Effective Sunday, November 28, 2021, Bishop Stowe, OFM Conv. will officially end the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Those who are vulnerable or immune-compromised because of age or health reasons are under no obligation to attend Mass at the risk of their well-being. Parishes should continue to offer the celebration of the Mass via live stream for those who cannot risk attending Mass in person at the present time. https://cdlex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/decree-dispensation-_20211115_0001.pdf

Brief Biography My name is Fr. Prashanth Lobo, (MSSCC). I am originally from the Southwest part of India. I am the second child of three siblings. My parents, siblings, and their children all live in India. All my education from elementary school, high school through my seminary studies were completed in India. I was ordained a priest under the religious congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on January 4, 2016. Religious Order The Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (MSSCC) was founded by Saint Gaetano Errico in 1836, Secondigliano Naples, Italy. As a religious congregation of priests and brothers, we are dedicated to serving the needs of God's people while witnessing the great love present in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Our missionaries currently have communities in Italy, Argentina, United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, Slovakia, Indonesia, and Columbia. In our foreign missions, our apostolates include the following: religious education and administering the sacraments in underserved areas; outreach support for families through aid for viable housing; establishment of English-speaking schools; and providing meals and clothing, books, and study materials for needy students and welcoming and instructing new Catholics; working with youth in parishes, counseling families; and meeting the needs of the aged and infirm in nursing and assisted living facilities, visiting prisoners, etc. Ministry After my priestly ordination, I was assigned as an associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church and Holy Cross Shrine Nandgad, the only Shrine of Diocese of Belgaum, state of Karnataka, India. I worked in the parish for two years. In 2018 I came to the United States and was assigned to Linwood, New Jersey, for my second assignment. It was exhilarating and inspiring to work with people of various cultures and ideologies in New Jersey. After a year in New Jersey, through the help and request from Bishop John, I came to the Diocese of Lexington in 2019. I was assigned as a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Parish Newman Center, where I had an excellent opportunity to work with students of UK and parishioners. However, today it is an honor and privilege to be here in Williamsburg and Jellico. It is going to be a new experience for me, but I heard people in these places are loving and kind. I hope to get your support to build up the parish community. Together, let us engage in spreading the love of Jesus and Mary to humanity.

On June 11, 2021 most of the restrictions that have been required by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for safe gatherings during the pandemic will be lifted. This does not mean that the pandemic is over, but it does mean that substantial numbers of people have been vaccinated and that policies will allow for more local flexibility in determining what is necessary for the common good and the safety of the largest number of people. As long as the pandemic remains a reality, all directives are subject to change. State-wide there will be no more requirements for social distancing or wearing masks. This will apply to our churches as well. However, in counties where the percentage of those who are fully vaccinated remains low, parishes may wish to continue to call for some form of social distancing or at spaced seating. County by county information on vaccination rates is available from the CDC website. We should continue to encourage everyone to become fully vaccinated. Masks are recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated and should still be worn when in groups in close proximity if not all have been vaccinated. Immediate relaxations of diocesan Covid policies as of June 11, in addition to social distancing and mask requirements as above, include the following: • Holy water can again be used and made available • Music books and worship aids for multiple use can be used • Sanitization of pews and surfaces is no longer required • Offertory gifts may be presented in procession if hosts and wine are covered. Covid policies that should remain in place: • Frequent hand washing and availability of sanitizer • No passing of baskets for offertory procession • Modified sign of peace • Ministers of communion wear masks. The minister may resume saying “The body of Christ.” • Communion offered only under the form of bread • The norm for reception of communion remains in the hand for the duration of the pandemic; if accommodations can be safely made for the option to receive on the tongue, this is at the discretion of the pastor. Choirs: Because of the aerosol spread of the virus, choirs remain a concern. Choirs may resume, but members will have to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated. Again, the pandemic is not over; we hope that the spread is better contained. Caution is still called for, especially with those who are not fully vaccinated.

The Directives and Guidelines below are for all public celebrations of liturgy in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, they incorporate the state’s guidelines as well as directives and guidelines appropriate for Catholic liturgical practices during this Covid-19 pandemic. They will be in effect until further notice.

LEXINGTON — The bishops of the United States and Canada will pray to re-consecrate their countries to Mary, Mother of the Church, on Friday, May 1, at 3 p.m. Eastern. Every year, the Church prayerfully seeks the special assistance of Mary during the month of May. This year that prayer takes on deeper resonance in the face of a global pandemic. “In this time of uncertainty and vulnerability, it is natural that we would seek the comfort of our Heavenly Mother. We honor Mary under many titles, and so many of our people have their favorite devotion to Mary. We can come together as a Church throughout the country and commit ourselves to doing God's will as she did and seeking her guidance and powerful intercession,” said Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., of Lexington. The prayer of re-consecration is being led in the United States by Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Gomez will lead a brief liturgy with the prayer of re-consecration and has invited other bishops to join in from their respective dioceses. This event will be available online: https://lacatholics.org/consecration/