Novena and Consecration, Feb. 2 through 11:
We are approaching the one-year anniversary of the novena and consecration that we did last year, imploring Our Lady’s help to preserve the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and the Traditional Latin Mass. As you will recall, in the months following the issuance in July 2021 of the moto proprio "Traditionis custodes," many were rightly afraid that our parish here at St. Lawrence could be disbanded. This concern was echoed around the world in other similar places. Fr. Komorowski, FSSP superior general, asked the priests of the FSSP and all of the Faithful at our parishes to seek Our Lady’s help.
We were all amazed when it was announced a couple of weeks later that the Holy Father had met with two FSSP priests, and had subsequently signed a special decree protecting the work of the FSSP, preserving it’s right to keep the Traditional Latin Mass. When we saw that the date of Pope Francis’s signature on the decree was Feb. 11—the Feast of Our Lady Immaculate of Lourdes, and the day that we all consecrated ourselves to her—we saw the work as due to her intercession.
This year, as an act of thanksgiving as well as of petition to protect us from future problems, our superiors have asked us to repeat the Consecration at the High Mass on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 9 am. We will also prepare for that consecration with a novena beginning on Feb. 2.
We will use the following Memorare as our novena prayer:
“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.”
Mater Dei Choristers to sing Feb. 11:
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.
High Mass for Candlemas—Thursday, Feb. 2—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.
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.
Fr. Cortes is away on vacation until Friday, Jan 27.
Coverage for Fr. Cortes today:
We are very happy to have Fr. John Killackey, FSSP with us today, providing coverage while Fr. Cortes is on vacation. He is to offer the 7:30am and 9:00am Masses, hear confessions, and sing Vespers. Welcome back!
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.
Wednesday evening Mass to begin at 6:30pm—Feb. 22:
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).
Weekly Schedule for 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. 22.
Fish Fry Each Friday 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.
Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade—Day of Prayer—Monday, Jan. 23:
Each year on Jan. 22, all dioceses within the United States are called to observe a “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.” Since Jan. 22, 2023, falls on a Sunday, the date will shift to Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Resources are available from the USCCB to help parishes, schools, families, ministries, and individual Catholics participate in this important day of prayer and penance.
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.
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 Pro Populo Mass offered for the people every Sunday, 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.
St. Catherine of Siena Young Adults' Group:
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.
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 parish of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Covington, Louisiana, daughter of Paul and Lloydell Gary; 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 first 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.
Feast of St. Blaise—Special Blessings—Friday, Feb. 3:
Bring your bread, fruits, 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 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.