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St.
Leonard Catholic Parish
The First Sunday of Lent: Resisting
Temptation
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Good news for our Lenten
journey! Physical
distancing and Mass registration are no longer required for all
Church services. 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, the
Parish Hall continues to be set-up with social distancing.
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This
weekend we mark the First Sunday of Lent. Every year we start Lent
off with the Gospel story of Jesus being tempted by Satan. Temptation
is something we all deal with, whether it is from Satan or our own
human nature. But do not fear. In today’s Gospel reading we receive
wisdom from God to challenge, question and overcome our temptations
just as Jesus did.
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The
first temptation seemed innocent enough. Why not call on God’s help
to satisfy one’s hunger? The reply of Jesus is surprising: “One does not live on bread
alone.” (Luke 4:4) Our greatest desires are not satisfied
by food and water alone. We need and yearn for our spirits to be
nurtured. And only staying faithful to the one true God can satisfy
that deepest of yearnings.
The
second temptation is for power and glory in exchange for the worship
of Satan. Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written You shall worship the
Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” (Luke
4:8) This should sound awfully familiar to all of us. Jesus knows His
Bible and is not afraid to use this reference to the First
Commandment to fend off the tempter.
The
third and final temptation is for Jesus to show His power by allowing
the angels to save Him. Jesus said to him in reply, “You shall not put the Lord,
your God, to the test.” Luke 4:12) Jesus will not be
fooled into proving Himself to the evil one. Neither should we!
Lent
is the season for us to be spiritually renewed. Over the next 40
days, let us confront our evil tendencies with prayer, regular Mass
attendance, with the Sacrament of Confession, and with the meditative
reading of the Bible. Knowledge of the Bible prepares us for the
moment of temptation by enabling us know how Jesus would respond to a
similar situation. And finally let us avoid occasions of temptation
this Lent by sharing our love with others through our humble service,
our almsgiving, and our helping of those in need. When we are focused
on doing good, temptation is less likely to arise.
Looking
forward to sharing Lent with you this year. Please check out the
Worship section below for Mass times and public health requirements
as we continue to be attentive to our neighbour’s safety.
God bless you folks, Father Gerard
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▶ Deuteronomy 26:4-10 - Thanksgiving for the lord's goodness
▶ Romans 10:8-13 - The faith of the Christian
▶ Luke 4:1-13 - Temptation
in the Desert
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With
Lent officially underway, we kick things off with the account of
Jesus' temptation by Satan in the desert.
After
40 days of fasting (symbolic of the Israelites 40 years of desert
wandering), Jesus meets the devil who tries to lure him into sin.
Tempted by the sensual
pleasure ("turn this stone into bread"), fame across
all kingdoms ("I will give you power and glory"), and power ("throw
yourself down" from the mountain), Jesus rebukes Satan and
emerges from the desert victorious, ready to gradually reveal his
identity as the Messiah of the World.
As
the Son of God, Jesus could never
sin but he allowed himself to experience temptation so that he might
be with us in all things, and show us an example of the nonviolent
path forward.
This
week, be courageous! Ask the Lord, Help me!" whenever you
experience temptation, for Christ is truly with us in this season of
Lent and all the days to come!
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Consider watching the clip below the
award-winning Catholicism series with these questions in
mind:
- Why is Jesus like no other religious leader?
- Do I really believe
that Jesus knows and loves me? Or do I just say that I do? Ask
the Lord for an increase in faith!
- Jesus experienced temptation, just like I do. How
can I remember to ask for his help the next time I am
struggling?
"Repent
of the past briefly and quietly, and concentrate on the present!”
Fr. Benedict Groeschel
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- 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 continue to be required (except for those who
have a valid medical exemption).
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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Supporting Ukraine: As we watch with horror the invasion of Ukraine
continue, we are praying for an end to this injustice and for the
Ukrainian people who are experiencing great hardship. We can see
there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and across Europe
as people flee to safety in neighbouring countries. How can we
contribute materially to help alleviate the suffering this invasion
is causing? Perhaps this Lent, with our prayers and fasting, we can
consider supporting these organizations as part of our traditional
practice of almsgiving or charity. Here are three reputable agencies,
two Catholic ones with established connections to Ukraine and one
well-known secular agency that will use donations to assist those
most in need (Archbishop’s message https://en.archoc.ca/ukraine): Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA); Development and Peace; and the Red Cross.
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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.
While
this Daily TV mass is actually from December, the piece on the Synod
is exceptional and worth the watch. Fast forward to minute 10:10 to
listen:
Questions
on how to Journey together?
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Upcoming St. Leonard Youth
Activities….
Back
by popular demand - St. Leonard’s NET Youth Retreat
Saturday, March 26th,
6 pm – 9 pm
Stay
Tuned for more information
Youth
grade 7 through university please join
us….
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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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