CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) Women's Retreat ~ by Ronnie Archer

On Saturday, February 23-Sunday, February 24, 2013, several of our parishioners: Mary Baker, Phyllis Booth, Frances Pope, Alyce (Pie) Howard, Barbara Randall and Barbara's sister, Tracey Dunlap of St. Peter's, as well as myself, attended the Women's CRHP Retreat this past weekend at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

It's not a "practice" of the retreat participants to reveal all of the details of the weekend, because it would detract in some ways, the "awe" and "wonderment" for those who have NOT yet attended, BUT might be considering it.

The main thing that I CAN say is that it IS one of the retreat movements of the church that can be such a life-changing and rewarding experience for any of us.

We all were assigned to a table, with a team member as our "table leader".  We shared a bit of ourselves, interests, etc., followed by listening to sharing/witnessing by the team members, who of course, had been on the same retreat before.

Sometimes we feel that we are the only one who has been or is going through a certain struggle, but it was amazing to hear real life "stories" from each of them which inspired and uplifted me... and how they, as young as some of them were, had been through so much in life, and came to realize that JESUS is the only ONE to help them overcome them all, by putting His angels in place in their lives to help them through; their lives have been positively changed so much, that they feel the Holy Spirit calling them to pass that help on to inspire others.

Since I do attend St. Michael's several times a year, I had seen CRHP in their bulletins, BUT since I am not a member there, I never had any idea that I would have the opportunity to attend one.  I also recognized a couple of familiar faces from St. Michael's, and it was nice to match a name with the faces, and to get to know and bond with our now "CRHP SISTERS" from St. Michael's.

Everyone involved who made the retreat a wonderful experience, was so genuinely nice, it seemed to be a JOY for them to be of service.  I am thankful that I was "nudged" by the Holy Spirit to attend, and my commitment to Jesus is to try even harder, day by day to allow HIM to lead me so that HE will be revealed in me to others.


Gratefully and Prayerfully written by Veronica (Ronnie) Gray Archer

Heart Attacks in Women and Their Prevention - February Heart Month 2013

After Mass this Second Sunday of Lent, Rosemary Overton and Vivian Sullivan of our St. Elizabeth's Health Ministry closed out February Heart Month by presenting an interesting program about How to Recognize Heart Attacks in Women and How to Prevent Them.

Many thanks to the Kitchen Committee who supplied refreshments for those who attended.


Photos by Ethel Cooley

Roses for the Ladies - Heart Month, February 2013

In honor of February, Heart Month, the ladies of the church received beautiful roses on this Second Sunday of Lent.  The men of the parish passed out the beautiful buds, all in preparation for the program about heart attacks in women that would be held in the church hall after Mass.


Photos by Ethel Cooley

Black History Month Speaker: Sr. Cora Marie Billings, RSM ~ February 17, 2013

Fr. Jim was out of town this First Sunday of Lent because of a death in his family.  In his place, Deacon Chris Malone, an old friend of the parish and a former parishioner, conducted a SCAP* Service for our people.  Sr. Cora Marie Billings was our Black History Month guest and she spoke on "Order My Steps".


* Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest


Photos by Ethel Cooley

Be with me, Lord ~ First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent

Deut 26:4-10

Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

Rm 10:8-13

Lk 4:1-13 

"Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble."  These lines from Psalm 91 were sung today as part of the Responsorial Psalm.  How beautifully they fit with the Gospel reading this morning, which is Luke's story of Jesus' temptation by the devil.

Jesus had just spent forty days alone, praying and fasting in the desert where he had been led by the Holy Spirit...  These forty days were a preparation time for Jesus, because he was soon to begin his public ministry.  Jesus was hungry... weak... perhaps at a low point...  The perfect time for Satan to present himself with his promises of food and earthly power...   But as we know, Jesus was not weak of spirit and resolve.  Instead, he rebuked Satan, reminding him that you do not put the Lord, your God to the test.

As we begin our forty days of Lent, we look forward to a period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We are preparing ourselves to enter into the sufferings of Jesus, his crucifixion, death and finally, to celebrate his victorious Resurrection!

There will be temptations along the way, because temptations come and go in our lives.  Many times we feel too weak to resist them...  We forget that Jesus is there with a helping hand if we can only reach out to grasp it...  Instead, we fall...  But then we remember God's compassion and forgiveness and we come to him in sorrow and contrition and ask for that forgiveness.

Paul brings a message of hope to the Christians of Rome, by reminding them that God raised Jesus from the dead and that no one who believes in him will be put to shame.  This same Lord is the Lord of all... there are no distinctions among believers.  For this we rejoice...

Psalm 91 foretold what Jesus was to endure and how he would be delivered. However, we can also relate to these words ourselves, for they give us hope to go on:

"Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him."  



 ~ The Temptation on the Mount by Duccio di Buoninsegma, 1255-1319

Here I am! - A Reflection on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Today we welcomed Deacon Frank Nelson from Holy Rosary Church who gave us an inspired homily on this Second Sunday of Black History Month.  After Mass, we enjoyed a pancake breakfast prepared for our parishioners and guests by the Knights of Columbus of St. Michael's Church. Breakfast was followed by a special program during which our parishioners, Mary Walker and Chantelle Bryant spoke of their experiences of being Black and Catholic.  Sr. Maureen gave an overview about the schooling of African American children at St. Francis/Emma in the early 20th century.

We want to thank our speakers, Deacon Frank, as well as the men from the Knights of Columbus for making this Sunday so memorable.

  

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Is 5:1-2a, 3-8

Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8

1 Cor 15:1-11

Lk 5:1-11

In today's readings, we learn how God calls us and how we can experience that call.  In the first reading, Isaiah spoke of his fear when in a dream, he saw the Lord seated on a throne surrounded by angels.  Isaiah knew that no one who saw the Lord face to face could live.  He was frightened because he knew that he was a sinful man.  But God has his ways and sent an angel to cleanse him.  Isaiah then heard the Lord speak, asking who could he send out as his messenger   With great joy, Isaiah immediately answered the Lord's call:  "Here I am... send me!"  Isaiah had an experience that was so powerful that there was no question that he would respond with a "Yes."

In the second reading, Paul writes to his beloved Corinthians about his own call to preach the Good News.  He reminds them that even though he considers himself an apostle, Paul calls himself the least of them because he had spent such a long time persecuting the Christians before he received the Lord's call.

Paul's call was also a dramatic one.  Paul was blinded when Jesus spoke to him on his way to Damascus and asked why Paul was persecuting him.  Paul also recognized that he was a sinful man, but by following the instructions given to him by the Lord, his sight was restored and Paul immediately began his travels to bring the Good News to the people all over the Mediterranean world and beyond.

There is something compelling in the Lord's call especially when a person is open to it.  In today's Gospel, Jesus seems to turn nature around when he instructs Peter to take his boat out into the deep water and prepare to catch fish, even though Peter and his partners had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.  However, Peter obeyed.  The nets caught so many fish that they were ready to break.  Peter knew he had seen something miraculous happening and he too was frightened and fell to his knees, acknowledging that he was a sinful man in the presence of Jesus.  And Jesus, seeing Peter's fear, reassured him that he should not be afraid and that soon he would be "catching men."  Peter and his companions left their boat and followed Jesus.  How else could you answer such a call.

God calls all of us in some way...  The psalmist prayed that Lord complete what he has done for him.  That is our prayer too.     



~ Image:  Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphael, 1483-1520, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

You are my hope ~ A Reflection on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday begins our celebration of Black History Month.  During these Sundays, our choir will incorporate several old spirituals into the Masses of the month.  We have also invited parishioners to talk about their experiences of being Black and Catholic, as well as several  homilists, including our own Sr. Cora Marie Billings and Deacon Frank Nelson from Holy Rosary Catholic Church..

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Jer 1:4-5, 17-19

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17

1 Cor 12:31-13:13

Lk 4:21-30

In today's Gospel, we again hear Luke continue with his account of Jesus in the synagogue teaching.  Jesus has just finished proclaiming the Isaiah reading that we have recently heard and he has told his listeners that the scripture has now been fulfilled in their hearing.

At first, the people were amazed at his words and were very complimentary, speaking highly of him.  But presently, they began to doubt when they remembered that Jesus was only the son of Joseph.  How could he be anything more?  Why was he acting like a prophet?  They became filled with anger and decided to do away with him.

Jesus knew their thoughts and the dangerous position he was in and was able to walk away without being harmed.  His time had not yet come.

In the first reading, Jeremiah reminds us how the Lord protects his people.  "They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."  And so it was that Jesus was not harmed.

Even the psalmist knew the Lord as a protector.  He asks God to protect and rescue him.  The writer takes refuge in the Lord because he has trusted God from his youth.

Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, tells us about love and how we can recognize it.  He also teaches us how to see where our actions tell a different story.  There is no love where there is pride, boasting, jealousy, brooding over injury, wrongdoing and selfishness.  Our God wishes us to love him above all.  If we do that, we cannot help to love ourselves and our neighbor.

It isn't always easy to follow this command, but we ask for forgiveness and try again, because we know that God's love will NEVER fail!


 ~ Image: God's Love Never Fails found on Tumblr.

February Birthdays at St. E's ~ Provided by Ethel Cooley

02-01-13 ~ Anne Holton Kaine

02-02-13 ~ Lauren Cotman

02-03-13 ~ Elizabeth Ruffin and Jennifer Soistman

02-04-13 ~ Jennie Green

02-06-13 ~ Cathy Woodson

02-07-13 ~ Eva Chiles

02-09-13 ~ Thomas Smith

02-10-13 ~ Amy Williford Brew and Phillip Brew

02-11-13 ~ Sr. Cora Marie Billings

02-15-13 ~ Kenneth Williams

02-17-13 ~ Alexandra Williams

02-23-13 ~ Berhane Desta and Katrinia Murray

02-24-13 ~ Hannah Desta

02-25-13 ~ Stanley Glover and Tyronna Jones

02-26-13 ~ Kamryn Beverly, Morgan Jaquez and Tim Kaine

02-28-13 ~ James Strother