FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Second Sunday of Lent - March 1, 2026 - The Transfiguration

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Second Sunday of Lent 

March 1, 2026

Feast of the Transfiguration

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 Greetings,

This week we continue our collections for the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  If you would like to give with cash or check, you can pick up an envelope from one of the ushers or you can give online by scanning the QR code in this bulletin.  I am happy to announce that we are already halfway to our goal of $17,970, having received $9,095 from 17 households.  Thank you to all who have contributed financially and with your prayers.  St. Elizabeth receives lots of support from the Diocese every year and we get back much more than our Annual Appeal Goal.  So far in 2026, we have received $38,000 in grants from the Diocese.  There are a few more grants that we apply for annually that are due later in the year that are not yet part of this total.

Thank you to all who assisted with the Prayer Service and Stations of the Cross with the Diocesan Office for Black Catholics (OBC) this past Friday.  It was wonderful for Fr. Tochi Iwuji, Director of the OBC, to invite us to be part of this event and to host it.

I attended a gathering of Christian clergy at First Baptist Church on February 27th concerning immigration in Richmond.  Fr. Shay Auerbach, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Southside and myself attended to represent our parishes and Catholics in Richmond.  The statement that was issued during this meeting stated: "To all our fellow Christians: this is a moment that calls for moral seriousness not indifference.  We do not presume that every Christian must respond in the same way.  But are convinced that none of us is permitted to respond with silence, cruelty or apathy."

This meeting of clergy in Richmond continues the efforts asked by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) last year.  Below is an excerpt from the November 12, 2025 statement from the USCCB regardfing the treatment of immigrants in the United States.  I encourage you to read the entire document online or at our link in our E-Bulletin.

"Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation.  We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity.  For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.  Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants.  We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation's immigration laws and procedures.  Human dignity and national security are not in conflict.  Both are possible if people of good will work together."  - USCCB on Immigration (November 12, 2025)

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - First Sunday of Lent - February 22, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Temptation of Jesus

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

May we as a Catholic people embrace this special time of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Please see the Lenten calendar that is included in this bulletin and join us this Friday for the Black History Month Stations of the Cross and Prayer Service with Bishop Barry Knestout at 5:30.  We will share a light meal in the Parish Hall afterwards and all are welcome to bring a meatless dish to share.

We still have rice bowls available for you to pickup and drop your change in.  The funds collected in the rice bowls help the poor through Catholic Relief Services.  Keep the rice bowls until Easter and return them the two Sundays following Easter Sunday.

This week we kick off the Catholic Diocese Annual Appeal.  Saint Elizabeth has a goal this year of $17,970.  I hope and pray that you can help by contributing to this Diocesan Annual Appeal.  As a parish, we get back from the Diocese than our goal.  We have received the following grants in 2026 from the Diocese:

Fuel and Hunger Grant:  $24,000

Respect Life Grant:  $14,000

Black and Indian Grant:  $2,000

Total:  $40,000

Please give to the Annual Appeal.  It sure is a great blessing to our parish.

A very special thanks to our parishioners who spoke at Mass during Black History Month.  Thank you Charles Curbeam, Tinika Amouzouvi-McIntosh and Shelley Anderson - Great job!  It was so wonderful to hear your stories of being Black, Catholic and members of St. Elizabeth.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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