Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Epiphany - January 8, 2023

Feast of the Epiphany

January 8, 2023

 

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Happy New Year and may the Lord bless you and your family and friends with good health and a peaceful 2023 year.

The Office of Black Catholics for the Diocese of Richmond has appointed a new Director, Fr. Tochi Iwuji.  His email is tiwuji@richmonddiocese.org. Fr. Tochi started this assignment January 1, 2023.  We give thanks for Msgr. Walter Barrett who came out of retirement and was the Director of the Office of Black Catholics during this interim period.

A Day of Reflection will be held on March 18, 2023 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Glen Allen.  The day of reflection will be facilitated by Sr. Cora Marie Billings.  The Office of Black Catholics is inviting African American and African Immigrant parishioners to participate in this Diocesan Day of Reflection.  If you are interested, please contact the Office of Black Catholics at 804-622-5241 or email obc@richmonddiocese.org.

We need your help.  If you have not registered with the parish, please do so.  There are purple folders in the back of church with registration forms and other helpful registration information.  Also, if you have moved, changed emails or added a child to your home, please contact the parish office with updated information.

Blessings in 2023,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Pastor

~ Image Source

Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Epiphany, January 2, 2022

 Feast of the Epiphany

January 2, 2022

Fr. Jim's Jots

Happy New Year and may the Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth watch over each and everyone this New Year.

When Ethel Cooley became sick, she continued to work from home and the hospital.  We wanted and needed her help, advice and input in the parish office.  She wanted to die with her boots on.  E.J. was a blessing of love and service to YOU - the people of St. Elizabeth - whom she loved so very much.  I believe it helped E.J. to continue working through her yearlong illness.  

I give thanks for Cecilia Hull who has been helping with our online bulletin the last several months.  Without the support and help from Mary Rose Purcell, Janet Stern, Cecilia Hull and so many others, we could not have carried on the daily duties of running a growing parish.  I wish to thank all.

Special thanks to everyone who will help with this Sunday's installation as your pastor with Bishop Barry Knestout.

Prayer for Pastor - Matthew 25:21

A pastor devoted to giving so much, God only knows all the souls that you touch.  Committed to serve, when you answered God's call, you prove it by being a servant to all.

+Blessings for the New Year +

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source:

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Epiphany, January 3, 2021

 

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Blessings and Happy New Year!!!  I am sure that everyone is glad to see the year 2020 in the rearview mirror, AMEN!!

During the next few weeks I am hoping that we will be more peaceful and prayerful.  I invite and ask you to consider both.  Jesus said: "My Peace is my Gift to YOU."  When you rise every morning, ask the Lord to direct your heart and actions to be Peaceful to things before you may say something you may later regret.  Have a prayer of thanksgiving and be patient with yourself and others.  Remember the magic words "Thank You" to those in service who keep things going:  health care workers, grocery store workers, parcel delivery people, struggling restaurant workers and all in service.  Say "Thank you for your service."

Be safe - Pray from home.  I ask you to pray the Rosary daily, or a Hail Mary often throughout your day for healing.  Consider joining our Zoom Mass on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Friday at 12 noon.  It's interactive and a chance to meet others and request special prayers.  You would be most welcome to join.  Turn off the news on T.V. or the radio and listen to music you like and enjoy.  Get enough sleep and exercise, go for a walk, engage in something to keep moving.

We love you and need you to stay healthy and to take care of Yourself - spiritually, mentally and physically in 2021. Please stay safe, you are in our prayers,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source

Fr. Jim's Jots - Feast of the Epiphany, 1.5.2010

Fr. Jim's Jots

Epiphany of the Lord!

Today, January 5th, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, the feast commemorating the presentation of the Magi presenting gifts to the Lord Jesus.  The gifts we give, our time through prayer and celebrating the sacramental grace of the church, are indeed a blessing all year round.

We are starting a few new groups with the help of Patrick Merone and Regine Despinasse-Merone, patrickmerone@yahoo.com, Rdespinasse@gmail.com. Their's is a "young couples group." Any couples dating, engaged, or newly married, with or without children, up to the age of 40, are invited to participate in this new group.  Please contact Patrick and Regine.  If you are interested, there is more information on the kiosk in back of church.

We are also interested in starting a "singles group" with the help, perhaps, of a few of our other area parishes.  If you are interested in being part of this group and willing to help organize it, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

Yeah, we are also working to re-energize and start up again, a men's group.  If you are interested and wish to be a part of the leadership of this group, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

Yet again, we are interested in starting a women's group.  This group would add much to the life and energy of the parish.  Interested and willing to be on the leadership of this women's group, please contact Fr. Jim or the parish office.

The life in the community of the church grows when members get to know each other and become friends. We would like you to consider joining and working to start one of the above groups.  Please prayerfully consider joining a group, starting the group or being part of the group.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Photo by Every Pixel

National Migration Week, 1.5-11.2020 - The Lost Boys of the Sudan ~ Photos by EJCooley

John Seng, one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan

John  was our guest on Epiphany Sunday! He spoke about the hardships of living in a refugee camp for 9 years and of his triumphs since living in the USA.


~ Photos by EJCooley

Feast of the Epiphany, 1.6.2019 ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

A Hymn in Swahili 

David and Sandra come back to visit...

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Fr. Jim's Jots - Epiphany 2019

Greetings!

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, the feast commemorating the gifts of the Magi to our Lord.  Each of us is called to give gifts of our time, talent and treasure to help build up the Kingdom of God.  Thank you for your countless acts of generosity and kindness throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.  We were able to help numerous families have a good Christmas.

Today we will take down our decorations after Mass and start preparing for Ordinary Time.

January is a time for us to reflect on the many blessings we have received and to make New Year's resolutions to be more active in our faith by participating in Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and our numerous catechetical programs being offered.  Please get involved and participate; we need each and every one of you!

Great news!  Nursery service is being offered; January 13th, January 27th, February 3rd and February 17th.  Questions? See Sarah Longfield.

Quote of the week:  "God doesn't call the equipped; he equips the called."

New Year's blessings,

Fr. Jim

The Three Kings arrive at the manger ~ Epiphany Eve, 2019 ~ Photo by Janet Stern

~ Photo by Janet Stern

Feast of the Epiphany Mass at St. E's ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

~ Photos by Lula Lamb