St. Leonard Catholic Parish
M
anotick, Ont
"Where disciples grow
"
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Monthly E-Newsletter for May 2018
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Welcome to the St. Leonard monthly E-Newsletter. You will notice a slightly different format this month as we move to a more mobile-friendly format.
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Pastor's Message for May 1st
Be Prepared to Accompany People on Their Journey
Over Lent and during the Easter Season I have been talking about the 4 Stages in "Sharing the Good News". Today I would like to talk about Stage 4:
Accompanying seekers on their journey to a personal relationship with Christ. If you have established trust and responded to a person’s openness by sharing the good news of the gospel and the difference that Christ has made in your life, it is time to ask the person to take the next step and move deeper into discovering what this can mean for them and to ultimately provide them with an opportunity to encounter Christ.
Depending on the reaction of the person and the situation, this next step can take many forms. You can end your discussion by praying together. You can invite them out for a coffee to continue the discussion. You can offer to share a good Christian book, movie, video, or daily devotional. Inviting them come to the Parish and join you at a course such as Alpha is always a good idea. If they are not a Catholic, your end goal may be to have them join the RCIA program to become Baptized and/or Confirmed in our Church. And if they are Catholic, perhaps some gentle encouragement to “get right with God” by attending the sacrament of Reconciliation is in order.
As I mentioned earlier the goal is to have them discover Christ and ultimately to place Christ at the center of their lives. Since the Holy Eucharist or the Mass is the source and summit of our Christian life, whether or not people are coming to Mass provides a good measure of success. As Bishop Robert Barron says “You draw people at all kinds of levels in different ways, and I think you measure success relatively at different stages, but getting them to come to Mass and enter more deeply into the life of the Church is the ultimate aim of it all.”
In my own personal experience, many people that I was looking to share the good news with were not actually seekers and were openly rejecting what I thought I had to offer. Through painful experience what I discovered is what they really wanted, in the first instance, was my friendship. Only with that bond securely in place did they trust me enough to cautiously take the next step in their journey to faith.
Jesus said to “come and see” and they came to follow Him.
Who are you called to accompany right now?
God bless, Father Titus
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A Word from the Communion Preparation Team
We would like to congratulate all the children (and parents) who completed their First Communion preparations this past year for a job well done!! This year we had 80 Children in total (32 from St. Jerome, 35 from St. Leonard and 13 from other schools).
We are truly blessed to have so many beautiful children in our parish. Pictured above are the 15 children who received their First Communion on Saturday, April 28th.
We hope all the children and their families will continue to come to St. Leonard to share in the Love of Christ and to be a part of our community spirit.
Susan Doucet and I would also like to thank Father Titus and Susan Streng who, as always, work tirelessly to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We also send out our thanks to Hilda Cambareri and Michelle Carney for all their help this year. Thank you to all the Eucharistic Ministers who helped to hand out the multitude of work sheets and to the ladies of the CWL for getting those lovely cakes to serve at the Sunday Communion masses. What a great team we have!
God Bless,
Elisabeth Murphy and Susan Doucet
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But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). The events of Mary's life on earth were punctuated with supernatural joys and deep sorrows, yet, throughout it all, she maintained a steady peace of heart. This month, in which we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church, may we let go of our desire to be in control, and, like Mary, ponder the works of God in our hearts with peace and humility.
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Women's Bible Study May 15-June 19
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Walking with Purpose
is a Catholic Bible Study for women that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ by offering personal study and small group discussion that link our everyday challenges with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. "Living in Father's Love" is a 6 week study and will begin at St. Leonard's Tues. evening May 15th (7-8:30 pm)and run through to June 19th.
To register or for more information please email:
Or call Jocelyne at 613-868-5656
There is a $25 program fee, includes a study book.
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Youth Mass Guest Speaker for May
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Guest speaker : Jimmy Ruggiero (Educational Assistant at Sacred Heart Catholic High School)
Date: Sunday May 27
th 7 pm youth mass
Topic: Celebrating the end of the school year and looking out for your friends
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Our Story: A Bible Refresher for Catholics
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The American Bible Society has created a new resource that will help all of us re-immerse ourselves in the living Word of God. The series of 5-minute video segments offers a refresher course on the Bible's big picture.
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On April 9, the Vatican released the latest
Apostolic Exhortation
from
Pope Francis
:
Gaudete et exsultate
: On the
call
to
holiness
in
today's world
.
In his third Apostolic Exhortation (following
Evangelii gaudium
and
Amoris laetitia
) Pope Francis reflects on the call to holiness, and how we can respond to that call in the modern world.
Pope Francis reminds us that being holy is an attainable goal and is, in fact, the source of our greatest joy. In his usual pastoral and witty style, Pope Francis addresses false interpretations of holiness, provides a fresh look at the Beatitudes, and gives you practical ways to apply Jesus’ words to your daily life.
Be encouraged by Pope Francis today as you respond to God’s invitation to fulfill your unique mission in the world. Available from the Vatican website.
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Sunday, May 6th: Pro Life Sunday... a Liturgy of Life ! ... St. Leonard Church
Tues., May 8th: International Premiere Screening of "Fatal Flaws" (of Legalizing Assisted Death) ... Ottawa Little Theatre 7:00pm Advance tickets & information:
www.epcc.ca
Wed. May 9th:
7:30pm Pro Life Mass at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus (95 Somerset St. West.)
9:00pm Candle Light Vigil at Human Right's Monument (corner of Elgin & Lisgar Sts.)
10:00pm-7:00am Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick's Basilica (220 Kent St. basement Scavi, side door)
Thurs. May 10th:
12:30pm Rally on Parliament Hill
1:30pm National March for Life (through downtown Ottawa)
2:45pm Silent No More Awareness Campaign (the Hill)
4:00pm Closing Prayer Service (the Hill)
6:00pm Two Dinner Events at 200 Coventry Rd.
(Rose Dinner & Youth banquet)
Fri. May 11th: Youth Conference:
8:00am...Ottawa Conference & Events Centre 200 Coventry Rd. Tickets $45 (call 1-800-730-5358)
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12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care: May 9th
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May 6-12, 2018 is designated as National Hospice Palliative Care week by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. The St. Leonard Catholic Women’s League invites parishioners to participate in 12 hours of prayer for Palliative care on Wednesday May 9th between 8 am and 8 pm as a profound witness to the sanctity of human life. During this time we will celebrate mass, Eucharistic adoration and participate in private and guided hourly reflection. All parishioners are welcome to attend for as long or as little as they would like throughout the 12 hours of prayer. If you are unable to attend please join us in prayerful support. Thank you for your participation in prayer and solidarity with this initiative.
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Financial Update for 2017
For 2017 our overall income increased by $10,000 and our expenses decreased by $2,000. This resulted in a surplus of $13,000 for the year. Offerings were up by 8% ($19,000) against a stated goal of 20%. For 2018 we are maintaining our goal of a 20% increase in overall revenues and our therefore asking parishioners to consider a 10% increase in their annual giving. if you not already done so, please consider signing up as a Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) giver. We now have 85 PAD givers and would like to see that number grow to 100 families.
Click here
to sign up to be a PAD giver.
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We are in short supply of Sacristans for the 11:00 am Sunday Mass and we could really use a couple of volunteers to fill this important role. Training and mentoring will be provided. Please contact Scott Wilson (
keywil@rogers.com)
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Report from Development and Peace
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This past month has seen plenty of activity for Development and Peace - Caritas Canada on the National Level. Firstly, the Canadian Council of Bishops has been looking into a claim that a large number of partners of D&P were not following Catholic moral teachings in their practices. As of this newsletter, the best information I have is that to date, the majority of these alleged partners have never worked with Development and Peace. We still await the findings of the final report. Development and Peace always expects it's partners to abide by the values of the Catholic Church in protecting all human life, from conception to natural death.
Response to concerns regarding partners:
"These letters from Serge Langlois, Development and Peace are a reiteration of the organizations commitment to ensuring their partners follow Catholic values in their practices, specifically, abortion and contraception. Following an investigation, any partners that break that trust will be de-funded immediately." For further details view
Letters to Members,
Questions and Answers
Secondly, there was news on Earth Day, April 22, that Caritas International has decided to divest from fossil fuels. I have included
here a video from Cardinal Tagle, the President of Caritas Internationalis asking Catholics to sign a pledge that to protect the poor by protecting the climate, since the poor are most vulnerable and most harshly affected by climate change. You can click on
this link to sign the pledge.
Thirdly, we were visited at our parish last month by Tara Hurford the new animator for Development and Peace in Eastern and Northern Ontario, who spoke to us after Mass. She was very happy to visit with us and looks forward to working together in the future. She shared her experiences with D&P as a student and as an employee. She has also shared her contact information if you have
any questions or concerns regarding D&P. You may send her an email here to request a phone call:
thurford@devp.org
Finally, but by no means lastly - D&P- Caritas Canada thanks
you for your Share Lent donations and your continued support and prayers. Because of your generosity,
$2,189.55 was collected in our parish last month. This sum will help support the lives of our sisters and brothers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Thank you for continuing to pray for all those who are working to build a world of peace and justice.
In the words of Pope Francis, "Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the Presence of Justice". May God continue to bestow His peace on our parish.
Carroll Woods, Development and Peace representative for St. Leonard
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Roast Beef Dinner a Great Community Event!
The Parish Roast Beef Dinner held on April 21st was, by all accounts, a huge success. The food was scrumptious and abundant, the hospitality was fun and congenial the music was excellent and there was a "full house" to enjoy it all! Many thanks are in order to all those whose so generously donated food and their time. As a result over $2,000 was raised for the upcoming renovation of the Parish Hall. Special thanks go out to
parishioners Sandra and Martin Stone who conceived, organized and hosted the event.
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May 1st Youth Ministry Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 2 Pastoral Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 5 Confirmation Retreat 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
May 8 Confirmation Reconciliation 6:30 p.m.
May 9 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 15 Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
May 16 Trip to Israel Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 22 Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
May 23 CWL Potluck Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 29 Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
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After the 9 am and 11 am Sunday masses in May coffee will be served in the Parish Hall. Click on the
Parish Calendar
for a full listing of upcoming meetings and events.
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Parishioner Feedback: We Love Your Input!
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Dear Parishioners we are very interested in your feedback. If have any comments and/or suggestions as it relates to any of our Parish activities, including the E-Newsletter, please
click here.
If you would like a direct response to your suggestion, please include your email address.
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Mobile Application
Stay up to date on what is going on at St. Leonard through the St. Leonard through the St. Leonard Parish app.
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St.Leonard Facebook
page BUT you have to LIKE the page. Do it now - go to
the St.Leonard Facebook page
and LIKE the page. SHARE with your friends!
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St. Leonard Parish
office@stleonardsparish.ca
www.stleonardsparish.ca
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