Diane Buccier was a longtime parishioner of St. Leo’s & we celebrated her life with a Funeral Mass on May 20th. She is survived by her husband Ralph of 52 years and by her children: Mike, Joe, Dan, Karen & Pam, as well as her brother Glen. Diane led an active life of faith and it was important for her to have her children receive a Catholic education so she and Ralph sacrificed so that they could all attend our parish school here at St. Leo’s. I had the opportunity to talk with Diane and to anoint her before her surgery and I was inspired by the love of her family & of her faith. We pray that she may join with her son Kenneth who died many years ago and with all the saints in their praise of God.
I want to share with you the details of the Bishop’s letter concerning our liturgical practices beginning with the feast of Corpus Christi, June 5th & 6th. First, a final reminder that “the Catholic Bishops of Ohio have announced the lifting of the dispensation to attend Sunday Mass & Holy Days of Obligation except for those who are ill, have significant health risk factors or care for someone who is immune-compromised or ill, as well as those who have significant fear or anxiety of contracting the coronavirus in a large group of persons.” So we welcome back to Mass most of those who have stayed away as a result of the pandemic.
As of next weekend, Face masks will no longer be required but are strongly suggested for those who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or are otherwise vulnerable. Please show respect to those who for personal reasons, choose to continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing. But social distancing will not be required and the use of all pews and seating areas will be permitted. Holy water will be returned to the fonts, including the baptismal font. We will begin to have liturgical processions again at the beginning & end of Mass & at the offertory and I will be happy to shake hands again with those who are comfortable with that, Though we will also begin exchanging the sign of peace again as well, it is recommended that peace be exchanged without physical contact between persons who are not of the same household or family. We will welcome back our liturgical ministers including ushers, cantors, choir members & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Hymnals will be ordered and made available to you again in the pews and singing is once again permitted (& encouraged!). The only restriction still in place will be communion from the cup as this remains suspended until further notice. Of course we will continue to clean and sanitize the church to the best of our ability and hand sanitizers will be provided at the church entrances. We do ask that those who are not feeling well stay home as live streaming of all Masses will continue (both weekend and weekday Masses). Visiting to the homebound by clergy and parishioners is permitted though we encourage all to use good hygiene and to refrain from visiting when not feeling well. So let us be grateful that we can return to our pre-pandemic celebrations but continue to pray for a complete end to the coronavirus and to pray for all those who died from it & those who lost loved ones or whose employment has been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Again, a great big thank you for your wonderful cooperation during these last 15 months.
Our 9am Memorial Day Mass will take place outside by our Marian shrine, weather permitting. While we will have some benches available, we encourage you to bring a chair with you if you are able.