Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Holy Family, December 27, 2020

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Feast of the Holy Family

December 27, 2020 

As the baby Jesus brought hope to the world over 2000 years ago, may we see signs of HOPE for 2021.

May we see medical advances for a virus vaccine...

May we recognize "essential workers" throughout our society...

May we be a country willing to confront and begin to eradicate racism...

May we show a genuine concern for the less fortunate and work to improve their lives...

May we take pride in our country and feel renewed hope with an honest president and vice-president who are good caring leaders...

MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR HOMES!

Many thanks to our members and ministries, here at St. Elizabeth.  Thank you for sharing your "time, talent and treasure" especially during this time of a pandemic.  Special thanks to our parish staff: Deacon Chris, Sr. Tiberh, Liz, Janet, EJ, Scott and Roger.  Thanks also to our Parish and Finance Councils, Human Concerns, a superb Gospel Choir, Community Life, Liturgical, Evangelical, Social and Social Justice, RCIA and Health Ministries and a hardworking Buildings and Grounds Team; with your help, we continue to minister to our members, community and our neighbors during this trying time.

Welcome to the season of Advent/Christmas!

The St. Elizabeth schedule is as follows:

December 27 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - 8:30 a.m. in-person Mass; ZOOM Mass, 10:00 a.m.

January 1, 2021 - New Year's Day, The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - 10.00 a.m., Mass in the Church (maximum of 50 attendees) and on ZOOM video from Church.

Please stay safe; you are in our prayers.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source

American Heart Association Information ~ Too Many Sugary Drinks! ~ Information provided by Rosemary Overton

 

CLICK THE LINK:

https://act.yourethecure.org/75FXPJX

~ Information provided by Rosemary Overton

A Christmas Message from Fr. Jim, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

 

My Sisters and Brothers,

We are approaching the celebration of Christmas and the end of 2020 - thanks be to God!  This has been a difficult and challenging year with the COVID Virus, racial strife and economic uncertainties,  With all of this, I want to thank you for your continued generosity over the years.

Your help is still needed.

If you are able, please consider a special gift to St. Elizabeth.  You can direct your gift in one of the following ways:

Social Ministry Fund

You will help people who are in need of assistance with essential expenses such as rent and utilities.

Operating Fund

You can support ALL the ministries at St. Elizabeth.  You will help cover any shortfalls in Sunday collections.

Building Fund

You will fund needed maintenance and repairs on our building and building projects in our future.

We give thanks!

In our parish, we are blessed with the help of Sister Tiberh and so many others who continue to welcome new members to our country and parish through our Social Ministry Fund.  This ministry continues to grow.  When you give directly to the Social Ministry Fund, you give Sister resources she needs for rent, food, clothing or utilities to families who are struggling to be self-sufficient.

We thank Liz Wiznerowicz, our education coordinator, who is learning to speak Swahili to better understand and teach our new families from the Congo and other African nations.  Liz coordinates faith formation for our growing parish.  When you give to the Religious Education Fund, Liz can pay for religious education fees and offer scholarships to students.

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE EVERY MONTH

We are here to help.

We offer confidential support if you or a family member or friend is in need of extra help during this time of graves challenges.  Please contact myself, Fr. Jim, (cell 804-221-1508) or Sister Tiberh (804-3294599, ext. 18) or Social Outreach in the parish office (804-329-4599, ext. 19) with these needs.  We help with food, utilities, and offer some limited assistance with rent.

If you can, please make a financial gift to support the parish and our parish family.  You can give online using our secure website:

https://stelizcc.churchgiving.com

You can give one time or set up a gift every month.  You can give to any of our parish ministries.  You can mail a gift to St. Elizabeth Parish, 1301 Victor St., Richmond VA 23222. In the memo, specify if you are supporting the Religious Education Fund, Social Ministry Fund, Building Fund or General Operating Fund.

Peace and hope and love,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Fr. Jim's Jots - Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 20, 2020

 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Many thanks for your prayers, kindness and generosity!

With your help, we have over 200 gifts for our parish children and the greater community and our neighbors.  Wow! Thank you!  We have also helped with over 80 Christmas food baskets with all the trimmings, for both parishioners and the community.  Daily, we are getting calls for help for food and utilities.  

Some of our parishioners who are helping Sr. Tiberh are Laverne Braxton, Helena Nelson and Sharon Morton and a host of others.  Without your outpouring of kindness and generosity, this would NOT be possible.

Welcome to the season of Advent/Christmas!

The St. Elizabeth schedule is as follows:

December 20th, Fourth Sunday of Advent

~ 8:30 a.m., in-person Mass

~ Zoom Mass, 10:00 a.m.

December 24th, Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord/Christmas Eve

~ Zoom Music Program - 5 p.m.

~ Zoom Christmas Eve Mass - 6:00 p.m.

December 25th, Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day

~ Mass in Church with maximum of 50 people - 8:30 a.m. (Please call or email parish office to reserve your seat: 804-329-4599 or jstern@stelizz.org)

~ Mass Christmas Day, Zoom only Mass at 10:00 a.m.

December 27th, Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

~ 8:30 a.m. in-person Mass

~ Zoom Mass at 10:00 a.m.

January 1, 2021 - New Year's Day, The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

~ 10:00 a.m. Mass in Church with maximum of 50 attendees and on Zoom video from Church

Please stay safe. You are in our prayers.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source

Choir Singing Advent and Christmas Songs for our Shut-in Members!!! - December 5, 2020 ~ News and Photo from Kim

 

Hey there, choir family!

The first group of sick and shut-in Advent/Christmas caroling was a success.  Robert, Katrinia and I were able to render a few songs to Barbara White, Elizabeth Ruffin, Claude Henderson and William and Gladys Lee.

They seemed very appreciative for us taking out the time for them, and some even had some conversation for us. This was really a heartwarming experience, even in the cold.

I look forward to others joining us, in the upcoming weeks, as you feel comfortable to come out and minister to others.

Take care,

Kim

First Sunday of Advent - November 29, 2020 ~ Information and Photos from Connie Hom

First Sunday of Advent at St. Elizabeth Church

Here are the pictures of the First Sunday of Advent.  Janet has a good picture of Shelley and Mike Anderson lighting the wreath at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.  Pat Cleary's daughter lit the candle at the 10 a.m. Mass and the Schoolers on ZOOM!  Life goes on!