FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - First Sunday of Advent - November 30, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today is the first Sunday of Advent!  I would like to thank Msgr. Walter Barrett for celebrating Masses this weekend.  I am currentloy in Michigan celebrating the Holidays with my family and will return to Richmond later this upcoming week.

Thank you to everyone who helped with our Homecoming Celebration last weekend!  The only way we are able to hold such a special annual event is with the help of many wonderful volunteers.

The word "Advent" is from the Latin adventus for "coming" and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas.  Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) and continuing until December 24.

How do you prepare yourself during Advent?

First, it is a good idea to pray more, possibly including the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

It is also important to read Sacred Scripture, especially the Infancy Narratives of Matthew and Luke.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church, chapters 2 and 3 of the Second Part of the Creed, expresses the Church's Fath in the Incarnation and Nativity of the Lord.

Finally, to truly prepare, it is important to go to Confession at least once during the season, and maybe go to daily Mass and do Eucharistic Adoration when you are able.

I encourage you to attend the Communal Reconciliation Service this Advent.  We will have three priests from other parishes visit to hear confessions so there will be time for everyone who wants to participate.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

(Information on Advent from ewtn.com)

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TUSOME PAMOJA! - "Let's Learn Together!" - Saturday School sponsored by St. Elizabeth Catholic Church at All Saints School ~ Photos by Mary Romanello, Romanello Photography

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church

"Tusome Pamoja!"

"Let's Learn Together!"

Saturday School

 

~ Photos by Romanello Photography

First Sunday of Advent - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - November 30, 2025 ~ Photos by Mary Romanello, Romanello Photography

 First Sunday of Advent

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

November 30, 2025

Advent Giving Tree

 

~ Photos by Mary Romanello, Romanello Photography

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Feast of Christ the King - November 23, 2025

Feast of Christ the King

St, Elizabeth Catholic Church

November 23, 2025

 FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King and the last Sunday in Ordinary Time.  "Christ the King is one of the most important titles of Jesus.  Even though Jesus Christ was not a king in the earthly sense, He is the divine King of the Universe, who unites all of creation with the Father.  Each year we celebrate Christ's sovereignty on the last Sunday of the Liturgical year, the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  This year the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe is on November 23, 2025.  Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925, but it was first celebrated in 1926." (ewtn.com)  You can read Pope Pius XI's full encyclical on the institution of the feast by clicking here!

 "As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States.  It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops." (usccb.org)  I read this statement at Mass this Sunday, but you can read it in the flyer in this bulletin or by visiting usccb.org.  We will have the webpages linked in our E-Bulletin Newsletter and our Parish Website.  I encourage everyone to read this very important statement.

Advent starts next week and if you look at the Advent/Christmas Schedule on the other page of the bulletin, you will see we have many things going on!  I encourage everyone to attend the Communal Reconciliation Service on December 13th.  Advent is a time where we are supposed to ready our hearts for Christmas.  One of the best ways to ready ourselves for this important season is to go to Confession.  The service will start with a group liturgy and prayer service; then we will have individual confessions.  We will have three priests from other parishes visit to hear confessions so there will be time for everyone who wants to participate.

I am keeping everyone in my prayers during this holiday season.  I pray that those who are traveling will reach their destinations safely and that families will be able to enjoy each others' company throughout the stress that the holidays can bring.

Blessings and Thanksgiving,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - November 16, 2025

ST. ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 16, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Special Thanks to all who helped with extra food and funds for our Thanksgiving baskets.

Next Sunday, we as a parish celebrate our annual Homecoming.  Our parish Homecoming is an opportunity to welcome old and new members of our community.  Please extend a welcome for friends, family and former members to attend both the 8:30 or 10:00 am Mass.  All are welcome.  A reception will be held after both Masses and we will need help with set-up and clean-up.  If you are interested in helping with setting up, please arrive before 8:30 am Mass.

 I will be away for my family's Thanksgiving in Michigan and will be departing after Homecoming.  This is my annual opportunity to be with my family where we celebrate three holidays:  Thanksgiving, Hanukkah (which is 8 days of celebration starting on Dec. 14 to Dec. 22) and Christmas.  I have not been able to be home, so I celebrate Christmas at Church with You.

Wishing all a safe and happy Thanksgiving and if you're traveling, safe travels.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica - November 9, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

November 9, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we celebrate the feast day of the "Dedication of St. John, the Lateran Basilica".  The Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated annually on November 9th.  It commemorates the dedication of the Cathedral Church of Rome, which is the official seat of the Pope by Pope Sylvester in 324 AD.  The land was given by Emperor Constantine when the Church was no longer persecuted.  It is the oldest church in Rome and the "Mother Church of all Churches".

We are called to be the Church of living stones to all our brothers and sisters.  Your help is needed.  We need help with Thanksgiving food baskets.  The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes is providing Thanksgiving baskets for 10 families and we are grateful, but we have been receiving calls and need more help.  We need 5 more turkeys and the following items:  hams, stuffing or dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie or any dessert.  Please drop off all items in the parish office, 1301 Victor St. on Wednesdays, November 12th or 19th, or Friday, November 14th from 1 to 4 p.m.  Thanks for your help.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - The Commemoration Of All The Faithful Departed - November 2, 2025

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The Commemoration Of All The Faithful Departed

All Souls Day

November 2, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

This Sunday, November 2nd, we commemorate All the Faithful Departed "All Souls Day".  You are invited to write the name of deceased loved ones in our Book of the Dead which is in front of church near the crucifix.  We will have this Book of the Dead available throughout the month of November.  May the Souls of all the Faithful departed rest in peace.

Mark your calendar for our parish Homecoming on November 23, 2025.  We will be hosting a reception after both the 8:30 and 10:00 o'clock Masses.  If you wish to help and bring cookies or a breakfast bread, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please invite former members and family members to this Homecoming.

We are looking forward to the start of our construction of our new parish center.  We are waiting for the final permits from the City of Richmond; then we can start construction.

Have you ever thought of becoming Catholic or are you in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Please contact Chris Metzger at ocia@stelizcc.org.  What a great way to start the New Year by joining the OCIA and learning more about our Catholic Faith.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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