The Church of St. Leo the Great ST. LEO PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

A Stewardship Parish which gathers at 167 Lake Avenue, Hilton, New York 14468

The mission of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church is to provide a warm and supportive community to aid in the salvation of souls, to promote evangelization, and to serve God, our congregation and our world.

West by Northwest

A Cursillo Ultreya Center of the Rochester Diocese

Ultreya meets last Saturday of each month

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 12, 2018

THIS WEEK AT ST. LEO’S

Mass: Mon. 5:30 PM; Tues.-Thurs. 8:30 AM; Fri. 8:30 AM Com. Serv. MONDAY - August 13

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 5:30 PM Mass 6:00 PM Youth Ministry Summer Program, Room 5 6:00 PM RCIA, Room 3 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM Group Reunions

TUESDAY - August 14 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 7:00 PM Rosary at Mary’s Shrine, weather permitting

WEDNESDAY - August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:30 AM Mass 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 7:00 PM Mass

THURSDAY - August 16 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

FRIDAY – August 17

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SATURDAY –August 18

11:00 AM Jessica Andrychuk/Justin Christensen Wedding 1:00 PM Katie VerWulst/Charles Toland Wedding 3:30 PM Confessions 4:30 PM Rosary 5:00 PM Mass

SUNDAY - August 19 9:30 AM Mass

10:30 AM Social Justice Meeting, Room 5 7:00 PM LifeTeen Mass

ST. LEO’S “DASH FOR CA$H”

Most area churches have a major fundraiser each year. The St. Leo fundraising committee is hop-ing the “DASH FOR CA$H” will become our major fundraiser. The DASH FOR CA$H raffle

will give one lucky person $3000 in cash, the 2nd place winner will get $1000, and 2 third place winners will each receive $500.

As an incentive to sell tickets, the seller of the 1st place cash drawing will receive $100.

There will also be a separate drawing for sellers: for every 3 tickets an individual sells, YOUR name is en-tered into a drawing for $100; sell 6 tickets you will have two chances for $100, 9 tickets, three chances, etc.

Each St. Leo family is asked to sell at least 3 Raffle tickets; you can buy them yourself, sell them to your family,. friends, neighbors or coworkers. The drawing will be held on Saturday, October 6, at St. Leo’s Wine Tasting Event (more on that later) and winners do not have to be present to win. If you have any questions, call the Parish Office at 392-2710. If you didn’t pick up your tickets this weekend they will also be available next weekend, August 18/19. Please do your best to make this fundraiser a success! It will be if everyone participates.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED

Our Social Justice mission is to help the poor. Let us help prepare our less fortu-nate brothers and sisters start the school year right with the necessary supplies. A box in the Parish Life Center is wait-ing for your donations of pens, pencils,

paper, folders, back packs, glue sticks, etc. Donated sup-plies will be distributed to the Hilton School district fam-ilies, to St. Leo teachers and St. Leo parishioners who teach in other schools.

SIGNS:

In a non-smoking area: “If we see smoke, we will as-sume you are on fire and will take appropriate action.”

On a Maternity Room door: “Push, Push, Push.”

Outside a Muffler Shop: “No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.”

From our Youth Minister, Michele Pechie:

YOUTH TESTIMONIES FROM STEUBENVILLE!

“This weekend drew me closer to God with every talk that I heard and music that was played. But especially during Adoration when Jesus was exposed in the Monstrance and I felt his Fatherly love.” “On Friday evening during praise and worship and Adoration. It was easy to feel and truly know that God was there and we had an under-standing of each other” “I experienced God in a special way throughout the weekend and words cannot describe how it impacted me. The talks were very powerful and I learned lessons and advice that I will carry and pass on to others.” “My favorite part of Steubenville was Saturday night in Adoration. I felt like God just wrapped his arms around me and hugged me. I just started crying.”

Note: Thanks to our teens for sharing such wonderful insights!

Make a Friend - Be a Friend - Bring a Friend to Christ

FEAST OF THE

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15

MASSES 8:30 AM AND 7:00 PM

ADORATION: 9:00 AM until 6:30 PM

Page Two

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYER Paul Bajer Denise Bashta Harry Blossick Shirley Brenna Sam Coirazra Robin Curatalo Allison Davis Marcel Defever Wayne Dreher George Edelman June Edelman Mary Fronckowiak Liz Fullwood Pamela Godshalk Walt Horylev Jim Hough Charlie Hubia Richard Kirchhoff Bernadine Kubitz Connie LaVilla Barb Lill Edward Moats Eric Munson Rosemary Mykins Karen O’Brien Nicholas O’Hara Nicholas Rosien MaryAnn Rotolo Lois Ryan Mary Sauer John Schiffhauer Karen Schneider Marilyn Walker Michael Weldon, Jr. Bob Wilhelm Don Wilkens Gerry Wilkenson Bob Zenosky and all others in need of our prayers.

Stewardship: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful com-mitted citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Talent: Thanks to Mrs. Pechie, Mr. Norris and St. Leo’s for the Altar Server and Youth Group Day at Seabreeze.

Treasure for August 4 & 5, 2018 Parishioner households using envelopes contributed: ..... $5,905.00 Visitors and others contributed: ....................................... $1,254.42 2 Children using envelopes contributed: .................................. $.15 Miscellaneous Additional Funds: .................................... $1,390.00 Collection for Propagation of Faith: ................................ $1.111.00 Needed weekly: ............................................................. $10,810.00 Received this week: ......................................................... $9,665.57 Weekly Shortage: ....................................................... $<1,144.43> Weekend Attendance: ................................................................ 572

CHOIR POSITIONS OPEN

POSITIONS OPEN: Soprano, alto, tenor, bass, No others need apply. PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must be able to lift the spirits of others, and be able to carry your part. EXPERIENCE: Application accepted from those who have sung, hummed, or whistled around the house or in their car. WAGES: Joy in God’s Service, with personal and spiritual satisfac-tion, and a retirement plan that’s out of this world. HOURS: Monday evenings from 7:00 until the director gets tired or 9:00 PM, whichever comes first. Warm-ups at 9:00 AM in the Music Room before Mass. Overtime opportunities at the rate of thanks-and-a-half. VACATION: Summers! HOW TO APPLY: Call the head honcho, Patty Gorman @ 392-2710; speak to any choir member; call Mary Ann Hubbell 392-3824 for the bell choirs, or call the Parish Office at 392-2710. We cannot always be at every rehearsal, but we can always do our best.

Keep a song in your heart!

THANKS FROM ANA RIVERA & MARGARET HOUSE

Thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our goal and collected over twenty-two hundred dollars! We also received various offers of cribs and furniture as donations. The next step is to order the furni-ture for the room that we are sponsoring. We will be posting pictures of the finished room in the future. Again, thank you to all of the gen-erous donors in our community! - Ana Rivera

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations!

Let us remember in prayer;

Genevieve Conley, Robert Annlot,

Yekvarta “Eddie” Yildirim,

Sr. Ann Marie Hayes, O.C.D.;

Sr. Lily Ann McBride, SSJ; Sr. Mark Rumble, SSJ; Eternal rest grant unto them

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

SUPPORT OUR BULLETIN ADVERTISERS

Support Those Who Advertise in Our Bulletin! The St. Leo Parish Bulletin is provided for our parish through the gen-erosity of the advertisers on the back page of each bulletin. Please support their businesses. This week we thank two new advertisers:

John Mance personal and business consulting

www.mancecoaching.com

and

Jo’s Diner - 444 North Ave.

When you visit them, be sure to mention you saw their ad in

St. Leo’s bulletin and thank them for supporting our Parish.

HILTON EAST DRIVER

Dan Schwind will drive Wednesday for the Feast of the As-sumption and Paul Byers and Brian Simpson will drive Sun-day, Aug. 19. ************************************************** Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the Soul. Always make your past self jealous.

20 WEEK CLUB WINNER The winner for Week 15 Mary Ann Smith.

Congratulations!

Our Sanctuary Candle burns in Church this week for Dea-con Lon and his family as he begins his new assign-ment at St. Kateri Parish. We will miss you. From: Your St. Leo family Our Sanctuary Candle burns in the Divine Mercy Chapel this week for the students starting college this fall or returning to their studies. Your St. Leo family will pray you have a successful year.

Third Banns The following couples feel God’s call

to the vocation of marriage: Katie VerWulst and Charles Toland

Jessica Andrychuk and Justin Christensen As we joyfully proclaim their Banns, may we support them and all the young people of our Parish by our prayers, and by the example we give them as we live with commitment our own vocations.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Monday - Sts. Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs 5:30 PM Margaret Gratto (Sharon Prince)

Tuesday - St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr 8:30 AM Rodney Kerr (Sal and Marilyn LeChase)

10:00 AM Karen Sauers (Ellen Johnson) - Mass at Hilton East Wednesday – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A Holy Day of Obligation 8:30 AM Kurt Gurgel (St. Leo Staff) 7:00 PM Margaret Gratto (Ginny Murray)

Thursday - St. Stephen of Hungry 8:30 AM Lori Ann Pulicci (Aunt Elaine DelVecchio)

Friday - Weekday 8:30 AM Communion Service

Saturday - Weekday 11:00 AM Wedding of Jessica Andrychuk and Justin Christensen

1:00 PM Wedding of Katie VerWulst and Charles Toland 5:00 PM Paolo DeLuca (Wayne, Lori and Marc Randall)

Sunday - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30 AM Loretta Gammell (Steve and Diane Gabriel) 7:00 PM Judson Pechie (Joe and Nancy DiBattisto)

Parish Ministry Center 585 392-2710 - hstleoch@dor.org,167 Lake Ave - P O Box 725 - Hilton, NY 14468-0725 Web Site: STLEOCHURCH.ORG; Fax: 585-392-9254 Ministry Team Rev. Dr. Joseph Catanise, SFO, Pastor Fr.Joseph.Catanise@dor.org - Phone ext. 3, then press 1 Denise O’Toole, Administrative Assistant Denise.O’Toole@dor.org - Phone ext. 3, then press 2 Dominic Salamida II, Director of Christian Formation Dominic.Salamida@dor.org - Phone ext. 3, then press 3 Patricia Gorman, Director of Music & Liturgy Patty.Gorman@dor.org - Phone 3, then press 4 Sharon Prince, Bulletin Editor Sharon.Prince@dor.org - Phone 3, then press 5 Michele Pechie, Youth Minister Michele.Pechie@dor.org - Phone 3, then press 6 Deacon Lon Smith - - Phone 3 then 7 Deacon Jim Steiger - Jim.Steiger@dor.org - 392-9558 Finance Council Chair: Stephen Carges HSLeo.FinanceCouncil@dor.org Pastoral Council Chair & Co-Chair: Mark Zieziula, 392-5353, Stewardship Council Chair: Co-Chairs: Carol Jones and Brenda Herman Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please contact the Parish Office, 392-2710, concerning the needs of the sick, hospi-talized or shut-ins. Those unable to attend Mass regularly will have Holy Communion brought to their homes. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Those who choose to worship regularly with us are invited and welcome to formally join our parish community offering your time, talent and finan-cial support. Call the Parish Office, 392-2710 to register. CHRISTIAN FORMATION - On-going education for Pre-School through adults. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: (R.C.I.A.) Our faith community invites anyone who is interested in becoming Catholic or wishes to be fully initiat-ed into the Catholic Church by their Sacraments contact Mary Lou Rosien, mrosien@me.com or 594-2621. SACRAMENT OF MINISTERIAL PRIESTHOOD (HOLY ORDERS) Interested in serving the People of God? To proclaim the Gospel, preside at Liturgies, see Fr. Joe. If interested in becoming a Deacon, see Fr. Joe. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Contact the Parish Office, 392-2710, as soon as you become engaged. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Contact Carol Steiger at 392-9558 or CSteiger@rochester.rr.com six months before the anticipated birth date. Parent class is required. WILLS: Please remember St. Leo Church in your will to ensure the future of our Catholic tradition.

SCRIPTURE CORNER Do you want to spend time in prayer each

day? A good way to begin is to read or reread the daily Scripture readings. Readings for the week of August 12 2018

Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:4-8/Eph 4:30—5:2/ Jn 6:41-51 Monday Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c/Mt 17:22-27 Tuesday: Ez 2:8—3:4/Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Wednesday: Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab/1 Cor 15:20-27/Lk 1:39-56 Thursday: Ez 12:1-12/Mt:18:21—-19:1 Friday: Ez 16”1-15, 60, 63/Mt 19:12 Saturday Ez 18:1-10/Mt 19:13:15 Sunday: Prv 9:1-6/Eph 5:15-20/Jn 6:51-58

Pray for our Seminarians

Page Three St. Leo Church, Hilton, NY Website: www.stleochurch.org August 12, 2018

TRAVELING VOCATIONS CHALICE

Our Parish gratefully acknowledges that

Sue Lorz will host our Traveling Chalice this week.

“SOULCORE” PRAYER AND THE ROSARY

Are you finding it hard to find time for prayer and exercise? Do you want to deepen your meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary? “Soulcare might be just the answer you are seeking. “Soulcare” is a movement that combines core strengthening, stretching and functional exercises with the prayers of the Rosary. Kristen Muir is becoming an instructor to integrate our body and soul in prayer, fully orienting the

heart and mind toward Christ, while discovering the beauty of the Rosary. Classes will begin in the fall, any fitness level is welcome. Visit www.soulcare.com or call Kristen at 709-1836 if you have any questions.

MAGNIFICAT BREAKFAST

The next Magnificat Breakfast will be held on Saturday, September 8, from 9:30 AM until 12 Noon at the Diplomat Banquet Center on Lyell Ave. Fr. Bill Moorby, a Priest in the Rochester Diocese for over 36 years will be the guest speaker. Fr. Moorby is the former Charismatic Renewal Diocesan Liaison. “My journey to the priesthood was a journey that I had not expected.” Having been to college, in the Army and a grocery produce manager, he realized he wanted “something else.” He began to seek God’s will that led him to the priesthood: “God’s plan right along.”

Plan to attend this prayer, testimony and praise breakfast and hear his story. Registration before Sept. 1 is $20.00; after deadline cost is $22.00; students are $12.00. PayPal may be used at: www.magnificatrochester.org. or send a check payable to Magnificat Rochester, P O Box 24787, Rochester, NY 14624 and include name, address, phone, & email. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Strange but true It was famed journalist and news anchor Edward R. Murrow who made the fol-lowing sage observation: “Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn’t mean you are wiser that when it reached only to the end of the bar.” A society is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Anon.

HILTON LOCATION Mon & Fri. 7:30 AM-2:30 PM

Tues. 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Mike’s Automotive Major and Minor Repair (585) 392-7799

Mike Liccione 650 Lake Ave, Hilton, NY

mikesautomotive1@frontier.com

Services for people with disabilities

and those living with chronic illnesses

1099 Jay Street, Bldg. J • Rochester, NY

585.339.9800 www.cccsrochester.org

Jo’s Diner 444 North Ave (Rte 259) @ Curtis Rd.

Hilton, NY 14468 • 585-392-7720 Tuesday-Sunday 6:30 am - 2:00 pm Friday for dinner 6:30 am - 8:00 pm

Knights of Columbus Meets 4th Tuesday 7PM

Jose Rivera Grand Knight

To place an ad call the Parish Office @ 392-2710 St. Leo the Great, Hilton, NY

Thomas A. Rohr Attorney & Counselor at Law

109 Lake Ave - Suite 210, Hilton, NY

4 doors from St. Leo’s St. Leo Parishioner

Tel: (585)663-7050 Fax:(877)775-4686

E-mail: taprohr@aol.com

This Space

Is Available! Call 392-2710

ARE YOU IN“FORMED”?

The best Catholic content all in one place

Direct link through our Website: Stleochurch.org - then click on: :click here for St Leo access: U get 24/7 access to the best

Catholic programs on your computer, smartphone,

and tablet with internet access.

SAINTS OF THE WEEK

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day August 15 The event of the Assumption directly into Heaven of Mary with her mortal body concludes the earthly events of her life, bearing her to a higher dimension. The Assumption of Mary, as explained in the catechism of the Catholic Church presents a particular involvement in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and anticipates the resurrection of all Christians. This concept has been clear since the earliest period of the Church, for which reason it often appears in apocryphal literature; it was defined in dogmatic terms only in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. St. Helen, Mother of Constantine Feast Day August 18 Helen (Helena, Ellen), mother of the emperor Constantine, was born in Bithynia, an ancient region of Asia Minor, around 250. Around 312 she converted to Christianity. During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land she found the cross of Christ and ordered con-struction of the church of the Nativity and the Holy Sepulcher. She died in 330. St. Ambrose was the first to present Helen’s im-portant role in the finding of the true cross. Helen is depicted in imperial robes with a cross. She is invoked against storms and fire and by those in search of lost objects, She is the protector of dyers and makers of needles and nails. Helen is from the Greek and means “tough.”

This space Is

Available Call 392-2710

This Space

Is Available! Call 392-2710

$2.00 off any bill over $15 Kids under 10 eat free for dinner

(1 free child dinner/with adult dinner)

This Space

Is Available! Call 392-2710

Be More. - Do More. - Have More. - What do you want? Are you ready for the life you deserve? Gain clarity on your goals and find out how I can support you with fulfilling them.

John Mance — Visit: www.mancecoaching.com

Schedule complimentary session with me. Personal and Business Consulting

john@mancecoaching.com - 585-313-9504

This Space

Is Available! Call 392-2710

MERCY BRIDGES “FIELD OF HONORS”

On Thursday, September 6, a Mass for Veterans, Active-Duty Military & First Responders will be held in the Mercy Center Chapel, 1437 Blossom Rd. at 7:00 PM. All are welcome.

On September 7-9, over two hundred American flags will decorate the lawn of Mercy Center to pay tribute to veterans, active members of the military, and first responders, such as police officers, fire fighters, and emergency responders. Flags will bear the name of the honored individual, as well as the individual’s rank, branch of service, war/campaign served or organization.

The Field of Honor will be open to the public Thursday, September 6 to Sunday, September 9. All are welcome to tour the patriotic display and take a moment to appreciate the sacrifices made by those honored on the flags. Flags will be illuminated at night as part of the Honor Vigil.

If you would like to purchase a flag to be displayed in the Field of Honor call 288-2710x121.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE

Beginning Experience (BE) is an international peer support ministry for widowed, separated, and divorced adults. The weekend program helps participants deal with the natural grief process and offers an opportunity, through God, for dealing with the pain of loss and moving into the future with renewed hope.

The next Beginning Experience. If you would like more information, please contact Beginning Experience at (585) 987-1750 or visit www.beginningexperiencerochesterny.org.

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Join experienced Tour Hosts Deacon Dick and Rose Marie Lombard for the trip of a lifetime, an eight-day pil-grimage beginning January 29, 2019 to Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem and more. Experience firsthand the places where Jesus was born, taught and carried his cross. Sail across the Sea of Galilee, walk the Way of the Cross in old Jerusalem and pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. Safe, first class accommodations, daily Mass - an experience you will never forget. Contact Deacon Dick at 259-3846 or isaiah43ministry@gmail.com.

IT’S STRANGE ISN’T IT?

Isn’t it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping? Isn’t it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at church, and how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie? Isn’t it strange that you can’t find a word to say when you are praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend? Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or Zane Grey book? Isn’t it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God, to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, under-stand, extend, and repeat gossip? Isn’t it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bi-ble? Isn’t it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there? Isn’t it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send mes-sages about God, we think twice before we share it with others? Isn’t it strange! **********************************************************************************************

After every storm there’s a rainbow, no matter how long it takes to show up. Smiles are free, so share them. Smile, someone is thinking of you. Throw kindness around like confetti Be fearlessly authentic!

“Live your life every day with no regrets, it’ll be worth it.” In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. Do something today that will encourage you to blossom. Wherever you are, be all there.

Don’t look at the clock. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. Write a letter to a friend... And send chocolate with it. Throw kindness around like confetti. You are never too old, and it is never too late. In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. Inhale the future, exhale the past. Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take. Be the sculptor of your dreams.

THANKS FROM DEACON LON, SUSAN AND NIK!

My family and I wish to extend our most sincere “Thank You” to all at St. Leo the Great Church. The last six years of ministry have been very rewarding for Susan, Nik and me.

Thank you to all the people of the parish Together, we have travelled the journey of life for this relatively short time. We have shared the joys and sorrows of

life. Together, we have seen the face of the parish change with the new Parish Life Center. Wow, what an accomplishment! Onward … press forward in stewardship!

Together, we have taken on some great projects to serve the poor in our parish, the Hilton community and beyond. Sock-tober, undie-Sunday, and 40 Cans for Lent to name a few. In the words of Betty Henner …”You can’t out-give God!”

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus Council 9641 Together, through the last six years, under the guidance of our Past Grand Knights: Ray Ward, Carm Camestro and our

current GK Jose Rivera, we have accomplished great things. We have held fast to the pillars of our brotherhood (Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism) and have accomplished more than most dare dream of. Obtaining the “Double Star” Award is truly a rare achievement.

Thank you to our Altar Servers You are true exemplars for Christ. Continue to serve the Lord at Mass and in your lives. Thanks for making Nik feel so

welcome. Thank you to the Staff Together you have worked tirelessly to keep so many ministries going in the parish. If anyone looked “under-the-

hood”, they would be amazed at how much goes on to keep St. Leo’s running on a limited budget. We are so thankful for the many ministry opportunities to participate in. Check the calendar, there is simply no white space. Awesome job!

Thank you to Fr. Joe Together, we have spent six years sharing in the ministry. We have felt most welcome. Especially during the wind

storm when we stayed at the rectory (Even our dog thanks you). We have shared the joys and difficulties of ministry. You have encouraged me to work on the three aspects of the diaconate: munus docendi, munus sanctificandi and munus regendi. Gracia Mille.

Thank you, Jesus, for these past six years of ministry. May we continue to embrace the words of Mathew 25:35, ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.’ I pray Christ continues to guide us in ministry.

The spirituality of the deacon (and his family) is one of service. The model “par excellence” is Christ the servant, who lived totally at the service of God, for the good of men. You, the people of St. Leo’s, have been Christ to us.

Peace and Blessings, Susan, Nikaulas and Deacon Lon

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a doctrine which teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary had its beginnings in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th century. An annual feast honoring Mary gradually grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death called the Feast of Dormition (“falling asleep”). As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection and the glorification of Mary’s body as well as her soul, and the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary was made an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.