M Message from the Pastor.
Most of us, if we are honest enough to admit it, believe that happiness comes through receiving. Do you recall the main character in the Charles Dicken’s novel A Christmas Carol? His name was Ebenezer Scrooge. He was unhappy not because of a failure to receive but to give. This I submit is the most important message of Christmas. Many of us feel we will be happy if we receive (pick one): a house, car, job, promotion or a relationship. Christmas is a good time of year to remind ourselves of the truth. The most important message of Christmas is that of joyous giving. Giving not for sordid gain, but to give for its own sake. It is the message of A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life by the great Italian-American director Frank Capra. It is one of my favorite movies. Giving is the message of the first Christmas. The baby in Bethlehem’s manger was a gift, a present from a loving Heavenly Father to his lost, lonely and hurting children. A gift that scripture says brought: “good tidings of great joy to give and receive alike.”
My dear ones, my prayer for this Christmas season is that God bless all of you in a special way and bring you true joy, not in a material sense, but a spiritual one. I also pray that the new year brings you peace.

Saint Blaise
Feast Day ~ February 3       Patron of Throat Illnesses

Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of.the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said.
Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.
Very few facts are known about St. Blaise. We believe he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early 4th century.
The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death, the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles.
Eventually, Blaise was killed by the governor. He was martyred by being tortured, beaten, attacked with iron carding combs & beheaded. He died in the year AD316.
Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those
with throat maladies.

Fr. Sal will bless throats in honor of St. Blaise on:
Saturday, January 28th ~ after the 5:30pm Mass,
Sunday, January 29th ~ after the 9:30am & 11:30am Mass,
Friday, February 3rd, The Feast Day, after the 8:00am Mass.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PREMIUM RAFFLE
$2,000.00 Grand Prize.
________________________________
Drawing will be held on ~
Sunday, March 11, 2012 1 – 4 PM St. Leo’s School Hall
(details here)

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The Knights of Columbus is requesting nominees for
“ Family of the Year”
If you know a family that belongs to St. Leo’s Church and exemplifies Catholic family traditions, please notify Dominic Pompa @ 410.765.7321. Thank You! saries, religious

Meeting Schedule for Saint Leo’s Societies and Organizations

St. Leo’s Societies and Organizations will meet in the Church Hall on the following Sundays:

The Union of the Catholic Apostolate–January 22nd

Saint Anthony Society – January 29th

Sodality of Our Lady – February 5th

The Knights of Columbus – February 12th

Hands & Hearts – February 19th

Saint Gabriel Society – February 26th