BISHOP GAINER TO VISIT ST. LAWRENCE DEC. 18

As you know, Bishop Gainer has done very much for our Latin Mass Community here at St. Lawrence, and to commemorate that work, and to show his affection and care for the people here, he plans to visit our Parish on Saturday, Dec. 18, 10am, offer a Solemn Pontifical Mass, and to install Fr. Smith as Pastor. We are also delighted that Fr. Gregory Eichman, FSSP, our former chaplain, will come to assist the bishop on this visit. This will be another great day in our parish’s life as the bishop commemorates the work that the Lord has done here since this community was established in 1988.

As bishop, Bp. Gainer is one of the successors of the apostles and pastor of all the souls in the diocese. All of the priests throughout the diocese assist him by taking care of the various parishes, but only insofar as they have been authorized and sent by him, as St. Paul says: “And how shall they hear, without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15). We are very grateful not only for what our bishop has done for us, but also that he continues to take care of those in his flock who love the traditional Latin Mass. We expect a large number of people to come to this Saturday morning Mass, and we plan to provide parking at the parking garage that day, as well as to have a reception afterwards.

Spiritual Bouquet for Bishop Gainer and his Intentions:

We invite you and your family to participate in a spiritual bouquet that we are organizing for Bishop Gainer. Please write down some spiritual offering (one Rosary, one Holy Communion, a Holy Hour, etc.) that you will make for the bishop, and perhaps include some words of thanks, and we will collect them from the whole parish and deliver them to him soon. Please submit them in an envelope marked “spiritual bouquet for Bishop Gainer” to the office (either in person, via post, or via the collection). We will open the envelopes and organize them before we submit them.

Introducing Exposition and Benediction on Sunday evenings:

Beginning Nov. 14, we have adjusted the Sunday evening schedule as follows: Sung Vespers every Sunday at 5 pm; Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament between Vespers and Mass; Mass at 6 pm (as currently). Confessions will take place during Exposition and Benediction, and will end at the beginning of Mass.

Book--Sales Table:

We are now making available for sale two publications: a hand missal, and the monthly publication Benedictus. Both are designed to help the Faithful to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and provide all of the prayers, as well as additional commentary. The monthly publication Benedictus can be borrowed for use at the church or it can be purchased at our new book-sales table, which will be available after the 9 am and 11 am Masses.

Matthew 25 Collection:

Today, Sunday, Nov. 21,  there will be a 2nd Collection for Matthew 25, which helps the needy in our diocese.

Mater Dei Youth Group wishes to thank the generous parishioners at St. Lawrence for making this year's collection to support mom and babies at Women's Care Center, York a huge success!

Openings in the Choir at St. Lawrence:

The choir has openings for additional dedicated volunteers and three qualified section leaders. Members are expected to be available for Thursday evening rehearsals, Sunday 11 am Masses throughout the year, and for other important Feast Days as notified. Volunteers with previous choral experience are preferred, but those with strong desire may be considered at the discretion of the Music Director. Section Leader positions are available for Soprano, Alto, and Tenor; all applicants must audition and demonstrate strong vocal musicianship. Inquiries can be directed to Paul Thomas May at music@materdeipa.com

Expectant  Mothers:

If you are expecting a child and registered in the Community, please let us know so we can put  your expected date in our date book and rejoice with your family! Please notify us at contact@stlawrence.cc

Thanksgiving Food Drive:

The Holy Name Society is sponsoring the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive benefitting the Silence of Mary Homes. The collection of the grocery bags will be today Sunday, November and 21.  (Silence of Mary  does their dinner giveaway on Friday, November 19.) Any questions, contact Chris Keifer. (717-856-7537)

Registration at Mater Dei:

The Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain have the special grace to guide those who are registered parishioners and are hence assigned to their care. The Mass offered for the people every Sunday, Pro Populo, is offered for those who are registered members. Anyone seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation and Matrimony here must be registered and active parishioners for 6 months. Registration forms are available on our website.

Parish-wide Total Consecration to Our Lady Invitation:

The Preparation began on November 5 and will end with the Consecration on December 8, which is the patronal feast of the United States. Though this preparation will be done by individuals and families privately, we will recite this consecration publicly as a parish after the Masses we have on the Immaculate Conception.

Volunteers needed— December 18:

Volunteers for the reception following the Bishop’s Pontifical Mass.

• Set up Social Hall—5-6 volunteers
• Set up upstairs—3 volunteers
• Set up Bishop’s food table—1 volunteer
• Monitor food table during event—4 volunteers
• Monitor drink table during event—2 volunteers
• Cleanup Social Hall and upstairs—10 volunteers
• Remove trash during event—2 volunteers

Please contact email socials@stlawrence.cc to volunteer.

The Confraternity of St. Peter:

The Confraternity of St. Peter is a group established to support the FSSP and its charism through prayers and sacrifices.  The people in this group pray a decade of the Rosary and special Confraternity prayer every day, and also have one Mass per year said for supporting vocations, the sanctification of priests and their pastoral endeavors.  If you are interested in joining this Confraternity, you can find more information here: https://fssp.com/confraternity-of-saint-peter/.

Sunday Socials returning in January 2022:

We will begin our Sunday Socials in January after the 9am and 11am Mass.  The goal is to have many volunteers so that volunteers only have to do their duty once every month or two, and volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• Doughnut Procurement: (1 volunteer weekly; 6—8 volunteers in rotation) Instructions will be provided for ordering and picking up doughnuts at your local Giant. The volunteer then deliver the doughnuts to the social hall kitchen prior to the 9am Mass.
• Coffee Social Setup: (2—4 volunteers needed weekly) Prepare the social hall for the coffee social. This involves preparing the coffee and drink table and setting up the refreshment table.
• Coffee Social Cleanup: (2—4 volunteers needed weekly) Clean social hall after 4pm.
• Coffee Social Greeter: (1 volunteer needed weekly) Greet parishioners at the door and let them into the Social Hall.

Please contact email socials@stlawrence.cc to volunteer.