Feb. 19: Coffee and Doughnuts to return!:
By popular demand, we are bringing back the Sunday socials beginning Feb. 19, and the socials will be expanded to follow all morning Masses, including the 7:30 am Mass, which previously had no social afterwards.
Thanks to the generosity of various parish groups who have each agreed to provide volunteers one Sunday per month, our new schedule of Sunday socials will take place on the first three Sundays as follows:
Regarding the 4th Sundays and the occasional 5th Sunday, as of now, we do not have the volunteers available for this. If they become available, we could expand. We might have a potluck sometimes too. Our planned schedule, then is to have socials on: Feb. 19, March 5, 12, 19, and then take a break for Holy Week, resuming on Low Sunday, April 16, the third Sunday of April.
Feb. 2-10: Prepraration for Consecration beginning Thursday:
As announced last week, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) invites all of you to join us in commemorating the gift bestowed upon the FSSP last year by consecrating ourselves to Our Lady on her feast day of Feb. 11.
In preparation, we will pray a novena from Feb. 2 to Feb 10, using the Memorare below. The Consecration will take place after the High Mass on Feb. 11.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Feb. 11: Mater Dei Choristers to sing:
At the High Mass for Our Lady Immaculate of Lourdes, the Mater Dei Choristers, our own students from our Friday education program, will sing the Mass.
Feb. 22: Wednesday evening Mass time change to 6:30pm:
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Wednesday evening Mass will begin at 6:30pm going forward. During Lent, the Wednesday evening schedule will be Vespers at 5 pm (as normal), Stations of the Cross (new on Wednesdays this year) at 5:30 pm, and Mass at 6:30 pm (note the early time).
Feb. 22: Stations of the Cross during Lent:
We will have Stations of the Cross immediately after Vespers at 5:30pm every Wednesday and Friday during Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday
Feb. 2: High Mass for Candlemas—Thursday—6:30pm:
All are encouraged to bring their own beeswax candles to be blessed at the High Mass at 6:30pm on Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please place your candles on the floor in front of the door that goes to the courtyard on the Epistle side of the church.
Feb. 3: New 3-Week Course for Adults on Friday nights at 7:30pm:
Starting Feb. 3, and ending Feb. 17; Fr. Cortes will offer a short course, meeting in the Aula Magna, on Pius XII’s encyclical, Mystici Corporis Christi, which covers such topics as the role of the laity in the Church, the pope’s opposition to Nazism, killing of disabled people, exclusion on the basis of race or nationality, forced conversions, and Mariology.
Feb. 3: Blessings for the Feast of St. Blaise (Friday):
On the Feast of St. Blaise, come to the church to receive the traditional blessing of throats through the intercession of St. Blaise, to be healed of any mid-winter throat ailments. This special blessing of throats will take place before Mass at 6:40am, and following the Office of Terce (~8:10am) for our students in our Friday Education Program, and after the 1st Friday Devotions in lieu of Compline following the 6:30pm Mass.
Feb. 3: Blessing of bread, fruits, wine, and water:
In addition to receiving the blessing yourself on that day, you may bring bread, fruits, wine, and water to be blessed so that, as the blessing says, “May they who taste thereof be fully healed of all affliction of the throat, as well as every infirmity of soul or body, through the prayers and merits of the same Blaise, Pontiff and Martyr.” You will notice that this blessing is different from the blessing of water at Epiphany or Easter, which makes no mention of water being brought by the Faithful to be blessed. The blessing on the Feast of St. Blaise, though, asks the people to bring items to be blessed. It says: “We humbly beseech thy boundless mercy, and beg that these fruits, bread, wine, and water, which thy devoted people bring today, be blessed and sanctified by thy goodness.”
You are most welcome (encouraged!) to bring things on that day for the blessing. Bring them before Mass and set them in front of St. Joseph’s altar to be blessed immediately after Mass. Note: please do not bring things for this blessing before Feb.3. If you yourself cannot come, ask a friend to bring your items to be blessed.
Feb. 24: Friday Fish Fries in Lent:
The Knights of Columbus will have a Fish Fry for each of the Fridays in Lent following the 6:30pm Mass. $10 buys a plate with Fried Fish, Mac and Cheese, and Salad. To-go options are available and can be scheduled in advance. Please email: knights@stlawrence.cc for more information.
Feb. 1: 2023 Diocesan Annual Campaign (DAC)—Together in Faith, Together in the Eucharist—Begins Wednesday, Feb. 1:
The 2023 DAC goal for St. Lawrence is $17,702.
Feb. 12: Next Young Adults Sunday Brunch:
For any young adults (ages 18-35) interested, St. Lawrence has a Young Adult Group which meets about three times a month for different events, including social events, charitable works, and Bible studies. Please email: youngadults@stlawrence.cc for more information.
Congratulations to Christopher and Lisa Washington on the Baptism of their son Edmund Joseph Washington January 21, 2023
Banns of Marriage: Ashton Forbeck and Emily Gary:
Be it known to all here present that Ashton Forbeck, of the quasi-parish of St. Lawrence of Rome, Deacon and Martyr, Harrisburg, Penn., son of Lance and Dawn Forbeck; and Emily Gary of the quasi-parish of St. Lawrence of Rome, Deacon and Martyr, Harrisburg, Penn.; daughter of Paul and Lloydell Gary of Covington, Louisiana; 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 second publication of the banns.
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.
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@stawrence.cc. In this way, Parishioners can submit prayer intentions that we then share with everyone on the email list.
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 Saturday at 3:30pm in the 2nd floor conference room at our 112 State Street Parish Center. This is a no commitment class and all one needs to do is show up. If you have questions, you are welcome to email the office at: contact@stlawrence.cc.