Welcome, it is October 14, 2008.

Youth and Religion: What's Really Going On?
In December 2004 a study was published titled the "National Study on Youth and Religion: Analysis of the Population of Catholic Teenagers." We in the youth ministry community have been un-wrapping these findings for some time now. I won't bore you with the statistical details; however, I will share some of the findings.
• Most teens embrace some religious identity, are affiliated with a religious organization, and feel positive about religion and their congregations.
• Most are happy to accept the religion in which they were raised, however teens appear happy to "go along and get along", meaning it is not an active commitment. Most teens say the most important influence on their religious and spiritual lives is their parents. The best "predictor" of what the religious and spiritual lives of youth will look like is what the religious and spiritual lives of their parents do look like.
• The more they attend Mass and participate in religious programs, activities, and groups, the more they participate and engage in religious practices. More is more.
• Most teens are tongue-tied about their faith, practices, and beliefs, and it's meaning in their lives. Religion is in the background of their lives; valued but not invested in, unfocused, and not a priority.
• Most believe in God, but feel that the central goal of life is to be happy and feel good. God does not need to be particularly involved in their life except when He is needed to resolve a problem.
• When forced to choose between religious activities and other activities, teens typically choose other activities. Cultural forces of individualism, mass-consumer capitalism, and the digital communications revolution have a large affect on personal choices made by teens.
I don't know about you, but the statements above could describe me on any given day.
Generally young people like being Catholic. Most youth plan to attend a Catholic parish and remain Catholic. Most Catholic youth are interested in learning more about their religion and say their religious faith is important in making important decisions. Highly religious teens appear to be doing much better in life than less religious teens. Involvement in church activities fosters healthier and more engaged adolescents who live more constructive and promising lives.
Rarely has a generation of young people been so interested in spirituality and religion and open to experiences of the holy and the transcendent. Now is the time for us to proclaim the challenging and life - changing Good News of Jesus Christ; one that emphasizes worship, service and justice, and participation in our faith community.

St. Leo the Great Returns--The Sequel
He's back! St. Leo the Great returns for the 30th Anniversary celebration on November 9th. What will he say about our Parish? What has happened in 30 years and what is coming? Come and see the Great pope and doctor of the church, and enjoy donuts and refreshments.
We need all types to be a part of this great Donut Theatre. If interested in helping, please contact the parish office.

ONE SUNDAY FOR THE WHOLE WORLD
Next Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI calls every Catholic in the world to celebrate our vocation to be missionary. It's World Mission Sunday! As Catholics around the world — here at home and in the Missions - gather at the Eucharist around the table of the Lord, we are to pray for the Church's worldwide missionary work. We pray for those awaiting the "Good News" of our Lord's great love for us and for the missionaries who offer the poor and suffering the light of Christ. And we are to offer financial help through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for more than 1,150 dioceses in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Islands.
° A gift of $25 would be a month's support for a young woman preparing to serve as a Religious Sister in Mali
° A gift of $60 is a month's education for a seminarian in Nigeria
° About $50 a month helps a local Religious Community of Sisters in Thailand care for girls in need
° Just $20 helps toward the purchase of a bicycle for a catechist in Kenya
We will take a second collection next weekend for World Mission Sunday. Envelopes can be found in your St. Leo envelope packet. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETING
Please join us on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7pm for a meeting to educate and inform ourselves about social justice issues in our world, country, and community. Please send us your e-mail if you would like to be informed electronically. Email can be sent to sarita[at]stleo.net.

VOTING FOR THE COMMON GOOD
A Practical Guide for Conscientious Catholics
Our Church's social teachings call us to consider a broad range of important issues - on everything from poverty to war, human rights, abortion and the environment. There is no Catholic voting formula, and there is rarely, if ever, a perfect candidate. Visit www.thecatholicalliance.org for more info.

Healing Bereavement Conference
All hospital, homebound and assisted living facility visitors and Sunday Communion visitors are invited to a two-part Healing Bereavement Conference at St. Leo given by Sr. Joan Houtekier on October 13 and 20 from 4 - 7:30pm. A soup supper will be served. No charge for St. Leo parishioners. Please RSVP to Sarita at 397-0407 SOON and pick up your free gift - the book Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart at the parish office.

Save the Date!!
On Monday, October 27, 7-9pm,
at St. Pius X Parish Center, Debbie Sheehan will present to parents a program titled, "Love, Sex, and Media."
Why should parents attend?
-to actively reflect upon the meaning of human sexuality
-to raise parental awareness of the values communicated to children by the media sources
-to improve parental communication skills with regard to sexuality Debbie Sheehan, MA, served eight years as the Director of Formation and Education in Sexuality for the Archdiocese of Omaha and is a wife of 36 years, the mother of four young adults, and grandmother of one precious baby girl.
Questions? Contact Patty Griffith at 558-1898 or at pattyg[at] stpiusxomaha.org. This program is made possible through the efforts of the Strengthening Catholic Families team at St. Pius X.

A Note from our Parish Nurse
October is "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" The month is focused on encouraging women to take care of their own breast health, by practicing regular self breast exams, making sure to schedule an annual mammogram.
Please check out more info on the bulletin board in the lobby--if you have any questions or need a buddy to go with you for the mammogram let me know, Mary Stevens RN, parish nurse 399-8669.

Welcome new participants to the Faith
Discoveries Book Group which meets on the first Saturday of every month. The next meeting is November 1, 9-10:30 am in E-5. To prepare for the November 1 discussion, please read any book by or about Mother Theresa. Come to share your reflections about the book or Mother Theresa, her spirituality and her work. Hope to see you on November 1. ?s: Call Linda at 493-0261 or Sarita at 397-0407.

The Liturgy Corner - Our Sound System
Our Sound System - Half Way There
First of all, thank you to all who have donated so far. Over $1,300 have been raised. This puts us about half way to our goal. All donations toward this project are being matched dollar for dollar by a generous parishioner.
For those of you who do not know, we are in the process of much needed updating of our sound system. These updates will enable us to check all the sound equipment before and during the mass to ensure that everything blends well no matter who is speaking, playing, or singing.
The real goal will be for you to never notice a thing, as if everything is as it should be.
Along with financial support, we are in need of a few more volunteers to manage this equipment. For more information, contact Kelly: kelly[at]stleo.net 379-0407 ext. 212.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
" In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, 'it is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human purpose...As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life' " (nos.1913-1915). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship, No. 13

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.

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