Faith Formation for Adults ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

Faith Formation for Adults

You are invited to join our monthly "Family of Faith" Prayer Series Adult Faith Formation on Zoom, facilitated by Rita Hatchett.  Monthly Topics and Dates for "Prayer" series held on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

February 16:  Praying to the Virgin Mary and Expressions of Prayer

March 16:  Praying with Scripture and Forms of Prayer

April 13:  The Battle of Prayer and the Communion of Saints

The sessions are open to all adult St. Elizabeth parishioners.  Contact Rita at rhatchett1@verizon.net or TEXT 804-229-1999.

Overby Sheppard Elementary School Supply Drive ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

 Overby Sheppard Elementary School

Supply Drive

You can help our neighbors at Overby Sheppard Elementary school.  Donate any of the following items.  You can drop them off after Sunday Mass or at the parish office.  If you shop online (i.e. Amazon, Target), place an order and ship it directly to the school. The address is Overby Sheppard Elementary School, 2300 1st Ave., Richmond, VA 23222.  You can mail gift cards, too.

1.  "Oops" kits (for kid's accidents) :  Underwear, shirts, and pants (all sizes)

2.  Winter clothes: shirts and pants  (all sizes)

3.  Kids' masks

4.  Reusable water bottles

5.  Belts (all sizes)

6.  Rewards for Attendance:  McDonald's Gift cards, etc.

Please drop off supplies in the donation box in the Church.

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Fr. Jim's Synod Letter ~ Information provided by Cecilia Hull

 

January 30, 2022

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As you may have heard about or read in the Catholic Virginian, Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to participate in their local parish in what he calls a "synodal process."  This local process of listening to each other will lead to an international Synod of Bishops in Rome in October of 2023.

You might ask, "What is a synodal process?"  The word "synod" is not a commonly used word.  It is basically an assembly that discusses matters of importance.  For the Catholic Church, it means an occasional gathering of bishops that meets together to listen to each other in order to advise the Pope.

What Pope Francis is asking of us is that, prior to the next Synod of Bishops in October of 2023, we engage in our local diocese and in each parish in a synodal process so that bishops may have a clearer view of how people are experiencing the Catholic faith locally in their parishes.  It is a "bottoms up" approach rather than a "top down" approach.  We will call the synodal meetings which we will hold at St. Elizabeth "Listening Sessions."

The three key elements of the Listening Sessions are Community, Dialogue, and Participation and Mission.  Questions to be discussed at the sessions will be centered on these elements of parish life.

Just as the Pope and the bishops gathered with him in Rome in 2023 will reflect on the contributions from Catholics and friends from around the world, I hope to find in our local discussions many ideas and recommendations to foster the spiritual life of St. Elizabeth parish as we "journey together."

My dream is that as many parishioners as possible will participate in one of the many Listening Sessions that will be made available to you in February and March of 2022.  Sessions will be virtually via Zoom.  In the coming weeks, please watch the weekly bulletin and seek more information from our website.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Pastor

Webinar: Black Spirituality of Resistance and Resilience - Monday, February 7, 2022 ~ Information provided by Sr. Cora and Cecilia Hull

 Webinar

Black Spirituality of Resistance and Resilience

Monday, January 7, 2022

Sister Cora shared this webinar happening during Black History Month.  Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, this webinar shares themes from the U.S. Bishop's Pastoral Letter, Open Wide Our Hearts, including exploring how healing racism in our Church and Community can take place.  

The webinar is on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 8-10 p.m. EST.  The presenter is Dr. C. Vanessa White, D. Min., Associate Professor of Spirituality and Ministry and the Director of the Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago.  

The event is free.  Pre-registration is required.  You can register online by CLICKING HERE.

Fr. Jim's Jots - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 30, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 30, 2022

Fr. Jim's Jots

 

Greetings and good wishes and prayers,

We are still looking for volunteers to help with the 2022 Jazz Festival.  Because it is a large undertaking, we need several volunteers to help in the following areas:  hiring bands, creating a schedule of events for the day, ordering food trucks, security, set-up, clean up, advertising tickets and ticket sales, sponsors, booth creation, ice-cream truck, kid zone and city permits.

Wow! A lot of work!  If we do not get volunteers to help with the 2022 Jazz Festival, we will NOT be able to host this event.  Please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office and leave a message if you are interested: jarsenault@richmonddiocese.org or 804-329-4599.  To date, we have 1 person who has offered to help.

Thanks for all your help with your donations.  With our attendance down at both in-person Masses (9 and 11:15 a.m.) on Sundays and our increase in attendance on ZOOM (9 a.m.) Mass, we thank you for your online donations.  Your generosity during this difficult time sure is needed and helpful.

Thanks to Deacon Chris and his group of about 18 parishioners who are helping our parish group tackle the parish worldwide Catholic Church Synod.  Please see the handout for my letter and more details.  We need everyone's input to participate in the Synod.

Blessings for the New Year.

Fr. Jim

FEBRUARY 2022 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPEAKER SERIES ~ Information Provided by Cecilia Hull

For 2022 Black History Month, we will feature the Black Catholics who are making history in our parish.  Four of our parishioners will speak at the 9 a.m. Mass.  You can attend in-person or watch on Zoom.  The schedule is:  February 6, Sr. Cora Marie Billings, RSM; February 14, Cathy Woodson; February 20, Sr. Tiberh; February 27, Vivian Sullivan

Sunday, February 6, Sr. Cora Marie Billings: Sr. Cora Marie Billings has been a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas for 65 Years.  During that time, she has been a Teacher, a Campus Minister and an Administrator and Pastoral Coordinator of St. Elizabeth Church.  She is one of the Founding Members of the National Black Sisters' Conference.  Since 1968, she has been an advocate for human rights and anti-racism.  She has done presentations around the nation.  At present, she considers herself a Community Volunteer.

Sunday, February 13, Cathy Woodson:  Cathy Woodson served in several ministries here at St. Elizabeth parish over the past 45 years.  She served on several commissions and committees with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, the National Black Catholic Congress Leadership team, the Pax Christi USA Anti-Racism team and the Pax Christi National Council.  In 1994, she received Bishop Sullivan's Ministry Award..  Currently, she is serving on the Wisdom Circle with the Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice.  She works with several community organizations around the region.

Sunday, February 20, Sr. Tiberh - TBA

Sunday, February 27, Vivian Sullivan - TBA

Join ZOOM Simulcast JOIN US HERE at 9 a.m.

Meeting ID: 331-794-018

Password:  946232

You can phone in by dialing 301-715-8592.  If prompted, enter Meeting ID and Password. 

Fr. Jim's Jots - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 23, 2022

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 23, 2022

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

Special thanks to George Strother, Barbara Vaughan, Larry Williford and Cathy Woodson who have volunteered for years to make our past Jazz Festivals a huge success.  It's understandable that after years of this major task, all have let me know they no longer wish to or are not able to volunteer for the Jazz Festival in 2022.  All are asking for younger parishioners to volunteer and keep things going if possible.  I am sure all the former team members of the past Jazz Festivals will be a resource and give past materials and answer questions.

That being said, we are looking for new volunteers to help with the Jazz Festival of 2022!  Areas where volunteers are needed include:  hiring bands, creating a schedule of events for the day, ordering food trucks, security, set-up, clean-up, advertising, tickets and tickets sales, sponsors, booth creation, ice-cream truck, city permit to close street, beer and wine license, etc.

Wow!! That's a lot of work!! But if we do not get volunteers to help with the 2022 Jazz Festival, we will NOT be able to host this event.  If you are at all interested, please contact Fr. Jim at jarsenault@richmonddiocese.org or the parish office and leave me a voice message at 804-329-4599, ext. 11.

+Blessings for the New Year+

Fr. Jim

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Fr. Jim's Jots - The Marriage Feast at Cana - Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 16, 2022

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Marriage Feast at Cana

January 16, 2022

 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!  This week we celebrate and remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 17th.  Please pray the following prayer:

Lord our God, see how oppression and violence are our sad inheritance, one generation to the next.  We look for you where the lowly are raised up, where the mighty are brought down.  We find you there in your servants and we give you thanks this day for your preacher and witness, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Fill us with your spirit. Where our human community is divided by racism, torn by repression, saddened by fear and ignorance, may we give ourselves to your work of healing.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Mass Updates:

If you are not vaccinated, I invite you to attend Mass via ZOOM.  The 9 a.m. Mass Zoom link is in the parish e-bulletin, on the parish website and on our Facebook page.  With the increase in the virus transmissions, our in-person attendance has dropped significantly.  Please be safe and know that your health and the health of your family must come first.  

An update on the 11:15 a.m. Sunday Mass for the next several weeks:  we will NOT have any music and the homily will be shortened.  Attendance is light, so it is easy to social distance.  It is my hope to give you options to be safe and stay well.

+Blessings for the New Year+,

Fr. Jim

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More Photos of Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Church by Bishop Knestout ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor by Bishop Knestout

Epiphany Sunday 2021

(Click photos to enlarge)

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Christmas Eve Mass 2021 - Bringing the Infant Jesus to the Stable ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Christmas Eve Mass 2021

Bringing the Infant Jesus to the Stable

Children Bringing the Infant Jesus to the Stable

Homily by Fr. Jim

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Christmas at St. Elizabeth Church 2021 - The Decorating Crew ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Christmas at St. Elizabeth Church 2021

The Decorating Crew

The Beautiful Result

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - January 9, 2022

 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

January 9, 2022

Artist: Davezelenka

Fr. Jim's Jots

With the start of a New Year and the first snow storm, it sure is winter!  Stay warm and safe.  Wow, what a traffic jam on I-95 this week with our own Senator Tim Kaine stuck between Richmond and the U.S. Capitol.  I was impressed (and not surprised) that Senator Kaine chose not to have any special treatment.  Rather, he endured this weather nightmare with his fellow travelers.  He is an example of being one with the people.  Throughout the years, Anne and Tim have always been one with us.

* Our Social Justice, Parish Council and Finance Council have met or plan to meet.  We are off and running into the New Year.

* I understand the concern and about the last rise in COVID cases.  You are welcome to attend Mass via ZOOM Sunday at 9 a.m. if you or anyone in your household has health issues.  We will miss you in person, but please, your health and well-being must come first.

* Special thanks to all who helped for the celebration Mass last Sunday when Bishop Barry Knestout officially installed me as your pastor.  I pray that I will be able to do a good job and help our parish.

Blessings for the New Year,

+Fr. Jim

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Thoughts on the Epiphany - Home by Another Way -

Home by Another Way

I came across this song written and sung by James Taylor that told the story of the Magi. How they followed the star and found the Baby Jesus in the stable and decided NOT to return to King Herod.  Enjoy!

Home by Another Way

Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor - Epiphany 2022 - Photos by Cheryl Curbeam

 Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor

Epiphany Sunday 2022

January 2, 2022

St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir

Bishop Knestout - Celebrant

Offertory

The Great Amen

~ Photos by Cheryl Curbeam

Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor by Bishop Knestout - Epiphany Sunday - January 2, 2022 ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

 Fr. Jim's Installation as Pastor

Epiphany Sunday

January 2, 2022

Diane Neylan - Responsorial Psalm

Fr. Jim proclaiming the Gospel

Bishop Knestout - Homily

During Mass

Bishop Knestout

 

Recessional

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Epiphany, January 2, 2022

 Feast of the Epiphany

January 2, 2022

Fr. Jim's Jots

Happy New Year and may the Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth watch over each and everyone this New Year.

When Ethel Cooley became sick, she continued to work from home and the hospital.  We wanted and needed her help, advice and input in the parish office.  She wanted to die with her boots on.  E.J. was a blessing of love and service to YOU - the people of St. Elizabeth - whom she loved so very much.  I believe it helped E.J. to continue working through her yearlong illness.  

I give thanks for Cecilia Hull who has been helping with our online bulletin the last several months.  Without the support and help from Mary Rose Purcell, Janet Stern, Cecilia Hull and so many others, we could not have carried on the daily duties of running a growing parish.  I wish to thank all.

Special thanks to everyone who will help with this Sunday's installation as your pastor with Bishop Barry Knestout.

Prayer for Pastor - Matthew 25:21

A pastor devoted to giving so much, God only knows all the souls that you touch.  Committed to serve, when you answered God's call, you prove it by being a servant to all.

+Blessings for the New Year +

Fr. Jim

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