August 15, 2021 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Do you ever feel like you could use some help approaching God in your prayers? The Memorare is a prayer that reminds us that we have a wonderful advocate and protector in the mother of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictured at right. In our prayers to her we honor and worship her Son, who is more than happy to listen to His mother’s pleas on our behalf. The Memorare, printed below, invites us to ask the Blessed Mother for her assistance and her grace, especially when we feel most troubled in our daily lives. REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy inter- cession was left unaided. Inspired with this confi- dence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sor- rowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. The actual author of the Memorare is unknown. It has been traditionally attributed to the abbot St. Bernard of Clairvaux from the 12th century. This is possibly because it was championed byanotherBernard, the French priest Claude Bernard, who used it extensively in his ministry to the poor and to prisoners (including some quite hardened criminals!) in the 17th century. Claude Bernard credited reciting the Memorare with curing him of a serious illness. He had some 200,000 copies of the prayer printed up and distributed in leaflets in various languages during his lifetime. (This was no small feat in the days before desktop publishing, Kinko’s and the Internet!) Church teaching holds that Mary is the Mother of the Church andourmother as well “in the order of grace” (that is to say, spirit- ually) as we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 969). Upon her death and assumption into heaven, “God chose her to be the treasurer, the administrator and the dispenser of all his graces, so that all his graces and gifts pass through her hands,” ac- Keep in mind again that when we pray to Mary we also cording to St. Louis De Montfort, the celebrated 18th century pray through her to her Divine Son, Jesus! And she is happy to French priest best known as a champion of devotion to Mary. pray for us and to intercede with Him on our behalf. You’ve proba- Mary’s wonderful role in assisting in our salvation has been bly asked a friend or colleague to pray for you sometimes. Why not praised by many Saints and Church fathers alike over the centuries. ask the Blessed Mother as well? After all, in theHail Marywe ask St. Lawrence Justinian summed up the feelings of many of them for her to “pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” when he once referred to the Blessed Mother as “the ladder of par- As long as we approach her with asinceredesire to do God’s adise, the gate of heaven, the most true mediatrix between God and will and to make amends for our sins, we can ask for her help with man.” confidence. (And, after all, does it ever hurt to get on the good side Do you have a particular problem you feel you can’t share of a loved one’s mother?) with our Creator? Or perhaps you think he’s too busy? When our Lord said to St. John when He was on the cross He’snevertoo busy to hear a sincere request for His aid and guid- “Behold Thy Mother” (John 19:27) His mother became ours as ance. (Indeed, he’s never too busy foranyof us,period!) Still, we well, as mentioned earlier! Don’t be afraid to ask our Blessed are always welcome to ask His mother to help us. In fact this de- Mother for her assistance (or to show her your love!) by praying lights our Lord! the Memorare, theRosary, or many other fine prayers and devo- As De Montfort once put it, by asking Mary to approach Him tions to her. for us “we are practicing humility, something which always glad- dens the heart of God!” (St. Francis de Sales once wrote in this regard that “God so loves humility that He instantly hastens to the soul in which he sees it.”) 110 Old Hojack Lane, PO Box 725, Hilton, NY 144680725 | P: 5853922710 | F: 5853929254 | E: [email protected] | W:www.stleochurch.org MAGNIFICAT BREAKFAST All women are invited to the next Magnificat buffet breakfast at the Brook Lea Country Club, 891 Pixley Rd, Gates on Saturday, September 28. Anne Costa, wife, mother, Social Worker, Author, recovering alcoholic, will be the featured speaker. Anne who is from Syracuse is the bestselling author of six books. Her writing and speaking ministries bring hope, practical help and spiritual healing and address such topics as addiction, suicide, abuse, rela- tionships, boundaries and physical, spiritual and mental health. Anne’s joy is infectious as she shares with others the love of Jesus, His Blessed Mother and the entire community of saints! PreRegistration is required, send a $25.00 check payable to Magnificat Rochester ($27.00 postmarked after 9/11); students $15.00. Send to P. O. Box 24787, Rochester, NY 14624. Include your name, address, phone and Email. Bring a friend or relative and be eligible for a prize. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and the com- SCHOOL SUPPLIES pany of wonderful women. For more information call Diane @ 943 It look like students will be attending school in person this 4759 or [email protected]. You may also go to year. Let’s make sure they have all the supplies necessary to give www.magnificatrochester.org. them all a good start. It has been a St. Leo tradition to collect school supplies and distribute to those in need. RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS All supplies are needed: pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, back- WWMD? pack, glue sticks, rulers, pencil cases, folders in any color, erasers, WWJD bracelets were all the rage about 25 years ago in Chris- facial tissue and more. Donations may be placed in the basket in tian circles. I’ve always wondered if a WWMD bracelet might not the Parish Life Center. make just as much sense, and maybe more. What Would Mary Do? If you or someone you know is in need of supplies, please call I would argue that Mary was the most exemplary steward who Patty Gorman at 3922710x4. We want our youngsters to start the ever lived. Her answer was always, “Yes.” Yes, Lord, I am Your year with adequate supplies. handmaiden. Yes, I will visit Elizabeth, and help her in the last difficult months of pregnancy. Yes, I will bring my son up in the TOO MUCH Mosaic Law and present him at the Temple of Jerusalem. Yes, I You will always be ‘too much’ for some… will give him to the crowds and to public ministry. Yes, I will offer too loud...too soft...too this… too that. him on this Cross, if it be your will. but you will always be perfect Yes, yes, yes. for the people who really love you. Well, I can’t be like Mary, we think to ourselves. There’s an intimidation factor with the Blessed Mother and Catholics some- BOCCE TOURNAMENT WAS A “BALL!” timesNone that almost exceeds that of Christ. Perhaps it’s because Thirteen teams spent last Sunday afternoon playing BOCCE we are in awe of the fact that she was not divine in any wayNshe and raising money (about $1200) for the Knights of Columbus pa- was a mere creation, like usNbut somehow, she always had the vilion. It was a nailbiter right to the end between the “Lawn Rang- courage to say yes. How could she do it, when we find it so hard? ers” and Ron Bourret’s “Electric Well, God certainly lavished on Mary extraordinary graces. Shortz.” The “Electric Shortz” emerged Her lack of original sin liberated her to conform her will to God’s. as the victor with a shocking victory! But God is impatient to give us, too, all the graces we need to be a Thanks to the Knight of Columbus steward in the example of Mary. He’s waiting for us simply to ask. “Chefs” Joe Lee, Mike O’Toole and Just as in Adam we died, so in ChristNthrough MaryNwe live. Scott Pechie for all their hard work. What can we say yes to today, in Mary’s example? Special thanks to Mike O’Toole for NTracy Earl Welliver, MTS organizing the day. We hope to make ****************************************************** this an annual event so keep your eyes There can be no great accomplishment without risk. Neil Armstrong on the ball and practice, practice, prac- Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. Maya Angelou tice! IN NEED OF OUR PRAYER ST. LEO PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Provide a warm and supportive community to aid in the salvation of souls, Please note that several names have been removed from our to promote evangelization, and to serve God, our congregation and our world. prayer list. We will continue to pray for all that are in need of pray- Ministry Team ers. Please let us know if you would like to add a person to the list Rev. Dr. Joseph Catanise, SFO, Pastor; [email protected] or if a name can be removed.