Coffee & Donuts - You are invited to join us for coffee and donuts in the Social Hall following the 8am & 10am Masses this morning.

Benediction Following Mass - Immediately following Mass this morning we will have Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Parish Christmas/Epiphany Dinner & Party - Tuesday, January 16 - Our Christmas / Epiphany Party will be at St. Lawrence on January 16 from 5:30pm—8:30pm.  The evening will include Vespers, dinner, a Christmas play and King Cake.  More details and a signup sheet for volunteers are in the back of church today.

Epiphany Water Blessing - Epiphany water is available in the Holy Water canister beside the Baptistry gate and in the container near the St. Joseph’s altar.  Additional Epiphany water is in reserve, so do not hesitate to take a large quantity.

Blessing of Epiphany Chalk - Chalk is traditionally blessed on Epiphany for the faithful to take home and use to bless their homes.  The top of the door frames entering the house are marked with “20 + C + M + B + 18”.  The letters “C” “M” and “B” are the initials of the three kings, Casper, Melchior and Balthazar, who arrived at Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus on Epiphany.  The crosses are placed between the letters and the numbers to remind us of the suffering that Jesus was to undergo for us.  Finally, the “20” and “18” are for the 2018 years since the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Traditionally, the marking is left on the door frame until the next year when it is replaced by another year’s blessing. Chalk from previous years can be reused.  New chalk blessed on the feast of the Epiphany is also available in the back of the Church.

March for Life & Day of Penance - The National Right to Life March in Washington D.C. is January 19.  The contacts for the buses that are traveling from the diocese to the March can be found by contacting KNeri@hbgdiocese.org.  January 22nd is a National Day of Penance because it is the actual day that the Roe v. Wade decision was made denying unborn babies the right to life.  Please observe this day of penance in reparation for sins against the unborn and for the legal protection of unborn children.

Holy Hour for Life - Saturday Jan 20 - In place of prayers at Hillcrest abortuary next Saturday, we will have a Holy Hour for Life in observance of Roe v. Wade from 8am to 9am. There are over two-dozen other parishes joining in a holy hour for life.

No Masses - January 10 - 12 - All Masses and devotions are cancelled January 10, 11 and 12.  The priests will be away attending a meeting with all other North American FSSP priests at which we will elect delegates for next summer’s General Chapter.

 Adult Convert / Confirmation Class - Classes resume: our next class will be on Thursday, January 18th at 7pm.  Access via the alley door on Buttonwood St.

 Seminarian James Kuniega Visiting - We are happy to welcome James home from OLG seminary for Christmas break.  Please keep James and all of the young people of Mater Dei who are discerning a vocation in your daily prayers. 

Bishop Gainer Visit - 100th Anniversary of St Lawrence - On Tuesday, April 24, at 7pm Bishop Gainer will offer a Pontifical High Mass celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of St. Lawrence Church in April of 1918.  More details about this Mass and 100th anniversary celebration will be coming.

Fr. Flick Visit - Fr. Flick FSSP will be in the area for business on January 16 and plans to attend our Epiphany party that evening.  This is a great opportunity to see Father for anyone who would like to say hello.

St. Tarcisius Meeting - We will not have a St. Tarcisius meeting in January.  Our next meeting will be February 3.  We are  currently looking for families to host meetings at their home.  Families do not need to have a child in the group to host a meeting at their home.  For questions contact Jill Lear at SaintTarcisiusGroup@materdeipa.com

Youth Group Meeting - On next Youth Group will be Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm in the social hall at St. Lawrence. All attending will participate in a card tournament followed by a talk by Fr Eichman and the Rosary. No card experience needed!!! Please bring a snack and a friend! The Youth Group is open to young people ages 13 through high school. For more information and to RSVP contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com

2017 IRS Tax Letter - If you would like a 2017 tax letter please contact the office this week either via email or phone.