From Dom Guéranger’s The Liturgical Year:
The second Sunday after the Epiphany, which recalls the Marriage feast of Cana, was at first chosen as the day on which to honour the most holy Name of Jesus. It is on the Wedding Day that the Bridegroom gives his Name to the Bride, and it is the sign that, from that day forward, she belongs to him alone. The Church, therefore, wishing to honour a name so precious to her with a special feast, could find no day more appropriate for it than that of the Marriage at Cana. But now she has chosen for the celebration of this august Name, a day closer to the Anniversary on which it was given, ‘after eight days were accomplished, his name was called Jesus’; she leaves, however, the commemoration of the Sacred Nuptials to the Sunday of which it has ever been the glory.
In the Old Covenant, the Name of God inspired fear and awe: nor was the honour of pronouncing it granted to all the children of Israel. We can understand this. God had not yet come down from heaven to live on earth, and converse with men; he had not yet taken upon himself our poor nature, and become Man like ourselves; the sweet Name expressive of love and tenderness, could not be applied to him.
But, when the fulness of time had come—when the mystery of love was about to be revealed—then did heaven send down the Name of ‘Jesus’ to our earth, as a pledge of the speedy coming of him who was to bear it. The archangel Gabriel said to Mary: Thou shalt call his Name Jesus. ‘Jesus’ means Saviour. How sweet will this Name not be to poor lost man! It seems to link earth to heaven! No name is so amiable, none is so powerful. Every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell, bows in adoration at hearing this Name! and yet, who can pronounce it, and not feel love spring up within his heart? But we need such a saint as Bernard, to tell us of the power and sweetness of this blessed Name. He thus speaks of it in one of his Sermons.
"The Name of Jesus is Light, and Food, and Medicine. It is Light, when it is preached to us; it is Food, when we think upon it; it is the Medicine that soothes our pains when we invoke it. Let us say a word on each of these. Tell me, whence came there, into the whole world, so bright and sudden a light, if not from the preaching of the Name of Jesus? Was it not by the light of this Name that God called us unto his admirable Light? Wherewith being enlightened, and in this light, seeing the Light, we take these words of Paul as truly addressed to ourselves: Heretofore, you were darkness; but now, light in the Lord.”
CALLING ALL ALTAR BOYS AND THOSE INTERESTED
Next meeting is Saturday, Jan. 8. All boys of the parish who have received their First Holy Communion are invited to become altar boys. To do so, attend one of the monthly meetings, which happen on the second Saturday of each month. The schedule of the monthly meeting is: attend 9 am Mass; make a private thanksgiving at your seat; go to the social hall for a brief breakfast with the other boys; go to one of the classrooms for a meeting with one of the priests and the adult leaders (Mr. Ed Pitman and Mr. Jack Rozman) where attendance will be taken, new boys welcomed, and a spiritual talk from the priest; then various practices of the ceremonies of Mass will be done. At 11:30 am, the boys will stop for recreation, and by noon, they will wash up and return to the social hall, pray the Angelus, and have pizza for lunch, and the parents should pick up the boys at 12:30 pm. The purchase of the food is organized by the mothers of the altar boys, with the task rotating each month, and the parish reimbursing the expenses. Email altarboys@stlawrence.cc with any questions.
Legion of Mary:
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: . . . " (First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chpt 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. Contact Daniel Jones at legionofmary@stlawrence.cc for more information The first meeting of 2022 will be Monday, January 3rd at 5:45 PM.
COFFEE AND DOUGHNUT SOCIALS RETURN TODAY!
We are very happy that as of today we will once again have our socials in the basement after the 9 am and 11 am Masses. We invite everyone to come and get to know your fellow parishioners. To get to the basement, please go through the courtyard (through the door on the Epistle side of the Church), or by exiting the front of the church and entering through the exterior door on Buttonwood Street.
March for Life:
St. Lawrence Parish will be renting a charter bus to attend the March for Life on Friday, January 21, 2022 in Washington D.C. The bus will leave the Harrisburg East Mall Parking lot at 8:30am and will return at approximately 5:30pm. The cost is $25 for adults, $10 for children, and $50 for a family of four or more. To reserve your seat, contact prolife@stlawrence.cc
ANY RETIRED GENTLEMEN HAVE A DAY OR TWO TO SPARE?
As of publication, 56 families have signed up for the Epiphany blessings, which is an absolute joy to see so many families interested in this beautiful sacramental of the church. To reach all of these homes, however, in the midst of the other parish duties, is quite time consuming for the priests. It would be quite helpful if a retired gentleman would be willing to drive the priest (in the priest’s car or his own) from home to home so he can quickly visit many families, all the while praying his office and tending to parish business between stops. If you are able to help, please email epiphanyblessing@stlawrence.cc.
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
Music Lessons:
Would you like to have your children enrolled in music lessons? The State Street Academy (SSA), which is located in the St. Lawrence lower level, accepts students for a semester-length course of lessons in an instrument of choice with a recital at the end of the semester. There are skilled teachers for lessons in piano, violin, and voice among other instruments. In the coming semester the SSA will be able to offer instruction in harp if there is enough interest. For further inquiries on price and/or to reserve a spot for harp lessons, please send an email to Paul Thomas May at music@stlawrence.cc.
STARTING TODAY, JANUARY 2:
We will begin our Sunday Socials after the 9am and 11am 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:
Young Adults:
For any young adults (ages 18-35) interested, the Mater Dei Young Adult Group will be meeting after the 11am Mass next Sunday, Jan. 9, at Squeaky Rail Diner ( 505 N Enola Rd, Enola, PA 17025) to have brunch together. We will meet there around 1pm. For further information about the Mater Dei Young Adult Group, email Fr. Killackey at assistant.pastor@stlawrence.cc