Scheduling notes for Lent
*Ash Wednesday: Masses at 6:15 am and 7 pm, both preceded by distribution of ashes. This is a day of fasting and abstinence, binding gravely.
* Fridays in Lent: Stations of the Cross will be at 6 pm (replacing Adoration during Lent). Vespers will remain at 5 pm, and Mass will be at 6:30 pm immediately following Stations. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence, binding gravely
Confirmation on Saturday, April 9
Bp. Gainer plans to come to confer Confirmation and to celebrate a Pontifical High Mass. Those interested in helping with refreshments afterwards are encouraged to email socials@stlawrence.cc
Sponsorships needed for parish library
Special thanks to our benefactor who has sponsored the 44-volume set of St. Augustine! The benefactor offered this gift in thanksgiving to God for the protection offered to the FSSP by the Holy Father’s recent decree. Therefore, the St. Augustine option is no longer available for potential sponsors, but the 31-volume set of St. Thomas Aquinas is still available. It is a Latin-English side-by-side edition published by the Aquinas Institute. It costs $1,706.
Adoration on Tuesday, March 1
Adoration will be from 9 am to 1 am, rather than starting at 8 am.
The Confraternity of St. Peter:
The Confraternity of St. Peter is a group established to support the FSSP and its charism through prayers and sacrifices. The people in this group pray a decade of the Rosary and special Confraternity prayer every day, and also have one Mass per year said for supporting vocations, the sanctification of priests and their pastoral endeavors. If you are interested in joining this Confraternity, you can find more information here: https://fssp.com/confraternity-of-saint-peter/.
FSSP Confraternity Prayer
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus, born to give testimony to the Truth, Thou who lovest unto the end those whom Thou hadst chosen, kindly hear our prayers for our pastors. Thou who knowest all things, knowest that they love Thee and can do all things in Thee who strengthenest them.
Sanctify them in Truth. Pour into them, we beseech Thee, the Spirit whom Thou didst give to Thy apostles, who would make them, in all things, like unto Thee. Receive the homage of love which they offer up to Thee, who hast graciously received the threefold confession of Peter. And so that a pure oblation may everywhere be offered without ceasing unto the Most Holy.
Trinity, graciously enrich their number and keep them in Thy love, who art one with the Father and the Holy Ghost, to whom be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Young Adult Emmitsburg Shrine Lenten Day of Recollection, March 12:
For those young adults (ages 18-35) interested, we will be having a Lenten Day of recollection down at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, MD for the FSSP parishes in the region on Saturday, March 12. This day will include Mass at 9am, some spiritual conferences, time for Confession and Adoration, a tour of the grounds, and Stations of the Cross at the nearby Lourdes Grotto. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided, and there will be an optional group dinner at the end of the day. If interested or if you have any questions, please contact the Young Adult group at assistant.pastor@stlawrence.cc. Registration is $20 March 7, after which the fee will rise to $25 until we reach the group capacity.
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
Calling all Altar Boys and those interested:
Any boy who has received his First Holy Communion is invited to consider being an altar boy at St. Lawrence. The altar boys have group practices once per month on the second Saturday of the month. (The next practice will be on March 12). The meeting begins after the 9 am Mass, and concludes at 12:30 pm, and includes a light breakfast, a meeting with a spiritual talk from one of the priests, practice serving, recreation, pizza for lunch, and clean up. In addition, the monthly business meeting for the Knights of the Altar (open to all altar boys) is held on the third Sunday of every month after the 11 am Mass. For more information about becoming an altar boy, email Fr. Smith or Mr. Pitman at altarboys@stlawrence.cc.
Coffee and Doughnut Socials:
We are very happy to 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.
Registration at St. Lawrence:
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.
Openings in the Choir at St. Lawrence:
The choir has openings for additional dedicated volunteers and two qualified section leaders. Members are expected to be available for Thursday evening rehearsals, Sunday 11am 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 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.
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
Sunday Socials: Help still needed!
Please consider helping with our Sunday Socials 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.