Congratulations to Jim & Amanda Lahiff on the birth and baptism of their daughter Savanah who will become the newest member of the Church and parish this Sunday after the 11am Mass. May she grow in the grace of her baptism each day & know that she is a loved child of God.
A young man by the name of John Ortega will be speaking very briefly after Communion this Sunday, asking for your support as he looks into a program called “FOCUS.” John is an alumnus from our parish school at St. Leo’s and from St. Ignatius. He has served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister during our weekend liturgies. John has been involved in missionary experiences and has a committed spirituality who desires to be of service to others. I just want you to know that I support him fully in his efforts to grow as a Catholic Christian and minister in the Church. I ask that you support him by your prayers as well.
On our website you will find a 5 minute video showing pictures of parishioners who have been married here at St. Leo the Great over the years. Some were married in the present church and some in the older one that was connected to the school building (and is now our school gym). Thanks to John Sabol for putting this together at a time of year when many people are getting married. I encourage you to take a look at it on our website.
I want to thank those parishioners who serve as Mass Coordinators. They set everything up for Mass and then put everything away afterward. They also schedule & coordinate the liturgical ministers: altar servers, lectors & Eucharistic ministers. This has been in place at St. Leo’s for many, many years & is a wonderful service to me as it allows me to spend time before and after Mass visiting with you instead of worrying about all of those liturgical details. Nancy Zola does this at the 4pm Saturday Mass, Ron Kollar for the 8am Sunday Mass (& daily Mass) & Doris Neylon for the 11am Sunday Mass. Loretta Mlady is retiring from this service after more than 30 years as Mass Coordinator at the 8am Sunday Mass! She wants to devote more time to her husband Ralph who has been laid up the last few weeks (we pray for his quick return as we miss him!). So to Loretta and to all those who serve or have served in this important ministry, please accept my thanks & the gratitude of all our parishioners!
Many of you have asked how I was able to lose so much weight (35 pounds since the beginning of the year) as I continue to fight against diabetes. I started practicing “Intermittent Fasting” which means you eat during an 8 hour period and fast for 16 hours each day. So I stop eating at 8pm and start again with lunch (or “Break-fast” which comes from “breaking your fast” from the night before). I also try to walk about 10,000 steps a day (Michaela helps with this by reminding me it’s time for her walk!). It was almost effortless for me as the morning is the busiest time of day for me so before I know it, it’s time for lunch. I’ve plateaued now but am happy with my present weight & my blood sugar is back down to normal levels. If only I could get Michaela to fast from her many treats...
Need to make an appointment with me? Do it here: https://calendly.com/frjps