Parish Mission September 18-21:
Fr. Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap., will visit St. Lawrence to preach a parish mission. He will preach at all of the Masses on Sunday, September 18, and will give the mission conferences at 7 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights (Sept.19-21). He will hear confessions before and after each conference. Due to the conflict with the Wednesday evening Mass, the Wednesday evening Mass will be moved to 6 pm on Sept. 21, with the St. Jude devotions still included, but the veneration of the relic after the Conference. Father will also bring relics of Bl. Solanus Casey and St. Padre Pio (one of the gloves he wore to hide his stigmata).
Informational Speakers’ Forum —“Life After Roe: Creating a Culture of Life in Pennsylvania”
The Respect Life Committee of St. Catherine Laboure Parish is hosting this speakers’ forum on Saturday, September 10 from 9am to 12:30pm. After months of misinformation regarding the Dobbs decision, this event will present medical, social, legal and spiritual truths about abortion from a Christian perspective. The forum is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Pennsylvanians for Human Life, New Cumberland Alliance Church and St. Catherine’s. Admittance is free, but registration is required. Register at www.PAFamily.org, or for more information, please call 717-798-1694.
Did you serve in the Military?:
Father Edward Higgins of Astoria, New York created The Catholic War Veterans, an organization blessed by Pope Pius II. It is also a National Congressionally Chartered organization with State and local chapters. Upon signing the Congressional Charter for the Catholic War Veterans in August 1984, President Ronald Reagan said “I have the deepest admiration for your commitment to serve both God and Country.” Within the Diocese of Harrisburg there are active posts in places such as Lebanon, Columbia, Gettysburg, and Berwick, but the central Pennsylvania region has not had an active organization in many years. The local group hopes to perform charitable work, recognize events such as Veteran's and Memorial Day, and work to support the Church in our area. Any baptized Catholic who has served in uniform is qualified, and the first year is free. A member does not have to have served in a war.
The Department of Pennsylvania, Catholic War Veterans, headquartered in Wrightsville, PA, has been working with a group of 25 Catholic current and former service members in Central PA to reactivate the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Catholic War Veterans. Twenty five diocesan Catholics who have served in uniform have already joined, including 3 Deacons: Patrick McCormack, Timothy Shultis, and Michael Derois. The Very Reverend John Bateman JCL, VF, the Pastor of Saint Patrick’s in York, PA, has agreed to be the Central Pennsylvanian Chapter’s Chaplain. Colonel (retired) Robert DeSousa, parishioner of the Mater Dei Community at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church, will serve as the unit’s first Commander. For more information, please contact: Colonel (retired) Robert DeSousa at: cptjag@yahoo.com or 717-648-8317.
Fr. Killackey will be covering for Fr. Smith today, Sunday August 28.
Fr. Smith will celebrate the Pro Populo today while he is away.
Mass Intentions:
Mass intentions are filled for the remainder of the 2022 calendar year so we are not accepting new requests at this time. We will resume taking requests on October 1.
Auditions for the St. Lawrence Choir:
The Saint Lawrence Choir serves as the primary ensemble for all Sung Masses at our parish. Members are called to all Sundays and 1st Class Feasts from September until the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Those interested in joining the choir must have prior singing experience and be able to attend Thursday evening rehearsals. Auditions will be held on September 1 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. For more information, to sign up for an audition or to schedule a time other than stated above, email the Director of Music, Paul Thomas May at: music@stlawrence.cc.
St. Lawrence Youth Group:
Stay tuned for details regarding our next gathering on Saturday, September 17 and mark your calendar to participate in PA March for Life, Monday, September 19, 2022. Thank you to Mrs. Dawn Forbeck for her dedication and continued support of Mater Dei Youth Group at St. Lawrence of Rome! Please offer a private prayer or other spiritual offering for Mrs. Forbeck's intentions. Questions? Email: youthgroup@stlawrence.cc.
The 27th Annual Pilgrimage for Restoration will be held this year, September 23-25, 2022. Members of St. Lawrence are invited to participate! Fellow pilgrims, young and old, join in penance and in hope on the way to Our Lady’s Shrine of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York. For more information about the Pilgrimage, visit: www.pilgrimage-for-restoration.org/modified-pilgrimage/.
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation will host its Celebrate Life! Banquet at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA on Friday, October 21 from 6:00pm—8:30pm. Keynote Speaker is the world renowned neurosurgeon and staunch advocate for every life at every stage, Dr. Ben Carson, Founder of the pro-life American Cornerstone Institute. St. Lawrence’s parishioners are encouraged to attend this worthwhile event by sponsoring a table @ $125 per seat for 8 seats. For more information, please visit: www.prolife.org or call the PA Pro-Life Federation at 717-541-0034.
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.
South Street Garage Parking:
You are able to park for free on Sundays at South Street Garage. The procedure for using the garage is as follows:
Any problems please notify Fr. Smith.
Mater Dei Praesidium of The Legion of Mary:
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification:.." (First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 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 which are held on Tuesdays at 6:00pm. For more information, please email Dan Jones at: legionofmary@stlawrence.cc.
2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal:
Our goal for 2022 is $16,093.00. So far this year, parishioners have contributed $11,390.21.
Sunday Socials: Help still needed:
Please consider helping with our Sunday Socials after the 9am and 11am Masses. The goal is to have many volunteers so that volunteers only have to do their duty once every month or two. If you can help please email: socials@stlawrence.cc.
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 the 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.
St. Tarcisius Group:
The monthly meeting will be held on Saturday September 3rd, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Roof Park (Big Blue Pavilion), 599 Lewisberry Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070. For more information, please email: st.tarcisius@stlawrence.cc.
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@stlawrence.cc. In this way, Parishioners can submit prayer intentions that we then share with everyone on the email list.