St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Blog

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Feast of the Holy Family - December 29, 2024

St. Elizabeth Church

Feast of the Holy Family

December 29, 2024

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

This past week, we all celebrated Christmas! I hope that your celebrations with your family and friends were wonderful! Our Christmas services at the church were wonderful and I would like to say a special thanks to all involved with our liturgical ministries! I would also like to congratulate all of the children on their performance of the Nativity. They memorized all of their lines and worked very hard, rehearsing many times in preparation. Also, a big thank you to Liz Wiznerowicz, our Director of Religious Education, for directing this production and all of those who worked to assist with the play and get the children to their rehearsals.

Please note that we have a Vigil Mass on December 31st at 5 p.m. for the Solemnity of Mary. For more information and to sign up for the potluck please see the other page of this bulletin.

This year we had over 15 Baptisms... Wow!! If your child needs to be baptized, please contact me or the parish office! The Children's OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) program has started and has now met a few times. The Adult OCIA program will start soon. If you are interested in becoming Catholic or have not received all of your Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation) please see the information on our website or in the print bulletin to get in contact with our program director.

As a reminder:

- Our Campaign for Tomorrow will be running until the start of Lent, all information regarding the campaign will be updated on our website here: stelizcc.org/our-campaign-for-tomorrow/

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

Labels: Father Jim's Jots, Feast of the Holy Family

FATHER JIM'S JOTS ~ Feast of the Holy Family - December 31, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family

December 31, 2023

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

This Sunday we will have an evening Mass for Peace at 5 p.m. to celebrate the vigil of the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. We will have a potluck afterwards. So far, we have had many people sign up. I am looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful dishes! If you have not signed up to bring a dish yet, you can do so by clicking on link in my Jot in the E-Bulletin.

January 1st marks the World Day of Peace for the Catholic Church. This tradition started with Pope Paul VI in 1967 and continues on to today. On this day, the Holy Father shares a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.

In the second appendix of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we find the "Formulas of Catholic Doctrine." In these, a common theme of peace can be found. The second commandment of love is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In the Beatitudes, we hear, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." One of the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit is Peace. We are called to forgiveness, patience and kindness, through the spiritual works of mercy. These are just a few of the many ways that we are called to be examples of peace for the world around us.

We read in Sacred Scripture that, "The work of justice will be peace; the effect of justice, calm and security forever." (Isaiah 32:17)

Let us now pray for God's blessing in the new year.

Remember us, O God;

from age to age be our comforter.

You have given us the wonder of time,blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.

Bless your children at the turning of the year

and fill the months ahead with the bright hope

that is ours in the coming of Christ.

You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever.

Amen.

Blessings to you and yours,

Fr.Jim, Pastor

(Prayer from usccb.org)

~ Image Source

Labels: December 31 2023, Father Jim's Jots, Feast of the Holy Family

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Holy Family, December 27, 2020

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Feast of the Holy Family

December 27, 2020

As the baby Jesus brought hope to the world over 2000 years ago, may we see signs of HOPE for 2021.

May we see medical advances for a virus vaccine...

May we recognize "essential workers" throughout our society...

May we be a country willing to confront and begin to eradicate racism...

May we show a genuine concern for the less fortunate and work to improve their lives...

May we take pride in our country and feel renewed hope with an honest president and vice-president who are good caring leaders...

MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR HOMES!

Many thanks to our members and ministries, here at St. Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing your "time, talent and treasure" especially during this time of a pandemic. Special thanks to our parish staff: Deacon Chris, Sr. Tiberh, Liz, Janet, EJ, Scott and Roger. Thanks also to our Parish and Finance Councils, Human Concerns, a superb Gospel Choir, Community Life, Liturgical, Evangelical, Social and Social Justice, RCIA and Health Ministries and a hardworking Buildings and Grounds Team; with your help, we continue to minister to our members, community and our neighbors during this trying time.

Welcome to the season of Advent/Christmas!

The St. Elizabeth schedule is as follows:

December 27 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - 8:30 a.m. in-person Mass; ZOOM Mass, 10:00 a.m.

January 1, 2021 - New Year's Day, The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - 10.00 a.m., Mass in the Church (maximum of 50 attendees) and on ZOOM video from Church.

Please stay safe; you are in our prayers.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source

Labels: Christmas time, Feast of the Holy Family

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Feast of the Holy Family ~ December 29, 2019

Fr. Jim's Jots

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Today, December 29, 2019, we begin with our second Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. As our parish continues to grow, we are pleased to offer two (2) Masses: one at 9 a.m. and now, at 11:30 a.m.. Our choir will still sing at the 9 a.m. Mass. Most of our major events and celebrations will take place at the 9 a.m. Mass.

"God, thank you for the new year. May everyone in our family and parish family be willing to begin with a new clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin the new year, remind us of our truest values and deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we may live in peace with you now, one day at a time."

A gentle reminder: please attend our special New Year's masterpiece this Tuesday, December 31st at 5 p.m., with a potluck meal to follow. All are invited.

New Year's blessings,

Fr. Jim

Labels: Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Jim's Jots