FROM YOUR PASTOR
In its traditional form, the Divine Office consists of singing the Psalms eight times each day, the performance of which is a grave obligation for priests and others similarly bound. In monasteries, religious do sing the entire office so that all 150 psalms are sung together each week. Priests who work in the world also pray all 150 psalms, but because of their duties ministering to the Faithful, they can only sing some of them together, and recite the rest of them privately. The Constitutions of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), approved by the Holy See, oblige its members to pray the office together (in common) three times a day insofar as their schedules permit.
Here at St. Lawrence, we have established our prayer horarium to fulfill this joyous duty (officium, in Latin, from which we have the word office), and we invite the Faithful to assist not just at Holy Mass, but also at the Divine Office, which is the way that the Church extends the celebration of the Mass throughout the day. Altar boys, especially those who are or have been members of the Acolytes Schola as part of our Friday Religious Education program, are invited to vest in cassock and surplice and sit in choir with the priests and visiting seminarians to learn how to sing the psalms, the official prayer of the Church.
Noting that the priests’ schedules sometimes require them to pray some of the following offices in private, we hereby publish the following horarium for the Divine Office at St. Lawrence. If you plan to drive some distance in order to assist at the office, you are advised to check with the business office to see if there are any last-minute changes to the horarium due to apostolic work. Soon, we will publish a calendar on the website that would have such last minute changes. Please note that the priests will make every effort to avoid changing Vespers.
Horarium for the Divine Office at St. Lawrence Church
Tuesday Adoration Schedule Change:
Beginning in the new year of 2023, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will end at 11:45am concluding with Benediction. This change will allow the celebration of the hour of None at 12:00noon. Please see the announcement above regarding the Divine Office for more information on when the Divine Office is celebrated in common.
Legion of Mary—meeting time change effective Jan. 2023:
In an effort to meet the needs of the active members who regularly attend its weekly Tuesday evening meetings, the Mater Dei Praesidium of the Legion of Mary will begin meeting at 6:30pm after the change of the year. We will also be moving our meeting location from the Church’s Social Hall to our 112 State Street Parish Center. Guests are always welcome!
Parish Christmas Party at 112 State Street!— Please use the links below to RSVP and volunteer:
Knights of Columbus Christmas Poster Contest—Dec. 16 deadline for submission of Posters!—The children of the parish are invited to participate in the Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest. There are four age categories and a $50 gift card prize for those who win 1st place in each age group. Additionally, two anonymous donors have allowed for a $20 cash prize and $10 cash prize in each age group for 2nd and 3rd place respectively. AGE GROUPS: 5–7; 8–10; 11–14; and 15–18 (not yet a high school graduate). RULES: Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a single person. Poster should be approximately 11x17
inches. However, the Council will not disqualify based on poster size. If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used, the poster must be laminated or covered with clear plastic. JUDGING: Posters will be given a 100-point system; Slogan - how clear is the theme? 30 points, Visuals - does the art convey this message beautifully? 30 points, Overall Impact - Does it cause you to reflect on the topic and capture your attention? 40 points. Once judged, all artwork will be on display at 112 State Street and winners will be announced at the Parish Christmas Party on Dec. 31 at Noon. Submissions must be turned in to the Parish Office no later than Friday, Dec. 16.
Dec. 17 Ember Saturday of Advent— Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Event:
Food for the Fish Fry will be available in the Church’s Social Hall after the Pro-Life Rosary. $10 buys a plate of Fried Fish, Mac and Cheese, and Coleslaw.
Holy Name Society—New Members Recruitment Drive:
Catholic men 18 years old and older, are invited to join the St. Lawrence Holy Name Society. Information about this traditional confraternity can be found at www.nahns.com. All eligible men are encouraged to consider this spiritual and social opportunity. Persons interested in enrolling, or who need additional information about the specific activities of the Holy Name Society at Mater Dei, please see one of our members who will be available at tables located in the Narthex after all Sunday Masses today, and again on Sunday Dec.18. The Society will host a new member induction ceremony after the 11am Mass on Sunday, Jan.8, 2023. If you have any questions, you may also email Mr. William Gabig at: willgabig@comcast.net.
St. Lawrence Youth Group will meet from 6-9pm in the Church’s Social Hall on Saturday, Dec.17. Please join us! We will continue our tradition of decorating gingerbread houses, then have them on display during our parish family Christmas party on Dec. 31! Following our activity, we will be blessed by a talk from our Pastor, and end our evening with the Rosary. For further information, please email:youthgroup@stlawrence.cc.
Congratulations to Joseph and Julia Halecky on the Baptism of their daughter Emilia Marie Halecky December 3, 2022
Parish Christmas Party Slide Show—Photos of parish events wanted:
We are creating a slideshow of the many important events that have taken place in our Parish this year. If you have photos of any parish events, including First Communion, Confirmation, Chant Camp, our Parish & All Saints Day Picnics, Youth Group, YAG, Sports, etc., please send them to: historian@stlawrence.cc, no later than Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Girls Sodality:
We will start a Girls Sodality for girls ages 8-14, here at the parish. The group will meet from 10-11am the second Saturday monthly after the 9am Mass. Our Girls Sodality will be part of the greater Congregation of the Children of Mary which is a lay Organization for children, and co-sponsored by the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena and the Universal Living Rosary Association. If you would like more information about these associations, please visit: mychildrenofmary.com. The purpose of the Girls Sodality will be to foster an extraordinary devotion to the Mother of God through prayer and instruction, as well as give young girls the opportunity to make lasting friendships with each other. If your daughters between the ages of 8-14 would like to join the Sodality, please sign up at: girlssodality@stlawrence.cc. We will have our first meeting on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 so please sign up before Jan, 1, 2023.
2023 Basketball Tournament—We plan to hold our first parish basketball tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at the Harrisburg YMCA from 1pm to 6pm. The tournament is open to men 14 and older. If you would like to play, please sign up by Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
You can use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2J7GCLW
We will select team captains and hold a private “draft night” on Friday, Dec. 16, and during which time, the team captains will privately draft players for their teams. We are asking people to pitch in $10 to help offset gym rental costs and help pay for equipment (new basketballs and game clocks). Please remember that the deadline to sign up is Dec. 15, 2022, and there will be no “free agents” or “trades” after Dec. 16. We hope to have a competitive and fun Tournament, so please sign up.