11 Responses to “Merry Christmas!”

• Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you too Fr. Leo.

  May God bless you abundantly in 2010.

  Therese

  Posted by Therese on December 26th, 2009 at 7:52 pm.

• Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Fr. Leo! I just read your Culinary Countdown and was thrilled to see we not only made the Top 10 but were your Number One cooking experience for 2009. You were definitely our Number One experience for the year as well, and we can’t thank you enough for coming. We’ll never forget it, and hope to see you again in 2010. I confess, I gave some of the leftovers to Fr. Tim, since he wanted to come but couldn’t attend. If you still want to go to confession for setting off the alarm, I’m sure he would be happy to listen. We don’t hold it against you, though. It was hysterical!

  When I meet the man of my dreams, I’m going to have him attend your cooking school. Unless of course, I marry the Lord. My guess is, you attended His school, judging from the taste test. C’etait delicieux! CARPE DIEM

  - Karin Barnowe
  Activities Director,
  Glen Burnie Health & Rehab;
  Lay Missionary of Charity

  Posted by Karin Barnowe on December 30th, 2009 at 7:32 pm.

• May the grace of God always be with you and keep you for always Fr. Leo.

  Mary

  Posted by Mary on December 30th, 2009 at 11:46 pm.

• Dear Friends at Grace Before Meals,
  I recognized the photo you had at the bottom of today’s email — felt compelled to send you our photo from same site taken Easter season 2008 on our family’s first visit to Assisi — it was our favorite place. Thank you for your work!

  God bless,

  Zoë Krizak
  Houston

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 4:19 am.

• Father Leo,

  You are a blessing and a joy to us all. I long for the day you come to Havelock, NC and Annunciation Parish for a real Filipino throw down. We have some lady Filipino cooks around here who would love to challenge you and some not so Filipino cooks who make some mean soup and I make a very traditional Filipino salad that I would challenge you with. Think about it? We are a forgotten part of the Church down here but very faithful and holy.

  God Bless all that you do . We love you, Phyllis Vermilyea

  You could bring some of your Seminarians to talk to our boys we have a bunch who are iterested in the Priesthood.

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 4:20 am.

• Dear Father, Last evening some of my grandsons and other family members came for dinner. During the conversation one of the boys mentioned that their 17 year old brother, who was not present, has a 15 year old girlfriend who will be coming for Christmas eve at their home. It s a tradition in our family to have dinner and gift giving on Christmas eve. (Unfortunately, 6 of my 7 children have become Evangelicals and are against the Catholic faith.) I said that it seemed to me that that young girl should spend that day with her family. I also felt it was too young to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, etc. After they returned home their father, who had just come home from work, called me to chastise me for what I said because his wife was “yelling at him” for what I said. I told my son that I have a different opinion about dating so young ; why could I not express it? Then my daughter-in-law called me and scolded me for what I said. I apologized several times explaining that I did not intend to hurt anyones feeling but that my opinion is different than theirs. I am a nurse, 75 years old, and see many young pregnant girls, troubled girls, girls with communicable infections, etc. so my feeling is that these girls are not prepared for serious relationships. It is best to wait until they are ready for marriage. My son called this morning and apologized for scolding me because his wife made such a big thing of it. I feel beaten and sad will try to not show it when I go to their home for the Christmas Eve celebration tonight. Please pray for me so can feel comfortable there. What do you think? Was I wrong?

  ————

  Greetings:

  I think that an honest conversation with your son and your grandson will be the best thing rather than trying to figure out who’s at fault. The fact it, all parties were definitely not correct in the way the situation presented itself. While it’s difficult to understand the modern culture, it’s just as difficult for the modern culture to understand your time and generation.

  What is compounded is the more “liberal” approach to faith by certain Evangelical churches. The difference in faith will always be a strain in conversations, which is why it’s important to learn how to pray together. That invitation of God to become a part of your family conversation will be helpful.

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:06 am.

• Hi Fr. Leo:

  I’ve lost your personal e-mail that I had this past summer, but wanted to wish you and your loved ones in MD a very merry and holy Christmas, Fr. Leo! Thanks once more for coming to our DE State Fair in July and doing a fantastic cooking demo. Saw your show on the Food Network again last week. God bless you, Fr Leo. You are a wonderful man with a wonderful ministry; may God continue to use you.

  In His Name,

  Dave Smith and family
  Georgetown, DE

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:06 am.

• Hi, Father Leo!

  I am writing to thank you for your gracious help with Mike, my ill teenage son, on our flight from St. Louis to Baltimore on Thursday.

  Your compassion certainly helped to calm him during a very uncomfortable situation. Additionally, I pray that the conversation you had with Mike will impact his life. (Our visit to Landmark College was wonderful. However, he fears the distance away from home; albeit for one semester.) I have encouraged him to take your advice and my mother’s advice: PRAY.

  You have two new fans of “Grace Before Meals!”

  Wishing you and your family many holiday blessings!

  Sincerely,

  Kathy

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:09 am.

• Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

  Good day Fr. Leo! I am a college student from the Philippines and happened to pass by your name as I was surfing the net for Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. (I kinda have an interest of entering though. ) I was wondering where in the Philippines were you born? I am assuming that you’re from Leyte where lots of Patalinghugs abound. I am from Palompon, Leyte where your family name can’t be missed, and I know of some too.

  I pray that you and your cause will blanket the world and I hope that God will continue to bless me and keep the fire burning in me as I discern His call.

  God Bless!

  Soon to be seminarian,
  Mikael

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:12 am.

• I love your emails and especially your beautiful prayers. Do you know the origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas song and does it have a secret Catholic Catechism meaning?
  Karen Lewis
  Chapel Hill, NC

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:27 am.

• I live in Reseda, CA (zip code 91335) and have heard for years about lock downs in jails/prisons. Here is my theory: if different ethnic groups in jails learned about multi-cultural cooking two good results might happen. The inmates would learn a new job skill and respect for someone else’s culture/eating habits.

  ** Prisoners complete jail cooking classes **
  Officials overseeing the culinary arts program at California’s El Dorado County jail said 36 prisoners have so far completed the cooking classes.
  The program, which the 158-bed jail and Lake Tahoe Community College have operated since 2007, has resulted in baked goods that won 20 ribbons and one best of show at the El Dorado County Fair, The Sacramento Bee reported Monday.
  Sheriff’s Lt.
  < http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=1647781 >

  Posted by Fr. Leo on December 31st, 2009 at 5:32 am.