FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 6, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 6, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 Greetings!!

As you may have noticed in the vestments, altar cloths and even the colors in the bulletin, we have returned to the greens of Ordinary Time.  Ordinary Time begins on the Monday after the Sunday following January 6 and continues until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  It begins again on the Monday after Pentecost and ends before the First Sunday of Advent.  Today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  We have been in Ordinary Time since June 9th; but since there are so many feast days that take place on a Sunday after Pentecost, today marks the first Sunday since the beginning of March that green is the Liturgical color.

When we see the word 'ordinary' we might think of the words plain, unremarkable, common, etc.... but in terms of the Liturgical Season, Ordinary is derived from the Latin word Ordinalis, meaning ordinal or numbered.  This Liturgical Season focuses on Christ and His public ministry.  As we hear about the ordinary life of Christ in the Scriptures, let us find, cherish and uplift the ordinary moments in our lives in which we can find Christ and the Father's many blessings.  Many times in my homilies you hear me reference "Ora et Labora" (Pray and work).  During this Ordinary Time, let us commit to not just thoughtful prayer and reflection on the Holy Scriptures but to also put our faith into action through the teachings of Christ.

Your help is needed.  This week starts the beginning of the New Fiscal Year.  We are growing as a parish community.  Our income needs to meet our expectations.  We have submitted our annual budget to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  Our yearly budget is $365,000.00 and the need for our weekly offertory is $7,019.00.  You will see all this information, the weekly offering amount and how much of our budget had been met in "Our Parish" section of the bulletin with the collection information starting next week.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 ~ Image Source