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TO DREAM A DREAM ~ Equitable Education for our Umoja Students

 

To Dream a Dream

St. Elizabeth is dreaming a dream of equitable education for our Umoja students.  We are so grateful to those who volunteered to be Mentors and Angels for our ESL student.  Additionally, volunteers have been working to create a personalized school program just for these amazing kids.

St. Elizabeth is sponsoring the first student to start at Seton Home Study School on Monday, February 1st.  Seton offers an accredited Catholic homeschool education for students who need special services.  This student will be taking accelerated Math, English, Biology, Religious Studies and Keyboarding.  Thanks to generous donations, all of the tuition and books, and all materials have been paid for.  He will be studying here at St. Elizabeth with volunteers.

Fr. Jim wishes more Umoja students could take advantage of this program.  This Fall, we would like to sponsor a pilot program for a handful of students.  We will need monetary donations, food donations, computer and supplies donations.  We will need volunteers to help teach and encourage (Mentors and Angels). We will need help making space in the parish hall for the kids to study during the weeks.  We will need your prayers.

For our first student, the dream is starting to come true.  As we emerge from Coronavirus restrictions, we hope to make this dream happen for many more.  If you'd like to help in the Fall, with donations or by volunteering, please reach out to Liz at lizw.rva@gmail.com.

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Fr. Jim's Jots - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 31, 2021

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Many thanks for your kind prayers on the death of my Mother, Patricia A. Arsenault who died of the COVID 19 Virus, January 22, 2021.  I am glad she is no longer suffering.  Mom's Memorial Mass will be on ZOOM, Friday, February 5th at 6 p.m. (Friday noon Mass is cancelled). Please use the same ZOOM link as the Sunday Mass. (see data below) "Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, may she rest in Peace."

Next week we welcome "Black History Month". We will have two reflections after a brief homily from two African-American Men to share their personal experience of being Black in America.

February 7th - George Strother

February 14th - Ty'shell Jones

I am sure we will learn and enjoy their thoughts and reflections.  We thank both George and Ty'shell for helping us as a Parish community learn from their life experiences.  May we pray for an end to the sin of racism.

We also will be starting Lent on Wednesday February 17th, with a 6:00 p.m. ZOOM Mass on the Sunday link.  Start thinking about what and how this Lent 2021 can be a blessing during such a difficult time.  We need each other.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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February Birthdays at St. Elizabeth Church ~ Info Provided by EJCooley!

 

Sr. Cora Marie Billings

Katrinia Bledsoe

Amy Williford Brew

Phillip Brew

Katherine Crowl

Donna Gorman

Jennie Green

Claude Henderson

Kade'ge Jardim

Tyronna Jones

Anne Holton Kaine

Senator Timothy Kaine

Uwase Lexandrine

Ellie Liban

Ilianna Marcos Cruz Machuca

Fabrice Niyitanga

Jason Plageman

Joshua Pursley

Elizabeth Ruffin

Thomas Smith

Jennifer Soistman

James Strother

Joan Strudenant

Michele Surat

William Thomson

Yves Uwimana

Kenneth Williams

Alexandra Williams

Cathy Woodson

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 24, 2021

 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Jim's Jots

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.

Please remember to pray for those affected by the dreaded Covid 19 virus.

Please pray for our newly elected President, Joe Biden and Vice President, Kamala Harris and the citizens of the United States of America.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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Social Justice Opportunities at St. E's ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

 SOCIAL JUSTICE AT ST. ELIZABETH

RISC MEETING on JANUARY 26

On Tuesday, January 26th from 7-8 p.m., St. Elizabeth RISC members will meet (on Zoom) to organize for March's Nehemiah Action Rally (also on Zoom).  Links to join on the 26th and for upcoming meetings are posted here.

https://stelizcc.org/risc-call-to-action-january-2021/

VICPP

The Virginia Interfaith Center (St. Elizabeth is a member) is a non-partisan coalition of faith communities advocating for economic, racial, social and environmental justice.  While the General Assembly is in session, you can receive email alerts and take action: 

https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/email-list/

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Planning is underway for Lent and Black History Month:

https://stelizcc.org/social-justice-january2021/

Congratulations to Deacon Chris! Ten Year Anniversary as a Deacon!

 Congratulations!

Congratulations to Deacon Chris Barrett as he celebrates ten years as an Ordained Deacon! Deacon Chris is spiritual, fun-loving and supportive. We are grateful that he is with us at Saint Elizabeth.

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ January 17, 2021

 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Jim's Jots

A special THANK YOU to Ms. Janet Stern who has volunteered for about two years at our parish office and for so many services at our Church. Janet, thank you for your service and many acts of kindness.  We are so thankful that you will continue to help in the parish office on Tuesdays and will help with other duties should your schedule permit.

We welcome Ms. Mary Rose Purcell, who will be our parish secretary.  Please call and introduce yourself to Mary Rose.  Parish office hours are 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Thanks to all our staff and parish volunteers during this difficult time of the Covid virus for keeping the parish going and in good shape.  We are blessed and thankful for all your kindness and hard work.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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Martin Luther King, Jr. ~ Day of Service

 Martin Luther King Day of Service

January 18,  2021

19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration ~ Monday, January 18, 2021 ~ 6:00 p.m.

 

19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Fr. Jim will do the opening prayer at this virtual event.

~ Register at: https://19thmlkcelebration.eventbrite.com

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 10 2021

 The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Fr. Jim's Jots

During this challenging and difficult time, we need your help to run the Zoom Mass from Church on Sundays.  The following help is needed:

We need someone to unlock the church at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday and turn on the lights.

We need someone to help with the Zoom Mass at 10:00 a.m. This includes turning on 3 laptops, log all 3 unto Zoom and turn on the balcony camera and projector next to the piano.

During the Mass, stand by the piano laptop and unmute when Mass starts.  Shut down all equipment after Mass and turn off lights and lock Church.

This person can coordinate with Connie to determine a schedule and emergency backup plan.

Your help is needed.

Blessings and Thanks,

Fr. Jim

 

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SIGN-UP for Conversations on Racism ~ January 17, 2021 ~ 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

 

Fuel and Hunger Fund Grant from the Diocese of Richmond

FUEL AND HUNGER FUND

The Society of St. Vincent DePaul, St. Teresa of Calcutta Society, of which Saint Elizabeth is a member along with Saint Bridget and Holy Rosary have received a Grant from the Diocese of Richmond in the amount of $8000.00 from the Fuel and Hunger Fund.

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Epiphany, January 3, 2021

 

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Blessings and Happy New Year!!!  I am sure that everyone is glad to see the year 2020 in the rearview mirror, AMEN!!

During the next few weeks I am hoping that we will be more peaceful and prayerful.  I invite and ask you to consider both.  Jesus said: "My Peace is my Gift to YOU."  When you rise every morning, ask the Lord to direct your heart and actions to be Peaceful to things before you may say something you may later regret.  Have a prayer of thanksgiving and be patient with yourself and others.  Remember the magic words "Thank You" to those in service who keep things going:  health care workers, grocery store workers, parcel delivery people, struggling restaurant workers and all in service.  Say "Thank you for your service."

Be safe - Pray from home.  I ask you to pray the Rosary daily, or a Hail Mary often throughout your day for healing.  Consider joining our Zoom Mass on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Friday at 12 noon.  It's interactive and a chance to meet others and request special prayers.  You would be most welcome to join.  Turn off the news on T.V. or the radio and listen to music you like and enjoy.  Get enough sleep and exercise, go for a walk, engage in something to keep moving.

We love you and need you to stay healthy and to take care of Yourself - spiritually, mentally and physically in 2021. Please stay safe, you are in our prayers,

Fr. Jim

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