Club Capri hosted a Golden Jubilee reception on Sunday, May 7th in honour of Monsignor Clutterbuck as the gathering of family, friends and clergy celebrated his fifty years of priesthood. The reception in the elegantly decorated Thorold hall featured a display of memorabilia, news archives, and a slideshow capturing Monsignor Leo’s faithful service to the diocese over the past 50 years. Club Capri created more joy for almost 200 guests indulging in an exquisite buffet dinner at the special occasion.
It was a magnificent evening in recognition of Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck who was ordained as a priest by Bishop Thomas McCarthy 50 years ago at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria May 5th 1973 in St. Catharines.
Monsignor Leo showed his joy!
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Ada , Monsignor Leo’s sister at the Welcome Table
Earlier in the day, a holy mass service was celebrated on May 7, 11:30 am at St. Alfred’s Church in honour of Monsignor Leo’s 50th anniversary in the priesthood.
Give thanks to the Lord for the priesthood of Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck. Monsignor Leo has served the diocese so faithfully. He served as a dean, diocesan consultant, director of vocations, member of clergy aid, and Vicar General.
Bishop Gerard Bergie stated at the mass
The son of Helen (Phelan) and Leo Clutterbuck, Monsignor Leo was encouraged to be a priest by his loved ones. Over time, a love of priesthood was nurtured in Monsignor Leo by his parents, and family with 12 brothers and sisters.
Father Stephen, St. Denis Church, views the memorabilia Father Daniel Corso, Our Lady of the Scapular, congratulates Monsignor LeoFather Randy Gallant, St. Mary’s Church congratulates Monsignor Leo
Club Capri reception was amazing
“As I celebrate 50 years of the holy priesthood, I renew my commitment to serve God, and the Church, as a priest of Jesus Christ, I am resolved to unite myself more closely to our Lord Jesus,”
Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck
In the 50 years in the priesthood, Monsignor Leo served as the pastor at several parishes in Niagara. He guided Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Thorold, for 7 years in the late 1990’s to 2003. He was also the pastor at St. Alfred’s Church in St. Catharines from 2003 to 2012; and pastor of Our Lady of the Scapular, in 2012 until 2015, at which point he was appointed Vicar General by His Excellency, Bishop Bergie.
One word for today, gratitude, thankfulness for so much. Thanks to God for bringing us to this day, Thanks to my parents who gave me life, my brothers and sisters who challenged me in life. Thanks to my whole Clutterbuck family for years we have had together and will have together in the future.”
Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck
Monsignor Leo says we need more priests in Niagara
I am grateful for the Bishops to be with us today. There is a challenge placed before us. We are really in need of more priests in the Niagara area, We encourage parents to instill the children of the importance of the priests in our parishes. I can attest, you’re not going to get rich, but you are going to have the happiest job in your life.
Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck
At the Sunday mass, Monsignor Leo made the worshippers laugh when he mentioned a final thought on his vocation as a priest.
“I never got fired. You’re going to have a job for the rest of your life. Encourage your children to consider the priesthood and religious life.
Monsignor Leo Clutterbuck
If your son or daughter has some inkling that they want to be religious, Monsignor Leo advised the people to “come and see me, the priests or Bishop, for direction and guidance for religious life.”
We hear that the pay is not great for priests, but the retirement benefits are heavenly and out of this world!
