St Anne's Welcomes Father Leo

Fr. Leonard Ayuyao, SSS is a priest of the religious order called Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. He is mostly called Fr. Leo. He was born on the 24th of September 1974 in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Before he became a priest, he worked for an international manufacturing company as a Manufacturing Engineer for almost 11 years.

He entered the seminary in May of 2007 and became a priest on February 04, 2017. His first assignment as a priest was a missionary in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Dublin, Ireland. After one year, he returned to the Philippines to work in various job for the order, which is mostly a member of the formation team that accompanies seminarians.

In March 2023, he came to the United States for the first time to help out in the Diocese of Pueblo. On 1st of April 2023, he was officially appointed to be the Parochial Vicar of the parishes in Lamar, Holly and Springfield. Fr. Leo is looking forward to make Jesus Christ in the Eucharist more known and loved in St. Anne parish.

From the Desk of Fr. Leo

“The Real Reason for Rejoicing”

When I was just a little kid, I am just like most kids who loved to watch superhero cartoons or movies. Sometimes, I do imagine to have superpowers in order to beat bad people who harm others or do evil things. This is always how the story of superheroes goes, there are always two personalities that seek something in their life. There would always someone who seek powers in order to dominate and do evil for selfish reasons. Then, there are others who would just like to do good things to others, to be able to help those who are in need and the weak.

In our real world, this also happens in a different form. There are people who would work so hard in order to attain authority, to acquire a lot of wealth or to become famous. Some would just like to have those things for their own self-interests, for their own self-preservation. They would seem happy and rejoicing as they acquire these things. But, are they really happy as they satisfied themselves with earthly power, riches or glamor?

Then, there are people, that despite of their lack of authority, wealth and fame, they find happiness in their respective lives. They are kind of satisfied of what they have. However, they are truly feel fulfilled because of what they do, not for themselves, but for the people who are needing of help.

In the Gospel, as the Lord had send the seventy-two disciples, they were rejoicing for what they had done when they returned, especially when they were able to cast out demons. But, Jesus warned them not to rejoice because of the evil spirits are subject to them. This is what the Lord actually said, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you but rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10: 20).

There is nothing wrong to be able to have power, great amount of wealth or to be really famous. They are blessings from the Lord especially when you are able to acquire it through the right and good way. But, it should not define your happiness and accomplishments in life. As the last words of Jesus in the passage mentioned, the real reason to rejoice is because one’s name is written in heaven. This means that the disciples should rejoice because they had done a good thing and through the good deeds that they had done, their names are written in heaven.

Thus, the real reason for rejoicing, the real cause of our happiness should be doing the will of God. All that God had given us, like our talent, skills and even treasures, should influence people to live according to God’s will and for them to be able to love Him above all other things. Have a blessed week.

Happy Sunday and God bless you

Fr. Leo

Coming to Christ the King

Upcoming Parish Festivals Around Town!

St. Leander's to Celebrate 100 Years of Faith and Community Aug. 15-17

Click for larger view to see scheduled activities

Join Formed - The Catholic Faith on Demand

Click the picture above to sign up today!