ESTABLISHMENT OF PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL:
Fr. Smith has recently appointed seven men to the St. Lawrence finance council (listed below), including the four men who were part of the Mater Dei finance council, naming Lance Forbeck as the chairman and Peter Wertz as the secretary. These are upstanding men with a variety of backgrounds and educations that make their advice to Father on the management of the temporal goods of the parish very important. Indeed, not only does canon law require a finance council, but Holy Scripture in several places exhorts us to seek counsel, e.g., "Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counselors, they are established.” (Prov. 15:22).
While on a technical level, respecting the hierarchical nature of Church governance, the finance council is only advisory and does not itself govern, it is a very important part of the parish and is required to review the finances regularly and to advise Father on the best path forward. The members of the Mater Dei council were very helpful to Fr. Eichman, guiding him, for example on the purchase of the rectory in 2017, and laying the groundwork for the agreement to purchase the church building. These men, along with the new members, have been essential for Fr. Smith as they worked together, with the feedback of many in the parish through surveys and conversations, to conclude the agreement to purchase the church, as well as the decision to seek the help of the FSSP to purchase 112 State Street.
Going forward, in addition to the weekly collection reports that have appeared in the bulletin since January, you will receive reports from Fr. Smith and the finance council at least annually on the financial position of the parish. Indeed, today you will find the report for 2021-2022 fiscal year (which begins on July 1), on the table at the entrance to the church.
Each term for a member of the finance council should be three years, but the terms needed to staggered for the sake of continuity. The members are as follows:
Terms expiring Dec. 31, 2023:
Terms expiring Dec. 31, 2024:
Terms expiring Dec. 31, 2025:
External Solemnity of the Holy Rosary:
In gratitude for the gift of Our Lady’s Rosary, whose feast is celebrated in the universal calendar on Oct. 7, we take advantage of the privilege to keep this Sunday as the External Solemnity, meaning that the 9 am Low Mass and the 11 am High Mass will be Masses of that feast. This year, the actual feast falls on First Friday, so instead of praying Compline afterwards, we invite the whole parish to join us in the Rosary Friday night after Mass.
St. Lawrence Financial Report:
Please find the parish’s 2021-2022 financial report near the entrance to the church.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE TODAY FOR SUNDAY CATECHISM (CCD):
If you plan to enroll your child in Sunday catechism this year, please submit your registration form today, either in person at the table at the entrance to the church after Mass, or online at https://bit.ly/3rhWJit. Please note that for any child to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation in 2023, he must be enrolled either as a student for the the 2022-2023 academic year either in the Sunday Catechism or the Friday Religious Education program. Today is the last day to register. There will be mandatory meeting for parents of children enrolled next Sunday, Oct. 9, and classes will begin Sunday, Oct. 16, with a full hour of instruction from 9:15 to 10:15 am each Sunday, except various holidays as noted in the registration packet. If you have further questions, please email ccd@stlawrence.cc.
Girls Sodality Bake Sale:
Next Sunday, October 9th, the Girls Sodality will hold a bake sale after the morning Masses, to raise funds for the All Saints Day party. If you would like to bake items for the bake sale, or are a member of the Girls Sodality and need more info, please email Rebecca Mack @ girlssodality@stlawrence.cc.
Columbus Day Celebration:
The Knights of Columbus will be holding a Simple Soup Supper on Wednesday, October 12th, after evening mass, to celebrate Columbus day. The Knights will provide soup and salad. Please bring a Side or desert to share. Please join us in our first Columbus Day celebration. All are welcome.
ALL SAINTS DAY PARTY:
Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 6th, when the All Saints Day party will be held. If you would like to make a donation for the items needed, please earmark your donation “All Saints Day party,” and place in the collection or mail to the parish office More details for the party will be forthcoming.
Congratulations to Wyatt and Hannah Klein on the Baptism of their daughter Miriam Coeli Klein, September 24, 2022
Banns of Marriage: Reed Forbeck and Halle Kolling
Be it known to all here present that Reed Forbeck, of the quasi-parish of St. Lawrence of Rome, Deacon and Martyr, Harrisburg, PA, son of Lance and Dawn Forbeck; and Halle Kolling of the quasi-parish of St. Lawrence of Rome, Deacon and Martyr, Harrisburg, PA, daughter of Gary and Krista Kolling; intend to be united in holy matrimony. Wherefore, we hereby admonish each and all that, if any of you has knowledge of an impediment existing which would prevent their marrying, whether it be an impediment of blood relationship, relationship through marriage, spiritual relationship, or of any other kind, you are bound to make it known to the pastor or bishop as soon as possible. This is the third publication of the banns.
Marriage preparation class beginning Oct. 14:
As part of the requirement for marriage preparation, engaged couples planning to be married at St. Lawrence between now and June 30, 2023, will take a group course to review the philosophical and theological principles governing marriage. The course will meet about a half dozen times (more or less depending upon how quickly the material is covered) starting on Friday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 pm. In order to be admitted to the course, couples must have first met with one of the priests and provide the necessary documents (including Baptismal and Confirmation certificates). This is an opportunity to learn the clear distinctions about the laws of marriage, as well as to get to know other engaged couples.
Sunday Socials: Help still needed:
Please consider helping with our Sunday Socials after the 9am and 11am Masses. The goal is to have many volunteers so that volunteers only have to do their duty once every month or two. If you can help please email: socials@stlawrence.cc.