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St.
Leonard Catholic Parish
The Third Sunday of Lent: "The
Barren Fig Tree"
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Please
note that effective Monday, March 21st, wearing a mask will no longer
be required when attending all Church services. Should you feel more
comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage you to do so. As well,
please note that our Catholic obligation to attend Sunday Mass will
resume starting Palm Sunday, April 9, 2022.
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In
this Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus recounts the parable of the barren
fig tree. This is an image that at times may reflect our own
spiritual life. Often in life we can fall into a dark time and our
relationship with God and our friends and neighbours can struggle.
During these challenging times, our lives bear little good fruit.
Jesus wants us to know that he is still with us and ready to give us
another chance.
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If
you are struggling and find yourself bereft of good fruit (i.e..,
kindness, love, peace, etc.), imagine yourself as this fig tree.
Consider the person who commits to “dig around it and fertilize it”
(Luke 13:8) as Jesus Himself. Jesus pleads for one more chance for
the fruitless fig tree. Jesus does not view this fig tree as
worthless. Our God is a merciful God, and He is always willing to
give the fig tree another chance and to work with it so that it may
once again bear good fruit.
The
same is true for us. No matter how far we have drifted away Jesus
will not abandon us. He will continue to seek us out and work with us
in the way that we need so that we can once again be fruitful. In
order to do this, Jesus does need our co-operation. We need to make the
best use of the “second chances” God gives us.
As
Christians we are meant to be people who bear the fruit of the Holy
Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. During this Lenten journey, if you feel
that you are not evidencing enough of these good fruits, repent
and ask Jesus to “dig around and fertilize" the tree of your
life. If you open yourself to His healing work, you will once again
bear an abundance of holiness and good works in your life.
I
hope to see you at Mass this weekend as we continue our Lenten
journey together.
God bless you folks, Father Gerard
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▶ Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 - The call of Moses
▶ 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 - Against overconfidence
▶ Luke 13:1-9 - Calls to penance; parables of the Reign
of God
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Burning
Bushes & Fig Trees
This
weekend we hear a strange combination of readings at Mass: the
burning bush of Exodus, Paul's dual affirmation of God's mercy and
warning of his justice, and Jesus' foreshadowing of judgment using a
parable of a fig tree that refused to bear fruit.
We can't have the Good News (the Gospel) without understanding
"the bad news." The bad news is that we're in a fallen
world and we're all sinners. Sometimes life is unfair. Sometimes good
people are punished and evil thrives. Sometimes we don't want to cooperate
with God's will (like Moses' initial refusal to return to Egypt).
The Good News is that God continually gives us chances to return to
him. Christ suffered for our sins and allowed us to be made new
creations! Let our hearts turn to him this Lent and not turn back to
the sin that addicts, enslaves, and deadens us.
God is not a threat to our freedom! God desires for all of us
to bear fruit as saints, holy men and women sent out to bring the
world to Christ.
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Consider
watching this older clip from (then Fr.) Bishop Barron on the lessons
we can learn from the Exodus account of "the Burning Bush"
(formatted for school use!)
- Do
I have a proper fear of God? Do I have appropriate awe towards
his Lordship?
- What
does God's name revealed in the Burning Bush mean?
- Am
I bearing fruit through my time, talent, or treasure? Or am I
holding back from being generous?
"Unfurl
the sails, and let God steer us where He will!"
St. Bede the Venerable
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Lenten Day of Confessions
Holy Week Celebrations April 10 –
April 17
Easter
Sunday 9 am, 11 am
- Saturday: 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Physical
distancing and Mass registration are no longer required. Masks
(facial coverings) will no longer be required starting March 21st.
Regular Confession times
Saturday 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
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All
Weekend and Weekday Masses from St. Leonard's will be Livestreamed at
the time that they are scheduled to our YouTube Channel. To visit
this site click here.
The 4:30 pm Saturday Mass will be recorded and made available on
Saturday evening here.
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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.
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Pope Francis Appoints Auxiliary
Bishop for Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall
On
March 17th it was announced at the Vatican that His Holiness Pope
Francis has appointed Fr. Yvan Mathieu, S.M, to the position of
Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa-Cornwall. Bishop Mathieu is not a stranger
to Ottawa. Even though he is originally from Québec City, he has
spent many years here for studies and now, currently, as a professor
at Saint Paul’s University. He will be a welcomed addition to our
pastoral team as we continue our journey in becoming a missionary
Church. Fluent in many languages, he will gladly share the joy of the
Gospel to all those he will meet and serve (Archbishop Damphousse).
Welcome Bishop-Elect Mathieu. Further info: https://en.archoc.ca/.
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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.
This
week please consider watching the recent message from Archbishop
Damphouse to the Catholic School Board. (see below)
Questions
on how to Journey together?
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St. Leonard Parish NET Youth Retreat
(youth in grades 7 to university) Saturday, March 26th,
6-9 PM
Registration: To register, contact Colleen O’Mahony-Menton by
Thursday, March 24th colleen.menton@rogers.... or 613-692-1839. Please provide participant’s
full name, grade or age, and email address where the retreat link can
be sent.
Overview of NET Canada’s Virtual
Youth Retreats:
NET
Canada’s team of dynamic youth ministers are perfectly positioned to
help reach youth so that they open themselves up to having a personal
relationship with God. Backed by a professional staff team and over
600 hours of ministry formation. A NET Team can help plant
seeds of faith in youth through the facilitation of retreats.
Youth
in grades 7 through university are welcome with accommodation up to
40 young people. Ideally, each participant should have access to a
personal device (computer, laptop, iPad, phone, etc) and a stable
WiFi connection to fully participate in the retreat. The NET Team
will lead the young people through games, presentations, video
recorded dramas, music and prayer opportunities. It is our hope that
through these retreats, young people will be inspired to invite
Christ to be at the center of their lives and choose to live in the
fullness of our Catholic faith.
- 9-10 dynamic missionaries to share their
story and engage with young people
- 3 hours of live, virtual retreat content
- Small group breakout room discussions and
activities
- A combination of live and pre-recorded video
presentations
- Guided prayer time
- 2-3 St. Leonard adult parishioners: Trevor
Ibach, Joanne Kile and Colleen O’Mahony-Menton
St. Leonard’s NET Retreat Theme: Who is Jesus?
“We
owed a debt we couldn’t pay; He paid a debt He didn’t owe.” What does
that mean exactly? And what does burnt roast have to do with it? Find
the answer here by diving deeper into what original sin does to us,
how God redeems us, and what you and your breakfast are capable of.
The
facilitators were excellent. Their approach was genuine, thoughtful,
and fun. The retreat was well organized and flowed from big group to
small group activities seamlessly. The videos and guided prayer
chosen were relevant to the age group and kept their interest engaged.”
— Sacramental Coordinator
“Overall,
the retreat was amazing, despite it being a bit different with
everything being online, I was able to look at my relationship with
God in a sort of new light.” — NET Live Participant
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Please
remember your local parish during these extraordinary circumstances.
If you are able to provide financial support to St. Leonard's, please
consider making a donation online or by Interac e-transfer. You can
also mail your envelope to the Church at the following address: St.
Leonard Parish, 5332 Long Island Road, Manotick, ON, K4M 1E8.
Thank You for Your Financial
Support!
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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.
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