Chaplaincy turns bilingual to serve Churchill Downs workers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy has instated a new bilingual chaplain team to serve Spanish-speaking workers.

WAVE-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2oHYtAz) that about 85 percent to 95 percent of those working behind the scenes at Churchill Downs speak Spanish. In addition to leading prayer and preaching in the chapel on the grounds, chaplains will operate a clothing closet and food pantry for workers.

Chaplain Joseph del Rosario says his aim is to help the workers who keep operations running smoothly in any way possible. He also says that representation of women among the workers is growing.

The chaplaincy was founded in 1989 to specifically serve the workers in the barn and training areas.