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St. Leonard Catholic Parish
Manotick, Ont
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Monthly E-Newsletter for April 2018
May the Joy of the risen Christ be with you this glorious Easter morning! Thank you for subscribing to the St. Leonard's monthly E-Newsletter.
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Pastor's Message April 1st
Sharing the Good News
Christ has Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia! May the joy of Easter be with you this morning!
The Easter season represents the hope that the gospel brings-new life promised to those who believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This is the Good News of the Gospel that we, as baptized Catholics are called to share.
Throughout Lent, I have been talking about the 4 Stages of Sharing the Good news:
1.
Be a source of attraction.
2.
Know what to say.
3.
Say it!
4.
Be prepared to accompany people on their journey to faith.
We are attractive when we lead with love. We are equipped to share the good news when we have a clear and simple way to communicate the basic gospel story (Created in love, Separated by sin, Restored by Jesus, Invited to follow) and a personal story to tell of how our faith in Jesus has made our life better. Now comes the hard part; Stage 3---
Say it!
It begins with having an attitude that is intentional. You must fully intend to share your good news with your family members, friends and co-workers. You must be determined to be "fishers of men" and "sowers of seeds". God will put you in situations that will give you the opportunity to evangelize. The point of being intentional is to seize those opportunities, because fish do not catch themselves and someone has to plant the seeds!
Here are 5 signs that someone is open to hearing your good news:
- Noticing your faith and your sense of peace
- Asking questions about the meaning of life and God
- Comments about Pope Francis
- Major life events or crisis
- Experiencing God at a Mass or a Funeral
When these situations arise it is time to put all of your preparation to work. Ask questions, listen, then speak persuasively and not with intimidation or pressure. Try to be enthusiastic and don't let questions or objections bring you down. These are just opportunities to better clarify the good news that you are bringing. If you find yourself in an argument, you are losing the thread of what you are trying to do. Quickly refocus and move to a different approach in your dialogue. Do not get frustrated and attempt to stay relentlessly positive. Keep in mind that you are bringing something of enormous value to the person that you are talking to and that their very soul may hang in the balance.
This Easter let us be bold in our determination to share the good news and let us draw strength from the words of Pope Francis, "The Spirit of the Risen Christ drove out fear from the apostles' hearts and impelled them to leave the Upper Room in order to spread the Gospel. Let us too have greater courage in witnessing to our faith in the Risen Christ! We must not be afraid of being Christian and living as Christians! We must have this courage to go and proclaim the Risen Christ."
God bless, Father Titus
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Last Night's 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 Easter last 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 the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. This year Daniel Cho-En Lee, Alana Murphy and Tara Hall
were welcomed into the Catholic Church. Daniel received the sacrament of Baptism and along with Tara and Alana also received the sacrament of Confirmation and First Communion. All three were enthusiastically welcomed into our Parish.
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FORMED Resources for April
"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved"
(Acts 2:46-7). This month, which we begin with the celebration of Christ's Resurrection on Easter, may we imitate the Apostles in building a joyful and generous community of faith.
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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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Women's Bible Study May 15-June 19, 2018
Are you stretched and would like a way to refuel and be refreshed while making authentic connections with others? Would you like to have a better understanding of your faith and walk closer with God?
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 the Father's Love
Starting on May 15th-June 19th (6 weeks)
Tuesday nights 7:00-8:30pm
at St. Leonard Parish
5332 Long Island Rd, Manotick
To register or for more information please e mail:
Or call Jocelyne at 613-868-5656
There is a $25 program fee, includes a study book.
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Guest Speaker: Youth Mass 7:00 pm April 29th
Richmond Guillermo, currently the Chaplain at
St. Pius X High School, will join us to give a talk on "
Friendships And Healthy Relationships". Please join us to hear about Richmond's faith journey and how we can grow closer to God.
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Evangelization
Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Brings Hope and Joy to St. Leonard!
On the evening of February 28th Andre Regnier, co-founder of CCO, arrived with 14 CCO missionaries and local university students to lead the 2nd evening of St. Leonard's Sharing the Good News Course. And what an impact they had!
Andre led off the evening with a discussion of the challenges we face in "sharing the good news" in these very secular times and then proposed a clear and simple way to communicate the core gospel message (the good news). He then called upon the students and CCO missionaries to lead us in table discussions and practice work in learning the basics of the message. Two of the students shared their personal story of coming to faith and the great joy they have experienced in sharing the good news of the gospel with other university students. Many of those in attendance were touched by their enthusiasm and courage as they brought to life the message of Jesus.
Andre reminded us of our missionary responsibility as baptized Catholics and called on us to be bold and step out of our comfort zone, knowing full well that the Holy Spirit will be with us every step of the way. And he didn't leave us empty handed! He left us with a practical tool called the Ultmate Relationship booklet which is a clear and simple way to present the core gospel message. A sincere thanks to Andre and his team for filling us with so much hope and joy. The doors of St. Leonard will always be open to you and your people!
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Pro Life News for St. Leonard's April 2018
Life Canada's Dying Healed Workshops
Workshops provide comprehensive education on palliative care/end of life issues and preliminary training for palliative and hospice care volunteers.
When: Part 1:
Sat. Apr 7th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Part 2: Sat. Apr 14th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: St. John the Apostle Parish
Cost: $35.00 for both workshops,
includes lunches and a workbook
Please register by Apr 3
rd (limited space available)
ACTION
LIFE
29th
Annual Hike for Life Sat Apr 21st
A fun event for the whole family: entertainment, refreshments and prizes.
Rain or shine registrations takes place from 8:00 am to 10:00 am in St. Patrick's Basilica Basement Hall @ 281 Nepean St.
The hike is a 5 km route. Pledge forms are available at the entrance of St. Leonard.
Enjoy a walk on "the side of life" while earning much needed support for Action Life, Ottawa's pro-life educational organization. If you are unable to participate in this years Hike for Life, please consider supporting Fr. Titus (our Parish's lead hiker).
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Coming soon to Ottawa:
A joyfully Catholic, independent, classical high school
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Join us for an information session at St. George's Parish
Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 8 pm
You are invited to an information session about Chesterton Academy of Ottawa in the social hall of St. George's Catholic Church at 415 Piccadilly Avenue, Ottawa K1Y 0H3.
Join us at 8 pm for refreshments and a formal presentation by Dr. John Gay
, Chairman of the Board. He will provide an overview of the Chesterton Academy high school experience, including its integrated, classical curriculum taught through the lens of the Catholic faith. The session will help gauge interest in the school for students in grades 9 and 10 in the first year, adding grade 11 then 12 the following years.
For more information or to RSVP by phone or email, please contact Anne Marie:
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Personal Spiritual Practices:
THINK before you Speak!
Have you ever said something to somebody and afterwards really regretted it. You just knew it was not loving. Hurtful words said in anger or gossip can cause long lasting pain to those we love or those we encounter on an daily basis.
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper and said something in anger, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one."
The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said "I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you." THINK before you speak!
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Ministry
Sacristans Required for Sunday @11:00 am Mass
Sacristans
prepare the church for Mass. A
sacristan
sets up and cleans up after a Mass or other liturgical services.
Time & Training Required
: A new
sacristan
will
need
to attend a one hour training session and then understudy at the Mass they will plan on ministering at so they are comfortable with the specifics of that particular Mass.
The sacristan
position
requires
you to be responsible, reliable, and enthusiastic and willing to help out in any situation
. Previous experience as a Eucharistic Minister and/or Lector is a real asset. Please contact Scott Wilson. ( [email protected]
)
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April 1 Easter Sunday Mass 7:30 a.m. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
April 4 Pastoral Council Meeting 7 p.m.
April 11 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7 p.m.
April 17 Baptismal Preparation Meeting 7 p.m.
April 21 St. Leonard Parish Prime Rib Dinner 6 p.m.
April 25 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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Parishioner Feedback: We Love Your Input!
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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