Sharing opportunities to (re-) engage in Parish Life
- Re-familiarize with all the ministries and activities available at St. Leo
- Are you looking to get involved in meaningful activities for you and your family?
- Get (re-) involved with St. Leo parish in a post-Covid world
How to get (re-) involved at St. Leo
There are plentiful opportunities to get involved and contribute time and talent to parish life at St. Leo. Here’s a summary, with key people to contact for each ministry:
SOCIAL CONCERNS: Provides food, clothing, Christmas gifts and donations to various local organizations in need. Events include The Christmas Wish Tree, Thanksgiving Meal at the New Covenant Center (NCC) in Stamford, Food Drives for the NCC pantry, preparing and serving lunch at the NCC the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, an annual Clothing Drive, an Easter Flower sale and a Christmas Poinsettia sale.
Key Volunteer Needs:
- Christmas Wish Tree team captains to liaise with beneficiary organizations. Assistance on sign-up days and sorting packages.
- Volunteers who can prepare and serve the lunch at New Covenant Center the 2ndThursday of each month.
- A chairperson/coordinator for the annual Clothing Drive.
- A coordinator for the Christmas Poinsettia sale.
- General volunteers who can help at event sign-ups and as needed
Contact: Carol Kennedy: cjkennedy@optonline.net
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Grades 1-8
Mission: To help our students acquire and deepen their Catholic faith and identify through initiation rites, instruction, and formation of conscience, and to encourage them to embrace, celebrate, and practice their faith through worship and service to others.
Program Overview: Our program is committed to providing quality catechesis to students who attend public and private school. We administer the sacramental programs of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation for all children of our parish. (This is in addition to the ongoing parish or school catechetical program.)
- Grades 1-6: Provides formation in traditional Catholic Christian beliefs. Each grade builds upon the previous grade information.
Grades 7 – 8: Study the Life of Jesus.
Key Volunteer needs: Teachers/catechists
Contact: Eileen Towne, Director of Religious Education: etowne@stleostamford.org
LITURGY:
- St. Leo Music Ministry: A community of people who love to sing and add to the celebration of Liturgy. We meet, we practice, and we laugh. Come and join us. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.
- Altar Servers: Great way for to get involved in the Mass
- Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors: Appointed by pastor from those interested
COFFEE/DONUT SOCIALS: After 10am Mass. Need set-up teams September-May, usually two Sundays a month.
Contact: Gianna DiMartino: kittycat17@optonline.net
ST. LEO FAIR: The largest group of parishioners volunteering for the good of the parish. We work hard, but we have fun because we are doing it together as parish family and friends. This year is our 42nd Fair and as always we need your support, your talents, and your time.
Key volunteer needs: Always looking for help of all kinds; specific sign-ups in the summer
ST. LEO SENIORS (55+): Gathers for coffee, tea, donuts and good conversation once a month in the Church Hall, usually every third Wednesday 10 am to 12 noon to visit with each other, meet old friends, make new friends, hang out, and chat.
Contact: Judy Sarnelle: nsxsurgeon@aol.com
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY (+/-18-39): Crossroads 4 Christ (C4C): Gathers young adults together to grow in faith and friendship centered in Jesus Christ. Each C4C Chapter hosts weekly “C4C Nights” where members encounter Christ in the Eucharist and in one another. Led by a group of young adults, C4C serves as a launchpad to a life of missionary discipleship.
Contact: Gianna DiMartino: kittycat17@optonline.net
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): The process by which an adult or young adult becomes familiar with the Christian way of life, specifically in the Roman Catholic tradition.
The RCIA is for those who seek to become full members of the Catholic Church, including:
- Those who were never baptized
- Those who were baptized into another Christian faith and who are now considering a decision to join the Roman Catholic Church
Those who were baptized Catholics but have not completed the process through reception of the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation
Volunteer Opportunities for RCIA: Sponsors and Catechists.: Share your faith and what it is like to be an active, practicing Catholic at St. Leo Parish with others who are seeking faith and a parish to which to belong.
Contact Kathy Heslin: KatemHeslin@gmail.com
DEVOTIONS:
- Women’s Bible Study: Walking with Purpose (WWP): Combines personal study with small group discussion, linking our everyday challenges to the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.
If you desire to grow in your faith—in a supportive community of Catholic women—Walking with Purpose is for you! Meets Thursdays, 7-9pm
Meeting/dinner for anyone interested in learning more on Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 in the Hall. A new study program begins in April.
Contact: Sandy Schwoerer: sandyschwoerer@optimum.net - Friends of Divine Mercy: A group of St. Leo parishioners who come together regularly in the Spring and Fall to build our faith community at St. Leo through prayer, reading and discussion of interesting, relevant books and through seeking opportunities to put into action Divine Mercy in our lives. All are welcome to join us on Thursday mornings from 9:30- 11 AM. Light refreshments are served
Contact: Kathy Heslin: KatemHeslin@gmail.com
- Daily Rosary: Begins immediately following the 8:30am Mass – approx. 9:00 am, Monday through Friday.
Monthly lunchtime rosary (pending interest)
Contact: Katie Arnau: ktcreativeresources@gmail.com