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St. Leonard Catholic Parish
Manotick, Ont
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Monthly E-Newsletter for April 2017
Thank you for subscribing to the St. Leonard's monthly E-Newsletter. This month our focus is on Holy Week and Easter. Without the suffering and death of Jesus on Good Friday we would not have the glory of His resurrection on Easter Sunday. The expression "no cross, no crown" captures the experience that we are about to enter into this Holy Week as we remember Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins and rose from the death defeating sin, and death and giving us the promise of eternal life.
If you know someone who might benefit from this E-Newsletter, please forward it to them.
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Pastor's Message
The Joy of Easter
and the Call to Love and Serve
In a few short weeks, on Easter Sunday, I will exclaim to you Happy Easter! Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Pope Francis told the faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday in 2014 that the dominant feeling that shines in the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection is one of joy and wonder. The Pope said, "Let this experience imprinted in the Gospel, be imprinted in our hearts and in our lives. Let the joyous wonder of Easter Sunday radiate through our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures and words ..." On Easter Sunday and throughout the whole year, let everyone see in you, and in the whole community of St. Leonard, abounding love and abiding commitment to serve others rooted in this joy. When we do this we
become a witness to the resurrection and are then able to bring the "ray" of light of the Risen Lord to everyday situations by spreading happiness, helping those in pain and bringing serenity and hope.
The Cross = Love = Service
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was the ultimate display of God's love for us.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. Our faith is rooted in this love of God for us and in return, as Saint Teresa of Calcutta often pointed out,
"The fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service."
Last fall, when we announced our new Parish Plan we specifically identified love and service as key focus areas for this year. This Easter season we are once again reminded of the great love that Jesus has for us and his call to us "to love one another as I have loved you."
Do we always lead with love and compassion when dealing with others? Do we offer our time and talent joyfully? Does our family know that they are deeply loved?
My challenge to you this Easter season is to be a true and joyful witness to the Resurrection. May all those that you encounter know you are Christian by your love and your service.
Happy Easter! Father Titus
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Inspirational and Delicious Lenten Supper
The annual Lenten Supper held the first Saturday of Lent featured a visit of our Auxiliary Bishop Christian Riesbeck. The sell-out crowd enjoyed home-made soups prepared by nine of our very own expert chefs, and an inspirational talk on discipleship and mission by Bishop Riesbeck. In addition to getting us on a proper footing for the Lenten journey by focussing on prayer and simplicity of lifestyle and fasting, the event raised $427.00 for the work of Amor Dei. Thank you to all who attended, and especially to those who assisted with the supper, including the Pastoral Council, chefs, CWL and Knights and
a special thanks to Jonas Abromaitis for bringing together such a wonderful community event.
The homemade soup was so delicious it was hard to believe that we were fasting at all!
Many requested recipes for the delicious soups that were served and we have posted 5 of them on our Website. Click here to enjoy!
The Diocese's 4 part Lenten Video Series that Bishop Riesbeck announced is available of the
Ottawa Diocese Website.
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St. Leonard Knights of Columbus Presented Triple Star Service Award
Grand Knight Jim Kile and Father Titus receive the Knights of Columbus Triple Star Award from District Deputy Knight Doug Randell after the 9:00 am March 5th Mass. The award is the result of the leadership of the Past Grand Knight Brian Fritsch, the hard work of the council members and the spirit of collaboration between the Knights and other active groups within the Church including the Catholic Women's League and the Parish
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Alpha Program Continues in April
Our Alpha Program (an Introduction to Christianity) continues in April.
Sessions begin
at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall and all are welcome to join us. These are the topics scheduled for the Month of April:
04/05 - Why and How Should I Tell Others?
04/12 - Does God Heal Today?
04/19 - What About the Church?
FORMED for April: The Paschal Mystery
'Nothing + Jesus = Everything! Everything - Jesus = Nothing!
Without the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where would we be? The word paschal refers to Jesus's offering of his life as the new Passover (or Paschal) Lamb for our salvation. Underlying the Paschal Mystery is one fundamental reality: Jesus gives himself completely in love to the Father on our behalf to restore our relationship with God. And Jesus, through his death on the Cross, also reveals to us that we are all called to the sacrificial love that leads to true happiness here on earth and eternal joy in the next life.
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If you are new to FORMED, to get ongoing FREE ACCESS to all programs and downloadable PDF guides, movies and e-books please
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Giving Update
In the last 4 weeks we have had 12 additional parishioners sign up for Pre Authorized Payment and 4 new envelope users registered. In addition, 2 of the existing 59 Pre Authorized Payment users have increased their giving by 20%. Thank you for responding to Father's request for a 20% increase in giving and greater consistency in how we give. If you have not yet responded please consider doing so to support the attainment of our stewardship goal for this year.
St. Leonard Repairs and Renovations (Church + Rectory) Update
Since September 2016, there has been an effort to repair and renovate various items in the Church and the Rectory that were in great need of repair. A list of some of the major items that have been done are given below.
ITEM
Ordinary maintenance (Vince Thomson)
Washroom renovation (Rideau Valley Construction)
Installation of fire detection (Kodiak Security)
Programmable thermostats
Water softener + iron filter(Rain Soft)
Rectory renovation (Rideau Valley Construction+volunteers)
TOTAL |
EXPENSE
$2,500
$7,300
$1,100
$ 700
$6,200
$10,000
$27,800
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There are a few other items that will need to be repaired or replaced in the near future, such as the Church carpet ($15,000) and the tile floor in the basement ($6,000). The installation of a natural gas furnace in the Church is under consideration and would save about $4,000/year for heating and would allow the installation of air conditioning, where the furnace + air conditioning would cost about $33,000 ($26,000 + $7,000). So, although we would save money for heating in the long run, it does require a significant capital outlay upfront to install a furnace.
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Solidarity Sunday and African Famine Appeal
Development and Peace - Caritas Canada is asking for your support for two areas of need this Lenten Season. The first is the annual Solidarity Sunday where funds are collected across Canada for development projects in the third world. Recent notices in the bulletin have highlighted some of this work. The second collection is being asked to help alleviate the suffering of 20 million people caught up in wars across Africa. For the first time in decades, people are on the brink of famine. Envelopes have been placed in the pews for April 4th for collection time during Mass. If you would like to donate to the famine relief, simply mark the outside of the envelope and the funds will be allocated accordingly, or visit the website, devp.org to make your contribution. Thank you so much for your generosity!
The Archdiocese of Ottawa celebrated the 50th anniversary of Development and Peace with a Mass and Supper on March 4th. There are photos on our parish's Facebook Page! Also, if you would like to read the Canadian Bishop's letter reflecting on the work of Development and Peace over the last 50 years click here.
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April 1 Alpha 7 p.m.
April 4 Pastoral Council Meeting 7 p.m.
April 5 Alpha 7 p.m.
April 11 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7 p.m.
April 12 Alpha 7 p.m.
April 13 Holy Thursday Mass 7 p.m.
April 15 Good Friday Mass 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
April 16 Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 p.m.
April 17 Easter Sunday Mass 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m.
April 18 Meeting for persons going on Pilgrimage with Father Titus
April 19 Alpha
April 20 Baptismal Preparation Meeting
April 22 First Communion 4:30 p.m.
April 23 First Communion 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
April 26 Mass at 7 p.m. Feast of our Lady of Good Counsel followed by CWL meeting
April 29 First Communion 4:30 p.m.
April 30 First Communion 9:00 a.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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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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Update on St. Leonard Communications
Stay Connected!
Stay up to date on what is going on at St. Leonard through the St. Leonard Facebook page or through the St. Leonard Parish app.
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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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