Fr. Jim's Jots - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - 1.26.2020

Fr. Jim's Jots

Saint Elizabeth has become a member of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP), an organization comprised of congregations and individuals from many faiths who join together to promote social justice in Virginia through education and advocacy.  The Social Justice Committee will keep the Saint Elizabeth community up to date on opportunities for engagement.

The VICPP is currently hard at work in the General Assembly advocating for:

• Laws to require employers to provide five (5) paid sick days for all full-time workers
• Wage theft reform
• Environmental justice
• Allowing drivers licenses for all Virginians
• Lowering the energy burden for low income Virginians
• Regulating predatory payday and car title lenders

For more information or to register, go to the VICPP website:  https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source: St. Paul's Church

Fr. Jim's Jots - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1.19.2020

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / 200th Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond!

This weekend, January 19, 2020, the Diocese of Richmond is pleased to begin our remembrance celebration of the bicentennial year.

We are joining all parishes around the diocese to begin the special year of commemoration.  We are excited to offer a 200th Anniversary Commemorative Edition book.  This beautiful coffee table commemorative book, which outlines the history of the CDR is available in the back of church or at the parish office for the cost of $35.00 per book.  There is a limited supply.

Our parish has become a member of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP), an organization comprised of congregations and individuals from many faiths who join together to promote social justice in Virginia through education and advocacy.  The Social Justice Committee will keep the St. Elizabeth community up to date on opportunities for engagement.  The VICPP is currently hard at work in the General Assembly advocating for:

* Laws to require employers to provide 5 paid sick days for all full-time workers
* Wage theft reform
* Environmental justice
* Raising the minimum wage
* Allowing driver's licenses for all Virginians
* Lowering the energy burden for low income Virginians
* Regulating predatory payday and car title lenders

The VICPP is hosting a "Day for All People" on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 during which it brings together members from all over the state to engage in advocacy at the General Assembly.  For more information or to register, go to the VICPP website: https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. - The Concert and the Choirs! ~ Photos by EJCooley

All Saints Choir

St. Luke Lutheran Choir with All Saints Choir

Trinity Baptist Choir

Saint Elizabeth Gospel Choir

Deacon Frank Nelson

~ Photos by EJCooley

Gospel Concert at St. E's - 1.17.2020 - To Benefit All Saints School ~ Photos by Diane Neylan

All Saints Choir!

All Saints Choir!

Solo and Ukelele

All Saints and St. Luke Lutheran Church Choirs

The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Trinity Baptist Church Choir!

~ Photos by Diane Neylan

Friday Mass, Fr. Jim's Split Pea Soup and Bingo! - 1.17.2020 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

~ Photos by Janet Stern

Fr. Jim's Jots - The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 1.12.2020

Baptism of the Lord!

Mark your calendars: you are invited to a concert with several choirs to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Friday, January 17th at 7 p.m. here at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church.  The choirs included are All Saints Catholic School Choir, Saint Luke Lutheran Church Choir, Trinity Baptist Church Choir and our own Saint Elizabeth Gospel Choir.  All are invited.  I hope you can attend.  A reception will follow.

On January 17th, we will celebrate 12 noon Mass.  I'm hoping that the attendance of our 12 noon Mass will increase.  Following Mass, we will have a light lunch, with homemade pea/ham soup made by your own priest, Rev. Jim Arsenault.  Bingo will follow after lunch.

Now is the time to consider a Mass Intention to be put on our parish calendar for the New Year.  If you have a loved one who has died and you wish to have a Mass offered in their name, in remembrances of their birth or death, please contact the parish office and schedule a Mass Intention.  The Mass Intention will be put in our parish bulletin and placed on the Altar and their name will be recited during the Mass for their intention.

Special thanks for all those who are working so hard to have our church be more "green friendly" and care for our environment and coming home. In this effort we invite you to continue to try using our drinking fountain with a renewable/reusable beverage container.

Also, thank you to those who have picked up your 2020 donation envelope boxes.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim



~ Image Source: Emerging Scholars

First Baptism of the New Year - Baby Ellie Frances is Baptized at St. Elizabeth, 1.12.2020 ~ Photos by EJCooley

Deacon Chris blesses the water!

Look at that sweet smile!

~ Photos by EJCooley

National Migration Sunday at St. E's with Our New Parishioners ~ Photos by Sr. Tiberh

The next 3 photos are closeups of this original picture.

~ Photos by Sr. Tiberh

Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Epiphany, 1.5.2010

Fr. Jim's Jots

Epiphany of the Lord!

Today, January 5th, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, the feast commemorating the presentation of the Magi presenting gifts to the Lord Jesus.  The gifts we give, our time through prayer and celebrating the sacramental grace of the church, are indeed a blessing all year round.

We are starting a few new groups with the help of Patrick Merone and Regine Despinasse-Merone, patrickmerone@yahoo.com, Rdespinasse@gmail.com. Their's is a "young couples group." Any couples dating, engaged, or newly married, with or without children, up to the age of 40, are invited to participate in this new group.  Please contact Patrick and Regine.  If you are interested, there is more information on the kiosk in back of church.

We are also interested in starting a "singles group" with the help, perhaps, of a few of our other area parishes.  If you are interested in being part of this group and willing to help organize it, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

Yeah, we are also working to re-energize and start up again, a men's group.  If you are interested and wish to be a part of the leadership of this group, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

Yet again, we are interested in starting a women's group.  This group would add much to the life and energy of the parish.  Interested and willing to be on the leadership of this women's group, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

The life in the community of the church grows when members get to know each other and become friends. We would like you to consider joining and working to start one of the above groups.  Please prayerfully consider joining a group, starting the group or being part of the group.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Photo by Every Pixel

National Migration Week, 1.5-11.2020 - The Lost Boys of the Sudan ~ Photos by EJCooley

John Seng, one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan

John  was our guest on Epiphany Sunday! He spoke about the hardships of living in a refugee camp for 9 years and of his triumphs since living in the USA.


~ Photos by EJCooley

First Friday of January 2020 ~ Photo by Janet Stern

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

~ Photo by Janet Stern

Arrival of the Magi - Epiphany 2020 ~ Photo by Janet Stern

~ Photo by Janet Stern

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Holy Family ~ December 29, 2019

Fr. Jim's Jots

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Today, December 29, 2019, we begin with our second Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.  As our parish continues to grow, we are pleased to offer two (2) Masses: one at 9 a.m. and now, at 11:30 a.m..  Our choir will still sing at the 9 a.m. Mass. Most of our major events and celebrations will take place at the 9 a.m. Mass.

"God, thank you for the new year.  May everyone in our family and parish family be willing to begin with a new clean slate.  We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.  As we begin the new year, remind us of our truest values and deepest desires.  Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do.  Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we may live in peace with you now, one day at a time."

A gentle reminder: please attend our special New Year's masterpiece this Tuesday, December 31st at 5 p.m., with a potluck meal to follow.  All are invited.

New Year's blessings,

Fr. Jim