Bogdanovic Baptism at St. E's - Sunday, June 20, 2021

 

On Sunday, June 20,2021, Albert Karl Bogdanovic was baptized at Saint Elizabeth.  Albert is the son of Stephan and Allison Bogdanovic and brother of Gabriel.  Others in the photo are extended family and godparents.

Introducing Saint Elizabeth's New Educational Ministry - Tusome Pamoja

Summer 2021

Tusome Pamoja is a special program spearheaded by Liz Wiznerowicz and Kenya Gray to serve our students in the Umoja community.  Students who had long interruptions in their formal education can received a personalized ESL curriculum from our Private Satellite School Program.  This summer, eight students will participate in our first TUSOME SUMMER program.  Four students will be able to become full-time students in the Fall!

We are grateful for Fr. Jim and Saint Elizabeth for providing  teaching space and seed money for our pilot program.  We are currently fundraising for our summer and fall programming.  We need volunteers and food donations, as well as, book and supply donations.  Please register to volunteer.  Pick one day or pick many!  We're so happy to have you!

Liz Wiznerowicz (right) is a veteran Catholic homeschooler, math tutor and religious educator. She has spent the last year learning Swahili.

Kenya Gray (left) is an ESL teacher for Henrico County and teaches at three different high schools.  She is a tireless advocate for newcomers and their families.

 

Fr. Jim's Jots - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 27, 2021

 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 27, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

"A Gem" that is what the students, staff and faculty at All Saints Catholic School call Ken Soistman.  Ken is retiring after 51 years of teaching and administration in Catholic Schools.  Ken started his ministry in the Diocese of Orlando in 1970 and moved to Richmond and his working for the school that needed his loving touch in 1996.

All Saints School didn't close but grew and flourished with a steady increase in enrollment and a new building project and a sound financial balance sheet.  Ken is also beloved for being a servant leader often the one to mow the lawn, cook lunches, the endless fundraiser, tour guide showing off a school which he loves.  All students were welcomed and respected; every color, creed and background experienced his unconditional love and sense of humor.

We, at Saint Elizabeth have known Ken as a friend, a member who helps pitch in whenever needed, a jazz festival emergency back-up generator is a timely joke at a parish council meeting.  But mostly, we call Ken, our friend.  Bless you, Ken Soistman, may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand and may the wind be at your back.  Our prayers are with you and your family and your All Saints family.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim and your Saint E. Family

* The Church office will be closed from July 1st to July 6th.

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July 2021 Birthdays at St. Elizabeth Church ~ Provided by EJCooley

 

Mary Ann Allen, Desire' Nahimana

Mary Baker, Roland Smith, J. Greg Holzgrefe

Elizabeth Bellavance, Cheryl Curbeam

Phil Brew, Amy Williford Brew

Kayden Bragg

Helen Heinrich, Carolyn Lawler

Peter Henry

Doyle Hull, T'Shell Jones

Woody Kaine

Vanessa Khadiga, Mateo Shishi

Calyssa Kremer, Dallas Ellerbe-White

Marie Masse

Treshawn McCall

Patrick Merone, Diane Neylan

Hudson Plageman

Colin Schooler, Ken Soistman

Lucy Thompson, Zach Barrett

David Tindall

Fr. Jim's Jots - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 20, 2021

 Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 20, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots!

A FATHER'S DAY PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus, the child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.  Blessed all fathers as they care for their families.  Give them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience.  Support them in the work they have to do, protecting those who look to them, as we look to You for love and salvation, through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.  In union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  St. Joseph, pray for all our Fathers in heaven and on earth.  Amen.

Update on the Diocesan Annual Appeal

To date, our goal was $14,200. The % of the goal vs target, 117%.  Amount collected, 96.8%.  We are blessed to have a kind and generous parish.

Remember, weekday Mass at NOON, starting Wednesday, July 7 and Friday, July 9.  The office will be closed for vacations and the holiday, July 1st through July 6th.

We have a number of families who need to have a child baptized.  Contact the parish office at 804-329-4599 or email office@stelizcc.org. 

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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St. Elizabeth Scripture Sharing Graduation, June 5, 2021 (in 4 parts) ~ Photos by Rita Hatchett and Ceci Hull

 Class Picture

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Front Row: Buzzy Lawler, Caroline Lawler, Phyllis Booth, Monique Moody, Rose Costanzo, Sue Holt, Rosemary Overton

Second Row: Kathleen Sullivan, Beverly Bryant, Connie Hom, Barbara Bruckart, Debbie Boisseau, Frances Pope, Janet Stern, Catherine Crowl

Third Row: Marie Masse', Cassandra Bland, Ellen Edwards, Karen Carter, Kathleen Berry, Jane DeBernardo

Fourth Row: Walker Bland, Mike Anderson, Shelly Anderson

Not Pictured: Donna Gorman, Eddie Gorman, Natasha Rivera, Sylvia Ohree, Tinika Mcintosh-Amouzouzi

The 2021 Scripture Class closing celebration was on Saturday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last March 2020 when COVID hit, in-person class was stopped.  The Book of Acts Class began again on Zoom in September 2020 and finished December 2020.  The Book of Romans started in January 2021 and ended May 2021 with 5 new members.  Total class of 29 members.

The closing was highly anticipated and with no more COVID restrictions, it meant we could hug each other.

Father Jim gave a Blessing and Deacon Chris passed out the certificates.  Each person received a goody bag with Isaiah, a graduation cap with candy inside.  Karen Carter had a custom made cookie with their name embossed on it with a rosary and God bless you.  Connie Hom gave a potted plant to each.

Monique Moody, our member from Culpepper, did a great job organizing the event.

There were also door prizes.  Most enthusiastic winner was Debbie Boisseau!

Food was plentiful and delicious.  Everyone had a great time.  Kathleen Sullivan's sentiment was, "It was as if we turned the lights back on at St. Elizabeth's!"

The Spirit was moving.

~ Rita Hatchett

Set #1 of Scripture Sharing Graduation: Meeting and Greeting ~ Photos by Rita Hatchett and Ceci Hull

Meeting and Greeting

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Set #2 of Scripture Sharing Graduation: The Gathering ~ Photos Provided by Rita Hatchett and Ceci Hull

 The Gathering

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The Table is Set

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Set #3 of Scripture Sharing Graduation: The Dinner ~ Photos Provided by Rita Hatchett and Ceci Hull

 The "Graduation Dinner"

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St. Elizabeth Scripture Class Graduation!

 Congratulations to the students of the 2021 Scripture Study Class led by our very own, Rita!  

This is one of many pictures taken at the "graduation ceremony."  To see the gallery of photos, visit the webpage:  https://stelizcc.org/bible-study-2021 or the Blog:  https://stelizabethcc.blogspot.com

 

ST ELIZABETH'S CENTENNIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

St. Elizabeth will celebrate our Centennial Anniversary in 2023.  We will begin the festivities with a Mass and reception on November 20, 2022 and conclude with a celebration on Sunday, November 19, 2023.  In between there will be lots of opportunities to share the history of the parish and recognize our families.  You are invited to be a part of this historic celebration.

The parish formed a planning committee.  We need and welcome your help.  

Email connie@buckinghamgreenery.com to join the planning meeting on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. on ZOOM

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Fr. Jim's Jots - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 13, 2021 

Fr. Jim's Jots

THANK YOU!! The word got out: we are having an outstanding response to the sign-up for getting your picture taken for our Parish Directory.  We have not had a new directory in a long while, so it will be so helpful to meet new and old parishioners and put names to faces.  If you have NOT signed up, please call or email the parish office or sign up after Mass this weekend and next.  Sessions are Tuesday, June 22, Wednesday, June 23 from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Our Summer Sunday Mass schedule is 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. It has been GREAT to see folks attending Mass in person.  No mask is needed if you have been vaccinated.  Starting Wednesday, July 7 and Friday, July 9, Mass times are at noon.  We need more folks to attend the Mass in church at noon on Wednesday and Friday.  Please attend.

Special thanks to Kim, Diane, Scott and all the Gospel Choir for coming back and singing at Mass!! We are truly blessed.  Your music adds so much to each liturgy,.  Also, thank you to Sister Tiberh and Beverly who have been so helpful with music at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.  We thank Connie Hom, Liz, Rod and Pat for the help with Zoom.  I am thankful to Chris and Beng Metzger and Shelley and Mike Anderson who have helped to get the church ready and clean after Masses.  It is wonderful to be back in church with people and have YOU IN THE PEWS.

Please join us on June 27 to thank Ken Soistman for 51 years of teaching and administration in Catholic Education with the last several years at All Saints Catholic School.  We will host a reception for Ken after the 10 a.m. Mass on June 27 in our park.

If you need a baby baptized, please call or email the parish office, 804-329-4599.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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Time to Sign Up for the New Church Directory!

 

SCHEDULE YOUR PHOTO FOR THE NEW PARISH DIRECTORY

It is time for a new parish directory with YOUR photo.  You can schedule your photo session for Tuesday, June 22nd or Wednesday, June 23rd.

Use this link to sign up:  https://ucdir.com/.  When you are on the website, click on the box on the right side of the homepage entitled "photography appointment scheduling login." Then enter your church code:  va116 and enter your church password: photo.

Fr. Jim's Jots - Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 6, 2021

 

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

June 6, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

Welcome back! Welcome back! Welcome back! This summer, our Masses are Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., in-person!  This schedule will change in the Fall with the start of Religious Education.  Zoom will continue at 10 a.m. for shut-ins.  Please see the letter from our Bishop about ending the dispensation from attending Mass on the official date of June 27, 2021.

Pics, pics, and pics...  We need your help to get your picture taken!  For the first time in 10 years, we are updating and creating a pictorial directory for St. Elizabeth.  We have partnered with Universal Directories and have Professional Photography sessions scheduled for June 22nd and 23rd from 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. both days.  We want all you members and friends to get your picture taken so we can learn names and make new friendships.  It's easy with several options to sign up:  online, at church, or calling the office.

You can sign up online at www.ucdir.com (Church Code: VA 116, Password: PHOTOS).  You can also sign up before and after Mass, or over the phone, by calling the church office at (804)329-4599.  We want everyone to have their photo taken!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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"When This Is Over" - A Reflection on the Pandemic by Laura Kelly Fanucci

When this is over,

may we never again

take for granted

A handshake with a stranger

Full shelves at the store

Conversations with neighbors

A crowded theatre

Friday night out

The taste of communion

A routine checkup

The school rush each morning

Coffee with a friend

The stadium roaring

Each deep breath

A boring Tuesday

Life itself.

When this ends,

may we find

that we have become

more like the people

we wanted to be

we were called to be

we hoped to be

and may we stay

that way - better

for each other

because of the worst.

LAURA KELLY FANUCCI

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