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.

We are still accepting Spiritual Bouquet prayer contributions for Bishop Gainer and his Intentions:

Please submit them in an envelope marked “spiritual bouquet for Bishop Gainer” to the office We will open the envelopes and organize them before we submit them.

De Montfort Total Consecration Plenary Indulgence:

For those of you preparing for the de Montfort Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the day of the consecration (or its renewal if you have done this consecration before).  This plenary indulgence was granted by Pope Leo XIII and renewed by Pope St. Pius X under the usual conditions.  As a reminder, the “usual conditions” for gaining any plenary indulgence are as follows:

• Perform Indulgenced work Interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even  venial sin.
• Receive Holy Communion
• Go to Confession (can be done 20 days before or after day on which indulgenced work is done)
• Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (suggested: 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be)

Retired Religious Fund: Today, Sunday, Dec. 5,  there will be a 2nd Collection for the Retired Religious Fund.

Book-sales Table:

New items: Limited copies of the Sophia Institute Press beautiful 4-piece Children’s Illustrated Traditional Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany 18x24 inch posters. 4-piece Calendar set: $29.00. Also available for sale are 2022 FSSP Calendars: $11.00. Three publications available: Mother Love, a hand missal, and the monthly publication Benedictus. All can be purchased at our new book-sales table, which will be available after the 9am and 11am Masses.

Young Adults Game Night—Saturday, Dec. 11:

For any young adults (ages 18-35) the St. Lawrence Young Adult Group will be meeting after dinner on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7pm for a board game night at a parishioner’s house.  For more information on this event, please email Fr. Killackey at assistant.pastor@stlawrence.cc.

Young Adults—Sunday, Dec. 12:

For any young adults (ages 18-35) the St. Lawrence Young Adult Group will be meeting on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1pm at Squeaky Rail Diner (505 N Enola Rd, Enola, PA 17025)for brunch. We will meet there around 1pm. For further information email Fr. Killackey at assistant.pastor@stlawrence.cc.

Inquiry Class Reminder:

If you are not Catholic and are interested in Catholicism, or if you know of anyone who is at all interested, we hold an Inquiry class every Monday at 6pm in the school building behind church.  This is a no commitment class and all one needs to do is show up. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact the office at contact@stlawrence.cc.

Altar Boy Meeting—Saturday, Dec. 11:

The altar boys will meet Saturday, Dec. 11, after the Rorate Mass (about 8 am). The meeting will include a breakfast, a talk by Fr. Smith, and training for the ceremonies of the altar, ending at around 11 am. All altar boys should attend this meeting. The Knights of the Altar will continue to have their business meetings on the third Sunday each month, but this training meeting with the priests will now occur on second Saturdays. Any questions should be sent to altarboys@stlawrence.cc.

Calling More Altar Boys:

All boys of St. Lawrence who have received their 1st Holy Communion are invited to become altar boys starting January 2.  We will have new altar boys start as torch bearers for the Sunday High Masses, then as they learn their responses and server rubrics, they will be given a chance to start serving Low Masses.  For more information, please email altarboys@stlawrence.cc.

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.

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 Civic Club—10 volunteers
• Remove trash during event—2 volunteers

Please contact email socials@stlawrence.cc to volunteer.

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@stlawrence.cc

Sunday Socials returning in January:

We will begin our Sunday Socials in January after the 9am and11am 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.

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