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St. Leonard Catholic Church
Manotick, Ont
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Monthly E-Newsletter for April 2016
The Joy of Easter and Spring at Last!
Thank you for subscribing to the St. Leonard's monthly E-Newsletter. We now have over 270 subscribers and we very much appreciate all of the feedback and referrals that you have given us. If you would like to make any suggestions as to how we can improve the E-Newsletter please send your comments to office@stleonardsparish.ca with the subject identified as E-Newsletter.
If you know someone who might benefit from this E-Newsletter, please forward it to them.
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Pastor's Message
Christ has risen! Alleluia!
During Lent, after a weekday homily I gave on salvation, a parishioner asked me the following question: "Saved from what?" I didn't respond right away but the question stayed with me and later the parishioner and I exchanged some ideas on the topic. That same week I was preparing a homily for the funeral of the mother of two young children and was wondering what I could possibly say to give the family comfort. With great clarity the Holy Spirit spoke to me. As Saint Paul exclaims in 1 Corinthians
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?" Jesus died on the cross to save us from death! And by rising from the dead three days later, Jesus proved that death has no hold on us and we too are given the promise of eternal life. It was this simple message that I shared with the family and it truly is the enduring message of Easter.
We remain in the Easter season right through to the Feast of the Pentecost on May 15th. May we continue to be joyful this Easter season and may the gift of the risen Christ be with you and your family throughout the whole year!
God Bless! Father Titus
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New from FORMED: Divine Mercy (The Second Greatest Story Ever Told)
Available April 3rd. Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's Love and Mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. Featuring the brilliant cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute's film studio, the vast panorama of God's work of mercy in the world unfolds as a story to be experienced. Episodes will be available for a limited time on FORMED.org as a special event beginning on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3rd! Each video will be placed sequentially on FORMED - one episode each week until the end of June. Each episode will be viewable for two weeks.
E
very St. Leonard parishioner has 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device; personal computer, tablet, or smart phone.
To register now for FORMED go to our web page announcement and sign-up.
New content is continuing to be added, so return as often as you wish to discover more.
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Community News
The Alpha Program
Many thanks to all who participated in the Alpha Program during Lent. The highlight of the program thus far was the Prayer Ministry led by Father Titus on Holy Spirit Saturday. Father Titus asked that we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and laid his hands on all who attended. It was indeed a powerful and grace filled experience. The final two sessions will be held this month and and all are welcome to join us.
Tuesday April 5 @ 7:00 pm Does God Heal Today?
Tuesday April 12 @ 7:00 pm What About the Church?
The Easter Vigil
We had been preparing for Easter throughout the forty days of Lent, and it all culminated in the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Eas
ter on Saturday night. The Easter Vigil is the most important Mass of the liturgical year. We celebrated the Resurrection of the Lord and for the first first time since the beginning of Lent we proclaimed together "Alleluia"! It is also the Mass where adults receive Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. This year Allyson Quinn (pictured to the left of Father Titus) received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion and was welcomed into the Catholic Church. Katherine Roque (pictured to the right of Father Titus) also received the sacrament of Confirmation and will be married later this year at St. Leonard.
Social Action Update
Just another
thank you to everyone who so generously donated cereal, books, toys and sundry items to the Catholic Mission in Whale Cove, Nunavut.
While the three huge boxes of goodies left Ottawa in December, due to a numbers of factors - the weather at -56c - prevented planes from flying in. Nonetheless, as Marc Wood said, having arranged for the transportation, "it was like Christmas in March and thoroughly appreciated"!
"Here are two pictures of some of the kids. The first one: 3 kids and a teenager having cereals after praying the rosary with us. The second one: the children enjoying a soup and a bread after the Sunday Communion Service. The kids are in the church."
"Thanks you again for supporting our mission in Whale Cove. Winter was very cold... now it is warming up a bit... but we still have -30 degrees...
"Many Lenten blessings to you and to the people of St. Leonard Parish. Sister Fernande (I am on the picture with the kids eating cereals)"
picture with the kids eating cereals)"
Thank you as well, for the coffee mugs which have been donated to the Shepherds of Good Hope, who go through 1,200 mugs per year. I also extend my appreciation to all of you that donated vases & mason jars to Hospice Care Ottawa. These will be used at an upcoming fundraiser as well as to present flowers to those whose day can use some cheering up!!
To get involved with our Social Action Ministry, pls contact Susan Killeen Ramsay
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What's on in April
First Communion this Spring
During the months of April and May, during the weekend Masses, eighty-five of our children will be receiving First Communion. This means we will be having lots of visitors (parents, god parents, grandparents, friends, etc) to the Church and this provides us with a perfect opportunity to evangelize. When we are warm, friendly and welcoming, people are more open to the Good News of the Risen Lord. Let's roll out the St. Leonard's welcome mat this spring!
Liturgical Committee Spring Bake Sale
The Liturgical (Environment) Committee will be hosting a Spring Bake Sale on April 23/24 in the foyer after all weekend masses. In order to further beautify our church with the appropriate liturgical decoration, we would like to raise some funds by offering homemade and mouth-watering goodies at our sales tables. Baked donations are gratefully received by all parishioners wishing to support our ministry. Email Claudia at
lcressler@rogers.com. Thank you!
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April 2 Confirmation Retreat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
April 2/3 April 9/10 April 16/17 and April 23 First Communion Celebrations during the Masses
April 5 Alpha 7 p.m.
April 6 Pastoral Council Meeting 7 p.m.
April 12 Alpha 7 p.m.
April 13 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7 p.m.
April 14 Baptismal Preparation Meeting 7:00 p.m.
April 16 Confirmation Session 5 (Reconciliation) 10 a.m.
April 19 Confirmation Session 5 (Reconciliation) 6:30 p.m.
April 23/24 after all Masses: Spring Bake Sale hosted by Liturgical Environment Committee
April 27 CWL Meeting 7 p.m.
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After the 9 am and 11 am Sunday masses in April 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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Update on St. Leonard Communications
Timely information and resources
Here are some of the new capabilities that are available from St. Leonard's in addition to the E-Newsletter, the Website, and the weekly Bulletin.
Mobile App Minute
The St.Leonard's Parish mobile app is so very handy in many ways. It is a
tool for gathering our Parish information in one concise location - your
sm
art
phone, iPad, or tablet Donate - How many times have you forgotten to bring your donation to mass? Do you bring twice as much next time?? There's an easier way! Open your mobile app or go to the website and click the "Donate"
tab. Complete the St. Leonard web donation form safely and securely using your preferred form of payment. Better yet - set up a recurring payment so that you never have to worry about it again.
CanadaHelps is a website committed to helping Canadian Charities collect donations from members. It is safe and secure.
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Facebook
Don't have a smart phone or tablet? Like us on Facebook. Special events and reminders are posted continually on the
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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Link of the Month
Each month we highlight a link to online sources that can help us better understand and live our Christian Faith. You may have noticed that over the winter we installed beautiful new front doors on the Church. "The door of every church is a sacramental sign that reminds us of our future entry into paradise." Check out the latest video from The Liturgical Institute on Church Doors and discover their true significance. While you are there, be sure to sign up as a free subscriber and get all of their great short videos on the liturgy.
If you have been forwarded this newsletter and would like to be part of our mailing list click the button below.
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