FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 5, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 5, 2026

Father Jim's Jots

Greetings,

I am so happy to be back with my Saint Elizabeth's family this Sunday.  While I enjoyed my trip home, it was, unfortunately, not all about relaxing and seeing family and friends.  While I was there, I had to say the funeral masses for three of my family members and one high school friend of mine.  While it was sad to see them leave this life, I was honored to be the celebrant for the funeral masses.

This Sunday's reading, I feel, is very fitting for celebrating our Nation's 250th Independence Day, as we look at what it means to trust others, share our hardships and have openness.  In the Gospel, Jesus talks to the masses about how our God is there for us, even when it is hard.  He reminds us that we should not and do not , have to carry our heavy burdens alone; and reminds us that wisdom isn't just about who's the smartest in the room or what one person thinks is right.  It's about having a heart, sharing the load like Christ and being open; which I feel is something our Nation as a whole should reflect on this Independence Day weekend.

"Dear Lord, we lift our nation before You and plead for unity among its people.  Remove division, hatred and strife, and replace them with love, understanding and cooperation.  Help us rise above ethnic, political and religious differences.  Let Your Spirit of harmony flow through every citizen, leader and institution.  Teach us to see one another through Your eyes--with compassion and grace.  May our hearts be united in the pursuit of peace, justice and truth for the good of all.  Amen."

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor  

~ Image Source

Misc. Photos from 10 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 28, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church

June 28, 2026

Misc. Photos - 10 a.m. Mass

Msgr. Walter Barrett, Celebrant

~ Photos by Sr.Beulah Martin

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 28, 2026

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 28, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we welcome Msgr. Walter Barrett once again while I am away in Michigan until Friday.  I am enjoying getting to see my family, spending time in the great outdoors and catching up with old friends; but I truly miss my Saint Elizabeth's family.  Because of my absence, we will not be having weekday Mass this week.

Today is the last day to submit your photos and information for the 2026 Parish Directory.  Please either use the camera app on your mobile phone to scan the QR code or fill out the form and drop in the directory's mailbox.  Additionally, if you have submitted your photo but didn't fill out an information card, please email your information to the office email (office@stelizcc.org).

This Sunday's Gospel touches on discipleship and what it truly means to be a disciple of God.  It shows that though it might not always be easy, in the end, our reward will be great spiritually and in Heaven.

"Lord, help me to become a better disciple.  Help me to follow you and your teachings, even when it's hard and there are other forces trying to pull me away.  Help me to guide others in my life to discipleship; and I pray that my heart will always be open to your works and mirror yours. Amen."

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 21, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21, 2026

Monsignor Walter Barrett, Celebrant

Father Jim's Jots

Greetings,

I would like to thank Monsignor Walter Barrett for visiting this weekend in my absence.  He will also be celebrating next Sunday as well.  I return to Richmond on July 2nd and will be back for Masses.

This Sunday we also celebrate Father's Day and recognize all the men who have made differences in our lives.  On this day we think of St. Joseph who, as Jesus' foster father, gives an example of how important the role of a father can be.  Let us pray for all of the father figures in our lives.

Heavenly Father, bless all fathers, godfathers, uncles, grandfathers and all father figures with your wisdom, patience and love.  Guide them to be a source of strength and support for their families as they lean on you.  May they be men of integrity whose actions inspire and bless their families.  Fill their hearts with Your peace and joy.  Amen.

Thank you to all for supporting our Haiti Ministry this Sunday, whether through a financial contribution or your prayers.  At the bottom of this bulletin page there is a paragraph that explains what our support does for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 21, 2026 - Monsignor Thomas Miller, Celebrant - Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 14, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 14, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

We have now returned to Ordinary Time!  This liturgical season is called as such because each Sunday is numbered.  The name refers to the ordinal numbers that mark each Sunday; not that this time of year is unremarkable compared to the rest.  In fact, during Ordinary Time we hear about the ministries and life of Christ in the Gospels.  These readings carry important lessons for how we can center Christ in our lives.

At the end of this Sunday's Gospel, we hear:  "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."  We can give in many ways.  We give our time, our talents, our ideas, our joys, our sympathy, our kind words and so much more.  Almsgiving and the giving of our material possessions are important acts of charity, but these are not the only ways we can give.  Give someone the gift of your support, your encouragement.  Support someone or something with a talent that you can share.  We can give ourselves by living for Christ and imitating him in all that we do.

St. Paul wrote, "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."  (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)  This "imitation" that St. Paul speaks of is rooted in his view of solidarity in Christ through sharing in Jesus' cross and in the Spirit of the risen Lord.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor 

~ Image Source

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Corpus Christi Sunday - June 7, 2026

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Corpus Christi Sunday

June 7, 2026

  

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

I will be traveling back to Michigan this upcoming week.  I have two funerals for members of my family to help with while I am there.  Because of my absence, we will not have weekday Mass on the days when I am not present.  Please see the schedule of Masses below my Jot for which days we will not have Mass.

Fill out the registration form for the picture directory!  (If you already had your picture taken, you filled out this form in person, so you do not need to fill it out online.)  Scan the QR code to fill out the form.  It will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.  If you do not complete this form and you didn't have your photo taken, your name and information will not be included in the directory.  There is a link to the form in the E-Bulletin that is sent to your email and there are a few paper copies in the church that can be returned to the office if you prefer.  The form is due no later than Sunday, June 28th.

Today we celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday.  Also known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, this feast honors Jesus Christ, Really, Truly and Substantially Present under the appearances of bread and wine.  This Presence happens through the change which the Church calls transubstantiation ("change of substance"), when at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over the bread and wine, "This is My Body," "This is the chalice of My Blood," "Do this in remembrance of Me."

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source

Trinity Sunday with Msgr. Walter Barrett as Celebrant - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - May 31, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 

Trinity Sunday

May 31, 2026  

Msgr. Walter Barrett, Celebrant

"Let the Children Come" - Children's Liturgy at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Trinity Sunday - May 31, 2026 ~ Photos by Sr. Beulah Martin

"Let the Children Come!"

Children's Liturgy at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Trinity Sunday

May 31, 2026

"May God be with you,

as you leave us,

to listen to God's Word."

FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - May 31, 2026

 St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

May  31, 2026

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today we welcome Msgr. Walter Barrett!  I am in Michigan until Saturday as I am celebrating my birthday with my family and doing a funeral for one of my cousins.  Thank you, Msgr. Barrett, for celebrating our Sunday Masses.

During the month of May, we took photos for the new parish directory with Mary Romanello.  Thank you , Mary, for all of your hard work and your talents!  This week, everyone who did not have their photos taken will receive an online form to fill out.  This form will ask what information you would like to have in the directory.  If you got your photo taken, this form is identical to the card you filled our and you do not need to fill out the online form.  If you did not get your photo taken and did not fill out the online form, your name and information will not be included in the directory.  We expect to have the directory completed over the summer!  Interested in helping with proofing the directory before we print it?  Let us know!  Email:  office@stelizcc.org to let us know you are interested in volunteering.

This summer many families and individuals will travel.  The prayer below is for the safety of all of those who are traveling.

"Lord, we place our loved ones into Your hands as they embark on their travels this summer.  Protect them from accidents, delays and all unforeseen dangers.  Surround them with Your peace and grant them a safe journey.  Help them avoid danger or unnecessary complications.  May Your presence be with them, ensuring a safe, secure and blessed journey.  Amen."

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

~ Image Source