Social Work programs recognized for efforts in helping the homeless

The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County recognized the Saint Leo Social Work programs for its efforts in planning and assisting in the 2019 Point in Time Count (PIT). The PIT is a count of homeless persons on a single night in January. This information assists the coalition with expanding services, helping the community better understand homelessness, engaging in efforts to end homelessness, and obtaining federal funding for new programs, shelters, and permanent housing.

At the coalition’s monthly Continuum of Care meeting, the coalition thanked members of Saint Leo’s Social Work programs for their efforts in planning the event, creating the training methodology, recording the training, recruiting volunteers, and the collection and distribution of hygiene kits. Members of the Saint Leo community were asked to donate personal care items to create the hygiene kits. 

Pre-Graduation ceremony under the stars

Saint Leo invites graduates to events on Friday, April 26

An unforgettable college experience should be matched by a celebration of equal proportion. Graduates are invited to join their peers, faculty, staff, and guests on Friday, April 26, for a celebration of you at University Campus.

Campus Tours | starting at 3 p.m.If you’ve never been to campus, we invite you to see the sights of our 130-year-old historic campus with a complimentary walking tour.

 

Baccalaureate Mass | 4 p.m.
Saint Leo University Ministry will hold Mass for graduates and their families in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Mass will be presided by Diocese of St. Petersburg Bishop Gregory Parkes.

 

Saint Leo Under the Stars | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Dance the night away with your fellow classmates, professors, and family as we celebrate the Class of 2019! Enjoy complimentary beverages as well as tasty hors d’ourves. Support student scholarships by playing a round of bingo! The celebration will end with a fireworks display over Lake Jovita at 8:15 p.m.

Register for these events by April 10 at https://your.saintleo.edu/stars.

For more information or to request special accommodations, call (352) 588-8667.

Cannon Memorial Library announces Readers Club dates

The Cannon Memorial Library Readers Club welcomes the Saint Leo University community to join members in conversation and camaraderie as they explore the readings below in the browsing area of the library. Whether you’ve read the works or not, you’re welcome to join them: The themes we address are broad and inclusive, so you’re bound to make a valuable contribution. 

A Report to an Academy by Franz Kafka
Available free online at www.kafka-online.info
Thursday, March 7, 5 – 6 p.m. 

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Thursday, March 21, 5 p.m. till 6 p.m. 

Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
Thursday, April 4, 5 – 6 p.m.

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Thursday, April 18, 5 – 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Ángel Jiménez at angel.jimenez@saintleo.edu.

Ash Wednesday observances

Ash Wednesday observances set for Tampa, University Campus

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. and University Ministry will distribute ashes until 12:30 p.m. at Saint Jude Chapel near the Student Activities Building. In addition, Father Kyle Smith, university chaplain, will distribute ashes at the 5 p.m. Mass at the chapel.

The Tampa and MacDill education centers also invite everyone to attend Mass at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Education Center, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 238,Tampa, FL 33602. Father Kyle will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes. 

The Saint Leo community also is invited to join the Benedictine Sisters of Florida for the observances at Holy Name Monastery, 12138 Wichers Road, St. Leo, FL 33574, off of State Road 52. At 6:30 a.m., there will be morning praise and the Eucharist along with the distribution of ashes. At 5:30 p.m., there will be evening prayers/vespers and ashes will be distributed.

The Saint Leo Abbey will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes at noon in the Abbey Church, with Abbot Isaac Camacho, OSB, presiding. Ashes also will be distributed in the church from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

While Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, Mass attendance and the receiving of ashes, reminding us to repent our sins, is a good way to begin the 40 days of Lent, which prepares Christians for Easter. During Lent, everyone is welcome to participate in prayer, fasting, and giving to those need, so that they may fully join in the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ at Easter.

As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is one of only two days on the liturgical calendar (the other being Good Friday), when fasting and abstinence are observed by Catholics and other Christians.

Before the fast begins, University Ministry will host a Fat Tuesday event at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, on the Kirk Hall lawn. Pizza, king cake, and other refreshments will be served.