EARTH DAY AT SAINT ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH - SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024 ~ Photos and Commentary by Connie Hom

 Earth Day at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Creation Team

Sunday, April 21, 2024

We had a compost bin, recycle bin, made peanut butter covered pine cone bird feeders, bicycle riding, safe alternatives to pesticides, Shalom Farms, plants that clean air, raffled off all items made from recycled materials - dishcloths from 100% recycled materials, kitchen towels made from 3.5 recycled plastic bottles and water bottle made from 75% recycled materials.  Music by Buzzy Lawler and Steve Wiley!

~ Photos and commentary by Connie Hom

FR. JIM'S JOTS, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, Earth Day, April 21, 2024

St. Elizabeth Church

Good Shepherd Sunday

April 21, 2024

Good Shepherd Sunday

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

Happy Fourth Sunday of Easter!  Last week we celebrated the Baptisms of Luna and Phoenix Timmons, the twin daughters of Lauren and Tim.

Below is a letter from Lauren's Aunt that was sent in thanks for such a wonderful Mass.

"Thank you and all of the parish for making the Baptism of Luna & Phoenix Timmons so beautiful last Sunday!  God's spirit was so present in the church and lovingly embraced Phoenix and Luna, their parents, Lauren and Ron Timmons, the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family and friends who attended Mass from near and far.

That love and spirit is what makes St. Elizabeth's such a welcoming and inclusive place.  Several friends and family members commented on that after Mass.  They were impressed and inspired!

Thank you again, for making the day special and a blessing for all of us!"

Sincerely,

Bonnie Winston, Lauren's Aunt.

On April 28th, after the 10 a.m. Mass, we will have a Parish Potluck.  To celebrate all the people and different cultures that make up our wonderful Parish, please bring a dish that is important to you.  Maybe a family recipe or a dish from your culture.  We look forward to all of the wonderful food!  To sign up you can visit the link or scan the QR code that is on the other page of the bulletin.

Easter Blessings to you and yours,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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Timmons Daughters' Baptisms ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Baptisms of Luna and Phoenix

April 14, 2024

 ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Third Sunday of Easter - April 14, 2024 - Luna and Phoenix Timmons' Baptism

St. Elizabeth Church

Third Sunday of Easter

April 14, 2024

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

Congratulations to Lauren and Tim on the Baptism of their two daughters. Luna and Phoenix were born on July 5th, last year.  Congratulations to both girls on receiving this special Sacrament!  If you are interested in having your child baptized, please contact me.  I can be reached at my email jarsenault@richmonddiocese.org or my cell, (804)-221-1508.

Thank you to all of those who helped with our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We had such a wonderful attendance and all of the children had so much fun.  Special thanks to Erin Cleary who coordinated the event, including stuffing the eggs and setting up the games and treats.  There are some pictures of the children and their treats during the hunt in the bulletin.

On April 28th, after the 10 a.m. Mass, we will have a Parish Luck. To celebrate all the people and different cultures that make up our wonderful Parish, please bring a dish that is important to you.  Maybe a family recipe or a dish from your culture.  To sign up you can visit the link or scan the QR code that is on the other page of the bulletin.  

We are starting our Home Mission Grant process again.  This is a grant we get from the Diocese to assist with improvement and maintenance projects.  In 2022, we replaced the floor in the vestibule.  In 2023, we replaced the sound system.  This year we are planning on updating the bathrooms in the Parish Hall.  We are looking for a volunteer who would like to assist us with getting 3 bids from different contractors. If this is something that you would be interested in, please contact me.  Note that this must be completed before May 12th.

Easter Blessings to you and yours,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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Baptism of Twins, Luna and Phoenix - St. Elizabeth Church - Sunday, April 14, 2024 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

Baptism of Luna and Phoenix, Twins

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

April 14, 2024

~ Photos by Connie Hom

 

Easter Egg Hunt - April 7, 2024 - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Easter Egg Hunt

St. Elizabeth Church

April 7, 2024

~ Photos by Connie Hom

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Second Sunday of Easter - April 7, 2024 - Divine Mercy Sunday

ST. ELIZABETH CHURCH

Second Sunday of Easter

"Divine Mercy Sunday"

April 7, 2024

"Doubting Thomas"

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

This Sunday we welcome Msgr. Tom Miller for Sunday Mass while I am visiting in Michigan.  There will be a Communion Service on April 10th with Deacon Chris Barrett, but no Mass or Communion Service on Friday, April 12th as I will be traveling back to Richmond on Friday.

On April 28th, after the 10 a.m. Mass, we will have a Parish Potluck to celebrate all the people and different cultures that make up our wonderful Parish.  Please bring a dish that is important to you.  Maybe a family recipe or a dish from your culture.  To sign up you can visit the link that is on the other page of the bulletin.

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday.  Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, which is the last day of the Easter Octave.

Let us pray the three prayers of the Divine Mercy Chaplet:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

To learn more about Divine Mercy Sunday and how to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet, click here.

Easter Blessings to you and yours,

Fr.Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS! - Easter Sunday - March 31, 2024 - "He is Risen"

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

"HE IS RISEN!"

March 31, 2024

EASTER SUNDAY

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

Christ is risen!

On this day, we proclaim that he, the Lord of our life, is "the resurrection and the life" of the world.

Let us make haste to surmount our conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those in greatest need.  Let us rejoice at the concrete signs of hope that reach us from so many countries, beginning with those that offer assistance and welcome to all fleeing war and poverty.

At the same time, along this journey we also encounter many stumbling blocks, which make it more difficult and demanding to hasten towards the Risen Lord.  To him, then, let us make our prayer: Lord, help us to run to meet you!  Help us to open our hearts!

Comfort refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, especially those who are most vulnerable, as well as the victims of hunger, poverty and the dire effects of the drug trade, human trafficking and all other forms of slavery.  Lord, inspire the leaders of nations to ensure full respect for human rights; that the common good of the citizenry may be pursued always and solely; and that the security and the conditions needed for dialogue and peaceful coexistence may be guaranteed.

May we rediscover the enjoyment, quicken the heartbeat of hope and experience a foretaste of the beauty of heaven!  Today, let us summon the energy to advance in goodness towards Goodness itself, which never disappoints.  We believe in you, Lord Jesus.  We believe that, with you, hope is reborn and the journey continues.  May you, the Lord of life, encourage us on our journey and repeat to us, as you did with the apostles on the evening of Easter:  "Peace be with you!"

Easter Blessings to you and yours,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

* Easter reflection adapted from Pope Francis' Easter 2023 Urbi et Orbi Message

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Easter Sunday Morning - March 31, 2024 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 Easter Sunday Morning

St. Elizabeth Church

March 31, 2024

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The Easter Vigil - March 30, 2024 - Adult Baptism and Confirmation ~ Photos by Connie Hom

 The Easter Vigil

St. Elizabeth Church

Adult Baptism and Confirmation

March 30, 2024

Chris Roop was baptized and Diane Romanello was confirmed on this night!

Chris Roop and Diane Romanello and their Sponsors

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Good Friday- March 29, 2024 - Adoration of the Cross ~ Photos and Explanation by Connie Hom

 Adoration of the Cross

Good Friday

March 29, 2024

Preparation for the Adoration of the Cross

The St. Elizabeth stained glass window was beautiful when the setting sun shone through during the Good Friday Services.

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