"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

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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.

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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

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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

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Celebrating Phyllis Booth's 98th Birthday at St. Elizabeth Church - Sunday, March 9, 2025 ~ Photos by Mary Ann Allen

 98th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

HONORING

LONG-TIME PARISHIONER

PHYLLIS BOOTH 

 

Ash Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Church - March 5, 2025

Ash Wednesday

St. Elizabeth Church

March 5, 2025 

ORDER MY STEPS

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Church - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - March 2, 2025

St. Elizabeth Church

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

March 2, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

 

Ready or not, Lent starts this Wednesday, March 5th!  Ash Wednesday Mass will be at 5 p.m. on March 5th; I hope to see many of you there.  We need everyone as individuals, a parish community, and nation to pray, repent from sin and turn to the Lord.  As a season of penance and prayer, let us use these next forty days of Lent to sacrifice the things that keep us away from the Lord and good works.  All able Catholics from age 18 until age 59 are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  All Catholics age 14 onwards are obligated to abstain from consuming meat on the Fridays in Lent.

Our calendar for Lent was included in last Sunday's bulletin.  If you did not get a copy, we have extras at the front of the Church and it is also on our website.  I encourage all of you to make any of these programs part of your Lenten journey.  Come and attend any of the Friday Stations of the Cross, experience the powerful presence of Our Lord during Exposition and Adoration on the first Friday of the month, join our Rosary group on any day of the week and so much more!

Prayer for Lent

"O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel.  Instill in us also the fear of Your Blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You.  For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to you, we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy life-creating Spirit.  Now and forever.  Amen"

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

 

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