I made a slight mistake (happened once before back in 1973) when in last week’s bulletin I wrote that the Memorial Mass for Rose Pelley would be on June 23rd but it will actually be on Saturday, June 25th at 10am. I’ll remind you of that again when we are in the month of June.

Thanks to all who came last week to our first dine-in Fish Fry since COVID started. Many people enjoyed a delicious sit-down meal again with family, friends and fellow parishioners. I’m deeply grateful to all the parishioners who continue to volunteer at these events. We do this not so much as a fund-raiser (although it certainly is that) but mostly as an opportunity for us to build up the community of St. Leo’s. We also enjoy having visitors come from all over to enjoy the food and the opportunity to see our parish. So thanks to all. I look forward each week to good food and good company.

A good suggestion was made to have those going on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in May to gather together for one of our Fish Fry’s so that we can meet and get to know each other a little bit before the trip. So I’d like to suggest we do that on April 1st (and that’s not an April Fools joke). Again I’ll put a reminder here in the bulletin but please plan on joining us for this informal gathering.

A few years ago, the Diocese of Cleveland had an “Evening of Confessions” during Lent. On the same evening, every parish in the Diocese was open for 3 hours (5-8pm) for people to come and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was so “successful” (as in many people came to confession) that we started doing it every year. So that evening will take place this Wednesday, March 16th. Along with every other parish, our church will be open from 5pm until 8pm (please use the doors closest to the chapel area of the church by using the rectory office parking lot) and I will be available for confessions during this time. We are trying to get another priest to help, but that is quite a challenge since most full-time priests will already be hearing confessions in their own parish. We will have materials available to help you make an “examination of conscience” and you will be invited to wait your turn in the chapel area. We are especially hoping that this invitation will be accepted by those who may have been away from the Sacrament for a long time, even several years. Those are the people we rejoice in the most for as Jesus said, “There is greater joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over 99 righteous people who have no need to repent.” I have posted a YouTube video about the Sacrament on our website (leothegreat.org) which is creatively done by a young Franciscan priest named Father Casey Cole, who is known for several other YouTube videos which help people better understand the Catholic Faith. I hope you will find it both entertaining but also helpful in getting a priest’s perspective on the meaning (and practice) of this wonderful sacramental encounter with the mercy of God. I will be hearing many confessions during Lent at other parishes and Catholic high schools such as Padua and St. Ignatius, and at the Damascus Catholic Mission Camp near Columbus. Pray that we priests, sinners in need of repentance and confessions ourselves, may be worthy ministers of God’s forgiveness and reconciliation to others. A reminder too that confessions are heard every Saturday from 3- 3:30pm and on Sunday mornings from 10-10:30am.

Please pray for our catechumen (non-baptized person) and candidates (baptized but preparing for the other sacraments of initiation) who are preparing to enter the Catholic Church at our Easter Vigil. May they receive God’s many blessings during this sacred time.