St. Leonard Catholic Parish

Manotick, Ont

Bearing Good Fruit

Good news for our Lenten journey! Effective Tuesday, March 1st, all capacity restrictions have been removed for Church activities. Physical distancing and Mass registration will no longer be required after this weekend. Masks (facial coverings) will continue to be required (except for those who have a valid medical exemption). For those who may prefer attending Mass with social distancing, we will retain the existing set-up in the Parish Hall. Please see the full announcement below from the Archdiocese.

Our Gospel reading for this Sunday continues with Jesus offering important moral teaching from the Sermon on the Plain. It starts with an analogy speaking about the need for each of His disciples to be an “insightful” teacher rather than just another blind traveler along the road of faith. Jesus then offers  a challenge to examine one’s life before criticizing others. He reminds us that we should remove the wooden beam from our own eye before attempting to remove the splinter from someone else’s eye.

Mass Readings: The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

▶ Sirach 27:5-8 - All tested by their speech 

▶ 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 - Glorification of the body 

▶ Luke 6:39-45 - All known by their works

"Every Tree is Known by its Fruit"

The thread that runs through our readings today is the fact that our speech reveals our souls.

Jesus asserts that "Every tree is known by its fruit" (Luke 6). We are good by our very creation as men and women in the image of God. But our lives are also decidedly marked by what we say or don't say, what we do or don't do, and if we bear life or tear it down.

It's easier to see the flaws in others and offer our criticism. It's much more difficult to look within and to examine the beam in our own eye and where we fall short of receiving (and thus radiating) the love of God.

Consider watching this video from Bishop Barron with these questions in mind: 

Worship

Ash Wednesday Mass Times

Regular Mass Times

Please note that physical distancing and masking remain in place for this Weekend's Masses. We would ask that you continue to pre-register for all weekend Masses so that we may retain adequate crowd control. Starting March 1st physical distancing and Mass registration will no longer be required.  Masks (facial coverings) will continue to be required (except for those who have a valid medical exemption). 

Kindly register here for this weekend: (stleonardsparishca.flo...) or through the St. Leonard website.

Weekday Masses. 

Regular Confession times (resuming next weekend)
Saturday 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons will air every ‪Sunday morning at 8:15 AM Eastern Time. Click on Bishop Barron’s YouTube channel and then chose the Sunday you wish to view.

Re: Province of Ontario – Religious services update regarding the move to step-three of the gradually lifting COVID-19 restrictions Religious services (include Mass, baptisms, weddings and funerals): 

There is good news for you regarding our Lenten journey. The Province of Ontario announced lifting capacity restrictions on March 1st as we move to the step 3 of the gradually lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. This means that parishes can fully open on March 1st: you do not have to impose 2-meters physical distancing between households. Masks (facial coverings) continue to be required (except for those who have a valid medical exemption). 

Starting March 1st, congregational singing will be allowed. 

Archbishop Marcel is continuing the dispensation from the requirement to attend Sunday Mass for a period of time. Parishes are encouraged to continue livestream Masses during this time. 

For Ash Wednesday, you may impose ashes on the forehead of individuals using a cotton ball or swab or you may use your thumb. The other option is to sprinkle the ashes on the head of the person as was suggested last year. You may use whichever means you feel most comfortable providing. 

If you have not done so already, you might wish to consider placing your order for palms for Palm Sunday soon as we will be able to distribute them this year. 

Thank you for your continuing efforts in the parishes to observe the necessary health regulations. I know we are all pleased to see an opening of parishes with the possibility to gather together to celebrate our faith, especially, the sacraments, as we begin our Lenten season of preparation for the celebration of Easter!

Mass Ministry Volunteers

We are still in need of more volunteers, especially for the 4:30 and 11:00 Masses. If you would like to help out please have contact Mary Robotham at mary.robotham2@gmail.c... or call the Church office at 613  692-4254. Training will be provided.

Take this Opportunity for YOUR voice to be heard: 

Each week we will share new information or link on how you can better understand the Synodal process in preparation for the survey that will be sent out in the spring

As we know, the human spirit longs for community and communion in Christ, especially when the culture seems to pull in all directions. In an effort to create a gathering space that celebrates the life of our community of faith, we’d like to share with you a new initiative on our part: a new Archdiocesan on-line portal called RUAH which will share videos about the synod and other life-giving events from around our diocese over the next few months.

If you would like to receive regular updates about the Synod and stay connected via Flocknote, please register here: en.archoc.ca/sign-up-f...

Questions on how to Journey together? 

Contact: Susan Killeen Ramsay  fagan55@hotmail.com

You may also wish to attend a special event with Bishop Robert Barron, Father James Mallon and Revd. Nicky Gumbel on March 1st at 1:00 pm, What is God saying to the Church? The link to sign-up is below.

Youth Ministry

Upcoming St. Leonard Youth Activities….

1) February’s Youth Ministry Night 

Saturday, February 26^th, 7-9 pm, Church Hall

Showing “The Chosen” Season 1 Episode #4; Plus….

Snacks and Beverages Provided/Masks are required

2) Back by popular demand - St. Leonard’s NET Youth Retreat 

Saturday, March 26^th, 6 pm – 9 pm

Stay Tuned for more information

Youth grade 7 through university please join us….

Email Colleen for more information at colleen.menton@rogers....  or call 613-692-1839 

Stewardship

Faith Formation

For the Family: Lent with Brother Francis

If you wish to schedule an appointment with Father Gerard or for any other administrative requirements please contact the Parish Office by email (office@stleonardsparis...) or by phone at (613) 692-4254.