FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - November 16, 2025

ST. ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 16, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Special Thanks to all who helped with extra food and funds for our Thanksgiving baskets.

Next Sunday, we as a parish celebrate our annual Homecoming.  Our parish Homecoming is an opportunity to welcome old and new members of our community.  Please extend a welcome for friends, family and former members to attend both the 8:30 or 10:00 am Mass.  All are welcome.  A reception will be held after both Masses and we will need help with set-up and clean-up.  If you are interested in helping with setting up, please arrive before 8:30 am Mass.

 I will be away for my family's Thanksgiving in Michigan and will be departing after Homecoming.  This is my annual opportunity to be with my family where we celebrate three holidays:  Thanksgiving, Hanukkah (which is 8 days of celebration starting on Dec. 14 to Dec. 22) and Christmas.  I have not been able to be home, so I celebrate Christmas at Church with You.

Wishing all a safe and happy Thanksgiving and if you're traveling, safe travels.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica - November 9, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

November 9, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we celebrate the feast day of the "Dedication of St. John, the Lateran Basilica".  The Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated annually on November 9th.  It commemorates the dedication of the Cathedral Church of Rome, which is the official seat of the Pope by Pope Sylvester in 324 AD.  The land was given by Emperor Constantine when the Church was no longer persecuted.  It is the oldest church in Rome and the "Mother Church of all Churches".

We are called to be the Church of living stones to all our brothers and sisters.  Your help is needed.  We need help with Thanksgiving food baskets.  The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes is providing Thanksgiving baskets for 10 families and we are grateful, but we have been receiving calls and need more help.  We need 5 more turkeys and the following items:  hams, stuffing or dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie or any dessert.  Please drop off all items in the parish office, 1301 Victor St. on Wednesdays, November 12th or 19th, or Friday, November 14th from 1 to 4 p.m.  Thanks for your help.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - The Commemoration Of All The Faithful Departed - November 2, 2025

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Commemoration Of All The Faithful Departed

All Souls Day

November 2, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

This Sunday, November 2nd, we commemorate All the Faithful Departed "All Souls Day".  You are invited to write the name of deceased loved ones in our Book of the Dead which is in front of church near the crucifix.  We will have this Book of the Dead available throughout the month of November.  May the Souls of all the Faithful departed rest in peace.

Mark your calendar for our parish Homecoming on November 23, 2025.  We will be hosting a reception after both the 8:30 and 10:00 o'clock Masses.  If you wish to help and bring cookies or a breakfast bread, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please invite former members and family members to this Homecoming.

We are looking forward to the start of our construction of our new parish center.  We are waiting for the final permits from the City of Richmond; then we can start construction.

Have you ever thought of becoming Catholic or are you in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Please contact Chris Metzger at ocia@stelizcc.org.  What a great way to start the New Year by joining the OCIA and learning more about our Catholic Faith.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 28, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 30, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Please mark your calendars for our annual Homecoming celebration on November 23rd!  St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a parish with much history and we invite former parishioners and students of the St. Elizabeth Catholic School that closed in 1982 to join us for Mass and a reception after both the 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses.  I welcome you to invite any friends and family who were members of the Parish or attended the former school to join us for Mass and the reception.  After the 10 a.m. Mass that Sunday we will hold the drawing for the Annual Raffle!  There are four weeks left to purchase your tickets so visit the front of the Church after Mass any Sunday until Homecoming to get your tickets.

We will need volunteers to assist with the set-up, cleanup and serving of food during the receptions.  If you are interested in helping, please let Eva in the Parish Office know:  evabalkarli@stelizcc.org 

The Funeral Mass for our Brother in Christ, Burton Robinson, will be on October 31st at 12 p.m.  Because of this, there will not be a weekday Mass on Friday, but all are invited to the Funeral Mass.

By decision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the Holy See, whenever the Solemnities of Mary, Mother of God (January 1), the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) or All Saints (November 1) fall on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligastion to attend Mass is lifted.  This year, All Saints Day is on a Sunday so there will not be a Mass on November 1st.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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