Faith Formation Class ~ November 9, 2014 ~ Photos by Amy Williford-Brew

 ~ Photos by Amy Williford-Brew

Faith Formation, October 5, 2014 ~ The Meaning of the Seven Deadly Sins ~ Photos by EJ Cooley

~ Photos by EJ Cooley

Final Christian Ed/Bible Study Session before Summer Break ~ Photos by Dr. David Torain

Photos by Dr. David Torain

Christian Ed Gathering at St. E's ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

This first session (Sunday,October 20th) dealt with an overview of the Letter to the Hebrews, which will be our primary focus for the next several months.  Our instructor is St. E's parishioner, David Torain who was ably assisted by Sandra Torain and Phil and Amy Williford-Brew.  Thanks for all the effort that goes into these classes.   

 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

Advent: Waiting for Jesus ~ by Ethel Cooley

St. Nicholas Arrives!

Pat Mundy and Faith Formation

On Sunday, December 9, 2012, Pat Mundy, with Fr. Jim, presented our Faith Formation session.  We welcomed five families from St. Michael's who are involved with a religious education program, called FIRE.

Pat spoke about the Gospel during Advent and we all played Advent BINGO!  We all received BINGO cards with words like:  Second Coming, Hail Mary, John the Baptist, Advent Wreath, etc.  The questions that Pat Mundy asked were:  How many weeks of Advent? (Four)  Who was the cousin of Mary? (Elizabeth)  What does Emmanuel mean? (God is with us)  What is Jesus the light of? (World)  During Advent, what do we pray for?  (Peace)

The answers were on the BINGO card and we covered the spaces with M&M chocolate candies.  Gifts were given out; everyone was a winner and we got to eat our chocolates when the game was finished.

It was a fun, learning experience!  Many thanks to the St. E's Kitchen Committee for the delicious breakfast!

Thanks to Larry Williford who was the perfect St. Nicholas/Santa Claus! 

Photos by Ethel Cooley

1st Diocesan Young Adult Retreat ~ sent by Mieko Timmons

Bert Drummond of the Office for Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults has sent the following information concerning the 1st Diocesan Young Adult Retreat.

Date: March 16 - 18, 2012

Place: Wintergreen Resort (near Waynesboro and Crozet, VA)

For whom: Young adults (18-29). Married couples, engaged couples and singles are all welcome.

Cost: $75.00 per person which includes lodging and food for the weekend. There is an additional fee for a private room and a discount for married couples attending together.

Registration: 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16th. The retreat will begin promptly at 8:30 p.m. The retreat will end by 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 18th.

Facilitator: Todd Lemieux, who has been leading retreats for all ages for 12 years. Author of "100 Things Every Catholic Teen Should Know." The theme of the retreat is "Ordinary Holiness" and is based on the writings of Saint Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei.


Register online at www.tinyurl.com/CDRyoungadultretreat


One registration is required for each individual. All registrations will close at 4:30 p.m. on March 2, 2012. Space is truly limited, so be sure to register early.

Check out the retreat's Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/CDRyoungadultretreat

Changes to the Mass! Here is what you want to know!

Here is what you want to know about the changes to the Mass that will go into effect on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. Click on the image above and you will link to the official website for the New Roman Missal. The site will explain all you wish to know about the whys and wherefores of the changes.

For the specific changes in the People's responses and prayers during the Mass, please click HERE... These are the changes that will directly affect YOU!

There have been several Diocesan and local workshops held during the past several months to prepare parish leadership and others to help implement these changes within the parish. There will be other training opportunities in the coming months. There will also be handouts available to help everyone understand the changes so that we can adapt to the changes quickly.

If you have any questions about the changes, Frances Pope or other members of the Liturgy Committee (Phyllis Booth, Mary Walker, Mary Ann Allen) will be happy to respond to them.

Catholic Life Experience begins Tuesday, Feb. 10th

Sr. Maureen T. Carroll, SBS will begin a Catholic Life Experience Series here at St. Elizabeth Church. This adult Christian Education program will be held every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 6:30 to 7:30. There will be time before and after classes for additional reflection and study.

Sr. Maureen writes in the introductory letter to our parishioners: "Have you ever wished that you had an additional opportunity to renew your own spirit-life? What does our church teach? What's new in the Catholic Religious experience? What makes the Catholic Church unique and our life in a community so grace filled? Living in the Presence of God, enhancing an adult experience of a fuller life of the holy Spirit and walking through Scripture brings a deeper life-peace."

The schedule is as follows:

Scripture:

1. February and March - Acts of the Apostles
2. April and May - Gospels according to Luke and John
3. June and July - Letters of John

Catholic Doctrine (Throughout the classes)

~ Seven Sacraments
~ Ten Commandments
~ Eucharistic Liturgy
~ Nicene Creed
~ Jesus, the Man, the Son of God
~ God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth
~ The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete

Prayer

~ The Trinity
~ Common Prayers of the Catholic Church
~ Praying with Scripture
~ Praying with one another in community
~ Praying in one's heart

Each person needs: a Bible and a journal book for reflections and a folder for notes. St. Elizabeth will order and have these available at the first class.

Cost: $15 for the first set of classes. After that: $5 every two months.

Time each meeting: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Room will be available 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after class for reading, etc.

St. Elizabeth Summer Adult Formation Schedule ~ Cathy Woodson

When: Monday, June 16th - Thursday, June 19th
Where: In the Church Hall

Come and share in this opportunity to learn about people living among us, their struggles and desires, and to reflect on ways we can open our hearts and be a beacon to all God's people.

Theme: Building an Understanding Heart with God's People

Time: 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

6:00 Light meal (some presenters may join us for the meal) **

6:30 Opening Prayer

6:45 Presentation/Discussion

7:45 Closing Prayer

Who should attend: All Adults and Young Adults

Monday, June 16

Presenter: Annette Khan, Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond

Annette will share her experiences and ideas that promote working together in cooperative community service among religious organizations in metropolitan Richmond.

Tuesday, June 17

Presenter: Carol McElhinney, Immigration and Refugee Resettlement Office

Carol will share stories about immigrants and refugees living in the Richmond community and share with us who is coming into Virginia. We are one global village.

Wednesday, June 18

Presenter: Ed Smith, Commonwealth Catholic Charities of Virginia

Ed will share an overview of the struggles and needs of families living in our community; how Catholic Charities programs address the needs and what's changing with families.

Thursday, June 19

Presenter: Melba Gibbs will share the struggles of homelessness in our community. (St. Elizabeth members have donated hot cups/coffee/bathroom tissue to Freedom House. Members have also delivered coats and blankets to people sleeping in Monroe Park).

** Important note: Please sign up in the back of the church if you plan to share in the light meal each evening; this will help with meal planning.

St. E's Summer Adult Faith Formation Alert ~ Cathy Woodson

St. Elizabeth Summer Adult Faith Formation will take place the week of June 16th thru June 19th (Monday - Thursday) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. The theme this year will be "Building an Understanding Heart with God's People."

Our program will create opportunities to learn about people living among us, their struggles and desires, and to reflect on ways we can open our hearts and be a beacon to all God's people.

The following organizations will be with us: Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond, Commonwealth Catholic Charities of Virginia, Freedom House, and Refugee and Immigration Services. The presenter schedule will be in the bulletin, on the blog and posted on the board beginning Sunday, June 8th.

Daily schedule:

6:00 p.m. ~ Light Meal
6:30 p.m. ~ Opening Prayer
6:45 p.m. ~ Presentation and Discussion
7:45 p.m. ~ Closing Prayer

Summer Adult Formation ~ "Living Actions" ~ by Mary Walker

It's Thursday, June 21, 2007 (the first day of summer) and we have gathered for the last night of the 4th session of Summer Christian Formation. The setting each night seemed simple as we gathered in the church basement at 6:00 p.m. After prayer, we gathered at the table for a light meal and the chit chat of this church family. At 6:30 p.m. sharp, there it was, the click of the lights - off and on, - it was Cathy Woodson alerting us to gather in the circle.

Tonight we were blessed to have Fr. Andrew, our spiritual leader, who presented on "Living Actions." This was part of the theme for adult formation "Living Faith: Global and Local Actions."

Fr. Andrew started by discussing the cultural perspective in India where Christianity is one of several major religions in his country and the role of Catholicism there. He talked about how God is ever present, working in us and through us as we live our faith. He acknowledged that no one knows better than those of us at St. Elizabeth's about living faith, based on our faith journey over the past 10 months.

As we continued, various points of discussion were held, such as how do we as a faith community learn to reach out by contributing to Global ministries such as Haiti. We talked about the importance of love, humbleness, and the recognition of ourselves as sinners, no greater than anyone else. Further, Fr. Andrew spoke of faith and belief as foundations for each of us.

Other components of the session led us into discussions about evangelization, the need to reach out to others; helping other parishioners to come forth to use their time and talents; being agents to help those who may be set in their ways, to change; and finally, what is the impact of liturgy. What is it that each of us bring to and take away from liturgy. The session was stimulating and thought provoking.

In closing, these sessions gave me a renewed spirit, a sense of peace and calmness. My thanks to all who planned, presented and participated.

P.S. Even people like me who are computer illiterate can sign onto the Blog. Thanks, Mary Ann.

Summer Adult Formation ~ Haiti ~ by Mildred Green

The first session started in the Church Hall, Monday evening at 6 p.m. with 13 of us. We had a very nice light meal. The theme for the week was "Living Faith: Global and Local Actions."

The session began at 6:30. The presenter was our own Patrice Schwermer from the Office of Justice and Peace. We were shown slides by Patrice, "Welcome to Haiti," which was narrated by her. The slides consisted of prints from Haiti, the land, the mountains, the people and how they live.



In the rural area, the school, if you can call it a school, was a lot of tree branches made to look like a room. I just could not believe this; it took me back. The kids at this school have nothing, nothing! We learned that only 5 to 10% of the children in Haiti get an education. Another slide shown was about a group of women coming together and working for a better life, trying to start a business.

Our opening prayer reading for the evening was Luke:6, 20-26. Our Question and Reflection about the presentation was, how does it relate to the scripture? We talked about that with our group. Also, how does the principle of solidarity relate to what we have heard about Haiti? What are some ways we can respond to what we have learned this evening? How are we called to transformation? As an individual? As a parish community? What will be the next steps?

We had some great ideas. Maybe you have some ideas too. This will be brought to the Parish Community. What gifts do you have to offer the people of Haiti and what gifts do the people of Haiti have to offer us?

What an excellent presentation! Well done, Patrice! We ended the session with a prayer and look forward for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 19th. Hope you can make it. You're in for a treat!

~ Photo by Patrice Schwermer ~

Coming Up THIS Week! Summer Adult Formation

The St. Elizabeth Summer Adult Faith Formation Program begins this week, June 18-21. The theme for the program is, Living Faith: Global and Local Actions. These programs will take place in the fellowship hall. The schedule is the following:

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Light Meal
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer and Session

Monday, June 18th ~ Catholic Relief Work in Madagascar, Africa
Presented by: A staff member from the Diocesan Office of Justice and Peace

Tuesday, June 19th ~ Haiti Ministry
Presented by: Patrice Schwermer, Office of Justice and Peace

Wednesday, June 20th ~ St. Francis/St. Emma Ministry
Presented by: Sr. Maureen T. Carroll, SBS, CFRE

Thursday, June 21st ~ Living Actions
Presented by: Fr. Andrew Sagayam

Please Note: Because of these special programs, there will be no 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Liturgy. Do come and take advantage of the "good news" our speakers will pass on to us during this week.

Adult Faith Formation: Focus on Haiti

Sunday's Adult Faith Formation was led by parishioner Patrice Schwermer, who also happens to work for the Diocesan Office of Justice and Peace. The focus of the discussion centered on whether there might be interest among St. E's parishioners toward an outreach twinning relationship with a parish or group in Haiti. The Richmond Diocese has had a longstanding twinning relationship with the Diocese of Hinche in Haiti and a number of parishes have already been paired with like parishes or groups in Haiti.

Patrice explained what twinning would mean to us. Our relationship with God is shown in our actions. Catholic social teaching emphasizes an option for the poor and a solidarity with others. We are brothers and sisters to each other. Lent gives us an opportunity to reflect and to act on these social teachings.

Haiti itself is probably the poorest country in our hemisphere. It is only a 2 hour flight from the richest country, the United States. The difference between Haiti and the USA is readily seen when one notes the huge gap between the rich and poor. Many Haitians eat only one meal a day. The yearly income in the cities is about $400; in the rural areas, $100. As you can see, the typical Haitian is materially deprived; but Haitian faith in God and the spirituality of the people is abundant.

Patrice describes the commitment needed before a twinning relationship could be set up. It is important to realize that twinning would be a long term commitment. It would also need the support of the parish leadership. Indeed, the leadership would need to approve the parish's participation. A small committee would be set up to focus on the twinning itself. That committee would also energize the rest of the parish by providing information about the twinning partner and what was needed as far as goods or funds were concerned.

But Patrice emphasized that the most important part of the twinning arrangement was the relationship between the parishes or groups. She mentioned email as a means of communication and an important aid to learning about each other. Asked about the language barrier, Patrice noted that translations could occur at either end. English-speaking Haitians or American translators would make sure that each partner would be understood by the other.

The program was very interesting to everyone and there were a number of questions asked, as we explored the idea of twinning. More will be known at a later date as more information is given to us. A signup sheet was passed around to those who indicated further interest. At that point, I had to leave, but I believe I have captured most of what the discussion was about. If there are any additions, please place it in a comment to this article.

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My own thoughts are centered on our church renovations and how God has blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined. I also know that St. E's has a long history of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. We need only to recall the many Ethiopian and Vietnamese refugees we helped resettle. I think the parish will soon feel a real need to find a means of passing our blessings on to others. Whether it will be twinning in Haiti or something else, only time will tell.

Adult Faith Formation ~ Sundays After Mass During Lent

Cathy asked me to post this...

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You are invited to Come on a Faith Journey

When: Sunday Morning during the Lenten Season

Time: After 8:30 am liturgy

Where: St. Elizabeth Parish hall

No RSVP required

Come as you are -- willing to be in community with others

This year, we are reading the gospel of Matthew. The session format is framed in discussion based on honest reflections of the readings, listening to various points of view, willingness to share one's thoughts, questions and offer practical responses that may assist the faith journeys of the group.

The goal is to strengthen our relationship with God using the pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Remember, faith is our way of understanding God and is a gift from God.

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Save the Dates
St. Elizabeth Summer Adult Faith Formation
June 18--21, 2007

Advent Adult Faith Formation

Cathy Woodson sent the following article to the blog:

We will meet at the Willifords' home after liturgy this Sunday (December 17) and next Sunday (December 24).

Everyone in the parish has the resources we use: AT HOME WITH THE WORD, the "Little Blue Book", and this year, we have the "Green Book" and The Word Among Us. All have meditations and reflections on the readings. The group is informal and I encourage everyone to come, learn from one another and hear the insights from other perspectives.

2nd Advent Christian Ed Gathering

Ronnie wrote a very nice report about the 1st Advent Christian Ed gathering at the Willifords (see her comment at the appropriate article below). Is there someone out there who attended the 2nd gathering this past Sunday and willing to give a description of that one?

Advent Christian Education at the Willifords

I wasn't able to make it to the Christian Education gathering at the Williford's last Sunday after Mass. Can someone fill us in on what was covered? That will help those of us who cannot come for one reason or another to receive some benefit too. Thanks.