ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA www.stleofairfax.com December 2, 2012

Will it always be night?

Will ne’er a ray of sunshine pierce the gloom?

And a new day lead on to joy?

A faint light glimmers through the narrow ri�, a witness

That the sun sets never and soon will rise again,

Yes, that the light on which men turned their backs,

The Lord will bring again, with power and glory,

And found his everlas"ng kingdom!

I believe in Advent!”

As we enter into this season of Advent, may we

who are imprisoned by our own fears and doubts, believe

again in the coming of the one who has never le� us –

Jesus, the cause of our joy! Perfect love drives out all fear.

In Christ,

Rev. David A. Whitestone, Pastor

Parish Advent Penance Service and Individual Confessions There will be an Advent Penance Service Sunday, December 16, at 7:30 pm in the Church. We plan to have at least 14 priests to hear individual confessions. Please plan

to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to participate in the sacrament before Christmas.

Dear Friends,

“It is truly right and just, our duty and our

salva�on always and everywhere to give

you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and

eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

For he assumed at his first coming the

lowliness of human flesh, and so fulfilled

the design you formed long ago, and

opened for us the way to salva�on, that,

when he comes again in glory and majesty

and all is at last made manifest, we who

watch for that day may inherit the great

promise in which now we dare to hope.”

The words of the first preface for Advent (the

prayer which introduces the Holy Holy and begins the

Eucharis"c Prayer), speaks of Christ’s coming in the

“lowliness of human flesh” as his first coming. This first

coming, in which God the Son is incarnate or became man,

“opened for us the way to salva"on”. It is the beginning

not the fulfillment. God the Son began to live as a man so

that he could die freely offering himself as the perfect

sacrifice to God the Father for the forgiveness of our sins.

The manifesta"on of Christ’s love in Bethlehem in the

manger is but the beginning of the revela"on of the saving

power of God.

The first coming of Christ will be followed by the

second at the end of "me, when all will be “made

manifest” and the “glory and majesty” of Christ will be

known by all and shared with those who have said (and

lived) “yes” to the Son of God. We begin this season of

Advent quite naturally fixed on Christmas Day as the

terminus or goal, however, the prayer of the Church calls

us to look beyond, to look forward, and to live with a view

to the future coming of Christ at the end of "me. May we

who dare to hope inherit this great promise.

I share again the words of Father Max Josef

Metzger, a Catholic Priest martyred by the Nazis in 1944:

“He knows not Advent’s meaning who has never sat

By twilight in a dreary cell, its window dim;

Even by day comes liCle light into the narrow space.

Evening falls, slowly steals away the sun.

Night throws her gloomy mantle round the room,

Terrifying, impenetrable.

O Come Divine Messiah: O Come Divine Messiah: O Come Divine Messiah: O Come Divine Messiah: Historical Reflections on AdventHistorical Reflections on AdventHistorical Reflections on AdventHistorical Reflections on Advent

Reflections on the history of the Season of AdventReflections on the history of the Season of AdventReflections on the history of the Season of AdventReflections on the history of the Season of Advent by Father Ramon Baezby Father Ramon Baezby Father Ramon Baezby Father Ramon Baez

Monday evenings Monday evenings Monday evenings Monday evenings November 26 & December 3 at 7:30 pm, November 26 & December 3 at 7:30 pm, November 26 & December 3 at 7:30 pm, November 26 & December 3 at 7:30 pm, in the Guadalupe Room, Parish Hall.in the Guadalupe Room, Parish Hall.in the Guadalupe Room, Parish Hall.in the Guadalupe Room, Parish Hall.

Questions? Questions? Questions? Questions? Contact Carolyn Smith Contact Carolyn Smith Contact Carolyn Smith Contact Carolyn Smith

at carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com at carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com at carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com at carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com or 703or 703or 703or 703----273273273273----7277.7277.7277.7277.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Monday Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday Is 25:6-10a; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12;

Lk 1:26-38 Sunday Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

MASS INTENTIONS

December 3 through December 9

Mon.: 6:15 Rosario Misterio 9:00 Mary Bendzak 7:00 John Canan

Tues.: 6:15 Isabel Osorio 9:00 Al and Irene Demuth 7:00 Mary Fromme

Wed.: 6:15 Mary Carmen Laney 9:00 James Willis 7:00 Valeria Wieczorek

Thurs.: 6:15 Alexander Rios 9:00 Virginia Boschi 7:00 John Sadler

Fri.: 6:15 Brian Schiavetti 9:00 David Lamprey 7:30 Mary Bendzak

Sat. 7:30 Roger Samuelson 9:00 MSgt and Mrs. Anthony Jagiello 11:00 Joseph Monacella 1:00 Carola Lago 5:00 Dean, Mary and Tim Scott

Sun.: 7:30 For the Parish 9:00 Rose and Joseph Cesarini 11:00 Anthony B. Maenza 1:00 Special Intention 5:00 Special Intention

In addition to the regular schedule of Masses, Mass has been offered for the following intentions: Ann Kernan, Sr. Kathleen Newitt, IHM, Ann Kernan, Betsey Clark, Special Intention.

BAPTISM CLASS IS MANDATORY at Saint Leo. The next class is Tuesday, December 11th at 7:30 pm in the St. Mark room. Please call the rectory office (703-273-5369) to register.

Low Gluten Hosts are available for those who need them. Please inform the sacristan before Mass begins.

—Please remember in your prayers the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, especially: Jay Bistay, husband of Ann Bistay; Ronald Kelly, nephew of Frank Kelly; Joseph Zelibor, father of Karen Zelibor;

—We ask you to remember those in need of our daily prayers, especially: Gerry Poehler.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Saturday, Dec. 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 7th at 7:30pm and on Saturday, Dec. 8th at 7:30am, 9am, 11am, & 1pm in Spanish. In anticipation of the Holy Day, we will have all-night

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning after the 7:30pm Friday evening Vigil Mass and ending just before 7:30am Mass Saturday. Please sign up for periods of adoration on the chart in the vestibule.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Bilingual Mass

and Celebration: December 15th, at 12

noon with a celebration following Mass in the

School gym.

EVENING MASS AND EUCHARISTIC

ADORATION DURING ADVENT: The

season of Advent has begun. To help

prepare our minds and hearts for the birth

of our Savior, Saint Leo parish offers an

extra Mass each weekday evening at 7:00pm. There

will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament between

the 6:15 and 9am Masses each weekday.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

The second collection this weekend is

for the sisters and their work with the

elderly poor. The Little Sisters conduct

Saint Joseph’s Home for the Aged in Richmond. For

over 130 years, these Sisters have cared for the

aged who have limited resources. In order to

maintain their home, the Sisters go out daily to

solicit gifts of money and food for their Residents.

Please be generous.

BLESSING OF PARENTS TODAY: On the 1st Sunday of each month, St. Leo features a blessing for Expectant and Adopting Parents in support of life & family. The blessing will take place after the 9am Mass in the church. Parents in any stage of pregnancy or adoption process are invited. THE 11 AM MASS TODAY, December 2nd, is for the souls of those parishioners, family members and friends who have died during the last month. There will be a silent mini-retreat/evening of recollection for women at Saint Leo on Tuesday, Dec. 4th from 7:30-9:00 pm. Sponsored by Opus Dei. Call Peg: 703-620-4945.

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA www.stleofairfax.com December 2, 2012

A VOCATION VIEW

“Strengthen your hearts in holiness.” Are you being called to grow in holiness as a priest, deacon, religious brother or sister? Call Father Brian Bashista: 703-841-2514, or write him: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org.

THE GIVING TREE Each year, Saint Leo St. Vincent DePaul Society puts up the Giving Tree in the church vestibule. The ‘hearts’ decorating the tree have descriptions and sizes of gifts requested by needy families. These families, all in the Fairfax City area, have been interviewed by SVDP members to learn what children & adults could really use. A number of heart requests will also assist the homeless & babies of unwed mothers. We ask you to share the joy of Christmas with someone in need by taking a heart from the tree and providing the gift described. Please put your unwrapped gifts in a gift bag with the hearts attached. On Sundays, place them in the large decorated box next to the tree. During the week, gifts must be taken to the rectory. Gifts need to be returned no later than Monday, Dec. 10th.

As established in past years, toys for children will not be requested on the hearts. Instead, clothing and educational gifts will be emphasized. Thank you for your generosity.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Faith & Food at P.J. Skidoos Join your parish priests at P.J. Skidoos,

9908 Fairfax Boulevard Fairfax,

on December 10, at 7:00 pm, for an

evening of fellowship & lively discussion over dinner

(appe�zers on us!). Be sure to bring your friends! All ages

are welcome! To suggest topics or submit ques�ons you

would like answered, please contact Carolyn:

carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com or 703-273-7277.

Rite of Christian Initiation and Adult Confirmation RCIA classes have begun. Now is the perfect time for you to prayerfully consider whether God might be calling you to join the Catholic Church or to invite someone else to do so. If you are already Catholic but would like to catch up on sacraments you may have missed along the way, or, you would just like to learn more about your Catholic Faith, you are also welcome to join us. Classes are on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00pm in the Guadalupe Room. The Word of the Lord: 7 Essential Principles for Catholic Scripture Study Steven Smith, Ph.D., will be at St. Leo on Monday, December 17, at 7:30 pm to give a presentation on his new book, The Word of the Lord: 7 Essential Principles for Catholic Scripture Study. He will be sharing some important insights about Sacred Scripture. Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture at Mount Saint Mary Seminary. The presentation will take place in the Guadalupe Room.

For addi�onal informa�on regarding any of the above

events, please contact Carolyn Smith:

carolynsmith.stleos@gmail.com or 703-273-5369.

Saint Leo the Great

Catholic School

invites interested parents to visit the school and learn what makes us a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

An Open House for Preschool and Kindergarten through Grade 8, for school year 2013-2014 will be held on Wednesday, December 19th from 10-11:30am in Parish Hall. Principal’s welcome will begin at 10am followed by a tour of the school. Applications are available for pickup at the open house, and

during the school day from 9am to 2pm, and on the school website: www.saintleothegreatschool.org Please RSVP to Mrs. Cynthia Washington, Assistant Principal and Director of Admissions at 703-273-1211, ext. 645 to reserve a place. All completed applications, with copies of supporting documents, may be sent through the mail or hand-carried to the school between the hours of 9am and 2pm. Acceptance letters for the 2013–2014 school year will be mailed once completed applications are received. Financial Aid packets are also available upon request. In the event of inclement weather, please check the website, or call the school office, 703-273-1211 for information.

Applications available: www.saintleothegreatschool.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Saint Leo parishioners receive preferential status in Pre-School through eighth grade applications.

In-parish families must be registered.

Welcome Home Are you or someone you know questioning or struggling to accept some aspect of Church teachings, feeling unable to participate in the Church, or that the Catholic faith is irrelevant? Welcome Home is an opportunity for Catholics to find answers & support in a respectful, welcoming setting. The group will meet twice a month on Sunday evenings. Each session will include a brief talk, small group discussions, and opportunities for private individual meetings. We are all on a journey to our true home, and we need each other. Please come, and invite any Catholic who is questioning or away from the Church to find the answers for which they are looking. Meetings will be held December 2 & 16 at 7pm in the St. John Room, Parish Hall. For info, contact Deacon Dave Maurer or Carolyn Smith at 703-273-5369.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Advent Wreaths & Candles and Christmas Wreaths for Sale! Support AWC Crisis Pregnancy Center and decorate your home at the same time! Mixed Wreath with Acorns ($25), Noble Fir Wreath ($20), Advent/Christmas Wreath with Berries & Acorns ($10), Mixed Bunch of Greens ($5), Candle Holder Ring ($10) and 4-pk of Advent Candles ($5). Sun., Dec. 2, after the 7:30am, 9:00am, & 11:00am Masses. Unsold items will be sold at the Knights of Columbus Christmas tree trailer. Paul VI Catholic High School LIVE NATIVITY Sunday, Dec. 9, 6:30—8:00pm (10675 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax) Join us for the Christmas Story - see and hear the story of Christ’s birth. Bring your family and take part in the census; enter the town of Bethlehem and be there for the Angels chorus. There may not be room at the Inn but the storytellers are sure to warm you in the night’s chill. We encourage you to dress as a visitor to Bethlehem, as a Shepherd, or Angel. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the cafeteria. Please join us and be a part of this magical evening. Contact us with questions: campusministry@paulvi.net Project Gabriel: Please give a Gift for Life this season to help Gabriel Project fund a mother's maternity care. One grateful mother wrote, "When I didn't have any other options for my pregnancy, I called Gabriel Project. You gave me hope. My baby's name will be Gabriel." Donate online at www.arlingtondiocese.org/giftforlife

Paul VI Catholic High School is sponsoring College Night for families of 7th & 8th Graders on Tuesday, December 11, at 7:15 PM at Paul VI High School in Heet Auditorium, (10675 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax). Find out what you need to know now when planning for your child’s academic future. For more information contact: lbattle@paulvi.net

Join us for High School Youth Night tonight! Join us

as we prepare for this upcoming season of

Advent! 6-8pm in the school gym. Come

immediately following the 5:00pm Mass for food, fun, faith and

prizes. Open to 9th

- 12th

grade high school students.

Middle School Students: Join us for Edge nights! This Friday,

December 7th

, check in at 7pm as usual, and then we will aCend

the 7:30pm Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Concep"on, followed

by a dessert recep"on to celebrate this wonderful Feast Day!

Families are encouraged to join us! We meet from 7 to 9 pm in

the Guadalupe Room every Friday. Open to grades 6-8th

. An

evening of games, crazy fun, and faith!

To register for high school youth group/RCIT please visit our

website at www.stleosyouth.com.

Are you an adult who has a desire to do rela"onal ministry with

Middle or High School age youth? We're looking for YOU! We

need adult volunteers who are willing to help with our Youth

Nights this school year. Contact Erik or Melissa for more

informa"on, at stleosyouth@gmail.com

Our next Girls CLC mee"ng is this Monday, Dec. 3. Each week we

will break open the Gospel, enjoy cupcakes, and have AWESOME

conversa"ons as we grow deeper in our faith. Come check it out!

7:30-9:00pm, Youth Room. All Confirmed High School Girls are

Invited!

Our next Boy’s CLC mee"ng is Wednesday, Dec. 5th. Join us for

a night of fun and growing deeper in your faith. 7:30-9:00pm. All

Confirmed High School Boys are Invited!

There will be a Workcamp Interest mee"ng Dec. 16th

at 3:30pm

in the youth room (old parish hall). Come and learn more about

this awesome week of service. For teens 9th

-12th

grade.

High Schoolers: Join us for CHRISTMAS CAROLING on Saturday,

December 22! Meet at St. Leo at 10:30am! We will carpool to

Sunrise Assisted Living, & grab lunch a�erwards! Sure to be an

awesome way to spread some Christmas Cheer!

This year, we will compete in the Diocesan One Act Play

Compe""on March 2nd

! It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! IT’S

CHICKENMAN! Are you an actor? Interested in

costumes? Stage Management? This is for you! This year,

we will compete in the Diocesan One Act Play Compe""on

March 2nd

, 2013. Audi"ons for this hilarious, fast paced 3 actor

play are TODAY! December 2, from 2:30-4:30pm. Email

Melissa for more informa"on!

High Schoolers: Mark Your Calendar for February 8-10 2013.

We will be going on the Mount 2000 Spring Retreat! An

awesome way to dive deeper into your faith, and grow closer

to our Lord. Details to come!

Want to stay updated on youth events? Visit our website for the

full calendar & registra�on forms. hEp://www.stleosyouth.com

Religious Education News

12/3 CCD afternoon Confessions for grades 3-6 &

evening Confessions for grades 3-5.

Religious Education Office: 703-273-4868

Heartfelt thanks to David DiPippa, Principal, St. Leo

the Great Catholic School, faculty and students for

their November food collection of 1500 items!

Christmas Wafers, a centuries’ old Eastern European

Christmas Eve tradition, are available for a $3 donation per

package (includes 3 white and 1 pink) Wafers available now

through Christmas at the Rectory office and at the Knights of

Columbus Christmas Tree Trailer 3:30-9 Monday-Friday, 9-9

Saturday, and 9-6 Sunday. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent

DePaul. Info: 703-352-2324.

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA www.stleofairfax.com December 2, 2012

Horarios e Información

Santas Misas:

Español: domingos a la 1:00 pm Inglés: sábados–5 pm (Vigilia), domingos–7:30, 9, 11:00, 5pm

Confesiones en español: Todos los viernes a las 7pm Todos los sábados de 3:30 a 5:00pm. Los domingos desde las 12:00pm a 12:50pm.

Bautizos: Preparación- llamar a Carlos Cea: 703-836-2139 ó Padre Ramon: 703-273-5369.

RCIA Para Adultos: domingos 10:30 am—12pm Salon Juan al lado de la iglesia. Para información, llamar al Diacono Jose Lopez 703-222-7704

Matrimonio: Todo Católico que desee contraer matrimonio debe contactar la parroquia por lo menos seis meses antes del evento. Para mayor información comunicarse con el Padre Ramon al 703-273-5369.

Grupo de Jóvenes: domingos 2:30–5pm— Información: Guadalupe Barrera 703– 655–2729.

Catequesis Para Niños y Jóvenes: domingos 11– 12:30. Llamar a Lee Cena: 703-273-4868.

Catequesis para Niños especiales ó sordos: domingos 11:00am—12:30pm Información - Lee Cena: 703-273-4868.

Sacramentos para Estudiantes de Secundaria: llamar a la Oficina de Jovenes al teléfono 703-591-6089, ó email a youth@stleos.com.

Legion de Maria: lunes 7:30—9 pm ó domingo 11 am—12:30 pm. Llamar a Padre Ramon: 703-273-5369.

Información general: llamar a Diacono Jose Lopez 703-222-7704

Celebraremos la Fiesta de la Immaculada Concepción, día Santo de Precepto, el sábado, el 8 de diciembre. Tendremos Misas el viernes 7 de diciembre a las 7:30pm, el sábado 8 de diciembre a las 7:30am, 9:00am, 11am, y 1pm en espagnol. Como anticipo del Día Santo, tendremos Adoración

Eucarística comenzando el viernes el 7 de diciembre con la Misa de las 7:30pm y terminando antes de la Misa de las 7:30am el 8 de diciembre. Por favor anótense en la lista que estará puesto en el vestíbulo de la iglesia para adoración al Santisimo.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Patrona de las Américas: Tendremos una Misa en honor a nuestra Madre Patrona de las Américas y Protectora de los Niños No Nacidos 15 de diciembre a las 12:00pm Después de la misa pasaremos al Parish Center a tener nuestro compartimiento.

La fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe y las Mañanitas: Todos están invitados a la misa en honor a Nuestra Madre el 15 de diciembre, 2012 a las 12 pm en la iglesia de San Leo Magno. Después de la misa, celebraremos con comida, musica, y baile en el gimnasio de la escuela. Además, todos estan invitados a las 4:45 am el 12 de diciembre para celebrar nuestra costumbre de las mañanitas en la iglesia, y después tendremos un regfrigerio en el Salon de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Para más informacion, llame al 703-273-5369.

Clases de Catequesis para Adultos: ¿Has recibido todos tus sacramentos? Si te falta el Sacramento de Comunión o Confirmación, y eres un adulto mas de 17 años, tienes que inscribirte en el curso de catequesis para adultos (RICA). EL curso te enseña todo lo que necesitas para que seas una persona preparada en la fe. El curso comienza el 16 de septiembre 2012 en el Salon de San Juan a las 10 am y continua casi todos los domingos hasta la cuaresma del proximo año. Para inscribirte, habra una mesa en la entrada de la iglesia todos los domingos hasta el 9 de septiembre. Si necesitas mas información, llamar al Diacono Jose Lopez o al Padre Baez al 703-273-5369.

Grupo Divina Misericordia y Compasión ¿Conoce a alguien que se encuentre solo y enfermo? ¿Sabe de alguien que necesite de la palabra de Dios y de la compañía de miembros de su iglesia? Un grupo de personas de nuestra parroquia visita a los miembros de la comunidad que se encuentran enfermos en los hospitales ó en sus casas. Se brinda oraciones y compañía a todas aquellas personas delicadas de salud. Tambien un ministro le puede traer comunión ó puede pedir que un sacerdote le visite para recibir los sacramentos. Por favor llamen a Gilma Orozco al 571-238-6634.

Cambio de charla de bautismos para el mes de diciembre: La clase de preparación para bautismos de niños ha sido cambiada desde el 15 al 22 de diciembre, 2012. La razón es porque la Misa de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe sera el 15 de diciembre a las 12 pm en la iglesia. La clase regresara a su horario normal del tercer sábado del més en enero 2013, o sea el 19 de enero.

Christmas Trees The Knights of Columbus are

selling Christmas Trees in front of Saint Leo

School weekdays: 3:30-9pm; Saturdays: 9am-

9pm; and Sundays 9 am- 6 pm. Sales start

Sunday Nov. 25 & continue through noon

Saturday December 22. There will be Fraser Firs and

Scotch Pines. Proceeds from the sales support the Knights

of Columbus’ charitable activities.

¡Vamos a Adorarlo! - Todos los últimos sábados del més, adoramos al Santisimo Jesucristo durante una Hora San-ta. Estan invitados a la proxima Hora Santa que sera el 26 de enero 2013 a las 6:30 pm en la iglesia.

Grupo de Oración Sábados 6-8:30pm, Salon de Nuestra Sra de La Guadalupe. Información: Jose Ferrufino: 703-250-1343.