About the Parish
It began on January 23, 1881, as the then-pastor
Rev. Joseph Leo Andreis blessed the congregation using a monstrance sent
by the reigning pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church – Pope Leo XIII.
At 129 years old and in the second millennium, St. Leo
the Great church in Little Italy, Baltimore, is still youthful and
vibrant with a solid base of parishioners, organizations, volunteers and
activities.
Cosmetic changes, such as the installation of a bronze
statue of the patron saint in the outdoor alcove, have been made to the
structure, listed as a national historic shrine. The former St. Leo
School – which closed in 1980 after remaining in session for 98 years -
is now a thriving adult learning center named after a former pastor, the
late Rev. Oreste Pandola, S.A.C.
In 2001 when it celebrated its 120th
anniversary, and during a time when many churches were having
difficulties maintaining parishioners, St. Leo’s saw a dramatic increase
in attendance because of the passion and energy of former pastor Father
Michael Salerno, S.A.C.
Pallotine priests continue to
staff the parish, currently with Father Salvatore Furnari, S.A.C., who
was assigned here as pastor in late 2006.
Annual events such as the pasta dinners and festivals
honoring St. Gabriel and St. Anthony continue to be successful. Active
ministries within St. Leo’s help to spur its growth as it serves the
neighborhood and community.
Parishioners salute St. Leo’s history and all of its
former pastors and families who contributed to the parish in each of
their distinctive ways, making it what it is today … a solid community
of Christian supporters bonded in the Catholic faith who give freely of
their time, talent and funds as their devotion to their beloved St.
Leo’s never waivers.
Excerpted from “The Church of St. Leo the Great:
Celebrating 120 Years of History and Heritage - 1881-2001" published by
St. Leo’s parish in 2001 in commemoration of its 120th anniversary.
Parish
Mission:
Mindful of our role as a faith community within the mission of the
Church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Leo the Great has the
responsibility of preaching theGospel by word and deed. With this view
we strive to provide a house of worship where the spiritual and corporal
needs of our parish family are met.
MASS SCHEDULE
Weekdays
8 a.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
Sundays 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Holy
Days of Obligations: 8 a.m.
Holy
Day Vigils: 7 p.m.
ROSARY
Recited approximately 30 minutes before WEEKEND Masses
Recited immediately after WEEKDAY Masses
PENANCE
Confessions are heard 30 minutes before the liturgy. Also by
appointment.
ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT
Every Friday after 8 a.m. Mass
VISITING the SICK
Eucharistic Ministers will take the host to the homebound on the first
Friday of each month.
MARRIAGES
Couples who want to be married in the Catholic Church are to make
arrangements with the pastor one year in advance of the intended wedding
nuptials. Either the bride or groom must be a registered and practicing
member of the parish for at least a year before being allowed to
schedule a wedding at St. Leo’s.
BAPTISM
Before scheduling a Baptism, parents must be registered at St. Leo’s for
at least three months and practicing parishioners. Call the parish
office to register for Baptismal Preparation and to set a date for the
Baptism.
PARISH COUNCIL
President: Elaine Kennedy
Vice President: Christopher Mazzulli
Secretary: Mary Bracken
Trustees: William Matricciani, Stephen
Kennedy
ALTAR SERVERS / Youth -
Rita Dziecichowicz, Fr. Sal Furnari
ALTAR SERVERS / Adult
– Bob Zelkoski
HANDS & HEARTS
– Maria Serafini
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI
COUNCIL
– Chuck Walsh, Grand Knight
LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
– Mary Bracken
LITURGY & SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE
– none
MUSIC MINISTRY
- Mary Grace Mazzulli, Director of Music
NURSERY BIBLE SCHOOL
– Becky Woodward
OUTREACH PROGRAM
– Mary Sergi, Eleanor Stein
PANDOLA ADULT LEARNING CENTER
– Rosalie Ranieri
PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE –
Thomas Cardegna
PASTORAL CARE
– Sr. Mary Catherine Duerr
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION / Youth
– Mary Ann Blattermann
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION / Adult (RCIA)
– Fr. Sal Furnari
SENIOR PROGRAM
– Sister Mary Catherine Duerr
SODALITY OF OUR LADY PRESIDENT
– Jodi Weyer
ST. ANTHONY SOCIETY
– Jerry Elliott
ST. GABRIEL CONGREGATION
– Lucy Pompa
SUMMER BIBLE CAMP
– Becky Woodward
UNION OF CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE
– Mary Bracken
USHERS
– Anthony Bruni
YOUTH MINISTRY
– none
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