First Blessings by Fr. Cortes, FSSP:
Today, after all the Masses, Fr. Cortes will be giving First Blessings to all those who have not yet received one from him. Though First Blessings are customarily given when first Masses are celebrated, they may be given up to a full year after ordination. Upon receiving the blessing, it is the tradition to kiss the palms of the newly ordained priest in recognition of the sacred character of his priesthood and of the hands that now hold the Eucharist and confer the sacraments.
Parish-wide Consecration to Our Lady:
For those who are participating in this 33-day preparation, or signed up to receive daily emails with meditations, we encourage you to maintain these prayers and meditations daily in order to receive the full benefits of the Total Consecration to Our Lady on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 which is the patronal feast of the United States. Though this preparation will be done by individuals and families privately, we will recite this consecration publicly as a parish after the Masses we have on the Immaculate Conception.
Seeking Volunteers to assist in the Parish Office:
We’re looking for volunteers to help out weekly in the Parish Office, for 2 1/2 hours; a minimum of once every other week, on Friday, from 11:00am to 1:30pm. Please email: contact@stlawrence.cc if you are interested in volunteering.
Knights of Columbus Christmas Poster Contest:
We invite the children of the parish to participate in the “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest which is open to age groups: 5–7; 8–10; 11–14; and 15–18 (not yet a high school graduate). 1st place winner will get a $50 gift card prize. Competition rules: Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a single person. Poster should be approximately 11x17 inches, though the Council will not disqualify based on poster size. If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used, the poster must be laminated or covered with clear plastic. Judging: Posters will be given a 100-point system; Slogan=30 points; How clear is the theme? Visuals=30 points; Does the art convey this message beautifully? Overall Impact=40 points; Does it capture the viewer’s attention and reflection on the topic? Once judged, all artwork will be on display in the Aula Magna at 112 State Street and winners will be announced at the Parish Christmas Party on Dec. 31 (time forthcoming). Submissions will be open on Thursday, Dec. 1 and must be submitted to the Parish Office no later than Friday, Dec. 16.
Confraternity of Christian Mothers:
In light of the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, the Confraternity’s next meeting will be Saturday, Dec.10, with 8am Adoration followed by the 9am Saturday Mass. The meeting will be held directly after Mass. For information email: mothers@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@stawrence.cc.
In this way, Parishioners can submit prayer intentions that we then share with everyone on the email list.
Thanksgiving Holiday:
The Parish Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 & 25 for Thanksgiving.
Successful Thanksgiving Food Drive:
The Holy Name Society thanks everyone for making this year’s Silence of Mary Home’s food drive, a resounding success! As a result of your very generous donations, the Holy Name Society delivered 128 bags to the home for distribution to those in need. May God richly reward you for your participation in this corporal work of mercy!
Parish Christmas Party at 112 State Street!:
We plan to celebrate Christmas by having a party for the entire parish on the last day of the year, Saturday, Dec. 31, in honor of the saint of that day, St. Sylvester. The party will begin following a 9am High Mass and continue until the evening. We need capable musicians who are willing to volunteer their time and abilities to perform throughout the day. Volunteers should have 30–45 minutes of repertoire to perform and must bring their own music/instruments. Either a keyboard or a piano will be available. Classical style is preferred, but other genres are acceptable. For inquiries email Paul Thomas May: music@stlawrence.cc.
We will also invite each group of the parish to perform a different task in preparation for the party. There will be caroling in the evening, with public Vespers, followed by the singing of the Te Deum to end the year well, thanking God for his blessings and obtaining the indulgence. Please stay tuned for more information.
Children Choristers sing High Mass:
On the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9am, the Mater Dei Choristers will sing for their second Mass of the school year. Each Semester, the students sing for two Masses, preparing all the music from the Propers, to the choral works, in partial fulfillment of their enrollment in the Friday Religious Education Program here at St. Lawrence. The Choristers will sing two Masses in the late Winter and Spring.
Rorate Mass in Honor of Our Lady - Saturday Dec. 10:
There will be a sung Mass which will begin at 6:30am. The Rorate Mass is held in darkness illuminated by candlelight before the sun rises and symbolizes the longing for the Light of the world, who is a gift to Our Lady. The church eventually gets brighter as the sun rises and after the conclusion of the Mass, the priest intones an antiphon three times, with each invocation at a higher tone just as he does for the Easter Vigil alleluia. The antiphon says: “Behold, the Lord comes and all his saints with him and on that day there will be a great light, alleluia."
Charpentier Messe de Minuit Noel:
The 11am High Mass on Christmas Day will be accompanied by an orchestral setting by Charpentier making the fourth occasion of such an orchestral Mass at St. Lawrence. This music provides a unique opportunity to pray the Mass with the beauty of string instruments and careful consideration of faithful composers from centuries past. The Mass will also include compositions from Heinrich Isaac, Paul Esterhazy, and John Mason.
Banns of Marriage - James McGrain and Carolyn Ciccocioppo:
Be it known to all here present that James McGrain, of the Parish of the National Shrine of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Baltimore, MD, son of Robert and Janet McGrain; and Carolyn Ciccocioppo of the quasi-parish of St. Lawrence of Rome, Deacon and Martyr, Harrisburg, PA, daughter of Martin and Janet Ciccocioppo; 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 second publication of the banns.
Congratulations to Collin and Abigail Forbeck on the Baptism of their daughter Maelynne Joy Forbeck November 19, 2022
2023 Basketball Tournament:
We plan to hold our first parish basketball tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at the Harrisburg YMCA from 1pm to 6pm. The tournament is open to men 14 and older. If you would like to play, please sign up by Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.
You can use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2J7GCLW.:
We will select team captains and hold a private “draft night” on Friday, Dec. 16, and during which time, the team captains will privately draft players for their teams. We are asking people to pitch in $10 to help offset gym rental costs and help pay for equipment (new basketballs and game clocks). Please remember that the deadline to sign up is Dec. 15, 2022, and there will be no “free agents” or “trades” after Dec. 16. We hope to have a competitive and fun Tournament, so please sign up.