PARISH SUPPORT Over the weekend of August 26th, we received $5,152 in ordinary support, $472 for capital needs and $2,364 for phase 1 of winter fuel. In August we received $2,681 for the Capital Improvement Fund. The weekend of September 2nd we received $6,942 in ordinary income and $832 for phase 1 of winter fuel. Our phase 1 of winter fuel now totals $3,196. 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.   WEDDING BANNS 3 - David Baron & Florence Parrella   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.   REGISTRATION FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2007 - 2008 It's time!! Your early registration lets us plan better, and order texts earlier. If you were registered for the past year, you should have already received your new registration forms in the mail. If you are NEW to our parish program, please call the rectory 978-537-7257 to request a registration form or you can download a form. We look forward to seeing you when classes start in September. Religious Education Calendar. The files above require the Adobe Acrobat Reader®   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 SGT Andrew Ciprotti MAJ Arthur Elbthal 1LT Ryan Hamel CPT Matthew James MCPO Jean Paul Lambert PV2 Jarred Merriam LCDR Shane Sullivan LTC Michael Tarsa LCDR Timothy Trainor, MD If you have other soldiers that you wish parishioners to pray for, please contact the rectory.   WORLD MISSIONS The weekend of September 9th we welcome to St. Leo's Parish, Fr. Alfred Loro from the Archdiocese of Juba in Sudan. Fr. Loro will speak at all the Masses and a second collection will be received to support his missionary works.   ANNUAL FUEL COLLECTION Phase 1 of our annual fuel collection has begun. Each year we collect for fuel in August, January, and April. It is an important parish need to help defray energy costs of our four buildings. This past year we spent $53,256 to heat our buildings and the three phases accounted for $16,491 or 31% of our needs. Please be generous!!   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.   PARISH FAIR St. Mary's Parish in Ayer will have its annual lawn party on Friday, September 7th from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. (lobster and clams) and Saturday, September 8th from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. (barbecued chicken). Come join the fun.   BETHEL RETREAT HOUSE There will be two spiritual programs at the Bethel Retreat House, 82 Mechanic Street, Fitchburg. September 14th, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. September 15th the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Inspiritual talks, rosary, prayers and Mass will be celebrated. The guest speaker both days is Sadie Jaramilla. Cost is $40 per day. Call Marline Croaks for reservations. 978-345-5710.   PRO LIFE California's stem cell institute revealed recently that not one embryonic stem cell therapy is expected to be approved for market within the next 10 years. This is in stark contrast to the arguments made before California voters approved Proposition 71 that allocated three billion dollars to embryonic stem cell research. During the campaign for passage, proponents of the measure clearly implied that miraculous cures were just around the corner.      San Diego Union-Tribune 10/5/06   BAZAAR Our Lady of the Lake's Annual Parish Bazaar begins on Friday, September 7th from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 8th from 12:00 - 10:00 p.m. FREE shows by Animal Adventure will be held on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. This family bazaar has a Country Store, Noah's Ark Play space, Games of Chance, huge White Elephant, Giant Kids Alley, and all your favorite foods. They will also have live entertainment in the evenings. Please come and join the fun!   SERRA CLUB The Serra Club of Worcester north will be hosting the 43rd Serra District Conference on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at the Hogan Campus Center of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. The theme is "Back to the Future" and the program runs from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and the parishioners of St. Leo's are invited. Sister Rose Clarisse Gadoury will speak on "Helping Young People Discern the Difference Between Choosing a Career or Listening for a Call". Fr. Paul Mast will speak on "Promoting and Sustaining Vocations - Thinking Outside the Box." The cost is $35 including lunch. For reservations call David Higgins of our parish at 978-534-4018.   CHICKEN BARBECUE Sunday afternoon, September 9th in St. Cecilia's Church lower hall. Serving time will begin at 12:30 p.m. through 2:00 p.m. Dinner will be half chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, and watermelon. Coffee, tea, soda, and water will be included. Tickets are $8 per person and may be purchased at the rectory, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.   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.   OPEN HOUSE Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m., Bishop Robert J. McManus will join us at St. Leo's to bless and dedicate our new building for parish and school use. We will have a brief speaking program, the blessing, tours followed by refreshments. Also, parishioners, can you help our refreshments table by donating baked goods? If so please call the rectory at 978-537-7257. This is the first new building at St. Leo's in 53 years and a cause for celebration. Please mark your calendars for September 16th!!   A DAY WITH DR. SCOTT HAHN September 8th, Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton, RI is hosting a day with internationally renowned Catholic lecturer and author Dr. Scott Hahn. Dr. Hahn will present three talks: Why Scripture Matters: how to read the Bible from the heart of the Chruch; Hail Holy Queen: what we know and believe about Mary is rooted in what we know and believe about Christ; and The Lamb's Supper: an understanding of the Book of Revelation in light of the Mass. For tickets and information visit HolyGhostCC.org

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.   THE NINTH ANNUAL ST. LEO SCHOOL GOLF CLASSIC Will take place on Monday, October 1, 2007, at the prestigious Oak Hill Country Club. This is an important fundraiser for our school and the cost to play is still $150 per player. This includes greens fees, cart, lunch, dinner, and prizes. It will be a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and dinner and auction will follow. Sponsorships are platinum ($1,000), gold ($500), silver ($300) and tees ($200). To register or for more information call Eileen O'Leary at 978-537-0142.   MONTACHUSETT CHORALE Will hold open rehearsals for its 16th season on Sunday, September 9th at 6:30 p.m. in St. Leo's School auditorium. An ability to read music is not required. For more information call 978-534-0836.   FALL BAZAAR St. Denis Parish, Rte. 12, Ashburnham is having a Parish Bazaar on Saturday, September 15th from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Attic treasures, (opens at 7:00 a.m.), silent & Chinese auctions, DJ entertainment, raffles, "Joe's" food booth, fried dough, baked goods, harvest, jewelry & craft booths, "Books Down Under" - used books, CD's, DVD's, kids games, moonwalk. Come join the fun - there's something for everyone.   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.)   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).   PILGRIMAGE Join Connie Tessi's 15th return pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Greenwich Village, New York, on Sunday, October 7th. The bus leaves Leominster at 6:45 a.m. Reserve early by calling 978-342-9294.   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 .   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. Beginning in September, 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. K - Afternoons A few openings in Grades 1-8 For more info call 978-537-1007   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.   FALL FESTIVAL St. Edward the Confessor Parish, 10 Church Street, Westminster, will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 15th from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. They will feature abundant food, games for children and adults, a large "Attic Treasures" flea market, cash raffle, silent auction, specialty booths, entertainment, and many locally produced craft items. Join them as they celebrate their 53rd Anniversary of festivals!