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St. Leonard Catholic Parish
Manotick, Ont
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Monthly E-Newsletter for December 2017
Thank you for subscribing to the St. Leonard's monthly E-Newsletter. May the anticipation of the arrival of baby Jesus warm your heart all month long!
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Pastor's Message Dec 1st
Christmas: Love in Action!
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" (Luke 2:10 NIV)
The arrival of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago was the turning point in our history. It is Good News meant to "bring great joy to all people" (Luke 2:10 NLT).
What is the Good News? God loves us so much that he sent his only son to be with us and ultimately, by His death and resurrection, save us from our sins and open the way to eternal life with Him in heaven. By His example He showed us how to live and to love. God sent Jesus so we could know what he's like. He wanted to relate to you and to me, so he became like us - a human being. He came to give you and I a relationship with Him.
Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His example as we love and serve our fellowman.
There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart-and our neighbors as ourselves.
Let us make Christmas real this year by putting our love into action. Let us give without a thought of getting. Let us be happy because we see joy in others. Let us forget our self and find time for others. Let us discard the meaningless and stress the true values. Let us be at peace because we have found peace in the Savior's teachings. It is a time for us to realize that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others.
My brothers and sisters, true love is a reflection of the Savior's love. May you feel much love this Christmas and, in turn, may all you meet feel loved by you.
Merry Christmas! Father Titus
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Worship
Sunday, Dec 24th: 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 10:30 pm
Monday, Dec 25th: 8:00 am (no music) 10:00 am
All Christmas Masses to be held at the Church this year.
Sunday, Dec 31st 7:00 pm New Year's Eve Mass
Monday, Jan 1st 10:00 am New Year's Day Mass
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FORMED Resources for December
"She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). As Catholics, we are called every Advent to prepare a place in our lives for Jesus to dwell. This month, may we take up this Advent of the Heart and be fully ready to welcome the Lord at Christmas.
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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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What is Advent Again?
The season approaches. Get in the spirit. Banish the anxiety and embrace the preparation. Let's celebrate together the Advent Season! Check out this video on Advent.
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Best Advent Ever Daily Video Messages
Click here to sign up to the Best Advent Ever program. Starting December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, you'll receive daily emails with short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly and Dr. Allen Hunt, practical tips to incorporate into your everyday life, and personal stories from Dynamic Catholic team members.
You'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of Christmas because you've prepared for it in a unique way.
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Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles
First Week: All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN.
Second Week: God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN.
Third Week: Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN.
Fourth Week: Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN.
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Personal Spiritual Practices: 7 Reasons to Attend Daily Mass
Weekday Masses our held at St. Leonard's Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 am with a St. Leonard Children's Mass on Friday at 9:30 am. Getting out to weekday Mass on a regular basis, or even once in a while, is a great personal spiritual practice that will draw you closer to Christ. Here are 7 great reasons to attend daily Mass:
1) Receiving Christ in the Blessed Eucharist gives us strength for the daily journey.
2) Praising God first thing in the morning is the most important thing on our daily calendar.
3) The Mass provides ongoing spiritual formation. Daily scripture readings point to the Way.
4) The Mass heals. We
receive Him not only in the Word, but also in the Blessed Sacrament.
5) We meet our Creator, our friend, our love. As Saint Augustine says: "my heart is restless until it rests in You."
6) Father Titus's homilies are powerful and to the point!
7) On Wednesdays and Thursdays, 30 minutes and you are off and running to the rest of your day!
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Evangelization
Rise Above a Culture of Moral Relativism with Edward Sri
Learn how Catholic morality is all about love, how making a judgment is not judging a person's soul, and how, in the words of Pope Francis, "relativism wounds people" and is "the spiritual poverty of our times."
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Parish Retreat: A Big Thanks to Fr. Eugene!
Once again Father Eugene inspired all who attended the Parish Retreat in late November. His engaging personality, his funny stories and his beautiful music combined to make this a memorable retreat. On the first night he spoke to our image of God as a loving father and how we needed to remember that we were made in his image and not be afraid to be intimate with others ("in to me see"). On the second night, which he referred to as the Happy Hour, he asked us to consider the message of the Beatitudes and not be afraid to mourn and let go. On the third night he spoke to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and made if very real by talking of his own personal need to offer forgiveness. The final night closed the retreat with the celebration of the Eucharist and a powerful new interpretation of the words "do this in memory of me". On Holy Thursday Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It was an act of humility and love. He called on all present to go out and share His example of love by "washing the feet" of our neighbours!
Thank you so much Father Eugene!
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Volunteers in the Parish
Father Titus has put an emphasis on parishioners contributing their time and skills to others by participating in the various ministries at St. Leonard Parish. There are over 130 different volunteers contributing to 25 ministries that are focused on specific activities such as providing music at mass, assisting elderly parishioners, and organizing the youth mass. Many of these volunteers work in more than one ministry. In addition, there are other groups in the parish such as the Catholic Women's League and the Knights of Columbus that organize many activities as well as provide services to the parish and others. Among the 130 plus volunteers, 20 are new as a result of the petition for volunteers that took place this fall.
The parish has adopted the diocesan policy with regard to volunteer responsibility. To this end, all volunteers who participate in parish ministries sign a Code of Pastoral Conduct. In addition, the volunteers that participate in ministries that serve vulnerable people obtain a police check for the vulnerable sector.
There are many activities in the parish that help us all to live a better life when we receive some assistance as well as helping us to live a better life of faith. It is hoped that more parishioners will come forward to contribute their time and skills in the parish.
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Mass Ministries Workshop
On the last Saturday in November a workshop was held to enrich the ministry of our Mass Ministries volunteers. The workshop was lead by liturgist Klara Kinahan and she emphasized two major points concerning the Eucharist and their role. The first was that they were participating in the Paschal Mystery
whose main subject is the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the second was that the Eucharist is intended to be a communal celebration and that it was important that all participants were in unity. The session ended with Father Titus recommissioning all 30 present and offering a very special blessing. Thanks so much for Klara for taking us deeper into the meaning of the Eucharist and the importance of our service.
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Stewardship
As of the end of November, our annual offerings exceed last year at this time by $12,200. We are making good progress towards our goal of growing our financial base. Thanks to all of you who responded generously to Father's call.
Collections as of Nov 31, 2017
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Current Year |
Current Budget |
Last Year |
| Previous Week |
$4,947 |
$4,500 |
$4,467 |
| Month (Nov) |
$20,200 |
$18,000 |
$18,400 |
| YTD |
$226,890 |
$219,500 |
$214,687 |
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Dec. 2 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Penny Sale
Dec. 6 7:00 p.m. Pastoral Council Meeting
Dec. 9/10 Archbishop Prendergast visits St. Leonard Parish and celebrates the weekend Masses
Dec. 12 CWL Potluck Christmas Meeting
Dec. 14/15 Packing and delivering of Christmas Hampers
Dec. 17 Christmas Pageant at Morning Masses
Dec. 19 7:00 p.m. Advent Reconciliation Service
Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m (no music). and 10:00 a.m.
New Year's Eve: 7:00 p.m.
New Year's Day 10:00 a.m.
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After the 9 am and 11 am Sunday masses in December 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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