Christmas Eve, Christmas Day 2021

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Feast of the Nativity

December 24-25, 2021 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Due to the new concerns about the Covid virus, we will NOT have a music program on Christmas Eve.  Mass will start at 6 p.m.  I want to limit any risks and help keep everyone safe.

I also encourage everyone to mask up and to be vaccinated.  If you are not vaccinated, you can watch Mass via Zoom.  I thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.  If you have any questions, let me know.

+Christmas Blessings+

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source: German Krippe - M. A. Allen, 1990's

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 19, 2021 - 11:15 Mass, Almetia Strother Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

11:15 a.m. Mass

Almetia Strother lighting the Advent Candles

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Karen Carter and Grandson Lighting the Advent Candle, December 19, 2021, 9 a.m. Mass ~ Photos by Cnnie Hom

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles

Karen Carter and her Grandson, Kingston
lighting the candles

 

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Fr. Jim's Jots - Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 19, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

Merry Christmas!

Wishing our Saint Elizabeth parishioners and friends a Happy and Blessed Christmas.

Our Christmas and Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Mass schedule:

 ~ Christmas Eve - December 24

5 p.m. Music Program (Cancelled due to Covid)

6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass

 ~ Christmas Day - December 25

10 a.m. Mass

 ~ New Year's Eve - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

5 p.m. Mass of Peace

 ~ Epiphany of the Lord - January 2

9 a.m. Mass:  Fr. Jim installed as Pastor by Bishop Knestout.  All are invited!

NO 11:15 Mass

Thank you to everyone who donated gifts for the angel tree!  I count my blessings, and when I do, I give thanks for being your priest at St. Elizabeth!!

Prayers and Blessings for a healthy and peaceful 2022,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Your Pastor

~ Image Source

  

Lighting the Advent Candles on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) 9 a.m. Mass ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Third Sunday of Advent 2021

Lighting the Advent Candles

The Romanello Family 

9 a.m. Mass

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Gaudete Sunday - December 14, 2021 - Children's Liturgy and Our New Office Manager is Introduced to the Congregation! ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

 Children's Liturgy

Children processing to the Church Hall

Katrinia, our new Parish Office Manager and Long-time Parishioner

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Fr. Jim's Jots - Gaudete Sunday at St. E's - Third Sunday of Advent

 Gaudete Sunday

Third Sunday of Advent

December 12, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

It is Gaudete Sunday:  "Rejoice, the Lord is near!"  This Sunday we light the pink third candle on our Advent wreath.  Ready or not, Christmas is coming!  I pray for all our parishioners and friends during this year full of both joy and sorrow.

We have all been surely challenged with COVID.  My Mother moved from Naples, FL, in July to St. Mary's of the Woods in Richmond, only to die of the Virus on January 22, 2021, just one week before she was scheduled to get her first vaccine.  It has been a difficult year for so many of us.

Advent is a time to stop and reflect, to pause and pray.  I hope that you will be able to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday, December 18th at 1 p.m., with me and 3 other priests.  I am so grateful for the many acts of kindness this year:

~ The men who mow the lawn:  Howard Braxton, Eddie Gorman and Matthew Shishi

~ The wonderful Community Life Ladies who do a phenomenal job helping with our parish receptions

~ The folks who count our collections

~ The great and renowned Gospel Choir

~ All the Ministers who help with the liturgies

~ The office folks who have kept things going during the illness and death of our beloved Ms. Ethel Cooley

~ Pat Cleary and Gary Williams who replaced the side door to the Rectory office

~ Connie and all the members of our Social Justice Committee

~ The Parish Council and Finance Council members

All are loved and needed.  I "Rejoice" in ministries!

You are a Blessing,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source

Lighting of the Advent Candles on the Second Sunday of Advent 2021 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Lighting the Advent Candles at Both Masses

Second Sunday of Advent 2021

Tim Timmons and Lauren Winston, newly engaged, lighting the second candle of Advent - Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 9 a.m. Mass

Frank Garcias and Marshneil D'Souza - married in 2019 - lighting the second candle of Advent at 11:15 a.m. Mass

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Children Receiving a Blessing Before Children's Liturgy, Second Sunday of Advent 2021 ~ Photo by Lula Lamb

Blessing the Children before Children's Liturgy

~ Photo by Lula Lamb

 

Fr. Jim's Jots- Second Sunday of Advent, December 5, 2021

Second Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

Dear Friends,

This week we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, a time to reflect and pray for the second coming of Christ and to make each of us ready to meet the Lord and our own earthly death.

During this special time of preparation, we are asked to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, formally known as Confession.  If you have not celebrated this healing and forgiveness of your sins, please attend our St. Elizabeth Reconciliation Service on Saturday, December 18th at 1 p.m. in the Church.  It is easy to go to Reconciliation.  Let's review!

Bless me Father for I have sinned... It has been 1 or 10 years since my last confession.

These are my sins...

The priest gives a penance to the person going to the sacrament.

A penance... might be three Hail Marys.

Then the person going to confession prays an act of contrition.

Then the priest prays the prayer of Absolution.

Lastly, the penitent... says "Thank You, Father, have a good Christmas."

Amen.

Pray an Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my Heart.  In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.  In His name, my God have mercy.  Amen

Wow!! Special thanks to Pat Cleary and Gary Williams for replacing and installing the new side door for the office.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Many Blessings to you all,

Fr. Jim