FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Fifth Sunday of Lent - April 6, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Fifth Sunday of Lent

April 6, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!

This Sunday marks the last week before Holy Week!  Holy Week starts on Sunday, April 13th (Palm Sunday) and concludes with our Easter Celebrations.  Below my jot for this week is the schedule for Holy Week.  A few things to make note of is that there will be NO weekday Masses on Wednesday or Friday of that week, there will be Stations of the Cross on Friday, 4/18/25 at 12 p.m., there will be Confessions on Saturday, 4/19/25 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and that there will only be ONE Sunday Mass on Easter (4/20/25) at 9 a.m.

The following words are from Karen Yesolitis' monthly report to St. Michael's in Glen Allen, our sister parish.  Each month she sends to St. Mike's what is happening at St. Elizabeth's for them to promote on their website.

"The first phase of the Capital Campaign for Tomorrow concluded when Lent began.  Thanks to generous donations and pledges, the building of a new Parish Center will proceed and include classrooms, office and meeting spaces.  With the estimated cost of $2.2 million, St. Elizabeth parish will continue the Campaign to increase donations.

The Saturday School Math and Literacy program ended on March 8.  Thirty-five students from Pre-K to 12th grade attended the largest Spring session ever.  Every student has their own mentors who come from 13 different high schools and two colleges.  The program now includes four teachers and one pediatric nurse.

The RISC Nehemiah Action annual meeting was held on March 25.  St. Elizabeth is one of 27 faith communities seeking commitment from Richmond Mayor Avula for affordable housing, mobile home repairs and reducing gun violence.  There were 2,225 in attendance, including 109 parishioners from St. Elizabeth Church.

A Lenten Retreat was held on March 29.  The theme was "Hope" going along with the 2025 Jubilee Year.  Speakers' topics were "The Practice of Hope"  presented in the morning and "Mystical Hope" in the afternoon.  The retreat included lunch and Communal Reconciliation Service."

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday (April 13th): 8:30am Mass & 10am Mass

Chrism Mass (April 14th): 6pm Mass at the Cathedral

Holy Thursday (April 17th): 7pm Mass

Good Friday (April 18th): 12pm Traditional Stations of the Cross,

7pm Good Friday Service

Holy Saturday (April 19th): 12pm Confessions,

8pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday (April 20th): 9am Mass

There will only be ONE Mass at 9am on Sunday, April 20th, Easter Sunday.

~ Image Source 

Stations of the Cross - St. Elizabeth Church - Justice Ministry Group - Friday, April 4, 2025 ~ Photo by Anne Gibbons

Stations of the Cross

St. Elizabeth Church

Justice Ministry Group

Friday, April 4, 2025

Justice Ministry Group and Others

Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism

~ Stations adapted by USCCB, March 2020

  

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Laetare Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 30, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Laetare Sunday

Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 30, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!

This past Thursday we held a Parish Council meeting.  I would like to share the topics and information that was discussed below.

Update on Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) Affordable Housing Building Project.

 We have received confirmation from CCC that the project is set to move forward and groundbreaking will take place within the next two months. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony that St. Elizabeth Parish will collaborate with CCC to execute.  It was planned for the complex to be named "St. Elizabeth Apartments" but to avoid confusion of ownership, the team has decided to adopt a new name that has not been chosen at this moment.

Update on Haiti Collection Envelopes:

For the past few years, we have been giving a $750 monthly contribution to our twinning partner Beyond Borders.  (For those who are interested in learning more about the work that Beyond Borders does, please see the information on the info sessions on April 2nd in this Bulletin.)  It has been approved to have a once monthly collection for our Haiti fund that is starting to be depleted.  Envelopes will be available with the Hospitality Ministers and the collection will be held on the 3rd Sunday of every month starting after Easter.

Update on the New Parish Center Building Project:

Our next meeting with the Diocesan Building and Renovations Commission (BARC) is scheduled for April 10th.  The costs of the building have increased; the current expected cost is 2.2 million and we will have 2.4 million provided that outstanding pledges from the Capital Campaign are paid on.  As long as our current schedule remains the same, we expect to have contracts signed and permits issued over the summer and break ground for construction in September of this year.

Update on Jazz Festival:

There was a unanimous decision by the Parish Council to not hold a Jazz Festival this year.  This decision was made because CCC will start construction in the lot behind the church no later than end of June and we will break ground for the Parish Center in September.  Parish Council has suggested to hold only the raffle that usually accompanies the festival, but what that will look like has not yet been decided upon.  We are looking forward to having a Jazz Festival in 2026 once the building construction is completed.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

"I Bring My Whole Self!" - Sr. Thea Bowman Conference - March 29, 2025 ~ Photos and Commentary by Abby Causey, Executive Director, Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice

 "I Bring My Whole Self" 

Sr. Thea Bowman Conference

Catholic University of America

March 29, 2025

Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice sponsored a bus for 45 people from parishes across the Diocese of Richmond to attend the Sr. Thea Bowman Conference at the Catholic University of America.  Attendees gathered to celebrate the life of Sr. Thea and [...] the 35th Anniversary of her "going home like a shooting star."

(Click photos to enlarge)

Parishioners from the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Holy Family in Virginia Beach, Immaculate Conception in Hampton, Saint Therese in Chesapeake and Holy Rosary and Saint Elizabeth's in Richmond.

Conference attendees gathered to hear 3 panels speak on the life of Sr. Thea.

Fr. Maurice Nutt, keynote speaker.

Sr. Thea Bowman was Fr. Nutt's mentor, teacher and "Spiritual Mama".  He is the author of her biography, Thea Bowman: Faithful and Free.

Members of the Howard University Gospel Choir performed for the conference.

Photos and Commentary by Abby Causey

Executive Director

Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice

www.verj.net

St. Elizabeth's Annual Lenten Retreat - Saturday, March 29, 2025 ~ Photos by Sr. Anns James

 St. Elizabeth Church

Annual Lenten Retreat

March 29, 2025

"Pilgrims of Hope"

Parishioners gathered in the Church Hall last Saturday, March 29th for a day of reflection on the 2025 Jubilee Year's theme of Hope. Speakers for this event were Sr. Elena Henderson, SBS and parish member, Rob Gabriele.

Below are photos of the event taken by Sr. Anns.

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Third Sunday of Lent - March 23, 2025

 St. Elizabeth Church

Third Sunday of Lent

March 23, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!

In Pope Francis' message for Lent this year, he writes: "This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. [...] Whether we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance.  This then, is a [...] call to conversion:  a summons to synodality."

As Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year, let's all put our hope into action by showing up, each and everyone, at the Nehemiah Action organized by RISC (https://www.riscrichmond.org/) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6 p.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church.  This is a very impactful way to encourage our elected officials to commit much-needed funds towards resolving the gun violence and the multiple, urgent housing crises in our city.  For those wishing to obtain a plenary indulgence through participation in this event, please see me this Sunday.

Just a reminder that if you have made a pledge to the Capital Campaign and need envelopes for your recurring contributions, we have them available with the Hospitality Ministers at Mass.  Please place your pledge contributions in the Sunday collection in one of the Envelopes and designate it for "Capital Campaign" so that it can be recorded correctly.  You can also mail them to the Parish Office.  If you are making a contribution by check, please designate it on the memo line.  Thank you to all for your generous financial support but also your generous prayers.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 ~ Image Source

Haitian Stations of the Cross - St. Elizabeth Church - Friday, March 21, 2025 ~ Photo and information by Anne Gibbons

St. Elizabeth Church

Haitian Stations of the Cross

March 21, 2025

Parishioners gathered to share a simple meal followed by Haitian Stations of the Cross.  At each station we reflected not only on Jesus' passion, death and resurrection, but also the ways in which Christ's suffering, death and resurrection are experienced in Haiti.

~ Image Source

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

St. Elizabeth Church

Feast of the Transfiguration

Second Sunday of Lent

March 16, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 

This week we celebrate both St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17th and St. Joseph Day on March 19th.  I am the chaplain for the AOH "The Ancient Order of Hibernians" both the men's and the women's group here in Richmond.  The Irish have a long history of welcoming the immigrant and I will be the celebrant at their annual Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Richmond tomorrow at 9 a.m.  I am also the chaplain for the Richmond Catholic Women's Club.  They are having their annual retreat on March 18th.  This year's topic is the Jubilee Year of 2025, "Pilgrims of Hope."

We want to support and pray for our federal workers who have been given a letter of termination.  Keep our country in your prayers.  Senator Tim Kaine has given the parish his personal email (harmonica@kaine.senate.gov) if you need help and are a government employee.  It is also on the bulletin board in the back of church. 

I also want to inform the parish that Patrick Merone is resigning from his position as the chair of our Finance Council.  We want to thank him for his service and contribution to this council.  Thank you, Patrick, and please know we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!

This is our second week for the collections for our Annual Diocesan Appeal.  There are envelopes that will be distributed during Mass or you may pick one up after Mass.  I encourage those who are able to give to please fill them out at Mass today or take them home and return to the offertory collection next week.  Thank you for your kindness and support.

Just a reminder:  We are holding Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent with a light meal at 5:30 and Stations at 6 p.m.  Our Reconciliation Service with several visiting priests is Saturday, March 29th at 12 p.m..  Please consider attending this special time to go to Confession and prepare for Easter.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - First Sunday of Lent - March 9, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

First Sunday of Lent

March 9, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

This week's jot is about almsgiving.  This Sunday, we are going to have a letter read at Mass about the wonderful success of our Capital Campaign - Our Campaign for Tomorrow.  We will be building a new parish center to meet our needs of a safe space for classrooms, parish offices and meeting spaces.  The building will be handicap accessible with an elevator.  We will continue to need your faithful payments on your pledge.  To help with this effort we will be providing special "Capital Campaign Envelopes".  They will be available soon and the ushers will have them in the back of church.  Please take them home and return with your check towards your pledge.  Please make sure you indicate in the Memo line of your check, "Capital Campaign" in order for your payment to be recorded correctly.  The letter read at today's Mass is included here and is also on the kiosk and website with our most current building renderings!

Soon we will also start once a month Envelopes for our Haiti Ministry and partner, Beyond Borders.  As a parish community we have chosen to help Beyond Borders and have been making a donation of $750 per month for this effort.  The funds that are being used come from our designated Haiti checking account.  Currently we have a balance of $3,557.81 and this amount will cover about four more months.  We will have a second collection for Haiti once a month starting after Easter. The Haiti Beyond Borders envelopes will also be available in the back of church.

Lastly, we are challenged again to participate in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond Annual Appeal.  Many of you have already received a mailing and we will be handing our Annual Appeal envelopes this Sunday and next Sunday.  As your priest, I don't like talking about money but I wanted to thank you and bring you up to date.  Thank you for your prayers and generosity.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source