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. 

                                                            4 June 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Official Statement on the Murder of George Floyd by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliaries says it best, "The ink has run dry on writing statements, and it is now time to write laws, to write policies, to write sentences."

There are many thoughtful and provocative statements being made these days in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis and, much closer to home, the killing of Breonna Taylor by police in Louisville. Tragically there is a much longer litany of names of many other African Americans that have died at the hands of the forces sworn to uphold the law and protect all of us- and who rarely face appropriate consequences for their abuse of power. Statements are better than silence, but actions speak louder than words. We may not be in a position to write laws, policies, or sentences; but we are able to work to create a more just society.

Each of us, as members of the Body of Christ, needs to make a thorough examination of conscience when it comes to the sin of racism, we must confess that sin not only sacramentally but to the very populations that have suffered its consequences. Our act of contrition must truly involve steps toward the restoration of right relationships among the races and our firm purpose to amend must include a commitment to personally work to overcome and dismantle the benefits of White privilege

Rather than adding carefully worded statements to the words amassing around us, the voices on our streets are crying, "say his name    say their names." That is, recognize their dignity as human beings, as sons and daughters of God, and precious in God's eyes. To say and to act as if Black lives matter. Let us as a local Church do our best to say their names, to learn their stories, to see their struggle in the brothers and sisters around us, to recognize our common humanity, and to resist the temptation to go back to normal simply because we think we can afford to. The gospel in its fullness calls us to conversion as individuals and to the transformation of society.

As Pope Francis said yesterday to the people of our nation, "we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion In any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life." Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia of the Vatican's Academy for Life compared racism to a virus in peoples' hearts that must be controlled and not allowed to spread. Both the Pope and the archbishop insist that violence is not the answer, "evil is overcome with good, not with another evil."

Some will inevitably ask how they could be guilty of racism because our understanding of what racism means has been quite limited. The definition provided by Father Bryan Massengale, an
1310 WEST MAIN STREET LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY 40508-2048 859/253-1993 FAX 859/254-6284 African-American priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Professor of Theology at Fordham University is particularly challenging to those of us who are part of the dominant culture:

"Racism has never been solely about insults, slurs, Of mere exclusion, as demeaning and harmful as these are. These are but the symptoms of a deeper malady. Racism entails more than conscious ill will, more than deliberate acts of avoidance, malice, and violence perpetrated by individuals.. ..

Racism at its core is a set of meanings and values that inform the American way of life. It is a way of understanding and interpreting skin color differences so that white Americans enjoy a privileged social status with access to advantages and benefits to the detriment, disadvantage, and burden of persons of color." (Massengale, RmialJustice, and the Catholic Church. Maryknoff, NY: orbis, 2010, 41-2.)

In the midst of the prolonged protests we are witnessing, I am so grateful that in Lexington we have seen genuine mutual respect from police and from those calling for justice. Let us pray that the demonstrations continue to be peaceful and to bear the fruit of lasting change. It is so encouraging to see people of different races marching together for justice, the essential ingredient for lasting peace.

As Catholics, we are richly blessed with a tradition of social doctrine to guide how we understand and how we respond to the demands of justice in our times. Yet our social teaching remains the least known component of our tradition although it has so much to say in our present circumstances. I am happy to announce that as of July 1, we will once again have an Office of Peace and Justice in the diocese. It will be coordinated by Joshua Van Cleef as he continues to serve as Parish Life Director at Holy Cross in Jackson. Josh will be bringing together those who are already working in the various areas of peace and justice to form a diocesan peace and justice commission as we strive to make an impact in our society. We recognize that our post-pandemic lives will be different; as people of faith, we should see this moment as an opportunity to bring the perspective of the Gospel to create a more just society.

Pentecost marked the first anniversary of our diocesan pastoral plan. At the very heart of that plan is the promotion of a culture that fosters unity and strives to nmi_rror the communion within the Holy Trinity at a moment of deep division. This requires creating opportunities for dialogue and encounter among the rich diversity of people in our local Church and beyond. May     Sunday's Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity inspire us to recognize the Father who makes us all one family, the Son who walks with us and invites us to communion and the Holy Spirit who empowers us to overcome barriers and differences with the gift of unity.

Peace and all good,

    Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington

Natural Family Planning
Awareness Week

Sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Awareness Week coincides with the anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae
Vitae (“Of Human Life”), issued on July 25, 1968, re-affirming and deepening the
Catholic vision that every sexual union between spouses should be open to new life.

 
Natural Family Planning is an effective way for couples to practice responsible parenthood
that reflects the authentic language of sexual love, in which couples embody their vows to love each other free, totally, faithfully, and fruitfully.  The practice of NFP does not involve the sterilization of the spousal union—an act that objectively contradicts the meaning of their marital embrace—but instead allows couples to be more aware of their fertility each month through the observation of certain physical symptoms. Couples who wish to achieve pregnancy and couples who, for serious reasons, seek to avoid or postpone pregnancy can practice NFP with a 98% success rate, as well as strengthen their marital communication and intimacy. 


For more info, including an upcoming schedule of local NFP classes and instructors—as well as on-line and home study opportunities, visit our diocese’s Family Life website: www.cdlex.org/family

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
 

24 HOUR ADORATION
FIRST FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020
FOLLOWING OUR FRIDAY 9:00 AM –MASS

*ADORERS IF UNABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE FIND A SUBSTITUTE FOR THAT HOUR.

SATURDAY, JULY 11,2020 – 8:30 AM – DAILY MASS, INSIDE CHURCH
 
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2020 – 5:00 PM – VIGIL MASS, INSIDE CHURCH
 
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 – 10:00 AM – MASS OUTSIDE WEATHER PERMITTING
 
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 – 6:00 PM – SPANISH MASS, INSIDE CHURCH

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.  

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!