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 the Gospel 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.
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
OF THE SICK
Eucharistic Ministers will take Communion 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.
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