Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" he said. "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "in three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away.
The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The Saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: "This is the Church's treasure!"
In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. "I'm done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It's cooked enough now." Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. After that, he went to receive the martyr's reward.
Saint Lawrence's feast day is August 10th.
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The ushers will no longer take up the collection. During the offertory please come forward and place your donation in the basket by the altar.
MASSES TO CELEBRATE OUR LADY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of Obligation Novena: November 29—December 7 Masses: December 7 6:00pm (Multilingual) December 8 9:15am (English) December 8 12:00pm Noon (English-no music) December 8 6:30pm (Spanish)
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States of America. December 8 is also the Anniversary of our parish, Saint Lawrence.
Refreshments and fellowship after the 6:00pm Mass on December 7 and the 6:30pm Mass on December 8.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Festivities for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico, the Americas, and the Unborn.
Monday, December 11 10:30pm Aztec Dancers 11:00pm Mass in Spanish 12:00am Mañanitas (Serenade of Mary) including Mariachi after Mass. Refreshments after mañanitas.
Tuesday, December 12 9:15am Mass in English (with school) 6:30pm Aztec Dancers 7:00pm Mass in Spanish (Live Streamed) 8:00pm Reenactment of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe after Mass. Refreshments following the performance.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES
The North Deanery Advent Penance Services will be held December 17-19 at the following locations: Sunday, December 17 2:00pm at Saint Thomas Aquinas, 4600 N Illinois St Monday, December 18 7:00pm at Saint Matthew, 4100 E 56th St Tuesday, December 19 7:00pm Here at Saint Lawrence
FATIMA LEAVES THE LIGHT ON Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E 56th Street Monday, December 11, 2023 9:00am-7:00pm, No appointment necessary.
LISTENING SESSIONS
Saturday December 2 after the 4:30pm Mass (English) Sunday Deptember 3 after the Noon Mass (Spanish)
All are invited!
INSTALLATION MASS FOR FR. VINNY DECEMBER 10, 2023 NOON MASS CELEBRANT: ARCHBISHOP CHARLES C. THOMPSON
Archbishop Thompson will be at Saint Lawrence on Sunday, December 10, 2023. He will celebrate our Noon Mass and:
- Install Fr. Vinny as the Pastor of Saint Lawrence
- Kickoff the year of celebration leading up to our 75th Anniversary on December 8, 2024 - Bless our new Marian grotto
Our 10:00am and Noon Masses will be multilingual on December 10. Fellowship and food after the Noon Mass in Fr. Conen Hall.
HELP OUR SCHOOL STUDENTS GO TO DC
In May, our 8th grade students will be visiting Washington DC for their class trip. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of our students to see their textbooks and curriculum come to life in person. However, this opportunity comes with a cost. Although the price per student is reasonable for all that is offered, it is still a financial burden that many of our families may struggle to comfortably afford. If you would be interested in sponsoring a student or contributing to help offset some of the total expense, please contact the school at 317-543-4923 or email school@saintlawrence.net. Our students and families will appreciate any support you may be able to provide.
REQUEST FROM FR. VINNY
Dear Parish Family,
Our Parish has a Haitian gentleman in particular need of a home. He is wheelchair-bound, knows five languages, and is very kind but has not been able to find a job in order to keep pace with his rent. Please contact the Parish Office if you would have the availability to open your home to him at least until he gets a job.
Thank you for your heartfelt consideration,
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Next weekend: December 9/10, 2023
You can help. “Religious are blessed to serve,” says Dominican Father Bertrand Ebben, age 90. Please donate to the Retirement Fund for Religious next week. Your gift will provide essential care for nearly 25,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Let us show our gratitude to these selfless individuals by giving generously. Place your donation in the regular collection or in the offertory boxes in the narthex. Extra envelopes will be available.
COMING IN DECEMBER
Legacy Gala Gift-gathering Event. Watch the bulletin for more info.
HELP NEEDED WITH TRANSPORTATION
Many of our Haitian families do not have transportation to attend our English classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-1pm or our weekend Masses. If you are able to assist with transporation or with Uber/Lyft gift cards, please call Kim at the Parish Office 317-546-4065 ext 332 or Gregg Comer 317-430-8569. Several of our families live near 38th & Post, off of Shadeland Avenue between 38th & 42nd Street, and near Cumberland.
75th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE - NOW FORMING!
The first Mass was celebrated here at Saint Lawrence on December 8, 1949. Next year we will celebrate our 75th Anniversary. If you are interested in being part of the planning committee for our year-long celebration, please contact Kim at the Parish Office 317-546-4065 ext 332 or kczachura@saintlawrence.net
2024 ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH SUNDAY MISSALS
We will once again have the annual St. Joseph Missal available for purchase. The price this year is $5.
SAFE PARISH TRAINING
All parishioners volunteering at Saint Lawrence are asked to complete Safe Parish training which includes completing a background check and taking an online course. The course takes about 45-60 minutes to complete and must be done on either a computer or a laptop. The course can be found at www.Archindysafeparish.org Passcode/ Organization Code is Archindy2021
There is a tote in the church narthex full of “Lost and Found” items. If you are missing an item of clothing or a backpack, etc., please see if it is in the tote. All items are eventually given to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
PARISH LIBRARY
Looking for some way to enrich your Lenten experience? There are several Lenten-themed books set aside on the table in the Parish Library available for checkout. Some are informational, some inspirational, some prayerful; all are thought provoking. The library is open between Masses on Sundays. Please stop in and make a selection. You will be glad you did!
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER
For persons with disabilities. We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
DECEMBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO ADVENT AND THE COMING OF CHRIST
December is dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ. This refers to the preparation for the celebration of remembering Christ's birth 2000 years ago, but also the prayerful, spiritual preparation for the second and final coming of the Lord. To view our Advent and Christmas resources, click here.
SCHEDULE YOUR MASS INTENTIONS
Weekend Masses are booked through the end of the year. Daily Masses are available as early as next week. Call Kim at the parish office 317-546-4065 ext 332 to schedule a Mass intention in memory of a loved one or for the special intention of a loved one. The stipend is $10.
HOSPITAL VISITATION FROM OUR PRIEST
Please remember that because of HIPPA rules, hospitals will not call Saint Lawrence and tell us when you are in the hospital. Even if you give the hospital the name of our church, they will not pass on your hospital admission to us. When you are admitted to the hospital, please have a family member call Saint Lawrence (317-546-4065) and let us know of your illness. If you need a priest in an emergency, please use our emergency phone (317-987-7818).
LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS ARE AVAILABLE
(0.01% gluten content) Please alert the presiding priest before Mass and stand in this priest’s Communion line to receive the host.
AROUND TOWN
Click here to view other happenings, events, and programs occurring outside of St. Lawrence but within our community.
Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" he said. "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "in three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away.
Latest NEWS
Free Online Resources
INSTALLATION MASS FOR FR. VINNY DECEMBER 10, 2023 NOON MASS CELEBRANT: ARCHBISHOP CHARLES C. THOMPSON
