FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 30, 2023

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 30, 2023

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

Today, July 30, 2023, we dedicate the Painting of Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990) who is on the road to Sainthood.  There are 5 steps to Sainthood:

1. Death

2. Servant of God

3. Venerable

4. Blessed

5.  Saint

Sister Thea is now "Servant of God" and her cause to Sainthood is official.  Sister Thea Bowman's life was always one of Gospel joy, enduring faith and persevering prayer even in the midst of racial prejudice, cultural insensitivity and debilitating illness.  During her short life (52 years), many people  considered a religious Sister undeniably close to God and who lovingly invited others to encounter the presence of God in their lives.

Today, across the United States, schools and parishes assist needy students; we also assist with housing and food for the poor and elderly.  We are inspired by Sister.  In her honor, books, articles, catechetical resources and visual media productions have been written or created documenting her exemplary life, spiritual life, spirituality and ministry, prayer cards, statues and stained-glass windows bear her image all attesting to Sister Thea's profound spiritual impact and example of holiness for the faithful.  Today, we are honored to dedicate this portrait of Sister Thea Bowman painted by our own parishioner Margaret Rittenhouse.

Please cut out the special prayer on the flyer about the life of Sister Thea and display it in your home.  Sister Thea Bowman, pray for us.  Click here for the flyer. 

A big thank you to everyone who helped out with the Ice Cream Socal last week.  It was a hit! Thank you to Coordinators: Carolyn and Buzzy Lawler.  Musicians:  Buzzy Lawler, Dan Lancaster, Marion Hodges, Senator Tim Kaine, Jeff Sulik, Steve Wiley, Erin Flynn and Jessica L'Heureux.  Team Leaders:  Cory and Vern Hall, Jane DeBernardo, Karen Carter, Margaret Rittenhouse and Erin Flynn.  Ice Cream Scoopers:  Bob Cohn, Cliff Wright, Mike Henrich, Jacob Saunders, Cheryl Curbeam, David Woodburn, Rob Gabriele, Gary Williams and Dan Burns.  Helpers:  Maria Barrow, Anna Cave, Paulette Wright, Edith Scott, Helen Henrich, Annemarie Pancham, Beverly Bryant, Ericka Campos, Paty Weiss, Monique and Carl Moody, Frank Gracias and Marshnell D'Sousa.

See the Good News Section of this bulletin for pictures of this event!

Summer Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source