St. Leo Church

We, the members of St. Leo Parish in Versailles, KY are a Roman Catholic faith community of diverse and caring people.  We come together to worship and to be nourished by the Eucharist and the Scriptures to strengthen us in order to fulfill the present and future spiritual needs of our members.  We strive to provide religious education for all members and to serve the community at large. 

Dear Friends,  

This is an unsettling time for our country and our community, as we are in a public health emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Your elected leaders and public health officials are working around the clock to slow the spread of the virus and provide care to those who need it. It is important to remember that we need to be prepared, not scared. Heed the advice of public health experts who agree that the most effective way to “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the virus, is to practice social distancing. Below is some helpful information regarding COVID-19: 

How do I stay informed?  

It is important to remain informed with accurate information from an official source. Visit the state’s COVID-19 resource page for the most up-to-date and trustworthy information: www.kycovid19.ky.gov.   

How can you be infected? 

·Coronavirus can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Because these droplets can travel up to six feet, public health experts advise maintaining six feet of distance from others. 

·The virus can also remain on a surface or object and enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why it is important to wash your hands before touching your face. 

How long does it take to show symptoms after being infected? 

It takes 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms after exposure to the virus. The average is about 5 days. 

What are the symptoms? 

·         Fever 

·         Dry cough 

·         Shortness of breath 

When should you seek testing? 

·         If you are exhibiting symptoms 

·If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus 

·If you have recently traveled to one of the high-risk countries 

Except in the case of an emergency, please call your healthcare provider before seeking treatment in person.  

While it is normal to feel anxious, there are ways to take control of the situation and be prepared. I urge you to take the following precautions to keep yourself and our community safe. 

·        Wash your hands often and for at least              20 seconds 

·        Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and                   mouth 

·        Avoid physical contacts like handshakes           and hugs 

·        Stay home if you feel sick 

·        Avoid large crowds 

·        Abstain from unnecessary travel 

What is the difference between “Healthy at Home” and “social distancing”? 

Healthy at Home is a stricter form of social distancing. There are some differences. Healthy at home means: 

Non-essential retail and businesses are closed. These types of businesses include entertainment, sporting goods, clothing, shoes, jewelry, book stores, florists, furniture and auto dealers.  

·Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others) 

·         Only go out for essential services 

·         Stay six feet or more away from others 

·         Don’t gather in groups 

It is important during this national emergency that we unite as a community, follow the advice of experts, and take responsibility for our actions to #SlowTheSpread of coronavirus. For more information, visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov or call the Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline: (800) 722-5725.  

Diocese Announces Resumption of Public Masses With Directives and Guidelines
 
LEXINGTON — The Catholic Diocese of Lexington will resume public Masses, effective May 20, following the “Healthy at Work: Guidelines for Places of Worship,” as well as directives and guidelines for all public celebrations of liturgy provided by the diocese. The directives and guidelines were posted on the diocesan website on May 15, along with a letter from Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., to the people of the diocese.
 
“I do not want anyone to mistake the resumption of public Masses as a sign that the COVID-19 pandemic is over because it is not,” wrote Bishop Stowe. He added, “Please note that this is not simply a return to how we celebrated before the outbreak of the pandemic. Churches will only be able to admit 33 percent of the occupancy of the building and social distancing will need to be maintained at all times.”
 
Parishes in Lexington, Ashland, Campton, Hazard, Jackson, Lawrenceburg, Morehead, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Richmond, and Winchester will resume public masses May 30-31; all other locations will resume May 23-24.
 
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington until further notice, and elderly people and other vulnerable populations are encouraged to continue to participate via live-streamed Masses, possibly attending weekday Masses as a safer alternative as well.
 
A few of the measures required for all liturgies also include: Social distancing of six feet between people not living in the same household must be followed at all times; masks are to be worn by the congregation and by ministers at all times when not speaking, reading or singing as part of their ministry; holy water fonts are to remain empty; hand sanitizer is to be available; there is to be no physical contact during the Lord’s Prayer or during the Sign of Peace; hand sanitizer is to be used before the distribution of Communion; Communion is distributed only in the form of bread and given to communicants only in the hand; there are to be no choirs
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
 
As the summer months begin we want to let all the parishioners know what St. Leo is doing to assist in having as many of the faithful attend Sunday Mass as possible while respecting the directives and guidelines of the Diocese of Lexington. St. Leo will have the 8:30 am Mass on Saturday morning be a Mass of anticipation where the prayers and scriptures will be for Sunday. While we are limiting the Sunday Mass at 10 am to 85 people, we want to let parishioners, particularly those who are older than 65 years old or have underlying or chronic health concerns, to consider coming to the Saturday morning Mass or another Mass during the week where the attendance will be less than on Sunday.
 
For this weekend we will have the 8:30 am Mass on May 22 as a celebration of the Ascension,. On Sunday we have one 10 am which has reached its limit, but the faithful are welcome to attend outside in one’s car or on the lawn and the Communion Ministers will come outside and give Holy Communion to the faithful after the final blessing.
 
For the Solemnity of Pentecost the 8:30 am Mass on May 30 will be the Vigil Mass for Pentecost and we are adding another vigil Mass at 5:00 pm on May 30. For the May 30th Mass at 5:00 pm and the 10:00 am Mass on May 31 we ask that you call 859-873-4573 or email stleo@cdlex.org to reserve a place for you and your family. To increase attendance we ask that you consider giving preference to families for parents who are working and would not be able to attend Mass during the week where they can bring their children.
 
Pentecost Novena
 
We probably all have heard of praying novenas for special intentions. The history of praying nine days in a row for a special intention began with the nine days between when Jesus ascended into Heaven and Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. You are welcome to join in praying the novena to the Holy Spirit at this link https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-to-the-holy-spirit for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful of St. Leo and everyone in our community as well as the catechumens and candidates who will be receiving the Sacraments of Initiation on May 31.
 
The Diocese of Lexington is also having a special nine-day Pentecost Novena with teaching each night from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Here is a link to more information about these online talks: http://cathedralctk.org/ninedays.
 
Memorial Day Mass
 
On Wednesday afternoon I had a memorable experience of going into one of the closets in the office and finding a box underneath some pictures with old sacred vessels from St. Leo. There were two chalices found that have been part of St. Leo for generations. The first was given by Mrs. J. Hays on March 12, 1893 and the second chalice was given in memory of Raymond Schoberth who served in the Army during World War I and died at the very end of the war. To remember Raymond and all who have died serving our country we will have a Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 25, at 10 am.
 
Can you help with assisting with hospitality or sanitization?
 
As we continue to work out our plans for beginning to hold public liturgies, we know already we will need many healthy, younger men and women to support the liturgies as hospitality ministers (i.e. ushers) or with sanitization of St. Leo Church after each mass. This will be an ongoing need so we ask that you consider these two important volunteer roles. Your signing up here is not a hard commitment to serve—but that you are willing to talk with someone to get more information so you can decide if you can make that commitment to help as we open our doors back up for public Masses. The bottom line is that for us to have Masses in this emerging new normal, we are going to need a large number of younger, healthy, volunteers to step up and be willing to sacrifice some time so we can maintain a healthy/safe environment in which we can worship.
 
Hospitality/Usher
 
If you are contacted and agree to assist in this role, you would be asked to take on some of the following tasks:

1. Arrive at St. Leo Church 30-40 minutes before the start of Mass so the team is ready to welcome mass-goers when they begin to arrive.
2. Welcome people as they arrive and assist with entry into St. Leo Church.
3. Assist with seating individuals and families in designated seating.
4. Assure social distancing is being maintained between household units at all times.
5. Direct lines for Communion.
6. Assist with exit following Mass.

1. Stay after Mass for 30 minutes to complete the sanitization of St. Leo Church
2. Spray down the tops of pews in front of where people sat (half or better will be unused)
3. Wipe down door handles (Inside/Out) of main doors and bathroom doors.
4. No strenuous activity will be required.

 
Gloves and cleaning supplies will be provided. You will need to remain masked as you perform these duties. The assumption is that you will be on a team when you and your family are coming to Mass. If you are interested in helping you can contact Rick Carrico at rcarrico@cdlex.org. Thanks for your consideration in helping the parish in this difficult time. Our hope is to have a team of four to six hospitality ministers before Mass and four parishioners to help with clean-up after Mass. We would like to have four sets of teams so that each person can help once a month.
 
With this support we can have St. Leo as safe as possible for the faithful to attend Mass and other liturgies.
 
We will be rejoicing together this Sunday as we see each other for the first time in 10 weeks. Thanks be to God! Gracious God bless us in this time together and fill us with your Divine love and peace. Protect us from harm and all sickness as we come together to give praise and worship to You through Christ our Lord.
 
In Christ,
 
 
Fr. Chris Clay

Sign up with FORMED. ORG. It will provide you with a podcast, an Ebook, a movie or even a kid’s cartoon. Every St. Leo parishioner has FREE 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device, including your smart TV, computer, smartphone and tablet with internet access. It's been called the Catholic Netflix, though it's not just movies and documentaries. There are daily devotionals, weekly sermons, kids programming, audiobooks, ebooks, and Spanish-language content!

It’s all part of our parish subscription! It truly is the Catholic faith - on demand. If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s easy and FREE! Here’s how to get FORMED:

1. Go to www.FORMED.org.
2. Click signup
3. Select “I belong to a Parish or Organization”
4. Type in: St. Leo Versailles, Kentucky
5. Enter your email and you are good to go!