PARISH SUPPORT Over the weekend of July 29th, our parish received $9,697 in ordinary support, and $130 for capital needs. In July we received $2,856 for the Capital Improvement Fund. The next collection for our Capital Improvement Fund will be held . Thank you for your continued support!   WELCOME You enter this Church... not as a stranger, but as a guest of God. God is your heavenly Father. Come, then, with joy in your heart and thanks on your lips into God's presence, offering God your love and service. Be grateful to the strong and the loyal ones who, in the name of Jesus Christ, built this place of worship and to all who have beautified it and hallowed it with their prayers and praise. Ask God's blessing on those who live this house of faith as the inspiration of their labor, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, and may that blessing rest on you, both on your going out and your coming in.   PASTORAL VISITS If there are parishioners who are homebound, in a nursing facility, or in the hospital and who wish pastoral visits and Holy Communion, please contact the Rectory by calling 978-537-7257. We rely on parishioners to notify us if there are patients to be visited. Please keep the Rectory informed. Due to the new confidentiality guidelines for Leominster hospital, the hospital will no longer be able to notify us when parishioners are in the hospital. Unless you specifically ask the chaplain to contact us, we will not know of your admission. Therefore, we ask that you please call us if you would like a visit while in the hospital. If you anticipate a stay in the hospital, please let us know so we can keep you in our prayers.   PRAY FOR Please remember in your prayers our parishioners who are on active duty in our military and others commended to our prayers. LTC Francis Burns MAJ Arthur Elbthal 1LT Ryan Hamel MCPO. Jean Paul Lambert LTC Michael Tarsa LCDR Timothy Trainor, MD If you have other soldiers that you wish parishioners to pray for, please contact the rectory.   CHURCH PARKING Our tradition at St. Leo's is to park in the lot adjacent to the Church in line with the car in front of you. Please pull forward and park immediately behind the front car. We are losing too many spaces by people parking in the middle or rear. PLEASE PULL FORWARD!!   HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS Once again this year our friends from the Saints Francis and Therese Catholic Worker House will be with us to provide bread and baked goods for free-will donations. Funds received help support their work in the areas of peace and social justice. The Catholic Workers will be with us on the weekend of August 18th - 19th.   ITALY IN THE FALL Fr. Egan, pastor of Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Leominster, has an 11 day trip to Sicily, Southern Italy and Rome leaving October 25th, 2007. You cam visit Taormina, Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Giardini Naxos, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Rome. Anyone interested in joining this trip please call Fr. Egan at 978-537-3016.   "PRISON ANGEL" Come and hear Mother Antonia, the "Prison Angel," and founder of a religious community of women who minister within prisons. A mother, grandmother and now a nun, she actually lives within a Mexican prison. She will speak at St. Bernard's in Fitchburg on Thursday, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. A free will offering will be received and books will be available for purchase.   PARTNERS IN CHARITY The 2007 Partners in Charity annual drive (formerly the Bishop's Fund) has begun at St. Leo's Parish and throughout the diocese. This fund helps 31 agencies and ministries supported fully or in part by this appeal. St. Francis of Assisi is patron for this effort in 2007 as we seek support for Catholic Charities, prison ministry, retired priests, Seminarian education, religious education, financial help for families with children in our school, Hispanic and many other ministries. The overall diocesan goal this year is $4.6 million and our parish goal is the same as last year - $65,000. Once again the generosity of St. Leo's parishioners has been demonstrated. We are now over our $65,000 goal for Partners in Charity and join the 90% of parishes who are over the top. We now have received $69,008 or 106% of our goal. Thanks to everyone who made a sacrifice for charity and education!   My brothers and sisters in Christ, I wish to express my gratitude to the parishioners of Saint Leo Parish for your generosity to the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal As you know, the parish has exceeded its goal. In light of this important accomplishment, it gives me great pleasure to convey my deepest appreciation to you. In 2007, we have recalled the faithful love of one of the great saints of the Church, Saint Francis of Assisi. It was his hope to be an instrument of the Lord's peace each and every day, by giving to others. Your support of 31 charitable, educational and pastoral programs is an excellent witness of your own Christian generosity. Your personal gifts will truly help thousands of people in the diocese in the year ahead. I am very grateful for the efforts of Father Doran as well as those who helped to promote the annual appeal in the parish. Please be assured of my appreciation for the goodness of those parishioners who joined together as partners with Christ and partners in charity to enable this accomplishment. I ask that you continue to pray for our success this year. A number of parishes are continuing to conduct the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. Thousands of individual families throughout the diocese have yet to make their gifts. Following your inspiring example, it is my hope that together we will expand upon the success of achieving our diocesan goal of $4.6million. May St. Francis of Assisi, who bestowed the gift of peace on the poor each day, bless our efforts. Sincerely yours in Christ, Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop Worcester   ORGANIST/MUSIC DIRECTOR The Union Congregational Church in Groton is looking for a part-time organist/music director. For additional information apply to Gail Miller, PO Box 233, Groton, MA 01450 or email to .   THANK YOU A sincere "Thank You" goes out to every member of our parish who supports us each week. Now that summer is here and your travel plans may keep you away from worshipping here at St. Leo's, remember that there are still salaries to be paid and bills to be honored over the summer. As a parish family, we remain committed to returning to God a percentage of the blessings we have received from Him as we work together to meet our financial obligations.   RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Grades 1-6 meet on Saturday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Grades 7-11 meet on Monday nights from 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Medeiros at 978-537-7257 or 978-537-1194.   PRO LIFE Speaking to a Los Angeles rally protesting the threatened passage of an assisted suicide bill by the California legislature, Rabbi Louis Feldman asserted that the victims of physician-assisted suicide will be "the poor and disabled, ill-insured, vulnerable and lonely people.... "We must remember that the road to Auschwitz was paved with a euthanasia program. Once you negate the inviolability of human life, anything is possible." The Southern Cross, 4/12/07   BUILDING FUND Our St. Leo's Parish Building Fund Campaign continues and we have now reached toward our goal of $1.6 million. THANKS! At present we have received gifts with many potential donors still being solicited. Please consider the "Tree of Life" memorial. If 11 donors pledge $2,500 over five years, we will attain our goal.   SERRA CLUB The Serra Club of Worcester North which works and prays for vocations to priesthood and religious life is asking our prayers for our local clergy that they persevere in priesthood with enthusiasm. This week we are asked to pray for Fathers Denomme, O'Mara, Dwyer, Horgan, Johnson, Reid, and Roberge.   ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE Sometimes referred to as a "Living Will", the selection of someone to serve as health care proxy, and discussing one's wishes with their health care proxy and members of their family are all integral end-of-life issues. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference, which represents the Bishops of the four Roman Catholic dioceses in Massachusetts and serves as the official public policy voice for the Catholic Church in the Commonwealth, has prepared a document entitled "Appointing a health Care Agent in Massachusetts, a Catholic Guide". Copies of this invaluable document are available from the Conference's website.   PRO LIFE Those who counsel women with an unexpected pregnancy have a valuable technological tool at their disposal - an ultrasound machine that provides pictures of the unborn child in the womb. One young woman who was contemplating abortion said after seeing her baby's sonogram: "As soon as I seen that, I was ready. It wasn't no joke. It was real. It was like, he's not born to the world yet but he is inside of me growing." (San Diego Union Tribune 9/10/06.)   DO YOU KNOW WHY WE USE CHURCH ENVELOPES? My weekly envelope says to the entire parish community "I'm with you all the way in your efforts to growth spiritually." My envelope is a mature, responsible way for me to support the work of the Church. My envelope provides me with contributions that can easily be verified for tax purposes. A weekly Church offering is a good example to other family members. My envelope underscores my conviction that Church support is everybody's business. If you are not receiving weekly envelopes and would like to have them sent to you, please call the rectory at 978-537-7257 to request them.   TRIP TO ITALY Dr. Anthony Nachef of West Boylston is leading two trips to Rome, Tuscany, and Florence from October 5th - 12th cost of $2,200 includes everything but lunches and dinners. Call 508-340-9370 for more information or email at .   EUCHARISTIC REVERENCE It is important to remember that when you received Holy Communion in the hand, after saying "Amen" to "The Body of Christ," you step to the side and take the host with the underneath hand and place it in your mouth immediately. Please do not walk away from the Communion station until you have placed the host in your mouth. Never reach up and snatch the host but wait until it is placed in the palm of your hand. Please observe this proper mannerism for receiving the Eucharist.   PRO-LIFE "Why is abortion a bone in the throat of contemporary culture? Because we all know intuitively that it violates the rules that make a loving, civilized culture possible. We also know that far from being a 'victimless' crime, abortion kills an innocent passenger and maims the unknowing driver."    David Andrusko, NRL News, 3/07

FOOD DRIVE Our Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Charities will be collecting food, and canned goods for distribution to those in need . Your monetary donations and donations of canned goods and other non-perishable food items allow us to help many needy families of our Parish each month. Please bring your donations to the back of the Church before Mass. Thank you for your generosity.   NEW PARISHIONERS Are you new in Leominster or unaffiliated with a Catholic parish here? If so, please consider joining St. Leo's Parish. We always welcome new parishioners and feel it very important to show a warmth and openness to new individuals or families. Please take the time to register at St. Leo's rectory. We should have the pertinent personal information about you and your family. You can even add or update your information online! YOU ARE MOST WELCOME!   ADOPT A SEMINARIAN The Serra Club of Worcester North invites St. Leo parishioners to adopt a seminarian of our diocese by sending a card or note and letting him know we care. The designated seminarian is: Michael Clements Mount Saint Mary's Seminary 16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd. Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7797   TRIP TO BUDAPEST & PRAGUE Mary O'Malley in conjunction with Durgan Travel Services has planned a trip to Budapest & Prague Christmas Markets for December 1 - 8, 2007. This is an 8 day/ 6 night tour. Price is $1,199 cash/check (or $1,299 credit card) - $265 air/departure taxes. Contact Mary O'Malley - if interested. Space is limited and a $200 deposit with reservation form is due ASAP. Balance due September 17. A full itinerary is posted on the church bulletin boards.   CHRISTMAS IN JULY PARTY July 29th Postponed due to rain until August 12th, Sunday, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Parishioners were so generous in recycling old Christmas cards last winter for us, that now we need help cutting out the images for a Religious Education Class project! So come join the fun, we'll provide scissors, Christmas music, red & green punch and cookies. Come for a little while, or stay as long as you want. A "Christmas favor" for every family who donates some time to help us out!   KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MUSEUM At the national headquarters in New Haven, CT, is sponsoring an exhibit on St. Joan of Arc through September 3, 2007. Never before, or after, has any woman - much less a teenage girl - led national armies in combat. From French peasant to successful general, she was martyred at 21 years of age. For directions, hours, etc. call 203-865-0400 or log on to Knights of Columbus.   SEPARATED & DIVORCED CATHOLICS A group meeting of Separated & Divorced Catholics meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 555 Pleasant Street, Worcester. All are welcome!   BAZAAR NEWS St. Anthony of Padua Church, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley is having their 102nd annual bazaar on Friday, August 3rd and Saturday, August 4th from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. (rain dates August 10th & 11th). Lobsters, clams, and corn on the cob will be served rain or shine Friday, August 3rd. Saturday night: chili, and chicken barbecue dinner. Hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, sausages, fried dough and drinks will be available both nights. Children's games and fun for everyone. The auction will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday on the church grounds (Phoenix Street). Bring family and friends for two fun packed evenings. Call 978-425-4588 for any questions.   PLEASE GIVE BLOOD The American Red Cross Blood Donor Center opens at the Leominster Elks, 134 North Main St. every Tuesday from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Give the Gift of Life!   PARISH TRIPS - 2007 Through the parish association with Collette Vacations, there are two holiday trips coming up in December. "Christmas on the Danube" features a river cruise from November 30th - December 8th for $2,099 (including 19 meals). "San Antonio Holiday" is a five day trip from December 2nd - 7th to south Texas for $1,299. Both trips include air and hotel rooms. Call Fr. Doran for more details if interested (978-537-7257).   RCIA Are you a non-Catholic interested in becoming a Catholic? Are you a baptized Catholic who has never received the Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and or Confirmation? Do you need Confirmation before marriage? If so, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is geared especially to you. It comprises classes and prayer experiences every other Tuesday and culminates with the Sacraments at Easter. Please consider prayerfully your call to join us and contact Fr. Doran at 978-537-7257.   ST. LEO'S ADULT CHOIR Our choir is looking for new voices and for people who love liturgy and love to sing. Please come forward and join our choir at rehearsals on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. and singing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays. St. Benedict said, "Whoever sings prays twice." Please lift your voice in praising the Lord.   SAME-SEX MARRIAGE As Boston's Archbishop Sean O'Malley has stated: "Marriage as the union between one man and one woman must be approved on its own merits. Joining this amendment to the issue of civil unions deprives the people an opportunity to express their views on marriage. Citizens have that right. Linking the two coerces people in a way that is unfair. Voting on them respects the will of the public." Call the Senate clerk or our State Senator Robert Antonioni, at 617-722-2356 or the House clerk or our state representative, Representative Jennifer L. Flanagan, at 617-722-2356 to register your opinion.   SCHOOL NEWS St. Leo's School still has openings in: Pre K - 3 days Pre K - 5 day - ½ days Children must be 4 years old. For more info call 978-537-1007   THIS IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT... ...to remember the parish when making plans for a last will & testament. Certainly, we know that you must provide for your family when you make a will, but remember the blessings that you have received as a member of Saint Leo's parish, and be assured that a gift after your death will allow the parish to continue providing spiritual benefits to many for years to come. Your children and their children will benefit from charitable donations and bequests to the parish.   BOOK SALE The Friends of the Leominster Public Library will hold a weekly book sale on Thursdays from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. A good selection of books for all ages. This sale is open to the public.   MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER A Get-Away Weekend!!! Do you need a vacation? Give yourself and your spouse time away from the pressures of work and everyday responsibilities. Enjoy a chance to talk and listen to that special someone who loves you! Enrich your relationship by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. It's a great time to rekindle communication and enjoy a weekend away. Upcoming dates are are September 14th - 16th. For more information call: Ray & Beth 1-800-710-WWME or visit www.wwmema.org.   MARRIAGE Many Massachusetts state representatives and senators have remarked that a simple phone call is the most effective form of expressing your personal opinion. Call your state representative and state senator to express your personal support for the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. They can be reached at 617-722-2000 or visit www.voteonmarriage.org and click 'COMMUNICATE' to find your state legislator's name and direct telephone number.   EXPOSITION of BLESSED SACRAMENT On Fridays, beginning after the 7:00 a.m. Mass and concluding with Benediction at 4:00 p.m. Parishioners are needed to be present with the Eucharist during the day. Please call the rectory to give us a time slot when you can visit with Our Lord. Parishioners are asked to volunteer to spend an hour or a half-hour in Church because the exposed Blessed Sacrament should never be unattended. Remember the words of Jesus to His Apostles, "Could you not watch one hour with me?"   PRO LIFE Since the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand for all nine months of pregnancy, almost 50 million unborn American children have been killed by abortion. More unborn children die every year than Americans died in all the nation's wars combined.   DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA Will meet on Monday, August 13th at the Knights of Comumbus Hall, Electric Ave., Fitchburg at 2:00 p.m. There will be a guest speaker and refreshments will be served. Members are reminded that returns for the Annual Charity Money Raffle should be made at this meeting or the September 17th meeting. For further information call Anita at 978-345-5279.   WHY GO TO CHURCH A church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this...They all nourished me, and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise If I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"