We know that Baptism is the fundamental Sacrament. No others are possible without it. Baptism enables a couple to vow themselves to each other in Matrimony. Jesus’ Baptism signals the start of His mission. What we see in Jesus’ Baptism sets the tone for all His public life. John the Baptist freely hands over his followers to Jesus when He comes to the river. John had large following. He must have been tempted to hold on to them. Instead he tells them to follow, “the Lamb of God”. He says that he, himself, must decrease while Jesus increases. The humble love of Jesus radiates into the world even before His public mission starts. John inspires us in following Jesus and giving Him free reign to work through our lives. Jesus submits to the Baptism of John. He follows the divine plan from the start. He is immersed in the water He walked at the dawn of creation, the water He will walk on later in life. He sanctifies the water of His Baptism that will then sanctify His followers. And the Father manifests His approval, assuring us that the Sacraments communicate real communion with God. This creates the pattern for all the Sacraments. In simplest terms, a Sacrament is and outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace (Baltimore Catechism). Each one draws from an action of Jesus in His earthly life and is passed on in the Community of Faith for our sanctification. At the Wedding of Cana, He blesses Marriage. In forgiving people’s sins, He prepares the way for Reconciliation. In healing the sick and anointing them He prepares the Sacrament of the Sick. At the Last Supper the Eucharist is given to us and the priesthood is established. With the Feast of Pentecost Confirmation is prefigured and inaugurated. His attitude in all of this is one of humility, service, love. The Sacraments are not magic rites or mere symbols. Beneath them is the very real presence of the Holy Spirit and the living Lord, Himself. Pause and reflect on your Baptism, even if given to you as an infant. Recall the other Sacraments you have received. What effect do they still have on your life? Which ones can you return to often for strength and spiritual growth? Look at Jesus’ life in the Gospels. What does it say to you today? Can you gain new confidence in His promise of eternal life?
We are rightly concerned about the “side effects” of medicines that are prescribed for us. In a much more positive way it seems our good deeds have side effects, too. When we act with charity there is a clear effect on us – a warming of the heart, a sense of peace and joy. I think this is intended by the Lord, maybe a reward for kindness or an encouragement for us. It is right and just. But these results are not an end in themselves, not the goal. When I was chaplain at our high school, Bishop Eustace Prep, I recall students in our ministry program sometimes encouraging others to participate by telling them, “You feel so good when you help someone”. They spoke as if this were the main reason for doing good. But it isn’t. I do good for others as a result of my faith and my loving relationship with the Lord. The Letter of St. James in the New Testament speaks of the connection between faith and works. Doing the right thing, the best thing, is a reward in itself. It deepens my friendship with the Lord. It opens me to the full meaning of faith and love. The good feelings, the fulfillment I experience, are gifts of the Lord to heal and strengthen me in the practice of charity and good works. Our cooperation with grace invokes God’s compassion. The generosity of the Lord allows these to spill over when I reach out in love and faith. Advent is a time of preparation, a time to take stock. Ministry is a medicine to heal our often wounded hearts and enable us to pursue our vocation. The Lord comes again. Pave the way with acts of prayer and charity.
Please consider serving underprivileged as Saint Leo's host its annual Christmas Dinner for the Homeless in the Church Hall. Over 300 hot and hearty meals will be served. Just show up if you're able to help! It's festive and fun. Also needed: your donations of cakes & pies to serve for dessert.
Saint Leo's consistently is in need of Monday morning money counters to help total the weekend collection. If you can volunteer one or two Monday mornings (9 a.m.) a month, we really need your assistance. A schedule is posted at least two months in advance. Please call the Parish Office at 410.675.7275 with interest!
SAINT LEO'S SEEKS ADDITIONAL CHOIR MEMBERS - Saint Leo's Choir provides music for our 11:30 a.m. liturgy once a month. Both singers and musicians of all ages are welcome to join. The time commitment is minimal with rehearsals for a few hours on the Saturday before Mass. Remember ... SINGING IS PRAYING TWICE! Contact Sue Georg, 410.913.9090 or [email protected] with questions or more details.
Saint Leo's Church is currently registering those age 18 and older for sacramental formation. This is for those looking to enter the Catholic faith and those wishing to complete their Sacraments. This program is also open to parishioners simply interested in a review of catechism and Church teachings. Deacon Doug will conduct sessions in a safe, relaxed discussion-oriented environment. NO COST, other than required readings. Please contact the Parish Office at 410.675.7275 as soon as possible to sign up. Sessions begin early November!
We're adding to our memorial brick wall! A limited number of bricks are available to be added to the front of our church building. This brick project was established in the late 1990s to honor and memorialize loved ones. Each brick can accept two lines of text and requires a $150 donation. To purchase a brick, contact parishioner Sam Miller, 410.497.9101.
By the time you get this bulletin the Easter Triduum will be complete for this year. What do we do - breathe a sigh of relief that we got through it again and go back to “business as usual”? Would be a shame! So much effort and attention to be forgotten so easily? ...
Every Liturgical season presents us with its own special symbols. Lent offers its signs that help us enter more deeply into the sense of the season. ...
St. Leo's is looking for used jewelry to sell during our fundraisers. Please bring any jewelry to the rectory during regular business hours, or you may drop off during the ravioli dinner (2nd floor off the elevator in the school). Thank you!
Often we see Jesus go off to an “out of the way place” and pray. At the start of His mission, He spent 40 days in the desert. He gives us an example. The desert is a place with very little, and so few distractions. There we can listen more attentively to the Voice of God Who is continually calling out to us. ...
As the year goes flying along, we find ourselves on the doorsteps of Lent, starting on February 14th. We recall that above all this is a time of more intense spiritual life. The main aspects are Prayer, Fasting, and Charity. ...
Anyone interested in participating in the St. Anthony or St. Gabriel Festival as a vendor or sponsor: We are developing a sponsorship program with a couple perks for supporting the festival and St. Leo's Church. ...
The Catholic Review is available for parishioners to receive mailed to their home eleven months of the year. If you do not read it or do not want it sent to your home, please let us know as St. Leo's pays for this subscription.
With the New Year comes the question once again, “what is your resolution?” It’s not a bad idea. We learn from early on to pin our lives to special moments: development milestones, grades in school, tests, exams, graduations. Change is not easy. It can be very demanding. On the other hand, not to change is to stagnate. Often the little extra push of a special moment is needed to motivate us. [Click for more...]
The St. Anthony Society would like to thank our many volunteers for their time and efforts in serving a hot seated dinner, followed by a dessert and a gift bag as the guests left the event. In addition, we would like to express our appreciation to anyone who brought desserts to the rectory or to the dinner, as well as those who made cash donations. The combination of volunteers and donators made the event a success.
We strongly encourage those who participate regularly in the life of our Faith Community to register with us and to use envelopes. For those who wish to make St. Leo’s their parish family with future plans to celebrate a baptism, a wedding or obtain a letter to be a godparent or sponsor, you are encouraged to be formally registered and actively participating on a regular basis for at least three months before. Registration Forms can be found in the back of the Church or on our website.