Welcome, it is May 9, 2008.

Catholic Education
There is an African proverb that says that it takes a village to raise a child. A small example of this nugget of wisdom is the experience of many people in certain neighborhoods, where the parents and families band together to care for the needs of children and collaborate to actually raise these children. Another example is the establishment of schools, both public and Catholic. In the public school system, all are required to pay taxes for the education of our youth. In the Catholic school system, our schools are supported, in part, by our parishes.
We want Catholic education to be available, as much as possible, to all families in our parish. At the same time, the cost of education continues to rise and many families find it difficult or impossible to afford our tuition, which is about half of the cost of education.
As I mentioned at Mass this weekend, this year we are beginning a new effort to assist our families. We are asking our parishioners to contribute to a tuition assistance fund for our school families and to make it more possible for additional children to participate in St. Pius X/St. Leo School. Recently, I sent letters to a group of probable empty nesters who formerly had children at St. Pius X/St. Leo School, asking them to pay it forward, if you will, by helping our current school families who need assistance. Our goal for this appeal is $200,000 over three years or $70,000 for this year. I am beginning to receive a number a of very generous responses. I hope you picked up an envelope in the pew at church this weekend, explaining our effort and I hope you will assist our effort in any way you can. I Think We Can! I Think We Can!

Beyond the Rainbow
Author George C. Pizzo has written a sweet tale,"Beyond the Rainbow" which is available free @ Omaha and La Vista Libraries. Visit him @ Beyond The Rainbow

THANK YOU
Recently, I have received a number of comments from people visiting St. Leo, about the vibrant and welcoming community that we are. I believe this is true because so many of you decide to contribute to the life of St. Leo Parish. I am proud of the fact that others see in us a sign of vitality and hope. We are able, in some small way, to radiate the joy and hope that comes from our faith.
We offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities to parishioners of all ages. This effort is reflected in our Generations of Faith whole community catechesis. We believe that growth in faith is a life-long journey. Many people contribute to this effort, through the specifically tagged Generations of Faith events as well as through other events which address the spiritual and educational needs of all of our parishioners.
Each year at this time, we acknowledge and thank many people involved in our religious education efforts here at St. Leo. They are some of the stars shining brightly, reflecting the light of Jesus to fellow parishioners and to people who view us from the outside. There are many more who reflect this light in other large and small quiet and public ways. I want to express my appreciation to all who contribute to the life of St. Leo Parish, beginning with the generous parish staff and extending to countless volunteer ministers. Your service makes our parish the vibrant, life-giving community that we are.
The overriding theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to our country was the hope that we all share because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Through our generous ministers, we at St. Leo become that sign of hope in our local community. May God bless all of you.
Father Harry

St. Leo Parish Pictorial Directory
St. Leo Parish will be publishing a new Pictorial Directory this year. Olan Mills will begin family photography on April 3, 2008. You can make a photo appointment by:
1) Signing up online: visit www.signup.olanmills.com. Enter the church phone number (402-397-0407) to log in.
2) Or by signing up in the commons after Mass and during the week.
Please call the parish office with any questions.

Book Group
It is not too late to join the Faith Discoveries Book Group to discuss New Earth by Ekhart Tolle. The members will be discussing that book again on Saturday, May 10, 9-10:30 in E5 on the east side of St. Leo's. Note the change in meeting date: Saturday, May 10. Hope you can join the discussion!

School Registration
St. Pius X / St. Leo School is accepting registrations for all grades pre-school through grade 8 for the next school year. Please call the school office at 551-6667 for information.

Use the CARE Program
Recently a parishioner came in to buy over $1000.00 of CARE for Lowes, since they were engaged in a remodeling project. Since Lowes provides a 4% profit to the CARE Program, the school received over $40.00 in income from this one purchase.
This got us to thinking about the possibilities of purchasing CARE to benefit St. Pius X/St. Leo School not only for your regular weekly purchases, but also for those occasional larger purchases you make. These larger purchases offer a greater possibility of income for the school with very little effort. All CARE is available in the office.
The following are possibilities for the near future:
Pamper your mom with a card for Mothers Day from Bath &
Body Works, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Coldstone Creamery, Starbucks or Scooters, etc.
Take mom to brunch or dinner with a card from: Applebees, Granite City, Outback, Cheesecake Factory, Valentinos, etc.
Treat the graduate with a gift card from: Best Buy, Borders, Kohls, Penneys, Shopko, Younkers, Itunes, etc.
Pay for a pre-nuptial dinner with gift cards from: Granite City, Old Chicago, Bonefish Grill, Romeo’s, Olive Garden, or Valentinos.
Gas cards for your summer travel from: Shell, Sinclair or BP.
Buy your gardening supplies with a card from: Home Depot, Lowes, Shopko, Menards, Wal Mart, etc.
Surprise Dad with a gift card for Father’s Day from: Cabella’s, Bass Pro Shop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Famous Dave’s, etc.
Say “thank you” to someone who watches your home while you are away with a card from: Applebees, Fazoli’s, Culvers, Carrabas, Chipotle, etc.
Use cards from one of the following restaurants for a summer family gathering: Valentino’s, Pizza Hut, Ruby Tuesday, Red Lobster, or Chilis.
Stock up on Fast Food Cards for your kids to use during the summer: Burger King, Arbys, Runza, Subway, TCBY, Wendys, etc.
Encourage Summer Reading with cards from: Barnes & Noble and Borders.
Prepare for House & Yard Spruce up projects with: Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards.
Purchase your prescriptions with cards from: Walgreens, Walmart, & Shopko.
Stock up with summer groceries with cards from: Bag-N-Save, Bakers, No Frills, Whole Foods, Wohlners or Wal Mart.
Purchase school uniforms with a card from: Dennis Uniform.

Camp for Children with Disabilities
The Elden F. Curtiss Retreat and Conference center is sponsoring a Camp for Children with Disabilities on Friday, June 13th, 2008.
"Camp Possible" is a one day camp for children with disabilities who are currently in grades 4-8th. The day camp will include crafts, swimming, roasting marshmallows, dance/yoga and Mass. The staff of the camp will be trained professionals who are accustomed to working with children with disabilities. An optional spiritual support program will also be offered to parents during the camp day.
The Archdiocesan Retreat and Conference Center is located at 245 and Q Street. Registration is $20 and the camp is limited to 20 children. To register, please contact Mary Eileen Andreasen at 402-551-9003 or 888-800-8352.

Fr. Tim Forget
On Wednesday, May 14, take a trip to Clarkson, NE to visit Fr. Tim Forget. Our first stop will be Bluebird Nursery in Clarkson, NE. We'll tour the nursery and have the chance to buy plants. Then we'll head to Fr. Tim's church, St. Cyril & Methodius for Mass. Lunch will follow at a cozy cafe in Lee (on your own). Transportation cost is $20. We'll leave St. Leo at 8am and return by 3:30pm. Sign up soon by sending in your check. Call Sarita, 397-0407 with questions.

Camp Counselors Needed!
The Elden F. Curtiss Youth Camp and Retreat Center near Elkhorn, Nebraska is seeking fun, energetic and faith-filled people to serve as camp counselors, kitchen staff and waterfront personnel for the 2008 Camp Season. Applicants must be 19 and out of high school one year, and must be available for overnight training June 1-5 and for 5 overnight camp sessions from June 29-August 2nd. Lifeguard Training and First Aid/ CPR certifications preferred, though not mandatory. Contact Tom Murray at
402-332-3384 or tpmurray[at sign]archomaha.org for more information or an application.

Parish Council Elections
Parish Council Elections to be held in May!
If you, or someone you know would like to run for Parish Council, please call or stop by the parish office for a form. Here are 10 great reasons why we need you!!!
Top Ten Reasons to Run For/Serve On Parish Council
1.You get to meet great people who are active in the Parish
2.You can voice your opinion and move the Parish forward
3.You learn much more about the inner workings of St. Leo
4.You learn so much more about all the active ministries at St. Leo
5.You have the opportunity to collaborate with Parish staff and various ministries
6.You get to come to the annual Christmas party at the Parish house and the food is scrumptious!
7.You get to see the inside of the Parish house
8.Your spouse always knows where to find you on the 2nd Tuesday of every month
9.You have a "date" with Fr. Harry every month (except for summer)
10. Free Parking

Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is June 10, 11, 12, and 13. If you are interested in attending a preview to help pick the theme, and/or coordinating Vacation Bible School, please call Sue at the parish office. The first planning meeting will be February 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Global Outreach
Host a Student and Assist Global Outreach in Rebuilding the Church in Eastern Europe... Global Outreach is a program in which high school students from Eastern Europe come to the United States to refine their English language and servant leadership skills as well as experience a year in a Catholic High School with an active Catholic family.
The GO program in Omaha currently needs host families for the 2008-2009 school year for GO students who will attend Skutt, Roncalli, or Gross High Schools. Other families in St. Leo's Parish who have hosted GO students are: Dave and Liz Sambol, 393-0686, or Dave and Mary Egan, 491-3031.
If you are interested and have questions you can contact either family or call Sister Marie Ostry at 455-2994 or email her at mostry62[at sign]hotmail.com.

Parish Bulletin Board
Check out our Parish Bulletin Board here for listings for daycare, things for sale and other want ads.

Advertisers
Don't forget to check out our advertisers on the back of the bulletin.
Their ads make this bulletin possible, so thank you for supporting them.

If you are interested in helping maintain this web site, contact Ed at edcarlsen[at sign]tconl.com