday, Everybody!

04/01 ~ Kenneth Majors, II

04/08 ~ Michelle J. Jordan

04/09 ~ Peggy Beverly

04/17 ~ Margaret Pittman

04/18 ~ Kenneth Ford

04/23 ~ Rosemary Overton

04/27 ~ Jay Schwermer

04/29 ~ Kathleen(Katie) Stell

~ Image by Webweaver

An Evening with Fr. Cyprian Davis, O.S.B.

Black Catholics, Embracing Our Past To Shape Our Future

The Office for Black Catholics invites you to an evening with Fr. Cyprian Davis, Benedictine priest and professor, April 13, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3300 "R" St., Richmond. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.

Fr. Cyprian has written many books and articles on the history and spirituality of African American Catholics. He published "The History of Black Catholics in the United States" (New York: Crossroad) in 1990, which received the John Gilmary Shea Award from the American Catholic Historical Association. Fr. Cyprian is a professor of Church history at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.

Please RSVP to obc@richmonddiocese.org or 804-622-5109 no later than Monday, April 4, 2011. Visit www.richmonddiocese.org/obc for more information.

Reflection on the Woman at the Well, the Third Sunday of Lent ~ by Mary Walker

The Third Sunday of Lent

Jn 4:5-42

We gather on this Third Sunday of Lent to again reflect on our theme of "Lord, help me to hold out" and the Gospel. In today's Gospel reading from John, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. They met in a simple way - He would say, "Give me a drink." She knew that Jews and Samaritans had nothing in common.

Her dialogue with Him would eventually make her believe in Him and lead her to eternal life in Baptism. She would learn about God's unconditional love for us. His power of forgiveness, our need to have faith and trust in Him. She would believe that Jesus was the prophet and the Messiah. She, too, would go out into her community to evangelize and to bring others to Christ.

When the Liturgy Committee decided on this year's theme and presentation, we did not know that this past week we would be involved in a one-day joint Caritas effort with Fifth Street Baptist Church and that it would be such a blessing and opportunity to reach out to others - to 40 Homeless Men!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son" and on this Wednesday, He brought us 40 sons - a son to represent each day of Lent. These were sons for us to feed and to care about - albeit briefly. Upstairs, the Stations of the Cross and the Mass were being celebrated. Downstairs, we fed those representing fathers, sons, brothers, grandfathers, cousins, uncles and friends. It was such a powerful time.

May God bless Lucy Thompson, our coordinator and her small army of helpers and cooks. Several of the men spoke about it being the best home-cooked meal that they have had in a long time.

Let's be reminded on our Lenten journey to keep our 40 brothers and those in need in our prayers and fasting, and continue our Lenten sacrifices. Dig deep as you contribute to our Church and your other almsgiving efforts to the Rice Bowl and to our precious children in Haiti.

St. Elizabeth - who knows what God has in store for us. Like the woman at the well, keep the faith, trust in God and continue to ask: "Lord, help me to hold out!"

~ Image: The Woman at the Well by J. James Tissot ~

~ Gospel Illustrations by James Tissot

Second Sunday of Lent - Reflection on the Transfiguration ~ M.A. Allen

Our Lenten theme for this year is "Lord, help me to hold out!" Each Sunday after Communion, a member of the Liturgy Committee will give a short reflection on the Gospel for this week and how the reading relates to our theme. This week's Gospel tells the story of the Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-9.

Lord, help me to hold out...
Until my change comes!

In today's Gospel, we learn that Peter, James and John were chosen to witness a profound change as Jesus was transfigured before them. There on the mountain, His glory, which is the glory of God, was revealed to them.

"Lord, it is good that we are here," they said.

The apostles recognized that something wonderful was happening and they wanted to capture those moments and to hold on to them forever. They responded in such a human way as they planned to set up tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah so that they could remain in that holy place. But they didn't really understand what this transfiguration meant and then were terrified when the Father spoke from the cloud... "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased... listen to Him." By giving this instruction to the apostles, our Heavenly Father was telling them that if they paid attention to Jesus, their lives would be transformed too...

During this Lenten season, we are asked to change our lives. To listen to what the Beloved Son is telling us through His suffering and death... To have faith that no matter what trials we are facing, God's grace and mercy will carry us through. To forgive others as Jesus did from the cross... To reconcile with others before we bring our gifts to the altar. To recognize that acceptance of God's grace allows us to change.

When our lives are truly lived with the light of Christ within us, we will be transformed also... Our light will shine like the sun.

So we ask God to help us to hold out... To give us patience... until our change comes.


~ Image from Hermano Leon Clipart

Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent, 2011 ~ by Phyllis Booth

First Sunday of Lent

Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
Rom 5:12, 17-19
Mt 4:1-11

On last Wednesday, we received our ashes and thought of ways to keep a good and holy Lent. Lent is only for forty days. I can do this! It's a piece of cake! Taking time for extra prayer, giving up my favorite sweet tooth and putting a little extra in collection... I know I can do this.

Guess what? Sunday rolls around and it's Daylight Saving Time. What a struggle to get to Mass on time. The first hurdle of Lent. The first temptation of the devil. I was able to meet the challenge after recalling the message from the Gospel for March 13th. Jesus met the devil and calmly rejected him. Will I be able to keep the church's expectations for Lent?

After Mass, I had a serious talk with myself. Since Jesus loves me and He died to give me the privilege to have eternal life with Him in Heaven, I should be able to endure forty days in gratitude for the sacrifice He made. I know that I'll not be alone on this journey. Jesus will walk with me if I listen for His voice. Refusing the desire for new things such as CDs, the latest music videos, going out to eat, or buying new jewelry is not doing what I need but satisfying a desire. Jesus refused the chance to own the whole world. This is an opportunity for me to save a little and give back to my parish or give to the New Jerusalem Orphanage.

I need to test my patience and see if I can keep quiet and listen to hear Jesus speak to me after reading a passage from the daily scripture. The Holy Spirit has given me the power to resist the devil and the ability and knowledge to fight any road block he puts in my way. So I will fight the distractions that come my way when reading the Word. This may mean refusing to answer the phone or doorbell, and informing family, friends and neighbors that I'm not available during my time with the Lord.

Giving up sweets will be a challenge. It's a part of hospitality wherever you go. You may think it is easy to avoid, but think a minute how it invades our life. The commercials, the drugstores, gas stations, markets and even the church seem to make sweets their first choice on the menu. If I avoid them, it will benefit my health. My blood pressure will stay normal; my cholesterol number will come into the normal range and I'll lose a couple of pounds. This will please my doctor and I hope Jesus will smile upon me.

Now I'm wondering if I should restate my sacrifice for Lent. Will going to Mass more often and keeping the obligation of going to Confession be a better choice this Lent?

I will try my best to keep Lent holy. I will worship and praise the Lord each day and avoid being tempted with the help of the Lord. I cannot wear sack cloth or roll in ashes as the Israelites did to show sorrow for their sins, but I'll keep Lent as joyful as possible.


~ Public domain image: "Temptation" by James Tissot

Changes to the Mass! Here is what you want to know!

Here is what you want to know about the changes to the Mass that will go into effect on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. Click on the image above and you will link to the official website for the New Roman Missal. The site will explain all you wish to know about the whys and wherefores of the changes.

For the specific changes in the People's responses and prayers during the Mass, please click HERE... These are the changes that will directly affect YOU!

There have been several Diocesan and local workshops held during the past several months to prepare parish leadership and others to help implement these changes within the parish. There will be other training opportunities in the coming months. There will also be handouts available to help everyone understand the changes so that we can adapt to the changes quickly.

If you have any questions about the changes, Frances Pope or other members of the Liturgy Committee (Phyllis Booth, Mary Walker, Mary Ann Allen) will be happy to respond to them.

Where would you build your house?

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deut 11:18, 26-28, 32
Ps 31:2-3b, 3c-4, 17, 25
Rom 3:21-25, 28
Matt 7:21-27

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock..." (Matt 7:24)

The theme of today's readings is Salvation. We learn from Paul's letter to the Romans, that since "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God..." (Rom 3:23) only through God's grace freely given, can we come to faith in Christ who has redeemed us by His blood.

That this faith and belief in Christ is apart from the works of the Law. It is a free gift of God; and one that is not based on merit. However, Jesus clearly states that faith without action is like a man who builds his house on sand.

Having received the gift of faith in Christ, we are impelled to try to become like Him in our own lives; to follow the Great Commandment that Jesus taught: love of God and love of neighbor. Our love cannot exist in a vacuum. By its very nature, love is meant to reach out to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in need. This is exactly what Jesus did... and this is what He expects of us.

The Will of the Father is that we place the welfare of others above ourselves. To act beyond ourselves and our own needs and desires. To be selfless and humble. This is really a radical concept in this day and age, and it is definitely not easy when our culture is constantly demanding that we think only of ourselves and what we can buy or do or become.

Fortunately, we have examples of people who were successful in living holy lives; often in spite of difficult conditions. These are the saints of the past and of the present. We are called to be holy too; to build our lives on rock; and not sand. The saints of the future.


~ Image from Hermano Leon Clipart

New Classroom for the Children of New Jerusalem Orphanage

Our Haiti Ministry took a big step recently when we sent Pastor Kenold funds for constructing a new classroom to replace the one destroyed by the devastating earthquake of January 2010.

This week, we received an email with photographs from Pastor Kenold showing the children eating in their new classroom. You, our parishioners, made this classroom possible by your generous contributions to our monthly Haiti Collection.

~ Photos by Pastor Kenold Chrispin

"I Will Never Forget You." ~ by M. A. Allen

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is. 49:14-15
Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
1 Cor 4:1-5
Matt 6:24-34

In the beautiful first reading from Isaiah, we hear how much our God loves us:

"Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you." (Is 49:14-15)

Never forgetting means that no matter what happens to us, our Heavenly Father is with us through it all. Even the psalmist recognized this. He believed and trusted that God was his safety, his rock, his salvation and his hope. (Ps 62:2 ff)

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about where they would find food or drink; or what they would wear. God knows we need all these things and He would provide. God takes care of all His creation. Just see the birds and the flowers. Their beauty is greater than Solomon in all his splendor. We need only to place our trust in God and have faith, knowing that He will never abandon us. (Matt 6:24 ff)

Remember that we are the tabernacles of His Spirit and also God's ambassadors to others. When we allow God to work through us, others will see Christ in their midst.


~ Jesus Preaching the Sermon on the Mount by Gustave Dore
~ Image from Free Christ Images