Parish Mission September 18-21:
Fr. Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap., will visit St. Lawrence to preach a parish mission. He will preach at all of the Masses on Sunday, September 18, and will give the mission conferences at 7 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights (Sept.19-21). He will hear confessions before and after each conference. Due to the conflict with the Wednesday evening Mass, the Wednesday evening Mass will be moved to 6 pm on Sept. 21, with the St. Jude devotions still included, but the veneration of the relic after the Conference. Father will also bring relics of Bl. Solanus Casey and St. Padre Pio (one of the gloves he wore to hide his stigmata).
The Flower of Mt. Carmel Hermitage—Fund Raising Dinner:
Seats are available for a fundraising dinner to support the Flower of Carmel Hermitage, home of Sr. Mary Catherine Rose, on October 6 at 6 pm. For information, email Matthew Michonski at: mjmklm@earthlink.net.
Celebrate Life! Banquet:
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation will host its Celebrate Life! Banquet at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA on Friday, October 21 from 6:00pm—8:30pm. Keynote Speaker is the world renowned neurosurgeon and staunch advocate for every life at every stage, Dr. Ben Carson, Founder of the pro-life American Cornerstone Institute. St. Lawrence’s parishioners are encouraged to attend this worthwhile event by sponsoring a table @ $125 per seat for 8 seats. For more information, please visit: www.prolife.org or call the PA Pro-Life Federation at 717-541-0034.
The Catholic War Veterans:
Did you serve in the Military? Father Edward Higgins of Astoria, New York created The Catholic War Veterans, an organization blessed by Pope Pius II. It is also a National Congressionally Chartered organization with State and local chapters. Upon signing the Congressional Charter for the Catholic War Veterans in August 1984, President Ronald Reagan said “I have the deepest admiration for your commitment to serve both God and Country.” Within the Diocese of Harrisburg there are active posts in places such as Lebanon, Columbia, Gettysburg, and Berwick, but the central Pennsylvania region has not had an active organization in many years. The local group hopes to perform charitable work, recognize events such as Veteran's and Memorial Day, and work to support the Church in our area. Any baptized Catholic who has served in uniform is qualified, and the first year is free. A member does not have to have served in a war.
The Department of Pennsylvania, Catholic War Veterans, headquartered in Wrightsville, PA, has been working with a group of 25 Catholic current and former service members in Central PA to reactivate the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Catholic War Veterans. Twenty five diocesan Catholics who have served in uniform have already joined, including 3 Deacons: Patrick McCormack, Timothy Shultis, and Michael Derois. The Very Reverend John Bateman JCL, VF, the Pastor of Saint Patrick’s in York, PA, has agreed to be the Central Pennsylvanian Chapter’s Chaplain. Colonel (retired) Robert DeSousa, parishioner of the Mater Dei Community at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church, will serve as the unit’s first Commander. For more information, please contact: Colonel (retired) Robert DeSousa at: cptjag@yahoo.com or 717-648-8317.
EDUCATION AT ST. LAWRENCE:
The new academic year has begun for students around the world, including 134 students in our St. Lawrence Friday Religious Education Program, which began this week. Now in its eighth year, the students study catechism, sacramental preparation, sacred Scripture, sacred music, ancient history, science, sacred art and gym.
In addition to the Friday program, registration will open soon for our Sunday catechism program, which will run from 9:15 to 10:15 am, and we hope that we will have enough students to support a separate class for each grade level. This will have many benefits for our children: smaller classes make for a more pleasant and fruitful learning environment, and classes with only one grade level can more easily focus on the level suitable for that age.
Both the Friday program and the Sunday catechism will benefit greatly from the recent acquisition of 112 State Street, which provides 8,700 more square feet, much of it available for education, providing large and small classrooms. Please pray for the students and the many volunteers who have labored so hard to continue the necessary education of our parish’s children.
St. Lawrence Youth Group September Events:
Pilgrimage for Restoration:
The 27th Annual Pilgrimage for Restoration will be held this year from September 23-25, 2022. Members of St. Lawrence are invited to participate! Fellow pilgrims, young and old, join in penance and in hope on the way to Our Lady’s Shrine of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York. For more information about the Pilgrimage, visit: www.pilgrimage-for-restoration.org/modified-pilgrimage
Email Prayer Chain:
If you are not currently on the Mater Dei prayer request email list and would like to be added, please email: prayers@stlawrence.cc. In this way, Parishioners can submit prayer intentions that we then share with everyone on the email list.
Mass Intentions:
Mass intentions are filled for the remainder of the 2022 calendar year so we are not accepting new requests at this time. We will resume taking requests on October 1.
2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal:
Our goal for 2022 is $16,093.00. So far this year, parishioners have contributed $12,200.21.
Registration at St. Lawrence Church:
The Pastor and Assistant Pastor 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.
South Street Garage Parking:
You are able to park for free on Sundays at South Street Garage. The procedure for using the garage is as follows:
Any problems please notify Fr. Smith.
Mater Dei Praesidium of The Legion of Mary:
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification:.." (First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 4, vs 3). This is the goal of the Legion of Mary, to sanctify its members by actively bringing souls to Christ through the work of Our Lady. Please consider becoming an active member. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings which are held on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. For more information, please email Dan Jones at: legionofmary@stlawrence.cc.
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.
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 the 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
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 send photos of your new baby to include on our new Website! Please notify us at: contact@stlawrence.cc