St. Leo’s Altar Society Fund

Goal: $30,000.00

Specific Need

St. Leo’s Catholic Church has served the Horton community for more than a century, standing as a place of worship, fellowship, and stability for generations. As our parish facilities age, several important capital improvements are needed to maintain a safe, welcoming, and functional environment for worship, fellowship, and ministry activities. These improvements are essential not only for the preservation of our church buildings, but also for strengthening the long-term vitality of our parish community.

Our Immediate Needs

• Parking Lot Resurfacing — After years of Kansas weather and daily use, the church parking lot has deteriorated, creating safety concerns for parishioners, visitors, and elderly members. A full resurfacing will provide a smooth, accessible, and long-lasting surface that reflects the care we have for our community.

• Gutter Replacement on the Center Building — The aging gutter system is no longer effectively directing water away from the structure. Replacing it now will prevent costly water damage, protect the building’s foundation, and preserve the spaces where our ministries, gatherings, and faith-formation programs take place.

Your generosity directly strengthens the mission of St. Leo’s. These improvements are not cosmetic—they are critical investments in the safety, longevity, and vitality of our parish campus.

• Protecting our historic parish ensures St. Leo’s remains a spiritual home for future generations.

• Improving accessibility allows all parishioners, especially seniors and families, to arrive safely and comfortably.

• Preserving ministry spaces supports the programs that nurture faith, service, and community life in Horton.

Your generosity allows the Altar Society to continue serving the parish with stewardship, care, and commitment while preserving the beauty and functionality of our church facilities.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration and continued support of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and Altar Society.

Mission

Profile

For generations, St. Leo's Catholic Church Altar Society has faithfully supported the spiritual life, traditions, and hospitality of our parish community. Through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of parishioners and friends, the Altar Society continues its mission of caring for our church home and preserving it for future generations.

How the St. Leo's Altar Society supports the St. Leo's Catholic Church:

1. Volunteer Service

Members contribute hundreds of volunteer hours each year to sustain the daily life of the parish. Their service often includes:

• Caring for the church environment — cleaning, decorating, maintaining linens, candles, and sacred vessels.

• Supporting parish events — assisting with receptions, sacramental celebrations, and seasonal liturgies.

• Providing behind-the-scenes help — tasks that keep the parish running smoothly but often go unnoticed.

This work preserves the beauty and reverence of the worship space and lightens the load on parish staff.

2. Funeral Dinner Ministry

One of the most compassionate ministries of the Altar Society is preparing and serving funeral luncheons for grieving families. This includes:

• Preparing homemade dishes and desserts

• Setting up and decorating the parish hall

• Serving the meal with warmth and hospitality

• Cleaning up afterward so families can focus on remembering their loved one

This ministry embodies the parish’s commitment to comforting those who mourn and offering tangible support during difficult times.

3. Fundraising Efforts

The Altar Society organizes fundraisers that directly support parish needs. Common efforts include:

• Annual Fall Festival - this year we are hosting the Mikey Needleman Band for an evening of Christian music on November 7, 2026

• Holiday events

• Women's fellowship events

• Parish dinners or breakfasts

Funds raised typically go toward:

• Liturgical supplies (altar linens, candles, vestments)

• Church beautification projects

• Kitchen and hall improvements

• Support for parish ministries and outreach

These events also build community and invite parishioners to participate in shared stewardship.