What Does That Say? Leo the Great Church Very Reverend Justin L. Ward, S.T.L, Administrator We did it! Congratulations! On this Laetare Sunday, indeed we have a reason to "Rejoice." One of the features that you may notice in the new church are the two Latin inscriptions. One of them is March 14, 2021 The Fourth Sunday of Lent Year B on the floor of near the entrance and the other is on the balcony.

Mass Intentions Lector Schedule This week, I wish to offer some brief words on the marble inset that we all pass over as we enter into St. Leo Church 8:00AM 10:00AM the church which reads Sunday March 14 8AM Richard Lyons March 14 Diane Brooker Joyce Weiss 10AM Pro Populo The Aelian Bridge - known as Ponte Sant'Angelo since the Middle Ages for its connection to the history March 21 Casey Trusler Brian Sellers St. Francis Church of the nearby Castel Sant'Angelo – was built between 133 and 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian, to link the March 28 Kay Courtney Joe Veres left bank of the Tiber with his mausoleum, the monumental and majestic tomb he had built, emulating 1PM The Davis Family April 4 Volunteer Needed Jan McDonald the mausoleum Augustus had erected along the Via Flaminia. Please call the Church Office to submit your Mass intentions. Collection During the Middle Ages the bridge became particularly important because it was the only controlled passageway for pilgrims going to 's Basilica – first the one built by Constantine I, and then Baby Drive This week we take up The Catholic Relief Ser- This Lent the CCD program is hosting a Baby vices Collection to help in disguise. This the current, 16th-century one – to visit the first apostle's grave. Drive for the Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Cen- collection helps six Catholic agencies to provide ter. Please contribute newborn baby items such relief and support for struggling communities and Ponte Sant'Angelo is to this day is arguably the most beautiful bridge in the world. Its regularity, sym- as diapers, wipes, clothes, ect. Each classroom to work for peace and reconciliation among our metry, openness to light, and perfect distance between arches and water surface make it a most im- has its own box for donations, and the class that marginalized brothers and sisters here and pressive sight. But most significantly, it is the very bridge that connects the Eternal City to Saint Peter's contributes the most will win a prize. You can around the world. Please prayerfully consider Basilica in the Vatican. also bring the baby items to box at the back of the church. The drive will end on March how you can support the collection. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic- At the end of the bridge, you can see the statues of Saint Peter holding the keys of heaven sculpted by 21. Please consider this act of almsgiving during II Lorenzetto in 1534 and Saint Paul holding the sword by Paolo Romano in 1464. They are inscribed this Lenten season! relief. with the words "Hinc humilibus venia" ("Here forgiveness to the humble") and "Hinc retribuito super- Holy Communion Distribution bis" (Here punishment for the prideful"). Holy Communion will now be distributed at the communion rail at St. Leo. Simply approach in two lines as normal and divide on either side in whatever direction As we pass over the marble inscription each time we come to Mass, we should recall Mary's canticle seems natural. As always, you are free to stand or kneel and receive either on the tongue or which assured us from the beginning that "He casts down the mighty" and "lifts up the lowly" and that in the hand. The rail has been designed with all these legitimate options in mind. His perfect will might always be accomplished. Even every week will not be too often to be reminded that our humility is the only remedy for our pride! At the 8am Mass, the gate will not normally close except to accommodate larger Masses on Feast days. The open space in the middle may still be occupied, especially by those who Offertory Collections will receive while standing. The priest will move on a "typewriter" fashion from left to right. Communicants should return to their pews as soon as they have received Holy Communion Beginning this weekend, ushers at the 10AM Mass will resume taking the collection with baskets dur- so that the next person will fill in their space. ing the Preparation of Gifts. Our baskets are on extended poles and the method is such that parishion- ers need not make physical contact with the basket. At, the 8am Mass and St Francis Mission, please I know that this will take some adjustment but it will be our new habit in no time I'm sure! continue to place your contributions in a basket located at the rear of the church.

Today there will be a second collection for Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collec- Last Week’s Offertory tion provide food to the hungry, support dis- placed refugees, and bring Christ's love and mercy to vul- nerable people here and abroad. Please clearly indicate your donation to the second collection on your 3/7/21 St. Leo $1,397.00 3/7/21 St. Francis $920.00 check or envelope.

(334) 289-2767 · PO Box 937, Demopolis, AL 36732 · [email protected] · www.StLeo.info Contact [email protected] to request to receive this bulletin via email each week.