Fourth Sunday of Lent ~ The Man Born Blind

Healing of the Man Born Blind

Painting by Edy-Legrand

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

04/01 ~ Chris Strother

04/06 ~ Christopher Mahone

04/08 ~ Michelle Jordan and Ann Tindall

04/09 ~ Peggy Beverly

04/17 ~ Margaret Pittman

04/18 ~ Kenneth Ford

04/23 ~ Rosemary Overton

04/28 ~ Margaret Rittenhouse

04/29 ~ Kathleen Stell

St. E's Entries for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k - 2014 ~ Photo by Sr. Beulah

On Saturday, March 29th, several of our parishioners will participate in the Monument Avenue 10k.  The photo includes not only those who will run, but also people who have volunteered in other capacities.  Fr. Jim gave them all a blessing.

This photo was provided by Sr. Beulah.

 

Marching to Victory ~ Annual Lenten Revival ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

The annual Lenten Revival sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Black Catholics was held in three of the area churches on consecutive days.  March 10-12, 2014.  The revivalist this year was Rev. Anthony Bozeman, SSJ, pastor of the newly created St. Raymond & St. Leo the Great Parish in New Orleans, LA.

The combined choirs of Holy Rosary and St. Elizabeth parishes provided the music for the event.  St. Elizabeth Church hosted the Wednesday gathering, which included a small repast prepared by the Kitchen Committee. 

~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

First Sunday of Lent ~ The Temptation of Christ

First Sunday of Lent (A)

Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Ps 51:3-6, 12-13.17

Rom 5:12-19

Matt 4:1-11

"At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." (Matt 4:1)  Jesus had spent 40 days and nights in the desert fasting and now, he was hungry.  Perhaps he was also discouraged and weakened in spirit because he was contemplating the future of his ministry, knowing that he would soon be facing the end of it.  And Satan appears!

It isn't by accident that the devil appears at times when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable.  But Jesus has a strength that goes beyond weakness and hunger.  Satan tempts him with food for Jesus' hunger, power for Jesus' weakness and all the kingdoms of the world if only Jesus will bow down and worship him.

"Get away, Satan!  It is written:  'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'  Then the devil left him and behold, angels came and ministered to him."  (Matt 4:10-11)

How do we respond when tempted?  Probably not as dramatically as Jesus did, but hopefully, we call out to the Lord to help us to overcome the temptation.  Those times that we fail, we can turn to Ps 51 and hear how the psalmist prayed for comfort and forgiveness.  "...wipe out my offense...wash me from my guilt...Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight." (Ps 51)

We believe that forgiveness is always available for us.  We need only to ask for it from our God whose arms are always open to receive us as the Father he is.

During this season of Lent, we will also have the opportunity to ask for that forgiveness in a more formal way, through Reconciliation Services that many churches make available for their parishioners and anyone else who wishes to receive this Sacrament.  If your parish does not have a service scheduled, check the nearby parishes so that you can fulfill your obligation to receive this Sacrament during this season of Lent and Easter.

~ Image: Travis Agnew.org

St. E's Parishioners Volunteer at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School ~ Photos by EJ Cooley

Dr. Seuss Day!

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EJ Cooley, Alice Howard and Shelton Jones

Alice Howard and Shelton Jones (Ethel Cooley as Dr. Seuss)

On Friday, March 7, 2014, Ethel Cooley, Alice Howard and Shelton Jones participated in the annual "Dr. Seuss, Read Across America Day at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School".  As you can see, they were dressed in appropriate headgear to read to the children.

This is one of the activities for which St. E's parishioners volunteer their time and talents to benefit the school in our community.


 ~ Photos by EJ Cooley

  

Ash Wednesday 2014

This Lent at St. E's, we are using Hezekiah Walker's beautiful gospel song, "Calling my Name" as our theme song.  Each week we plan to sing it for our Meditation Song after receiving Communion.

You can find the lyrics here:  Calling my Name and the YouTube song here: Calling my Name.


~ Image - New Covenant

March Birthdays at St. E's ~ Information provided by Ethel Cooley

03/01 ~ Sheri Wade

03/03 ~ Sheryl Smith

03/08 ~ Phyllis Booth and David Torain, II

03/09 ~ Carolyn Nash and Jeffrey Smith

03/10 ~ Kelmern Tunstall

03/13 ~ Richard Richardson

03/16 ~ Isreal Murray and Clifton Wright

03/19 ~ Marguerite Branch and Joseph Smith

03/22 ~ Stanley Lamb

03/23 ~ Ronald Timmons

03/24 ~ Vivian Wilson

03/26 ~ Quentin Sullivan

03/31 ~ Ethel Cooley, Micole Jordan, Chelsea Mahone and Marva Williams