We will meet Sunday, July 19 in Brenny Hall in Elizabeth.

We are preparing to leave on July 24 for the 2026 St. Paul Steubenville Youth Conference. This year, we have broken our previous record for youth attending the conference, with a group of 36 youth going! Please keep all the youth attending the conference in your prayers, and we ask especially that you keep our group in your prayers for a safe and fruitful weekend. Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Join us for St. Leonard’s annual Pork in the Park on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. behind St. Leonard Church during Art in the Park.

Enjoy a delicious slow-roasted pork dinner with homemade potato salad and baked beans, or choose a pork sandwich meal.

Dine-in or take-out available. 

Cost: Dinner $13, Sandwich $8, Kids (11 & under) $6.

We hope to see you there!

Sunday, July 26, we welcome Father John Guthrie of the Bismarck Diocese as celebrant for the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at OLV.

Father John is visiting relatives in the area, and we are grateful for his help while I attend my 50th Crosier High School class reunion this weekend.

I will be on vacation the rest of the week. – Father Alan

We welcome 3 new Stephen Ministers at OLV this weekend: Michelle Lopez, Mary Widiger, and Michael Loreno.

Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-to-one care, bringing Christ's love to those experiencing a difficult time in their lives.

If you are experiencing a difficult time such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or anything difficult, a Stephen Minister can make a difference. 

Please call one of the Stephen Minister Leaders to find out more:

• Peggy Rezac 218-731-5528
• Jennifer Dummer 218-770-1594
• Gail Welle 218-205-2565

Beginning in August, we welcome Deb Forstner (formerly in OLV Elementary Faith Formation) as a part-time Pastoral Assistant.

In her new role, Deb will help us from time to time with funeral preparation, Word and Communion services and some sacramental preparation for families with special circumstances.

These are ministries Deb already has experience with and we welcome her now as Pastoral Assistant!

We are collecting clean Cool Whip containers and lids to use for Fall Festival leftovers.

Please label containers and place them in the kitchen at OLV. Thank you!

Do you enjoy coffee and rolls after the 8:30 a.m. Mass? Please consider volunteering to help. Training is provided. Contact BJ at 218-205-1872.

Greeters, ushers, altar servers & Eucharistic ministers needed—especially for Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass. Contact Diane: 218-205-9002.

• Raffle tickets are available in the church entrance. Please pick up your tickets and any additional tickets you are able to deliver.
• Pork Out worksheets have been placed in parish mailboxes located in the church entrance.
• Collection doors are marked, and donated items may be brought in at any time.
• Raffle prizes can be turned in anytime.
• The Country Store is looking for handmade, sellable items such as embroidered towels, washcloths, dish towels, and baby items.

Thank you for your support in making the Pork Out a success! We look forward to seeing you for Pork Out 2026 on August 23, 2026!

St. Leonard parishioners: If you do not receive your contribution envelopes by Friday, July 24, and would like to, please contact the Pelican Valley ACC Office at 218-736-2429 or contact@ffolvchurch.org, or stop by the St. Leonard church office on Wednesdays from 3:00–6:00 p.m.

St. Leonard is seeking ushers, altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to serve at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. If you are interested in serving, please contact the parish office at 218-863-5161 or speak with Dolcar.

Needing chairpersons for the Roast Beef Dinner on October 21.  We have all the info from past years to use for the events. Please contact Julie Ann Holt at 218-731-4781.

Biblically, the root of this practice is the notion of a “burnt offering”. In the Old Testament, things of value (usually sacrificed animals) would be burned and thereby offered to God. The smoke was a symbol of the sacrifice of praise ascending to God.

Catholics who light candles are making an offering to God of prayer and praise. The fire of the candle symbolizes ardent love.

The flickering light also seems to say, “Remember me, Lord, remember my prayer and those for whom I pray.”

Addiction in many cases stems from trying to ease a struggle we have, and instead of taking care of whatever that struggle is, we self medicate.  Addiction, not only alcohol or substance abuse, takes many different forms. Some forms are just brushed off as “that's just who he/she is.” Many times it seems innocent, with rationalizations like “this does not hurt anyone, how can it be so bad?” But our bodies start depending on the “medicine” and soon we can't seem to exist without it, and the more we get, the more we need. There is hope however. As always, Jesus has the power and really wants us to bring it all to Him. There are great resources for addiction help and therapy for the mental condition or pain that might have caused us to reach for the medicine in the first place.

“And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” - Ephesians 5:18

St. Otto’s Cemetery continues to seek your financial support for several important cemetery needs.

If you would like to make a special memorial donation or would like more information, please contact Mark Graff at 218-205-0528.

To donate, checks can be made to St. Otto’s Cemetery, and send to 207 N. Vine St., Fergus Falls, MN, 56537, or drop off the church office at 207 N. Vine St.

Thanks to several who have donated!

Want a Mass said for someone? Recommended stipend is $10 or any offering of your choice.

See Emily Schmidt in the OLV Church office or contact her at emilys@ffolvchurch.org or 218-736-2429.