Fr. Salvatore C. Furnari, S.A.C.
Pastor of St. Leo The Great Church

His Biography (click here)

Deacon Kevin Bagley, Deacon
His Biography (click here)

The Parish Council

PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT: John Wright
TRUSTEES: William Matricciani, Stephen Kennedy
PASTORAL CARE: Sr. Mary Catherine Duerr
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Mary Ann Blattermann
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Mr. Christopher Rhodovi
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Lisa Portera

PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS

Sue Corasiniti Jerry Elliott Carmella Walsh Maria Serafini Ray Alcaraz

John Wright Mary Bracken Rosalie Ranieri Jim Plowden Tina DeFranco Donna Matricciani

ALTAR SERVERS - YOUTH & ADULT

Both youth and adult altar servers assist the celebrant during Mass by participating in the entrance and offertory processions, helping to prepare the altar for the Eucharist, holding the book of prayers throughout the Mass, ringing bells during the Consecration, and standing with the priest and Eucharistic Ministers during Communion. Young parishioners who wish to serve on the altar must have already received their First Holy Communion.

Youth coordinators – Fr. Salvatore C. Furnari; Deacon Kevin Bagley;
 Adult coordinator – Bob Zelkoski

 

HANDS & HEARTS

    Our mission is to fulfill Christ’s call to “Love one another as I have loved you” by serving the Greater Baltimore area.

    We use our Hands to provide food and clothing to the needy, we use our Hearts to comfort the suffering, and we serve our community of St. Leo the Great.

     We feed the homeless Tuesdays at 4:00 PM in the Church Hall. We meet second Sundays at 10:30AM in the School Hall.

All are welcome. For more info or to volunteer, contact us at our website address:
www.littleitalyhandsandhearts.org

Mike Dominelli, President



 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS / ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI COUNCIL
Click Here for Information about Upcoming Events, Officers and Other Activities

A council belonging to the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world, focusing on prayer and fraternity among members. Commited to serving, helping and supporting the Church and parish, family, community, youth and the unborn, through fundraisers (nationwide Tootsie Roll campaign); donates Christmas gifts and funds to the Johns Hopkins Center for Addiction and Pregnancy, sponsors seminarians, honors the family and servers during a special Mass, volunteers at festivals. Council has 45 members.
Meets first and third Thursday, 7 p.m., church hall.

Francis Blatterman, Grand Knight

A motorcade honoring the recently deceased Mayor William Donald Schaefer wound through the city late in April, 2011. Above is part of a crowd that gathered to celebrate his life as it passed thru Little italy.

The late Harry Stein (left) and Fran Blatterman (right) of the St. Vincent Pallotti Chapter, both parishioners of St. Leo's Church, proudly represented the local Knights of Columbus Council.

 

 

 

LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

During the Liturgy, lectors proclaim aloud the First and Second Readings at the pulpit, in addition to the Prayers of the Faithful. Eucharistic Ministers assist the celebrant in distributing the host to the congregation.

Mary Bracken, Coordinator

 

LITURGY & SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE

Committee members Josie Costello, Mary Jean Delauney, Angela Elliott, Nancy Menefee and Carmella Walsh join together to coordinate this important ministry whose function is to bring the faithful in closer union with God through Sacraments and liturgy. Duties include coordinating novenas, planning dates and times for special Masses such as the Latin Tridentine, overseeing the Rosary recited after weekday Masses and before weekend Masses, and planning the crowning of the Blessed Mother during the May procession. The committee also prays for, and urges people to pray for, the Right to Life movement. Deacon Kevin Bagley is Chairman of this committee

 

MUSIC MINISTRY

The music program is headed by cantor Mr. Christopher Rhodovi. The choir sings on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at the 5:30 p.m. Mass. The St. Leo's Folk Group, headed by Greg Malanowski, can be heard on the first and third Sundays of the month at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Singer and guitarist Paul Rafferty assists as a song leader in the folk group and as a cantor. Ensembles and song leaders are accompanied by organists John Beyers and Mary Griffin.

 

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 12-STEP PROGRAM

This program utilizes space at St. Leo’s, however, is not directly affiliated with the parish. N.A. is a nonprofit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Recovering addicts meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

Meets Wednesdays, Church Hall at 7:30 p.m.

NURSERY BIBLE SCHOOL & SUMMER BIBLE CAMP

Available for families during the 9:30 a.m. Mass for children ages 1.5 and up; uses creative crafts, handouts and stories relating to the Bible. Drop off children in church hall before Mass begins. A week-long Summer Bible Camp is offered for children ages 2.5-up.
Becky Woodward, Coordinator

NOTE: READ "STAND TRAINING" INFORMATION. click here

 

OUTREACH PROGRAM

Through local product donations from area businesses and private monetary donors, sandwiches and a bagged lunch are prepared weekly and distributed to St. Vincent de Paul Society and other nearby centers for the underprivileged.
Meets Fridays for food preparation 8:30 a.m., church hall; delivery 4:30 p.m.

Mary Sergi and Eleanor Stein, Coordinators

 

PARISH COUNCIL

Representing the parish community, the Parish Council shares responsibility with the pastor for the life, mission and ministries of the parish by providing an open forum of communications regarding actions of the parish; actively encouraging the engagement of parishioners in the life and ministries of the parish; and making recommendations to the pastor about its needs and goals.

Elaine Kennedy, President   
 

PANDOLA ADULT LEARNING CENTER www.pandola.baltimore.md.us

The Pandola Learning Center is housed in the former St. Leo’s School and offers cultural classes, traditional classes, Spanish and many levels of Italian. Whether you’re a beginner, novice or youngster, there is a language lesson tailored just for you, plus a slew of other exciting classes in which to learn, grow and cater to your artistic soul.

Rosalie Ranieri, Principal
Susan Corasiniti, Vice Principal

PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE

An essential committee for any parish, the Finance Committee reports on, and advises and proposes the parish budget in conjunction with the parish's mission statement. It oversees the implementation and maintenance of  complete and accurate bookkeeping and accounting system in accordance with archdiocesan policies.

Pat Cahagan, Chairman.


 

PASTORAL CARE

Visits shut-ins in the neighborhood to administer Communion, share the parish bulletin, and spend time talking; visits nursing homes such as Future Care in Camden and Stella Maris in Timonium or any other nursing home where a parishioner may be in rehab. Mary Ann Blattermann and Sister Joan Ramus assist with this ministry.

Sr. Mary Catherine Duerr (Holy Union Order), Coordinator.
  
 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - YOUTH & ADULT
Deacon Kevin Begley, Director

Youth Religious Education currently includes a no-fee program for first- and second-graders on Sunday mornings to teach the Word of God and prepare second-graders for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation (penance). The program runs September through May and is open to children and grandchildren of registered parishioners; the students also participates in the Crowning of the Blessed Mother in May. The Religious Education program will gradually expand to include higher-grade levels. Held in the parish hall Sunday mornings beginning at 8:15 a.m.

    Mary Ann Blattermann, second-grade teacher
    James Woodward, first-grade teacher
    
Adult Religious Education includes RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), a weekly sacramental preparation program for adults who wish to become Catholic. This intense program begins in September and culminates at the Easter Vigil where participants simultaneously receive three Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Weekly classes are held Saturdays 10 a.m. in the parish hall.

RICA Teachers: Fr. Salvatore Furnari, , Dr. Peter Green

NOTE: READ "STAND TRAINING" INFORMATION. click here
 

SENIOR PROGRAM

Since 1997, this group of senior citizens has been gathering in the school hall for camaraderie and prayer, coffee, lunch, card games, bingo, and birthday celebrations. They also partake in Advent and Lent spiritual reflection, plan bus trips, and offer holiday celebrations throughout the year. All senior citizens of the parish are welcome to join.
Meets Tuesdays, 11 a.m., school hall.

Sr. Mary Catherine Duerr, Coordinator
 

 

SODALITY OF OUR LADY

The purpose of this organization is to foster in its members an ardent devotion, reverence and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary. Any female or male Catholic, resolved to being faithful to the Sodality, is eligible for membership.

Jodi Weyer, President

 

ST. ANTHONY SOCIETY

Originally established after Little Italy was spared from the 1904 Baltimore fire by praying to St. Anthony, this society centers its devotion around the saint as members assist the underprivileged and homeless of the city, provide financial assistance to the parish on special projects, and plans an annual summer Italian festival in his honor, including a street procession carrying the St. Anthony statue bedecked with ribbons.
The mission of the St. Anthony Society is to promote continued devotion to our Patron, Saint Anthony of Padua. Sponsors various fundraisers including the St. Anthony festival, and provides a Christmas dinner for the area homeless. Stands ready to assist St. Leo’s and provide for the church in whatever it may need.

Jerry Elliott, President

 

ST. GABRIEL CONGREGATION

Founded in Baltimore in 1928, the St. Gabriel Society observes the annual feast day of the saint in August with a Mass, street procession and Italian festival. This group sponsors dinners and fundraisers, helps at the parish homeless dinners, makes funeral home visits, helps community members, visits the sick, and answers requests from the pastor to assist with anything the parish may need: repairs and/or special purchase of a statue or altar scarves. St. Gabriel Congregation rewards two $2,000 scholarships to high school students of Calvert Hall College and Institute of Notre Dame, who are of Italian descent and the child of a parishioner. Members pay $10 annual dues.

President: Dominic Pompa

UNION OF CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE / ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI SOCIETY

Originally active in the 1950’s, this society began again at St. Leo’s in 1998 with a mission to help those in need – both in and out of the parish community. Their common goals include: spiritual/material works of charity; activities, prayers, and financial assistance; share in spiritual benefits resulting from these commitments; and attend spiritual retreats.


Mary Bracken, President
 

USHERS

The mission of the ushers is to welcome those attending Mass, and to assist and direct parishioners and visitors, distribute bulletins, oversee the collections and assist at special Masses and funerals as needed.


 

YOUTH MINISTRY

Plans events, outings and programs centered around the youth of the parish to assist them in staying focused on their faith, to become more involved in parish activities and to bring them closer to God.

Rita Dziecichowicz, Coordinator

NOTE: READ "STAND TRAING" INFORMATION. click here