The Renovation of the Parish Hall ~ 2013 ~ In Preparation of the 90th Anniversary of our Parish

Beautiful, isn't it?  All ready for the great 90th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of St. Elizabeth's Church at Homecoming 2013!  What a change from when I was a child in the late 1930's and 1940's.

At that time, in the place of the tall cross, there was a stage where plays and other events took place.  On each end of the hall were basketball nets because the hall was also used for basketball practice.There were old-fashioned folding wooden auditorium chairs stored at the side walls, if I remember rightly.  There was no elevator.

What a change since those days...



 ~ Photos and commentary by Mary Ann Allen

Lord, teach me Humility ~ A Reflection on the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18

Lk 18:9-14

In Luke's Gospel, we see a true example of humility.  As we read the story of the two men at prayer in the temple, we are repulsed by the prayer of the Pharisee, whose whole demeanor tells us that he has no conception of how to pray.  All we hear are his words of praise of himself and his belittling words about the tax collector who is standing farther away from him in the temple.  There is no notion of humility in the Pharisee's prayer.  Despite his standing in the Jewish community and his adherence to the Law, this Pharisee has not learned anything about how to approach the Lord in prayer.

On the other hand, the despised tax collector, recognizing that he is a sinful man, dares not even look up.  All he can do is to beat his breast and ask for forgiveness.  "O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner."

Jesus tells us that the tax collector went home feeling justified.  Forgiveness had been granted to him; whereas, the Pharisee was left with nothing but his pride.

C. S. Lewis has a fine quote about humility.  He writes: "Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."  If only we could do that!

Our God is a saving God.  As the psalmist writes, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves."  Our humble prayer is one of trust that our God will take care of us, no matter what.  Paul writes to Timothy and tells him that "the Lord stood by me and gave me strength" during all the trials that he had to undergo.  Paul understood that he could do nothing without the Lord and he lifted up his prayer of praise:  "To him be glory forever and ever."

Amen!  



Image Source: Testify Blog

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

11/01 ~ Frederick Archer and LaVerne Braxton

11/02 ~ Althea Williams

11/03 ~ Mary Tucker

11/04 ~ Karen Carter Brown

11/08 ~ Thomas Williams

11/12 ~ Norma Antomattei

11/15 ~ Beverley Bryant

11/21 ~ Ronald Timmons and Stacy Wright

11/29 ~ Kevin Teachey

Coming Up! St. E's 90th Anniversary and Homecoming Celebration! November 17th.

Christian Ed Gathering at St. E's ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

This first session (Sunday,October 20th) dealt with an overview of the Letter to the Hebrews, which will be our primary focus for the next several months.  Our instructor is St. E's parishioner, David Torain who was ably assisted by Sandra Torain and Phil and Amy Williford-Brew.  Thanks for all the effort that goes into these classes.   

 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

Persistence ~ Reflection on the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Ex 17:8-13

Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

2 Tim 3:14-4:2

Lk 18:1-8

The readings this week teach us one thing; and that is not to give up.  To be persistent in prayer... To be persistent in expressing our needs... To keep on keeping on!

Look at what happened in the Exodus reading:  An enemy was waging war against Israel.  As long as Moses raised up the staff of God in his hands, Israel's army was able to prevail against their enemy.  However, soon enough Moses' arms got tired and he could no longer stay in that position... Israel's enemies began to crush them.

But all was not lost, as we see that Aaron and Hur understood the situation and made sure that Moses could continue to keep his arms raised with the staff in his hands.  They brought him a rock to sit on and they supported his arms so the staff remained raised!  Their persistence paid off and Israel won the war.

Paul also understood about persistence.  In his second Letter to Timothy, Paul urged him to "... proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient..." In this way, the Word of God would be spread all over the world and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ would be brought to the people.

And then we come to the epitome of persistence:  the parable of the widow and the unjust judge.  The widow was certainly in a dire situation because she had no one to take her side against her adversary.  The unjust judge didn't feel like fulfilling the obligation of his office to render a verdict for the woman who just kept on coming back to the court again and again with the same complaint.  The widow was so persistent that finally the judge became afraid that perhaps the widow would cause him harm if he didn't do as she was asking; so he finally gave her a just decision.

Our persistence in prayer is not heard by an unjust judge.  No, just as the psalmist knew, we know our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He watches over us... He guards us from all evil...  He knows our coming and our going.

He loves us!



Image Source:  Claver Jesuit Ministry

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Men's Day at St. E's ~ Men's Choir ~ October 6, 2013

Men's Day at St. Elizabeth's.  Our Men's Day Choir!

Many thanks to Ken, Larry, Cliff, Tim and David.  Scott on the piano and tenor.  Directed by Kim Ford!


Photograph by Diane Neylan

In All Circumstances, Give Thanks ~ A Reflection on the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 5:14-17

Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

2 Tm 2:8-13

Lk 17:11-19

Luke's Gospel, as well as the First Reading from the second Book of Kings, present us with two lepers who have been cleansed of their leprosy.  Both of these men were outside of the mainstream of the Jewish community of their time.  Naaman was a foreign general who had heard of the miracles that the prophet Elisha had performed in God's name and came to him for healing.

The leper in the Gospel story was another outsider, a Samaritan, who was already ostracized by the Jewish community because he belonged to a group of peoples who practiced a form of Judaism that was not considered authentic.

These two men realized that their healing had come through the power of God and so they wished to give thanks.  Naaman offered Elisha a gift but the prophet refused, so Naaman asked that he be given two mule-loads of earth to take back to his own country so that he could offer sacrifice to the Lord on this little bit of earth after returning home.

The ten cured lepers in the Gospel story hurried to the temple to show themselves to the priests as the law required, but only one remembered who it was who had healed them.  This leper believed that the power of God was in Jesus and knew he needed to return and give thanks.

Where are the other nine lepers?  After showing themselves to the priests, they would be declared clean and then could return to their families and their community.  There would be joy in their return home.  Were they so caught up in daily life and routine that they forgot to thank God for their healing?

How do we stand among these ten lepers?  Think of all that the Lord has done for us.  Every day... every breath we take...  every move we make...  How often do we forget to say, "Thank you, Lord."

Don't you think we are all guilty of this forgetfulness?  But this very moment, we can stop what we are doing and remember how grateful we are that God never forgets us.  That His Spirit guides us along the right paths.  That His love and care overshadows us no matter what our circumstances.

The Gospel Acclamation says it all:  "In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thess 5:18  



 ~ Image Source

Holy Rosary 60th Anniversary Celebration, 10/5/2013 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

Holy Rosary 60th Anniversary Celebration

October 5, 2013

 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

Visitors from all over the World!

I was looking at the stats today and thought you might like to know that our St. E's Blog has been seen all over the world!  Since October 1, 2013, we have had visitors from the following places:

Crewe, Cheshire, UK
London, UK
Madrid, Spain
Richmond, VA
Philippines
Steinkjer, Norway
Roanoke, VA
Cape Town, South Africa
Kennewick, WA
Miami, FL
Mumbai, India
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Hamilton, New Zealand
Palo Alto, CA
Simi Valley, CA
Wichita, KA
Bronx, NY
Glen Allen, VA
Lexington, KY
Raleigh, NC
San Diego, CA
El Paso, TX
Bollingbrook, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Sulphur, LA
Germantown, TN
Moscow, Russian Federation
Singapore, Singapore
Newton, NJ
Seoul, Republic of Korea


Amazing, isn't it?

Behold the Mustard Seed ~ A Reflection on the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Hb 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

In today's Gospel reading from Luke, we find the apostles asking Jesus to increase their faith.  Even though they had been around Jesus throughout his ministry, the apostles thought that something was still lacking in themselves.  They had seen his mighty works, his miracles. They believed him to be the Son of God and the promised Messiah, and yet, they recognized that their faith in him might not be strong enough for whatever the future might bring.  They were not blind to the jealousy and hatred the religious leaders and their followers showed for Jesus.  What did the future hold for them?

Jesus simply responded to their request by pointing out that even with faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you could move mountains (or a mulberry tree in Luke's version).

Take a mustard seed, or any seed for that matter.  A seed holds promise.  If that seed is planted and nurtured, it will take root and grow and bear whatever fruit it is supposed to bear.

How do we nurture and increase the faith in God that we have been given?  Through prayer and the reading of Scripture, through the Sacraments, by attendance at Mass, through sacrifice and by living our lives serving the needs of others.  God's grace fills our lives and through his nurturing grace, our faith increases...

St. Paul, in his second Letter to Timothy, speaks to him about the faith that Timothy needs to protect in himself.  "Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us."  You see, we are not alone in keeping the faith.  The Holy Spirit is there with us, to help us and guide us along the way.    



Image Source ~ Prepare for Mass

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

10/02 ~ Barbara Vaughan and Stanley White

10/05 ~ Deshawn Murray

10/11 ~ Barbara White

10/21 ~ Cassandra Bland

10/22 ~ Stephonia Owolabi and Mary Walker

10/30 ~ Evan Smith

10/31 ~ Vivian Sullivan

Meditation on the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ The Rich Man and Lazarus

"... between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours."

Luke 16:19-31



Image Source: Catholic.org