During the national Eucharistic revival, we’ve been having our own Great Revival here at St Leo! This is a major interior renovation for our church, which parallels the total interior transformation of our hearts. Our architect and builders have been hard at work.
Step by Step: New Flooring Brings Us Closer to Completion
As each section is completed, the sanctuary is beginning to take on its renewed character—warm, welcoming, and reverent. Once the flooring reaches the halfway point, installation of our new pews will begin, bringing us even closer to a finished worship space!
Every step forward reflects the dedication, prayer, and support of our parish family. Thank you for journeying with us as we build a church that will inspire faith and devotion for generations to come.
A New Look Above: Sanctuary Ceiling Restoration
As part of Our Great Revival, we have removed the outdated popcorn ceilings in the sanctuary, making way for a more beautiful and timeless design. The ceilings in the nave have been carefully sanded and finished with a rich, warm brown stain that perfectly matches the new pews and the woodwork of our high altar and reredos.
This transformation not only enhances the overall beauty and harmony of the space but also brings a sense of warmth and reverence to our church interior.
Refurbishing Our Historic Stations of the Cross
As part of Our Great Revival renovation, we are giving special attention to the sacred details that make our church home so meaningful. Our beloved Stations of the Cross, which were originally purchased in 1964, are receiving much-needed restoration for the very first time since they were installed.
New Bronze Tabernacle
We are humbled and overjoyed to include this significant addition to our church, ensuring that it will serve as a focal point of prayer and devotion for generations to come.
This beautifully crafted tabernacle features double doors adorned with a cross and two angels in adoration—an image that draws our hearts and minds to the profound mystery of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.
Restoring Beauty: Statues of St. Mary Magdalene and St. John
As part of Our Great Revival, we are thrilled to be restoring two remarkable statues of St. Mary Magdalene and St. John the Apostle. These sacred figures were recently acquired from Holland and are now undergoing careful refurbishment and repainting to restore their original beauty and detail.
These timeless pieces will enhance the prayerful atmosphere of our sanctuary and serve as a lasting reminder of the faithful witnesses who stood with Jesus in His final moments.
Our New Pews: Beauty, Tradition, and Comfort
As part of Our Great Revival, we are excited to introduce the design of our brand-new pews, which will soon grace our renovated sanctuary. Crafted from high-quality red oak, these pews are finished with a rich dark brown stain that brings warmth, elegance, and a timeless beauty to our worship space.
Each pew features a thoughtfully designed inset detail that complements and matches the new communion rail in the sanctuary, creating a unified and harmonious look throughout the church
Sacred Art: Oil Paintings
As part of Our Great Revival renovation, we are honored to commission two beautiful oil paintings that will grace our sanctuary: St. Leo the Great, our patron saint, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Local artist Norman Faucheaux is creating these stunning works of art. He is bringing each figure to life in rich, vibrant color. We are especially excited to have a custom depiction of St. Leo the Great, celebrating his legacy and leadership as he continues to intercede for our parish community.
The Heart of Our Sanctuary:Custom-Made Crucifix
At the center of our Great Revival renovation stands the most sacred and striking feature of our sanctuary—the new custom-made crucifix, crowned by a beautifully crafted corpus of Christ. This crucifix will be the focal point of our new reredos and high altar, drawing our hearts and minds to the mystery of Christ’s sacrificial love.
Honoring a Saint of Hope:
St. Josephine Bakhita
As part of Our Great Revival, we are blessed to add a new statue of St. Josephine Bakhita to our church sanctuary. Her powerful witness of faith, forgiveness, and hope will inspire all who enter our sacred space. St. Josephine Bakhita’s story of resilience, freedom, and trust in God’s providence makes her a fitting and inspiring addition to our parish.
The statue is beautifully placed in an alcove to the right of the sanctuary, where she offers a quiet, prayerful presence. She is seated atop a custom-designed furniture piece, carefully crafted to match the style and dark brown stain of the rest of our church furnishings.
A Sacred Symbol of Sacrifice: Our New Altar Design
At the heart of our sanctuary stands the newly designed altar, a beautiful testament to faith, sacrifice, and the richness of our Catholic tradition. As part of Our Great Revival, this altar will feature a stunning hand-painted image of the Mother Pelican feeding her young—a powerful ancient Christian symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love and the gift of the Eucharist.
Surrounding this central image, the artist has thoughtfully included the traditional symbols of the Four Evangelists, placed at each corner of the altar:
The Man of St. Matthew
The Lion of St. Mark
The Ox of St. Luke
The Eagle of St. John
By the grace of God, we’ve been able to raise a little over $1.3 million for this project over the past two years! This is a major accomplishment for a parish our size! With $280,000 to go in January, a local business generously offered to match every dollar given up to $140,000. If we meet this match, we will reach our final goal. We are so close!
Since then, we’ve received $82,470, which means we are only $57,530 away from the finish line!
If you’d like to contribute to our historic endeavor, or if you have any connections, resources, or advice to share with us, please use one of the buttons below. Most importantly, please pray for us!
Contact
Cherie Martin
Business Manager
cherie@stleolafayette.com