FR. JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 1, 2024

St. Elizabeth Church

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 1, 2024

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

School days are back in full swing.  Soon, our Religious Education classes will start for the 2024-2025 year.  We will have classes available for all grades, so I encourage parents to enroll their children in one of our programs.  In order for your child to attend classes, we ask that your family be registered as members of the Parish.  If you have not registered already, you can do so by visiting our website at:  stelizcc.org/join-our-parish/, grabbing a printed form from the back of the church or contacting the parish office.

As you may have heard during Mass last week, Bishop Knestout and the Diocese have granted their approval for our proposed new Parish center.  Any updates from the Diocese, our Parish Office and the status of the project and renderings will be posted on the kiosk by the front doors regularly.

As our parish grows, so does the need for our ministries.  We have over 25 ministries at our parish that support our church and neighboring community.  Whether you are interested in helping during or outside of Mass, there is a ministry that would benefit from your talents and skills!  On Sunday, September 8th we will be hosting a Ministries Sign-Up Fair after both Masses.  We are asking everyone sign up for a parish ministry.

I would like to give a special thank you to all who have helped with the preparation of the Celebration of Life for Hannah Schooler.  Thank you to all who have helped support the Schooler Family during this difficult time; our prayers and thoughts continue for them.

We are also praying for Dr. Audrey Cobb, a former parishioner, who passed away a few weeks ago.  Her funeral Mass was in Northern Virginia earlier this week, but we will host a memorial Mass on Friday, September 6th at 12 p.m.  All are invited to attend.

It is with a heavy heart that we are also celebrating the funeral of Frank Beverly, the beloved husband of Peggy Beverly who is a member of our Gospel Choir, on Thursday, September 5th, at 11 a.m. with viewing starting at 10 a.m.  All are invited.

Blessings and prayers to all.  May all rest in Peace,

Fr. Jim Arsenault 

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 3, 2023 - Season of Creation

 Season of Creation

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 3, 2023

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

I am excited that this Sunday, Sept. 3rd, we kick off this year's "Season of Creation."  During this epical time, we are called to take part in the teachings of the Holy Father in an effort to embrace "Laudato Si'" -  "to care for our Common Home."  This "Season of Creation" was encouraged by our Sister Anns, a Comboni Missionary Sister, whose community teaches all across the world.  The "Season of Creation" is a Global and Ecumenical call to action and care for our common home with the message of "Let justice and Peace Flow."

It is also a call to repent of our ecological sins to change our attitudes and actions.  Righteousness demands that we live in peace, not conflict with our human neighbors and build a relationship with all of creation.

We as a parish will have special prayers of the faithful and a prayer after communion throughout the month of September, ending Oct. 1, 2023 (near the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). On Sunday, October 1st, I am asking all young children to actively be an example of the beauty of God's creation by dressing up as bumble bees, fish, bugs, insects or butterflies!  Also, on this Sunday please bring in a picture of a beloved pet or animal so we can fill the windowsills of our Church with our animal friends.  Please, your help is needed.

We welcome the "Season of Creation 2023."  Let Justice and Peace flow!!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Congratulations to the Wedding yesterday, Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 of parishioners, Yao Thompson and Denise Letendre!!

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Season of Creation Sunday - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - September 3, 2023 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

Season of Creation Sunday

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

September 3, 2023

"What do we do to preserve our Earth?"

~ Photos by Connie Hom

Fr. Jim's Jots - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 28, 2022

 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 28, 2022

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

Your help is needed as St. Elizabeth Parish is going to have a ministry fair on Sunday, September 11th after both the 8:30 and 10 a.m. Masses.  We are asking you to go downstairs to the parish hall and sign up for a ministry.  We need help in all areas and all are invited to participate.

We need help with hospitality/ushers, lectors, set-up and clean-up after Mass.  Religious Education needs help on all levels: elementary, middle school and high school.  We also need assistance with repair and maintenance, community life, social justice and choir.  All are welcome!

I am asking all committees to have a table sign and sign-up sheet and to be present after the Masses to answer any questions parishioners may have!  Your help is needed.

To help explain the different ministries, Rita Hatchett and Ceci Hull have put together a webpage with folks from the different areas of ministries giving a video explanation.  Check the bulletin for the link to view on the parish website.

The Centennial committee will also have a table in the parish hall on September 11th to have you sign up and explain the events.  Your help is needed.  Please sign up for something.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

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Fr. Jim's Jots - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 29, 2021

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary time

August 29, 2021 

Fr. Jim's Jots

Labor Day is next weekend!  Please note the Sunday Mass time change:  9 a.m. with Zoom and choir, and 11:15 a.m..  Please adjust your schedule.

We have begun working on the Fall Religious Education program!  Grades K-8 will meet once a month, in-person, with an option of Zoom classes.  High schoolers will meet both in-person and over Zoom, and we will be partnering with other parishes in our area:  Holy Rosary, St. Paul's and Sacred Heart Cathedral.  The program will include service projects and social activities.

We need all households with children to register starting this weekend.  Registration will be available for the next few weeks, so please pick up a registration form at Mass or email mpurcell@stelizcc.org for a virtual form.  We would like to have all children who attend St. Elizabeth to have a wonderful year and learn about Christ and His Church.  If you are a parent, we need you to help with our Religious Education program.  All teachers must be vaccinated and all children must wear a mask for Religious Education.

Your help is needed - Overby-Shephard, our neighborhood public school is in need of the following supplies:  Marble Composition Notebooks, pencils, crayons, dry erase markers and dry erasers.  School starts Sept. 8, so please bring your donations within the next two weeks.

Blessings for a safe and successful school year for ALL.

Fr. Jim

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