Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

Greetings and happy Fall!  Throughout the month of October, we are invited and challenged to pray the Rosary.  I hope and pray that many of you will consider taking the time to sit with Our Lord and contemplate and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary.  What a special blessing it is, in our Catholic faith, to celebrate and pray through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, the Most Holy Rosary.

Our parish is busy with funerals and weddings and anticipating several new baptisms.  If you have not registered, please consider doing so.  We have welcome packets on the kiosk, in the foyer of the church, in a special purple folder.

This week, as part of our Increased Offertory Program, you'll receive a mailing with a commitment card.  Thank you for your consideration in this Increased Offertory Program.  I hope that everyone will fill out the card and return it to the church at our next Mass, in the offertory collection.

You are invited to participate in the RISC meeting, that will take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 W. Leigh St., at 6:30 p.m. If you've any questions, see Deacon Chris Barrett.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

~ Image Source: A baroque fresco in the Ottobeuren Basilica

Choir entertains at the Little Sisters of the Poor - 10.17.2019 ~ Photos by Annemarie Pancham

~ Photos by Annemarie Pancham

Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 10.12.2019 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

Our Lady of Africa

Bishop Knestout praying in the chapel of Our Lady of Africa

Rosary with Bishop in the Rosary garden adjacent to the Basilica

Mass in the Basilica

Franciscan Monastery

To the right: St. Francis with St. Louis, King of France and our own, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. 

~ Photos by Janet Stern

Fr. Jim's Jots - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10.13.2019

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

Congratulations to Rita Hatchett who has received two certificates of completion, having successfully completed two classes from the University of Dayton; one in the New Testament, the other in Theological Reflection.  How proud we are of Rita and her wonderful contributions to our adult scripture study class and her involvement in the life of the parish!  Well done, Rita! May the Lord bless you and continue to "guide your steps" as you help us learn more about Christ and his church.

RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: please contact Christopher@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or if you are Catholic and have never been confirmed, I would like for you to attend our classes.

Next week, I will be away at our Annual Priest Convocation with His Excellency, Bishop Barry Knestout in Newport News.  Please pray for your priests of our Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

There will be a brief meeting today, immediately following Mass, to have a discussion about adding a Mass on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., starting after Christmas.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Image Source:  diocesan.com/

A Blessing and the Children's Choir Sing - Youth Sunday, 10 6.2019 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

Monsignor Miller gives a blessing

Children's choir under the direction of Kim Ford

~ Photos by Janet Stern

Youth-Led Liturgy - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10.6.2019 ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Monsignor Miller offers a Blessing ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

This weekend we welcome Monsignor Tom Miller, who is a priest of our diocese.  I am grateful to Monsignor Miller for helping out this weekend as I am away to celebrate my nephew, Thomas Arsenault's wedding in Detroit, Michigan.  Please pray for all married and engaged couples.  We have about eight couples that Deacon Chris and I are working with on their Marriage Preparation.

This weekend, we also are blessed to start our Family Faith Formation.  We have an inter-generational religious education for all levels and ages.  Please sign up to learn more about our faith and sacramental preparation.  All Are Welcome.

Next Sunday, October 13th, after the 9 a.m. Mass, we will have a brief Town Hall Meeting, led by our Parish Council President Kim Bragg and Council member Adrien DeLoach.  Please plan on staying after Mass for a few minutes.

Special thanks to those who have contributed to our food pantry and freezer fund, as well as, donating non-perishable dry goods.  Thank you again, for your kindness and generosity.

"If increased production and consumption lead to deterioration in the quality of life of the poor and the degradation of the environment, why call it progress?"  (a quote from Laudato si, chapter 5.)

Blessings,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Image Source: St. Ludger Church & School

Michael Scardina & Margaret Castlevechhi were married at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, Saturday, October 5, 2019, 2 pm. Officiant was Reverend Brian Capuano!

~ Photos by EJCooley

St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir to sing at Inter-Denominational Community Concert, 10.12.2019

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 9.29.2019

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

How blessed we are to experience the beauty of Fall.  The Autumn colors invite us to pray and give thanks for the beauty of God's creation.  Please take the time to enjoy this season of Autumn.

Boiler update:  After getting three (3) bids and recommendations, the Parish Council has voted to replace the existing boiler system.  It was donated to us as a used system in 1991.  We will be getting the approval from the Finance Council during their meeting, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rectory.  The cost so far, for the system that has been recommended is $27,000.

Special thanks to Sr. Tiberh and Lisa Landry and all who have helped establish a small food pantry, with a new small freezer, located in the parish storage room.  Thanks to one and all for your kindness and generosity.

Your help is needed as we start our Family Sunday, religious, faith, education program.  We invite everyone to learn more about our Catholic faith and participate in any of our catechetical programs.  Our next Family Sunday will be October 6.  I hope we'll see you there as you journey closer to Christ and his church.

Mark your calendars for our next Bingo/Lunch, Friday, October 18, following Noon Mass.  A light lunch of soup and sandwich ($5) and eight games of Bingo with cash prizes are provided.  Please sign up on the kiosk in the foyer of church.

Before you know it, Homecoming will take place on Sunday, November 17; mark your calendar, invite your friends to a special Mass.  Monsignor Michael Schmied will be the Homilist.  May we not lose sight of this season and the beauty of creation.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

~ Image Source:  St. Mary - Littleton