St. Leonard Catholic Church
Manotick, Ont
Website   St. Leonard   How Can We Help?   Sacraments   Schools   Ministries   Links
Monthly E-Newsletter for Oct 2016
 
Thank you for subscribing to the St. Leonard's monthly E-Newsletter. This month we continue to roll out the broad themes of the new Parish Plan with an article by Father Titus on the "7 Steps to Discipleship" and an article highlighting our "Key Focus Areas and Goals" for the coming year.

If you know someone who might benefit from this E-Newsletter, please forward it to them. 

Pastor's Message
7 Steps to Discipleship
 
As I indicated last month, the summary of our new Parish Vision is to be a Church that "forms disciples". This will require a significant change in our outlook and in our key focus areas and goals. I wanted to expand upon this theme a little further this month.
 
Sherry Waddell in her recent Catholic bestselling book Intentional Disciples states that "the core issue facing the Church in our time is how to foster a culture in which all Catholics consciously see themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ living according to his will and as apostles sent into the world to proclaim him to others."
 
Who is a disciple? Someone who accepts, lives and shares the message of Jesus Christ.
 
What is the reward for being a disciple of Christ? Greater peace and joy here on earth and eternal life with God in heaven.
 
What are the typical steps to discipleship? 
1)      Initial Trust: Where a person is able to have a positive association with Jesus Christ, the Church, a Christian believer or something identifiably Christian.
2)      Spiritual Interest and Openness: Where a person is at first just curious about and then becomes open to the message of Christ.
3)      Discovery: Where a person hears for the first time the core Gospel Message (the kerygma).
4)      Encounter: Where a person feels the real presence of God in their live.
5)      Formation: Where a person embarks on a journey to understand more fully their faith.
6)      Sharing: Where a person responds to share the "good news" with others.
7)      Christ Centered: Where a person commits to living a life where Christ is at the center of everything that you do.
 
Where are you in your journey to discipleship? Reflect and discern where you are on the journey and make a plan for moving to the next step. My role and the role of all of your fellow disciples is to help you move to the next step. Just ask for help!
God bless. Father Titus
St. Leonard's Key Focus Areas and Goals 2016-17

Worship
Enhance the meaningfulness and transformative nature of the weekend Masses so that they are the best possible experience for the maximum number of people.
 
Discipleship (Grow) and Evangelization (Connect)   
Advance the faith and understanding of all parishioners so that they may develop a personal relationship with Christ and empower all to share this faith with others.
 
Fellowship (Love) and Ministry (Serve)
Develop a welcoming community where every person feels affirmed, has an opportunity to be involved and cared for, and implant in all a desire to serve one another and the broader community.
 
Stewardship (Give)
Educate the parish on the meaning of stewardship, and encourage and inspire parishioners to give of their time, talent and treasure so that the Parish can maintain existing services and develop new programs to address emerging needs and opportunities.

Growing your Faith 
A Six Week Morning Bible Study: Every Thursday @10:15 starting Oct 6th  

How can we make prayer a part of our daily life? How do we make our prayers a time of talking to and listening to our Lord?
A six week study using the FORMED program, Prayer, Finding Intimacy with God, will be offered in our St. Leonard hall starting Thursday, October 6th, right after the 9:30 morning mass (around 10:15). All are invited. Do you know a stay at home mom with a little one who would enjoy this, or a senior who would welcome a drive to church- invite them along. Join us in learning how to deepen the meaning of prayer in our lives. 
 

Adult Faith Formation at St. Leonard 

 
Watch it on FORMED! Earlier this month, Mother Teresa was named Saint Teresa of Calcutta. You can learn more about her life by watching the film, Mother Teresa, one of the many films available with our parish membership on FORMED. This beautiful and inspirational film gives us insight into her childhood, which included the loss of her loving father and the sadness of being refused to see her mother ever again when she made the decision to become a nun. We follow her as she decides to leave her order and take up her calling to live with 'the poorest of the poor'. The film portrays the founding of the Missionaries of Charity, the many challenges she faced and the impact this small nun had on the rest of the world. It's a fascinating film and one that your whole family will enjoy.
 

Have you ever felt a desire to better understand the Sunday readings before you arrived at Mass? While now you can! Visit Opening The Word on the formed.org website and download the Guide and Journal and watch a short video that provides insight and analysis for the coming Sunday readings. Your Mass experience can be greatly enriched when you better understand the meaning of the readings.
   
If you are new to FORMED, to get ongoing FREE ACCESS to all programs and downloadable PDF guides, movies and e-books please
visit the St. Leonard website for detailed sign-up instructions.  
 
Diocesan Youth Ministry Launch: This year, on the first Sunday afternoon of every month, a youth event will be hosted at the Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn Place open to teens from every parish. The first one is on Sun., Oct. 2, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. and all ages are welcome. We are launching our new Family & Youth Ministry Website! Launch Party features live music, a photo booth, a balloon drop and more. Followed by separate programming for youth, children, and adults, and joint Praise & Worship. Info/RSVP: (www.catholicottawa.ca/events-1); ([email protected]).


    Parish Councils and Service Groups  
Pastoral Council

The parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that shares with the pastor and his staff the planning and coordinating of overall policies and goals of the parish.
The Council is concerned with all aspects of parish life, and once having established policies and goals, and the means to achieve these goals, the Council monitors and evaluates the work of the various ministries and committees in the parish.
The objectives of the Pastoral Council are:
  • Proclaiming the Gospel
  • Building up of a caring Christian community
  • Acting as the representative of the parish membership
  • Working for the spiritual renewal of all members of the parish community by concern for, and attention to, the quality of the liturgical services, education and catechetical programs, spiritual formation, community service
  • Discerning the needs, spiritual and temporal, of the parish community and organizing and planning the structures required to fulfill these needs
  • Working for a just society with other churches and organizations in the neighborhood and in the wider community
The major initiative for the current pastoral year will be to assist in the implementation of the new pastoral plan based on the renewed vision for the parish.

Membership
The pastor is the spiritual leader of the parish and is also the president of the Pastoral Council. Current members include: Jonas Abromaitis - Chair, Charles Slade-Secretary, Daniel Giguere, Susan Killeen Ramsay, Karen Napior, Colleen O'Mahony-Menton.
All parishioners are most welcome to attend these meetings, and also to put their names forward for membership on the Council. We are looking to recruit new members who are inspired by the new parish vision.

Contact
Jonas Abromaitis, (613)489-2068, [email protected]
 
Why join the Knights of Columbus?

Watch this 5 minute video and find the answer!
Contact [email protected] for information on how to become a member.

Eucharistic Ministers for the Sunday @ 11:00 Mass
- training is available, contact Scott Wilson Altar Servers for the Sunday @11:00 Mass
- training is available, contact Daniel Giguere
[email protected]

Communication specialist to help promote St. Leonard's and our activities in the local community. Contact Barry Gauthier [email protected]  
What's on in October     
 
Jewelry Sale/Fundraiser For Washroom Renovation
 
Parishioner, Nira Sangal, will be selling her beautiful handcrafted jewelry in the parish hall after all weekend Masses in October. All proceeds will go towards the renovation of our men's and women's washrooms. Start your Christmas shopping early and support this worthy cause.
 
Oct 1   4:30 p.m.  Confirmation Enrollment 
Oct 2   9 a.m. and 11 a.m.  Confirmation Enrollment 
Oct 5   7:00 p.m.   Pastoral Council Meeting
Oct 8   4:30 p.m.  Confirmation Enrollment 
Oct 12  7:00 p.m.  Knights of Columbus Meeting
Oct 15  10:00 a.m.  Confirmation Session 1
Oct 16   9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Welcoming Mass for First Communion
Oct. 18  6:30 p.m.  Confirmation Session 1
Oct. 26  7:00 p.m.  Catholic Women's League Meeting
 

After the 9 am and 11 am Sunday masses in October coffee will be served in the Parish Hall. Click on the Parish Calendar for a full listing of upcoming meetings and events.
 
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. 

The St.Leonard Parish app is easy to install from Apple iTunes and Google Play stores.
 
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!