St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Romanello Baptism - August 23, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 23, 2026

Romanello Baptism

"Dominic"

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 30, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 30, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a gradual process of conversion and initiation into the Catholic Christian community providing individuals the space to encounter God and respond to His invitation to a new way of life in the Catholic faith.  Grounded in a respect for the personal faith journey of each individual, the OCIA provides an extended period of prayer, study and fellowship in which each individual has the opportunity to grow in relationship with God and the parish community.

Who is the OCIA for?

- Persons who have never been baptized and wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (Holy Communion) in the Catholic Church.

- Persons who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

- Baptized Catholics who have not completed their initiation, by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

If this is something that interests you, please reach out to our OCIA Coordinator, Chris Metgger at ocia@stelizcc.org.  Class starts on September 20th after 10 a.m. Mass.

We will be holding Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Even if you can't come for the whole hour, please consider dropping in for whatever length of time you can.  This is a wonderful opportunity to meditate in quiet prayer and bring ourselves closer to Our Lord.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 23, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 23, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

This Sunday starts our raffle ticket sales!  We ask that everyone get involved to make this raffle a success!

Purchase Tickets!

- Tickets are $20 for 10 tickets or $2 per ticket.  Every dollar goes to supporting the parish.

Support the Ticket Committee!

- Help facilitate ticket sales on Sundays after Mass.

- Assist with coordinating the ticket drawing in November!

Sell Tickets!

- Would your family and friends be interested in supporting the raffle?  Or are you part of a community organization that other members might be interested in supporting as well?

Connie Hom, our Liturgical Coordinator and member of our Zoom Ministry and Justice Committee, has been recognized as a 2026 100 Woman of Color Virginia honoree.  "Connie exemplifies the traits of Believe, Achieve, Inspire, and makes a difference within her profession and community."  Congratulations Connie!!

I would also like to congratulate the Romanello Family on the Baptism of Dominic this Sunday!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 16, 2026

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 16, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOT

Greetings,

The construction on the Parish Center is progressing well!  The start of walls have now been put up and the actual shape and design of the building is starting to be visible!  This change is very exciting and much needed in our parish but the construction this summer meant that we could not hold our Annual Jazz & Food Festival.  The festival is a major fundraiser for the parish and supports our budget.  We will be holding our Annual Raffle in place of the Jazz Festival and I encourage all of our parishioners to be involved!  Winning raffle tickets will receive a cash prize!

This year, Scott's Funeral Home sponsored the tickets so I would like to say a BIG thank you to them as one of our regular community partners.  How can you help?

Purchase tickets!

Tickets are $20 for 10 tickets or $2 per ticket.  Every dollar goes to supporting the parish.

Support the Ticket Committee!

Help facilitate ticket sales on Sunday's after Mass.

Assist with coordinating the ticket drawing in November!

Sell Tickets!

Would your family and friends be interested in supporting the raffle?  Or are you part of a community organization that other members might be interested in supporting as well?  We will have packets of tickets available for you to take and return with the money before the drawing.  we can also include a pamphlet on the history and ministry of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to Eva (evabalkarli@stelizcc.org) or myself to get involved.  Ticket sales will start on August 23rd and the drawing will take place on Homecoming Sunday, November 22nd.  We usually sell tickets at our sister parish, St. Michael's, in Glen Allen.  But this summer, their previous pastor retired and their new pastor started at the parish.  This time of transition is very busy for their parish and community so we are unable to sell tickets at St. Michael's this year.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor 

~ Image Source

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Daphne Sylvester and Family Celebrate a Baptism - August 9, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Celebrating a Baptism

With

Daphne Sylvester and Family

August 9, 2026

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 9, 2026

 ST. ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 9, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

As the summer starts to come to a close, I'd like to ask the congregation to keep all those in our parish who are about to start back at school in the following weeks, in their prayers.  We pray for the teachers, that they are guided by God so they may have patience, strength and wisdom as they teach their students and continue to support and care for the minds of our youth,  We also pray for the students, that they may find focus, wisdom and peace as they continue on in their journey for knowledge.

We'd also like to give special mention to those who will be attending our local Catholic Schools:

All Saints

JK - Ruti, Gabby, Blaize

K - Little Uwase, Bahati, Serenity

1 - Jacob, Eva, Bethlehem

2 - Licia

3 - Nadege, Joy

4 - Kingsley, Essenam, Jerusalem

5 - Sela

6 - Grace, Kara Hope

7 - Big Uwase, Kit, Nati

8 - Mariamu

Our Lady of Lourdes

6 - Harper

7 - Lucas

Cristo Rey

9 - Benjamin, Sandrine, Cherish

10 - Arianne, Ignacio

12 - Mandeleni

St. Gertrude's

12 - Heather

Liz is going to Africa August 10th - September 15th.  We will miss her dearly, but we wish her safe travels and many blessings on her trip!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 

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FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 2, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 

18th Sunday in Ordinaqry Time

August 2, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

I wanted to take a moment to shine the spotlight on our Tusome Summer Program.  This week was the last week for the program before school starts and once again, it was an absolute success!  We'd like to give a special thanks to all the volunteers that helped, almost 60 volunteers, as well as All Saints Catholic School for hosting!

As you can see, our new building is coming along nicely.  This past week, the framing went up and the crew is now working on walls.  Thank you to all of those who have donated to our Capital Campaign and if you haven't fullfilled your promise yet, please consider doing so!

Liz will be going to Africa August 10th - September 15th.  We will miss her dearly; but we wish her safe travels and many blessings on her trip.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

 ~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 26, 2026 ~ Mass Photo by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 26, 2026

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

In this Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52), Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven is worth more than any earthly treasure.  Like the person who joyfully sells everything to obtain the hidden treasure or the pearl of great price, we are invited to recognize the priceless gift of God's Kingdom and to invest ourselves in what has lasting value.

That spirit of investing in our children continues through our Education Ministry.  Our summer school program is currentoly serving 34 students, providing individualized instruction in reading, writing, math and English language learning.  Every lesson, every volunteer and every act of encouragement is helping these young people grow in confidence, knowledge and hope.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support for this ministry.

We are also grateful for the many ways our parish continues to invest in Catholic education.  This fall, we expect to have 26 St. Elizabeth students enrolled in All Saints Catholic School, along with 7 students attending Cristo Rey Richmond High School.  Please continue to pray for our students and their families and consider supporting the Education ministry so that every child who desires a Catholic education has the opportunity to receive one.

Although we won't have the Jazz Festival again this year, we are still looking forward to what we hope is a very successful raffle!  Raffle ticket sales will begin in September, so be on the lookout for more information.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 26, 2026 - Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 25, 2026

~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

A Sweet Baptism at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - July 19, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

A Sweet Baptism

at

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

July 19, 2026

~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

FR. JIM'S JOTS ~ St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 19, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 19, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Last Sunday, our parish was able to raise $1,051.35 for our brothers and sisters affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.  Let us all continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers as they rebuild.

With the wild fires in Canada, we pray for our common home and that the environment will be able to recover quickly.  We also pray for the lives and safety of the brave fire fighters and first responders currently fighting those fires.

Beyond Borders Haiti Twinning Update:  On this third Sunday of the month, we once again take up a second collection to support our Haiti twinning partner, Beyond Borders.  Your generousity continues to support educational initiatives, as well as, resources to lift up the Dorvil family from extreme poverty.  Additionally, St. Elizabeth joins ths U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in strongly advocating for the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals.  Want to know more about our partnership?  Contact Haiti Ministry chair, Anne Gibbons, at gibbons@lynchburg.edu.

I hope everyone is having a great summer.  Please stay safe and cool!

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source