Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Sr. Tiberh's Anniversary! ~ 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 6.28.2020

CONGRATULATIONS SISTER TIBERH!!!

Fr. Jim's Jots

This weekend we celebrate Sr. Tiberh's 25th Anniversary of Religious Life.  We had planned a special Mass for Saturday, June 27th, but due to the Coronavirus, the event is postponed and will take place at a later date.

Sr. Tiberh grew up in Ethiopia and is the firstborn of ten siblings.  Her parents are Haregu (Mom) and Zerezghi (Dad) who reside in Seattle, WA.  Most of her family had hoped to travel to Saint Elizabeth, Richmond, for this special occasion, but this celebration is postponed.

Sister Tiberh made her First Religious Vows in 1995 and her Final Vows on September 14, 2003 in Rome, Italy and is a member of the Comboni Missionary Sisters from Eritrea, an international community.  We are blessed to have a convent of the Comboni Sisters here in Richmond since the 1950's.

Sr. Tiberh has served in Ethiopia, Dubai, UAF, Jordan, Italy, Brazil and in Richmond, since 2015 and Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church since 2018 as our Human Concerns Coordinator. Special thanks to Sr. Tiberh who has a passion for our newest parish members.  We are blessed under Sr. Tiberh's direction and trusting in Divine Providence, all are welcome and our parish grows due to her efforts and belief in the power of God's Providence. 

If you wish to send Sr. Tiberh a card or email, the information is below.  The parish of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church thanks Sr. Tiberh for her vocation and her ministry at our Parish community.

God bless YOU, Sr.Tiberh,

Fr. Jim

Sr. Tiberh Z. Hagos
sistertiberh@stelizcc.org

Sr. Tiberh Hagos
c/o St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
1301 Victor Street
Richmond, VA 23222


P.S.  If you would like to chat or celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, give me a call.  Fr. Jim, cell 804-221-1508

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We Live to Empower - A Resource for Parents and Young People Against Bullying and Suicide ~ Info Provided by Rosemary Overton

Rosemary Overton was kind enough to alert me to this helpful resource of online workshops against bullying and for the prevention of suicide.

The link is "We Live to Empower" 

Hopefully, this will be helpful to you or someone you know.



June & July 2020 Workshops:

Friday, June 26, 2020 - The Why, Mental Health Just for Me - Youth

Friday, July 3rd, 7 p.m. - The Why, Women Crown Check 1.2.1.2. Mental Health Workshop (Women)

Friday, July 10th - The Why, My Clean Slate "Let Me Reintroduce My Self" (Women)

Fr. Jim's Jots - FATHER'S DAY - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 21, 2020

FR. JIM'S JOTS

This weekend we return to Ordinary Time...Yeah!! What I call the "wearing of the Green."  The Easter Season is officially over and now we are called to settle in and enjoy ordinary time and summer.  This is not however, an ordinary time!  Today's reading challenges us to "BE NOT AFRAID."

We surely are worth more than a flock of Sparrows and the Lord can count all the hairs on our head, even the changing color of our roots and the bald spots/heads too.  So trust in the Lord and let go!  Let God love YOU/US,...

...in an effort to trust in the Lord and be not afraid.  The following is a check list for each day or week, whatever You wish.

1.  Wake up and ask the Lord to help you to be kind.  Kindness to yourself and others.

2.  Pray one Hail Mary or Our Father and trust in the Lord.

3.  Let Go and Let God.  Say to the Lord, "I can't do this on my own" but You can, let go, let God.

4.  Light a candle, have a prayer space in your home, read the Sunday Scripture.

5.  Laugh, smile, give someone a compliment and keep and share kindness; it is contagious.

6.  At the end of your day... thank the Lord for your blessings and say one more Hail Mary or Our Father.  Get a good night's sleep; repeat the rest of the week.

"Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me, and I will give you REST."

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

PS:  If you would like to chat or celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, give me a call.

Cell: 804-221-1508

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June Call to Action! RISC Zoom Meeting on Monday, June 22, 2020, 5:30 p.m. ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

RISC June Call to Action

RISC is making significant progress in securing funding to stop evictions.  We need to hurry.  2000 families could be evicted in a month!  YOU can keep families in their homes.  Simply, join RISC members on Zoom for Monday's city council meeting.  Designated members will speak up and stress the urgency of evictions with the members of city council.

Details about joining the call can be found HERE.

 

Catholic Virginian Article about Umoja Family and St. Elizabeth Parish ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

The Catholic Virginian featured St. Elizabeth in this article.  Read about the beautiful friendship between an Umoja family and the members in the parish.

Read about it:   Long journey, outreach lead to friendship

Celebrating Juneteenth ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

This week, Governor Northam announced that he intends to mark Juneteenth as a permanent paid state holiday. Learn more about this special day that marks our country's second independence day.

Pictured is Richmond's Emancipation Day Celebration in 1888 inb front of a store on Main Street. 

For more information, click here.




~ Image Source: Valentine Museum, Cook Collection, 1388/PHCoo47The Valentine

Attention! To Request Absentee Ballots for June 23rd Primary Election! DUE today, 6.16.2020! By 5 p.m.!

The Richmond Pledge to End Racism ~ Meeting Held at The Islamic Center, 6.13.2020 ~ Photos provided by EJCooley

The Richmond Pledge to End Racism

I BELIEVE that every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race or color.

I BELIEVE that every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful; if it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others.

Therefore, from this day forward,

I WILL strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.

I WILL discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity.

I WILL treat all people with dignity and respect.

I WILL commit to working with others to transform Richmond into a place that treats people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures with justice, equality, and compassion, and

I WILL strive daily to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a better place because of my effort.

Adapted from the Birmingham Pledge

RichmondPledge.org

Fr. Jim's Jots - Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, 6.14.2020 - Examination of Conscience

FR. JIM'S JOT

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

A Look at Myself in the Mirror

Conscience is the "core and sanctuary" within us where we are alone with God and hear his call to "love good and avoid evil" and "do this, shun that." Let us examine our conscience in light of the sin of racism, asking ourselves:

1.  Have I fully loved God and fully loved my neighbor as myself?

2.  Have I caused pain to others by my actions or my words that offended my brother or my sister?

3.  Have I done enough to inform myself about the sin of racism, its roots and its historical and contemporary manifestations? Have I opened my heart to see how unequal access to economic opportunity, jobs, housing, and education on the basis of skin color, race, or ethnicity has denied and continues to deny the equal dignity of others? 

4.  Is there a root of racism within me that blurs my vision of who my neighbor is? 

5.  Have I ever witnessed an occasion when someone "fell victim" to personal, institutional, systematic or social racism and I did or said nothing, leaving the victim to address their pain alone?

6.  Have I ever witnessed an occasion when someone "fell victim" to personal, institutional, systematic or social racism with me inflicting the pain, acting opposite of love of God and love of neighbor?

7.  Have I ever lifted up and aided a person who "fell victim" to personal, institutional, systematic or social racism and paid a price for extending mercy to the other?  How did I react?  Did my faith grow?  Am I will to grow even more in faith through my actions?

ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.  Amen.

SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION TO ACT JUSTLY

I recognize that racism manifests in my own individual thoughts, attitudes, actions, and inaction.  It also manifests in social structures and unjust systems that perpetuate centuries of racial injustice.  For my individual actions and my participation in unjust structures, I seek forgiveness and move towards reconciliation.  I look into my heart and ask for the will and the strength to help contribute to the healing of racism in my time.

It is written in Ezekiel 36:26:

"I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."  

Pope Francis reminds us that the Lord "calls each of us by our name: he knows us by name, he looks at us; he waits for us; he forgives us; he is patient with us."  Receiving God's grace and forgiveness requires a response.  Pope Francis encourages the believer:  "Whoever experiences Divine mercy is impelled to be an architect of mercy among the least and the poor."  Now let us do what God requires:  "Only to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

May we all examine our consciences and love one another as brothers and sisters.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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Image Source:  Patch.com

Call to End Racism Meeting, 6.13.20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., See below. ~ Info provided by EJCooley

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Fr. Jim has been invited to offer a prayer at this event.  He hopes to have a good group of our parishioners there to show our support.


Info provided by EJCooley

Prayer to Overcome Racism ~ Provided by Cecilia Hull

Wake Me Up Lord*

Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism

Finds no home within me.

Keep watch over my heart Lord,

and remove from me any barriers to your grace,

that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters.

Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give

services of justice and peace.

Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory.

And finally, remind us Lord that you said,

"blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God."

Amen.

* This prayer is from For The Love of One Another (1989), a special message from the Bishops' Committee on Black Catholics of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the Pastoral Letter, Brothers and Sisters to Us, the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Racism (1979).

"My black Catholic church was closed in the name of Integration" - Deacon Charles Williams, Office of Black Catholics, Diocese of Richmond ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

Deacon Charles Williams, Office of Black Catholics for Richmond Diocese, describes attending St. Joseph's and Van de Vyver Catholic School in Jackson Ward and the impact of the diocese closing them in June 1969.  "Upon learning the news, I was stunned, hurt and then felt outrage.  How could they close my church?  How could they take away the most important thing in my life?"

To read more:  America Magazine, February 17, 2020


~ Photo of St. Joseph Church borrowed from America Magazine

St. Elizabeth Parish Members at Zoom Mass on Sunday, 6.7.2020 ~ Screen shots by Connie Hom

Connie took these great screen shots of parish members attending the Zoom Mass on Sunday, June 7, 2020!  There are 25 pics in each panel, so there were at least 125 people attending!  What a wonderful community we have!  Click photos to enlarge!

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~ Screen shots by Connie Hom

Our Parishioner, Donna Gorman and Her Beautiful Stained Glass Art ~ Sent by Eddie Gorman

St. E's parishioner, Donna Gorman is the artist who did the stained glass work that we see each time we enter the front door of the church.  I asked if she would share more of her work and this evening, her son Eddie sent these two examples.

Agony in the Garden

Donna's Beautiful Stained Glass Window Art

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From the Pen of Deacon Chris Barrett - "Responding to Persecution" ~ Trinity Sunday, 6.7.2020

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Responding to Persecution

Black is beautiful (1960's).  Black Lives Matter (2020's).  St. Elizabeth is privileged and proud to be one of three parishes in our diocese that is designated as an African-American parish.  The universal Catholic Church has been enriched by the saintly participation of black people since the first century.  For 400 years now, blacks in America have been the victims of unceasing persecution, including persistent harassment and hostility by white police officers.  The murder of George Floyd is the tip of the iceberg and a tipping point in our history.  And so, we as a parish commit ourselves to continue our work for racial justice, particularly in Richmond and particularly as it is needed in law enforcement practices, affordable housing, educational opportunity, and economic standards of living.

And so, we as a parish challenge those of us who are white, in the words of black Catholic priest Fr. Bryan Massingale, "to sit in the discomfort that the hard truth of white privilege brings, to admit your ignorance and to do something about it, to have the courage to confront your family and friends, to be unconditionally pro-life given that racism is a life issue, and to pray."  While sitting with the discomfort, it is a time to reflect on the assumptions that have influenced our lives about people who are Black and so lift this awareness in prayer.  And so, we as a parish look forward to being an even stronger beloved and diverse community of disciples of Jesus Christ, Lord of us all.

Deacon Chris Barrett

Fr. Jim's Jots - Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020 ~ Bishop's Statement on the Death of George Floyd

Fr. Jim's Jots

Most Holy Trinity !


Bishop Knestout Statement on the Death of George Floyd and Unrest in Richmond

"Like you, I have been distressed, angered and heartbroken by what has transpired with images we have seen coming from Minneapolis and across our country.  The loss of George Floyd's life is unacceptable and heartbreaking.  We pray for the repose of his soul and for his loved ones who are suffering.  And while we are hundreds of miles from Minneapolis, the anguish and pain are deeply affecting our community here too.  The sorrow and the anger were clear last night in our city."

"I know many in our community are outraged and have experienced racism in their own lives.  I know because I have listened and heard from them directly.  Their pain is real, and it cannot be ignored.  I also know that violence is not an acceptable response to violence.  Such actions only perpetuate the destructive cycle.  It is only through a peaceful response can we create positive change for the future."

"We know that the vast majority of those within the law enforcement community are good, honest and respected officers who are doing good, seeking to protect common good in sometimes stressful and difficult environments.  Please pray for them as well."

"As we are immersed kin the Solemnity of Pentecost this weekend, I call upon all Catholics to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance of our country and of our own diocese during these challenging times.  As St. Augustine wrote, 'Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.  Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.' "

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Image Source

Resources to Help Parents Talk to Their Children about Discrimination ~ Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

1.  Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate 

2.  How to Talk to Your Children About Protests and Racism 

3.  Talking to Children After Racial Incidents 

4.  Talking to Kids About Current Events and Conflicts 

5.  Talking to Kids About Discrimination 

Extended Dispensation Concerning Mass at St. E's - 6.1.2020 ~ Info from Fr. Jim

EXTENDED DISPENSATION

Effective May 31, 2020 until further notice:  We will have one "in-person" Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.  We will be following all social distancing and other sanitary directives issued by the Diocese of Richmond and the State of Virginia.  Due to these mandates, our seating capacity will be greatly reduced.  We expect to be able to accommodate a maximum of 35 people.  If you plan to attend, please call our office at 804-329-4599 and leave your name and contact information on extension 10.

Bishop Knestout has extended the dispensation from attendance at Mass on Sunday until further notice.  You are not required to attend Mass at this time if you are at risk, if you live with someone who is at risk or if you are uncomfortable attending Mass in person.  Our 10:00 a.m. ZOOM Mass will continue at this time.  

Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. and Friday Noon Mass and Rosary will also continue on ZOOM until further notice.

Thanks,

Fr. Jim

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SUNDAY MASS @ 10:00 a.m.

Click on ZOOM

Meeting ID:  331 794 018

Password:  946232


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WEDNESDAY MASS @ 6:00 p.m.//// FRIDAY MASS @ 12 Noon

Click on ZOOM

Meeting ID: 243 413 539

Password:  877488



DAILY ROSARY @ 7:00 p.m.

Click on ZOOM

Meeting ID:  243 413 539

Password:  877488

RISC Meeting THIS AFTERNOON on ZOOM! - June 1, 2020, Information Below ~ Info from Cecilia Hull

JUNE CALL TO ACTION!

CURBING VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY

RISC is hosting a ZOOM session on Monday, June 1st to continue its research of proven methods to curb violence in our community.  Today features a discussion with noted author, Thomas Abt.  Details and instructions on how to join the session via Zoom is posted here: 

https://www.stelizcc.org/risc-call-to-action-june/