Parish Support

Over the weekend of April 27th, our parish community contributed $6,160 in ordinary support, $85 for capital needs, and $180 for phase 3 of our fuel collection.

In April we received $2,445 for the Capital Improvement Fund, and our fuel collection now stands at $4,818.

The next collection for our Capital Improvement Fund will be held .

Thank you for your continued support!

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 13 donors pledge $2,500 over five years, we will attain our goal.

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

None This Week

Religious Education

Classes meet from September through April.

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.

WHY REGISTER IN THE PARISH?

Being part of a parish is an important way to both claim your identity as a Catholic Christian and also to become part of our official parish record, which allows us to serve you (and your family) most effectively.

It is necessary, unless unusual circumstances exist, for you to be registered in the parish before Baptisms and Marriages can be celebrated; before participation in Religious Education Programs; and before we can offer you a "Sponsor Certificate" for you to be able to stand as a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation in another parish.

Registration is a simple process – a five minute stop in the rectory during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) or by appointment at a more convenient time for you.

PARTNERS IN CHARITY

Our 2008 participation in the annual Partners in Charity Appeal (formerly the Bishop's Fund) has begun.

This important drive throughout our whole diocese helps to fund 29 vital agencies and ministries in education, charity and pastoral services. This year's theme is "Bless Worcester County as a Partner In Charity" and we invoke the intercession of Blessed Pope John XXIII as our patron.

The appeal aids seminarians, college students, Catholic schools, Priests' retirement, religious education (CCD) and family life programs.

The overall goal is $4.7 million and our parish goal is $67,000. Please be generous.

Congratulations

To Tyson Manivong and Terese Poku of our parish who were confirmed at a regional ceremony at St. Cecilia's Sunday April 27th.

May the Lord bless them always!

MAY DEVOTIONS

Our May Devotions to Mary start Sunday, May 4th at 5:00 p.m. and each Sunday of May.

Join us for recitation of the Rosary followed by Eucharistic Benediction.

CROSSING GUARD NEEDED

For Saint Leo's School. Two hours a day. Interested? Call Carol Polselli, principal, at 978-537-1007.

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

There is an opening on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a lay representative from our Montachusett Area. The Council advises Bishop McManus on church issues from the perspective of church members. If interested in being nominated, please call Fr. Doran at the rectory 978-537-7257.

CONGRATULATIONS...

...to Nikki Rossi, a 6th grader at St. Leo's School, for the selection of her essay "Why my Band Leader is the BEST" as a first place national winner in a contest sponsored by the Selick Music Company.

As a result, St. Leo's School will receive $20,000 worth of musical instruments and other support material as first prize.

What a wonderful accomplishment by Nikki in recognition of our band director, Mr. Arthur Pierce.

CATHOLIC FREE PRESS

This is the time to renew or to begin a subscription to our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Free Press. Cost for the 52 issues is still just $23 annually.

For the latest in Catholic news on the international, national and local levels, subscribe today.

PILGRIMAGE

Bishop Robert McManus of our diocese will be leading a pilgrimage to Quebec City, Canada, for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress from June 18th - 23rd, 2008.

Besides the Congress itself, visits will be made to the shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre, Montmerency Falls, and Old Quebec.

The cost is $1395 for twin occupancy. Please contact the rectory for additional information (978-537-7257). A $500 deposit is due March 15th.

Spring Giveaway

Saturday, May 31st, St. Denis Parish, Ashburnham, will sponsor their Second Annual Spring Giveaway.

Grand Prize is $10,000 with prizes of $250 for 2nd – 11th prize.

Tickets are $100 each and only 300 tickets will be sold. Partial tickets will be available. For tickets call Deacon Rich 978-343-6367.

ST.THOMAS MORE SCHOLARSHIP

Law students may obtain an application for the St. Thomas More Scholarship by contacting:

The St. Thomas More Society
Chancery Office
49 Elm Street
Worcester, MA 01609

Or you may call the chancery at 508-791-7171, and ask for Eileen in the Diocesan Tribunal.

Applicants may be currently enrolled in an accredited law school or entering their first year. Applicants or their parents must be members of a parish in the Diocese of Worcester.

The scholarship is usually in the amount of $3,000. The deadline for returning the application June 30, 2008.

PROJECT RACHEL

Not every pregnancy is easy to talk about.

If you are hurting from a past abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, or other reproductive loss, Project Rachel can help.

Call Project Rachel at 508-791-HOPE.

Services are free and strictly confidential. Trust in the tender embrace of God's love & mercy!

Bread Sale

The weekend of May 4th, we welcome the Dominican Sisters of Connecticut who will have a Bread Sale after all Masses to support their foreign missions.

St Bernard's Musical

St Bernard's High School in Fitchburg presents its annual musical on May 2nd & 3rd at 7:30 p.m., and on May 4th at 2:00 p.m.

It is a salute to Elvis Presley entitled "All Shook Up."

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Call 978-342-3212 x236 for reservations.

PRO-LIFE THOUGHT

"Although it is a fundamental embryological truth that each of us was once an embryo, the advocates of embryonic stem cell research are eager to portray human embryos as different from the rest of us, unable to make the grade, and hence fair game for destruction at the hands of those who themselves are no longer embryos."

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D.

Exposition of the 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.

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 Parishoners

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!

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

UMass Memorial Hospice is again offering Volunteer Training for their Hospice Patients or Pediatric Palliative Care patients.

Volunteers share the gifts of compassion, love, and companionship with terminally ill patients and their families. This year they are also offering volunteer services to children with life limiting illnesses in their homes.

The next Volunteer Training session will include two Saturdays, May 31st and June 7th and the evening of June 11th at 650 Lincoln Street, Worcester.

For more information or an application call Kathy Drew, Volunteer Coordinator at 508-0052 ext. 3057

WOMEN BUILD

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (HFHNCM) is sponsoring a Women Build at their Townsend construction site May 5th - 10th, 2008. Women Volunteers will work together to help complete the house at 14 Apple Drive for the Baboci family.

"A Women Build project empowers women from all walks of life to take action for simple, decent homeownership," said HFHNCM executive director Megan Foley. "Prior construction experience is not required," she said. "We can show you how to help build a house," Foley said.

To sign up, go to Habitat's website or call 978-348-2749.

Please Give Blood

The American Red Cross Blood Donor Center opens at the Leominster Elks, 134 North Main Street every Tuesday from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Give the Gift of Life by making an appointment right now!

CONSCIENCE

As Catholics we are not single-issue voters. A candidate's position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support.

"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" 11/14/07

Variety Show

St. Joseph's 51st annual variety show, "Do You Remember When?" will be held on May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. and May 4th at 2:00 p.m. at the Fitchburg High School Auditorium on Arn-How Farm Road, Fitchburg.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children. Call Joe at 978-345-7853 for tickets

SPIRITUAL CONCERT

Father Andre Patenaude (Fr. Pat) will offer a concert on Monday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Fitchburg.

As a LaSalette missionary, he has made music an integral part of his healing ministry. All are welcome!

Pray For

Please remember in your prayers our parishioners who are on active duty in our military and others commended to our prayers.

• COL Francis Burns
• SGT Andrew Ciprotti
• LTC Arthur Elbthal
• SRA Elizabeth Galvin
• 1LT Ryan Hamel
• CPT. Matthew James
• PFC Jarred Merriam
• LCDR Shane Sullivan

If you have other soldiers that you wish parishioners to pray for, please contact the rectory.

JOHNNY APPLESEED SCHOOL LAWN PARTY

Join us Saturday, May 17th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. There will be raffles, kiddy land, bake sale, crafts, Rita's Italian ice, a cake-walk.

Lots of fun for the whole family and we will also have additional parking.

Congratulations

To St. Leo's Junior High School Declamation Team: Tyler Wade, Brianna Mansour, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Jackie Gavin, Allison Escobar, Liz Boucher, Bianca Zarrella, Dominique Zarrella, Sarah Mullin, Madison Dyment, and Brittney Melanson. Great Job!

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 Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7797

Food Stamps

New eligibility information about Food Stamps

Did you know that there is no asset limit for families with children under the age of 19 years old who apply and that a family of four can make up to $3,442 per month gross & many legal immigrants are now eligible! (Pending certain criteria)

You can apply for food stamps online or call 866-950-FOOD.

Open Gym

Now that we have our new gymnasium, it is available for open gym basketball.

We will have an open gym on Tuesdays for women from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays for men from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

These times are for ages 15 and above.

ST. LEO'S CEMETERY

Spring is here, flowers are blooming and clean-up at St. Leo's Cemetery has begun. Please do your part and remove all winter flowers and decorations from your cemetery plots.

Your help to beautify the cemetery is always appreciated. Our goal is to have the cemetery in tip-top shape by May 30th.

Thanks for your help!

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.

PARISH TRIP

Once again this year St. Leo's in conjunction with Collette Vacations will offer a parish trip for those interested.

The trip this year will be from September 4th – 11th 2008 and will feature the Northern National Parks of the U.S.

We will visit Salt Lake City, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Idaho Falls and other sights. The cost is $1,699 per person double occupancy.

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.

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.

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 coming soon.

For more information call: Ray & Beth 1-800-710-WWME or visit www.wwmema.org.