Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, 2020 ~ Black Catholic History Month

 

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Fr. Jim's Jots

Throughout the Month of November, we celebrate and remember "Black Catholic History Month".  At Saint Elizabeth, we are going to have a brief homily after the Gospel and a reflection from some of our parish members.  The schedule is as follows:

November 1st - Tinika and Igor McIntosh

November 8th - Adrien DeLoach

November 15th - Larry Williford

November 22nd - Mary Walker

Each presenter is asked to share their personal reflection about being Black and Catholic and perhaps answer a few questions.  We are blessed as a parish to have a wealth of knowledge and experience from so many of our members; we need to hear your stories.  May we honor "Black Catholic History Month" and together learn from our members' journeys.

Blacks in Catholic Christianity have a long and vibrant history.  Much of that history is unknown to Black Catholics as well as, to the rest of the faithful.  On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus designated November as Black Catholic History Month.  The reason behind the selection of November was the number of important dates to Catholics of African descent.

Nov. 1 - All Saints Day - An opportunity to review the lives of hundreds of Saints of Affrican descent in the first 300 years of the church.

Nov. 2 - All Souls Day - A time to remember all those African Souls lost to cruel treatment in the Middle Passage crossing of the Atlantic.

Nov. 3 - The feast of Saint Martin dePorres, the only saint of African descent from this Hemisphere.

Nov. 13 - The Birth of St. Augustine in 354 A.D., the first Doctor of the Church from North Africa.

Nov. 20 - The death of Zumbi of Palmares in Brazil, the South American founder of the Free State of Blacks.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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CommUNITY Conversations on Racism ~ Update Provided by Margaret Rittenhouse

 CommUNITY Conversation on Racism

The planning committee for the dialogue held on October 4, 2020 to begin conversations would like to thank all those who participated (a total of 64 parishioners!).  We would like feedback from the participants as well as, input from the entire St. Elizabeth congregation regarding this issue.  We ask all parishioners to please complete this survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BN7TJNH

no later than November 2, 2020 to give us feedback/ideas regarding St. Elizabeth CommUNITY Conversations on Racism.  We want to know what you want to see next; what are your concerns and observations; what things you want to learn more about... Your voice counts!!

Slide Deck:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/184ywblmiIoUs_-YW8sALtN8z4bFK5c7CBt_bW_8GYM4/edit?usp=sharing

Resource List:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S_KmKwCZkkDO9nQ1CPiwfDeAoik56k0BfBs9FL7iaIQ/edit?usp=sharing

These links are the slide deck and the Resource List from the Conversations presentation.  We give credit to The Conciliation Project for this incredible work.  The work goes on... Join Us!

Margaret Rittenhouse (margaret.rittenhouse@gmail.com)

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St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee ~ VOTER INFORMATION ~ Provided by Cecelia Hull

VOTER INFORMATION

The St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee has compiled important information about how you can vote for this election.  You can find helpful links and a flyer of important deadlines on our website:  https://stelizcc.org/voter-info/

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November Social Justice Committee Meeting

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Social Justice Committee's November 2020 Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  

The Agenda will be forthcoming a few days prior to November 17 as an update.  November 17th is also the Feast Day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary - how appropriate!

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Fr. Jim's Jots

Dear Friends of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, during this time of the COVID virus and all the challenges we are facing, I wanted us to revisit and perhaps cut out and pray daily this special prayer to help us.  You remain in my thoughts and prayers.  If you need any help, please contact the parish office or myself.

USCCB COVID PRAYER

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.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, Ph.D. ~ Information Provided by EJCooley

 Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman FSPA, Ph.D.

"And if we walk on and talk on and work on and pray on and hold on and love on in faith, we shall overcome.  Overcome weakness, overcome fatigue, overcome exhaustion, overcome pain and loneliness, overcome frustration, overcome the prejudices and the stereotypes, the anxieties, the grief, the fear, the negative attitudes -- all those barriers and boundaries that keep us apart, overcome racism and classism and sexism and materialism, all those 'isms' that keep us apart."

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, Ph.D.

(1937-1990)

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Rest in Peace ~ Former Pastor, Fr. Pat Apuzzo's Obituary

Fr. Pat's obituary can be found at Legacy.com below:

Obituary 

Confirmation Preparation Starts in October!

 

Our Kick-Off begins on Saturday, October 24th (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at Shalom House Retreat Center.  We're keeping this retreat small and safe so that we can have one in-person.  Please register for our in-person program by emailing Liz at Lizw.rva@gmail.com.  

The cost for this retreat is $25.00. This program is for 10th - 12th graders who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Reconciliation.  Students need to participate in a faith formation program this year and need to attend eight 90-minute sessions (two Sundays per month, 3:00-4:30 p.m.). All 8 sessions will be held on ZOOM.

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Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10.18.2020

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Fr. Jim's Jots

This weekend, we as a Catholic Church celebrate "Laity Sunday," a time to reflect and in a special way, give thanks to the Laity in our parish that are the glue that keeps things together.

PRAYER OF THE LAITY

Heavenly Father, you have called us all to holiness which means sharing in your divine life.  Fill us with a sense of our true dignity as those called to be your daughters and sons in the world and your ambassadors of justice, love and peace.  Give us the desire to be worthy of this great calling and the courage to live up to it.  We ask this through Christ the Lord.  Amen.

In the past, before Vatican II, the church relied on priests and nuns to run the parishes.  The Laity had very little influence and input on the life of the parish and its mission.  I believe our parish of Saint Elizabeth and hopefully all parishes see the gift and value the leadership role of the Laity.  As your priest, I don't know what I would do without the advice, guidance and leadership of our Parish Council, Finance Council, Social Justice Committee, Liturgy Committee and the parish staff and volunteers who help in countless ways.

I give thanks and pray for our leadership of our "Laity," who are no longer on the sidelines in running our parish but are at its heart.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim 

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Scripture Study with Rita Hatchett ~ Paul's Letter to the Romans

 

Paul's Letter to the Romans

The next Scripture Study will be Paul's Letter to the Roman's.  Registration and $10.00 payment for class materials will be due by November 5, 2020 payable through St. Elizabeth online payment link: https://stelizcc.churchgiving.com/ . Go to Religious Education, One Time Donation, be sure to put Scripture Class in the memo area. 

Prerequisite for new members 4-5 Bible Basics classes start Thursday, November 12, 6-8 p.m. To register or for more info, email Rita Hatchett at rhatchett1@verizon.net. You can also send a text to 804-229-1999.

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

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Many thanks to all who are helping our Saint Elizabeth Religious Education on all levels.  We have in place classes for our elementary, junior high, high school and Adults.  We are working with a few local parishes for our high school / Confirmation Sacramental Program.  

If you have not registered or your family has not registered, please contact Liz at lizwrva@gmail.com or call the parish office.  

Special thanks to all who signed up for the VIRTUS training with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  I ask all parents and anyone who helps in any way with children to be VIRTUS certified.

Contact the Diocesan website at 

https://richmonddiocese.org/registeringfor-an-upcoming-virtus-training-program/

and sign up for our VIRTUS/Protecting God's Children program.

Also, we are pleased to have Beng and Chris Metzger, once again conduct our RCIA Classes.  The RCIA is for folks who wish to learn more about becoming Roman Catholic or for Catholics who are in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The RCIA will take place via Zoom on Sundays at 12 noon.  If you would like to learn more about this journey,  please contact the Metzger's at Metzger.christopher@gmail.com.

During this challenging time, we need to meet and continue to learn together about the love of Christ and His Church.  May we also pray in a special way the Rosary during this month of October.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

P.S. October is the month of the Rosary.  May we spend some time every day and pray the Rosary for our families and our country.

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St. Elizabeth Catholic Rosary Rally, 10.10.2020 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

St. Elizabeth Rosary Rally

10.10.2020

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Pope Francis' New Encyclical "Fratelli tutti" ~ Information Provided by Cecilia Hull

On the Feast of St. Francis, Pope Francis signed the new Encyclical "Fratelli tutti" on St. Francis tomb in Assisi.  He chose this day and this visual because St. Francis inspired the words in this important document.  Pope Francis wrote the letter as, he said, the pandemic "unexpectedly erupted."  His hope is the letter will show you that "no one can face life in isolation" and the time has truly come to "dream, then, as a single human family" in which we are "brothers and sisters all" (7-8) Here is a summary of the letter.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/fratelli-tutti-pope-fraternity-social-friendship-short-summary.html

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IT'S TOMORROW!!! St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Public Square Rosary Rally - Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:00 Noon

 

"Join the Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church Public Square Rosary Rally, in person or via ZOOM on Saturday - October 10, 2020 at 12:00 noon.  This public Square Rosary Rally, sponsored by America Needs Fatima, is one of over 20,000 rallies across the United States on this date.

We will be saying the rosary in front of Saint Elizabeth Catholic on the steps, socially distant 6 ' apart and wearing face coverings.  Pray the rosary with us, in person or via ZOOM, at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church along with millions across the United States celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal."

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/243413539?pwd=Unc0eURKaUVhOWNBTGJKaEtTb29iZz09

Meeting ID: 243 413 539

Passcode: 877488

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WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR VOTING? ~ Information Provided by Cecilia Hull

 

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR VOTING?

• Tuesday, October 13:  last day to register or update existing registration
• Saturday, October 31: last day for Early voting (no excuse) In-Person
• Tuesday, November 3: Election Day Polls Open 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. (this is a State Holiday)
• Tuesday, November 3: Ballots mailed must be postmarked by or before November 3.

Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portals let you prepare to vote online.  If you do not have reliable internet, you can call your local voter registration office or the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745.

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/es/

~ St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee

St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee ~ CommUNITY Conversations on Racism ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

 

CommUNITY Conversations on Racism

St. Elizabeth wants to thank a small group of parishioners who organized a CommUNITY Conversation on Racism for our parish.  It is the first in an ongoing dialogue among parishioners to address racism.

Held on Zoom, Dr. Ram Bhagat, a longtime educator, arts innovator, and peacebuilder, led the discussion with more than 50 parishioners.

• If you want to be a part of a diverse and welcoming Catholic parish, join St. Elizabeth Parish Social Justice Committee.
• If you are called to address equity in our community, join St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee.

Right now, most of our religious education and committee meetings are held on Zoom.

-- St. Elizabeth Social Justice Committee

Invitation: Comboni Missionary Sisters: For a Mass in Honor of Their Founder, St. Daniel Comboni ~ Information Provided by Sr. Tiberh

 Sister Tiberh invites you to join her and the Comboni Missionary Sisters for a Mass in honor of their founder, St. Daniel Comboni.  The celebration is virtual on Zoom and Facebook at @OneWeCms.  To view on Zoom, enter Meeting ID: 642 175 9706 with Passcode: Comboni.

Fr. Jim's Jots - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Your help is needed; our Parish is blessed to have a number of families who need Zoom mentor teachers.  Many of our students are learning to speak English and could use some extra support with homework and online learning.  Can you help?  If so, please contact Sr. Tiberh: tiberhcms@gmail.com

VIRTUS training hosted by our own Liz Wiznerowicz; I am asking and the Richmond Diocese is making this request mandatory for all non-parents working in any way with minors.  Protection God's Children / VIRTUS training will take place via Zoom on October 8, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. To sign up, please go to:

https://richmonddiocese.org/registeringfor-an-upcoming-virtus-training-program/

Once on the site, type in Richmond Diocese.  This link should lead you to our VIRTUS training being run by Liz Wiznerowicz from our parish.  To contact Liz: lizw.rva@gmail.com

I strongly encourage all parents with children of all ages to take the VIRTUS training.  Your help is needed.

Together may we pray for the Zoom mentor teachers to help our students and all parents to be the first and best educators in the faith journey of all our children.  If you have any questions, please contact Liz or Sr. Tiberh.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

P.S. October is the month of the Rosary; may we spend some time every day and pray the Rosary for our families and our country. 

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St. Elizabeth Church October Birthdays ~ Information Provided by EJCooley

OCTOBER 2020 BIRTHDAYS

Tinika Amouzouvi, Kim Bragg

Cassandra Bland, Kevin Drennan

Karen Brown Carter, Mary Thompson Walker

Evan Curbeam, James Hull

Abbey Dankoff

John DeMayo, Fenimore Haines

Regine Despinasse-Merone, Kathryn Haines, Neema Shishi

Akil Diggs

Catherine Estevez

Deshawn Goodwyn, Sarah McMahon

Sarah Holzgrefe

Stephonia Owolabi

Annemarie Pancham

Harlow Plageman

Vivian Sullivan

Barbara Vaughan

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