When This Is Over - A Reflection by Laura Kelly Fanucci ~ Sent by Maria Barrow

When This Is Over

~ Sent by Maria Barrow

Pray the Coronavirus Novena! - Nine Days of Prayer!

The Coronavirus Novena

Online Giving at St. Elizabeth Church - How to do it! ~ 3.27.2020

St. Elizabeth Weekly ~ A Message from Fr. Jim - 3.27.2020

A Message From Fr. Jim

St. Elizabeth is blessed even during these difficult times.  We continue to pray for those who have died, "May they rest in peace", and we pray for the sick, the caregivers and volunteers who are helping in countless ways.  Many of you have reached out on our now developing growing phone tree.  How kind and helpful it is to get a phone call and hear a voice from a fellow parishioner.  Thank You.  If you are not getting a phone call, please contact the parish office via phone 804-329-4599 or email pstern@stelizcc.org and we will add you and your household to our phone tree.

"Give the Benefit of a Doubt!!!"  In conversation or communications of any kind, "Give the Benefit of a Doubt."  This is a stress filled time and we need to be patient and kind and not overreact or judge people too quickly. 

So, may we all think before we say something or even perhaps sleep on the subject.  It is always better if possible, to also speak to the person before sending an email or text message that may be misunderstood.  So please "Give the Benefit of a Doubt."

Readings for Sunday, March 29, 2020

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Romans 8:8-11

John 11:1-45

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Parishioner Corner

Prayers for:

• Frances Pope's sister, Barbara Price, who passed March 15.
• Nene Kizenge Malindu, experiencing complications and expecting her third child.
• Carolyn Nash and Gloria Johnson, who lost their niece, Linda, last week.
• Rosemary Overton who lost a cousin, niece, and sister-in-law in recent weeks.
• Parishioners Senator Tim Kaine and Dr. Don Carey, Virginia Secretary for Health and Human Resources, as they seek to serve the American people during this COVID-19 outbreak.

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Corona Virus Relief

Delivery of food and cleaning items to those in need, call 804-404-2346

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Giving Online

Please continue your financial support by giving online.

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St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

March 26, 2020 

Other Links for Daily Mass

Other Links for Daily Mass

Daily Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

(Page Down and Click on LIVE)

Word on Fire Daily Mass

Daily Mass at EWTN

Pope Francis' Mass on the 4th Sunday of Lent - Also His Daily Masses

Link to Masses by Pope Francis

Mass by Pope Francis - 4th Sunday of Lent, 3.22.2020

Link to Daily Mass by Pope Francis

~ Image Source: Vatican News

A Message from Fr. Jim - Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, 3.22.2020

Blessings and prayers to all!

During this national time of great need, return to the Lord in prayer.  We have so many people that are on the front lines, in our hospitals and nursing homes, our first responders, those who are working long hours to stock grocery shelves, keep gas stations open, in banks... We pray for all.

I am continuing to ask everyone in our parish community pray for this virus to end and the numbers of deaths to decline.  

The Vatican has asked for a special Day of Prayer.

Today, March 22, please set aside this day to pray for our country and world through the intercession of the Blessed Mother in the Most Holy Trinity.  May God hold us in the palm of his hand.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send an email or use the parish office phone system.  Everyone on our staff is able to retrieve their phone messages from home.  If you have any questions or would just like to talk to me in person, please feel free to call.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim  804-221-1508


Please pray this beautiful prayer given to us by Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the USCCB:

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

ST. ELIZABETH WEEKLY ~ Feast of St. Joseph ~ March 19, 2020

Seeking Jesus in Umoja/Unity

A Message from Fr. Jim:

During this time of great need, when many family and friends are at risk, please feel free to contact me directly for Last Rites or Anointing of the Sick.  804-221-1508

I hope you will pray the rosary daily and reflect on the daily readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/

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Online Masses

Pope Francis:
http://www.catholictv.org/shows/pope-francis-daily-mass

Bishop Robert Barron:  https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

St. John's Abbey:  https://saintjohnsabbey.org/ 

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Online Retreats

Ignatian Prayer Adventure Online

http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/an-ignatian-prayer-adventure/

Ignatian Workout for Lent

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/lent/the-ignatian-workout-for-lent-an-online-retreat

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Online Stations

Youth and Adults 

https://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross

Children 

https://media.loyolapress.com/assets/lent/stations-eng/stations-eng.html

Social Justice

https://www.crsricebowl.org/stations-of-the-cross

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St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Something to think about during these days.... The Whole World in His Hands

Something to meditate on...

No Masses at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church until Further Notice! - 3.18.20 ~ Message from EJCooley

Fr. Jim's Jots - Third Sunday in Lent, 3.15.2020

Fr. Jim's Jots

Lent is a special time for prayer and penance.  We are pleased to offer a special Lenten Retreat, Saturday, March 28.  Please see the bulletin and flyer in the back of the church for details and sign up this week.

The coronavirus is a concern for all of us.  With this in mind, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has implemented the following directives: we are to cease the distribution of the cup, we are to refrain from the shaking of hands during the sign of peace or holding hands during the Lord's prayer and we've been asked to remove the Holy Water from the Holy Water Fonts.

This weekend, there is a parish insert, inviting you to consider helping us for our 12th Annual Jazz & Food Festival, which will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020.  If you know of a business or anyone who could be a sponsor for our jazz festival, see the flyer and either give us their name and contact information or you invite them to be a sponsor for the jazz festival.  If you have any questions, please contact Janet Stern or Fr. Jim, in the parish office.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim 

~ Image Source: Liturgy Tools

Fr. Jim's Jots - Second Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2020

Fr. Jim's Jots

Second Sunday of Lent

Throughout Lent, we are called to repent from sin and turn to the Lord!  Next Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m., Saint Elizabeth is pleased to offer a Communal Reconciliation Service, with a special Lenten activity and lunch to follow.  All are invited! 

We will have several priests here and we look forward to you celebrating Lent with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  There is no wrong way to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation; if you haven't been to confession/reconciliation in awhile, please consider attending next Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 a.m., here at Saint Elizabeth.

This week, March 4th, Sister Tiberh Hagos celebrated her 25th Anniversary of Religious Life.  We, as a parish, together with Sister Tiberh's family and "Religious" family, will celebrate this milestone on June 27 at Saint Elizabeth.

Remember to mark your calendar for our parish Lenten Retreat.  We need you to participate and attend the retreat, Saturday, March 28.  This important event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim 

~ Image Source: Catholic Culture

Swahili Mass at St. Elizabeth Church, 3.7.2020 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

On Saturday, March 7, 2020, Fr. Ernest Bulinda again celebrated Mass in Swahili for all who wanted an opportunity to attend Mass in their native language and for others who wished to join them.  

 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

Sr. Tiberh's 25th Anniversary of Profession of Vows - 3.5.2020 ~ Photo by Janet Stern

Sr. Tiberh and Fr. Jim

~ Photo by Janet Stern

The Rite of Welcoming for Baptized Christians - First Sunday of Lent, 3.1.2020 ~ Photos by Liz Wiznerowicz

The Rite of Welcoming for Baptized Christians who are seeking to enter the Catholic Church.

~ Photos by Liz Wiznerowicz

Children Who Will Be Baptized At Easter At St. Elizabeth Church ~ Photos by Liz Wiznerowicz

Noel and Spay

Receiving the Blessing

Signing the Book

~ Photos by Liz Wiznerowicz

Fr. Jim's Jots

First Sunday of Lent

As we close out February and Black History Month, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, "we must not only acknowledge the evil he confronted but also focus on his example in overcoming it."

Throughout Lent, we are called to examine our conscience and repent from sin/evil and return to the Lord, the Gospel.

Please mark your calendars and participate in our Lenten Retreat, March 28th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., here at Saint Elizabeth.  We are pleased to have Rev. Don Ward, S.J., as our retreat director.

Plan on celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Our world today needs us to acknowledge our sins and turn to the Lord.  We will have a reconciliation service on Saturday, March 14th at 10:30 a.m. or before Mass on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Friday at 12 noon or by appointment.

Please reflect and pick up one of the Black Books in back of church to have a prayerful experience of Lent.  Also read the Global Catholic Climate Movement's Lenten reflections of repentance, to help care for our common home.

Please participate in our Stations of the Cross every Friday throughout Lent at 5:30 p.m.  Also, we need you to consider attending Mass more frequently during Lent.  We need to have you participate at the Wednesday, 6 p.m. or Friday, 12 noon Mass.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim



~ Image Source: Christ Lutheran Church