Feb. 3: Bring your fruits, bread, wine, water
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. In addition to receiving the blessing yourself on that day, you may bring fruits, bread, 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.
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.
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 Dan Jones at legionofmary@stlawrence.cc for more information. Meetings will be Mondays, at 5:45pm.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FOR ST. LAWRENCE?
Depending upon the degree of interest, Fr. Smith would like to open a council for the Knights of Columbus for our parish. If you would like to be a member of a new council here at St. Lawrence, whether you are currently a Knight elsewhere or interested in becoming a Knight, please email knightsofcolumbus@stlawrence.cc. If there is enough interest, we will take the next steps of enrolling new members and launching the new council here.
Calling all Altar Boys and those interested:
Next meeting is Saturday, February 12. 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.
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 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.
Message from the FSSP Provincial House:
The priests there are interested in acquiring a treadmill and/or an elliptical machine. If anyone has one that they do not use and are interested in donating, please contact the HQ at (570) 842- 4000. Thank you!
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.
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.