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First Sunday of Advent

December 3, 2017

Coffee  & Donuts - Today we will have Coffee and Donuts after both the  8am & 10am Mass in the downstairs social hall.  Please join us. 

2018 FSSP Calendars - FSSP Calendars are available in the back of the church for $15 per calendar while supplies last.

This Friday - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation - The Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be this Friday, December 8.  Our Friday Mass and Adoration  schedule will be altered slightly as follows.

  • 7:00 am - Low Mass
  • 6:00 pm - Simple Adoration
  • 7:00 pm - Sung Mass

Candlelight Rorate Mass - This Saturday, December 9th, we will have a special 6:00am Sung Mass. This Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honor, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, we will prepare to honor the Light of the world, Who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.

Online Giving - You are now able to visit our website to make a one time gift to Mater Dei or to set up recurring monthly offerings.  Visit MaterDeiPA.com and click “Donate.” 

Youth Group - Gingerbread House Competition  - Our next Youth Group event will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm in the social hall at St. Lawrence. All attending will participate in a Gingerbread House competition followed by a talk by one of our priests and the Rosary.  Please bring a snack and a friend! The Youth Group is open to young people ages 13 through high school. For more information and to RSVP contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com

Young Adult Group - Next Meeting - The Young Adult Group will meet on Friday, December 15 following 6:30 Mass in the Social Hall for a potluck and games.  For more information contact Fr Franco at Fr.Franco@MaterDeiPA.com

 Coffee Donuts Clean-up - Please sign up to help clean the social hall afterwards Coffee/Donuts on Sunday.  Clean-up begins around 12:15pm and takes approximately 25 minutes.  A list of duties, and sign up sheet are located in the social hall.

Holy Name Society - New Member Signup - The members of the Holy Name Society invite all men of the Mater Dei Community to join them in honoring the Holy Name of Jesus.  A member of the Holy Name Society will be in the vestibule after Mass on December 3rd and 10th for sign ups and additional information.  Or contact Bill Mansell at 717-683-2971.

 Children Supervision Reminder - Parents please do not let your young children use the restrooms without assistance.  This will keep our facilities operational and also save others from having to clean up messes left behind by little children.  Thank you!

Adult Convert / Adult Confirmation - Any adults interested in coming into the Catholic Church or receiving Confirmation and those interested in brushing up on their Faith: Adult Catechism classes will be every other week at 7pm in the social hall.  Next class will be on Thursday, December 7.

The St. Lawrence

Stain Glass Windows

The five windows in the sanctuary of St Lawrence, along with the rose window above the choir loft, were crafted of imported antique glass.  The medieval influence is captured in the design, the leading and the rich colors of the glass.  The figures in the sanctuary windows of St. Lawrence represent,  from left to right:

St. Rita, wife and mother.

St. Mary Magdalen, first witness of Christ’s resurrection.

St. Matthew and St. Mark the evangelists.

St. Peter, the first pope.

St. Paul, apostle to the Gentiles.

St. Luke and St. John the evangelists.

St Rose of Lima, first Saint of the Americas.

St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.