My dear parish family,
I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who attended the Town Hall meetings in conjunction with the site expansion project. The next step is to launch our capital campaign segment. We shall do that in two phases. The first will be a video presentation of the entire project to the whole parish and second will be the pledge drive. On the weekend of May 18/19, 2024, at all the Masses, we shall ask every family in the parish to make a simple commitment to assist with the realization of this project. We are very blessed here at St. Lawrence due to your enormous expression of bounty and generosity and I am very confident that we shall be able to come together, pool our resources and together build this much needed expansion for our current and future needs.
The ultimate goal of this project is to offer us an opportunity to pause and realize God’s many blessings upon our parish community. One day as I was going through the information on the 50th Anniversary Gallery wall down the main hallway and was looking at the pictures and paper clippings, I had this overwhelming sense of the important connection between history and identity. That day, it occurred to me that those who made tremendous sacrifices in the past to build our parish were simple and ordinary men and women, like you and me, who had a steadfast desire to live out their faith. All they wanted was to ensure that they had a place to worship God and here we are today. Every one of us on the train of history is an essential block that constitutes a part of the whole and our contribution is indispensable for the next chapter. The blessing of being Catholic is that we are steeped in a cultural tradition that has survived only because every generation builds on the previous. After 50 years of the establishment of St. Lawrence parish, we too have the opportunity to join in this incredible effort to continue to GROW IN FAITH TOGETHER (G.I.F.T.). Hopefully, our ultimate GIFT to God will be our hearts, our faith and our commitment to the growth of his kingdom here on earth by fully participating in the life of our parish.
God bless you and see you at Mass!
Father Henry
Mother's Day Novena of Masses
May 13-May 21
Express your love for a mother, grandmother, godmother, mother-in-law, mother-to-be or any special woman who played a maternal role in your life, whether living or deceased by honoring or commemorating them in our Mother's Day Novena of Masses. You can fill out one of the envelopes available on the table in the Narthex and return it by May 12, or complete a digital envelope.
Important Notice:
Due to the 50th Anniversary Gala, our Parish Office will be closing at 2pm on Friday, May 10th so that our staff can attend and celebrate this joyous evening. We still have a small number of tickets for the Gala available for purchase, and encourage you to call and stop by during office hours if you are interested in purchasing.
Due to the 50th Anniversary Gala, our Parish Office will be closing at 2pm on Friday, May 10th so that our staff can attend and celebrate this joyous evening. We still have a small number of tickets for the Gala available for purchase, and encourage you to call and stop by during office hours if you are interested in purchasing.
Contact Francella Ford in the parish office to schedule a Mass Intention or a donation for Altar flowers. Below is a calendar link that you can use to scroll through to see the available Mass Intentions and Altar Flower Memorials on the parish website.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 3-7 | 9:30 am- 12:30 pm
Vacation Bible School Registration has officially opened and we couldn't be more excited to embark on this deep-sea adventure (the deadline to sign up is May 26).
Children will be immersed in an amazing underwater adventure where they will experience God's endless and infinite love. It is open to all children in the parish who are in grades Kindergarten through Fifth (K-5). There will be a $40 cost for each child who participates. Please contact Michelle Sander with questions (msander@saintlaw.org).
Volunteer Information
To provide this program for our children, adult and teen volunteers are greatly needed! There are many different ways and areas where you can volunteer your time and talent:
- Sing & Play Splash (Music)
- Reef Rec (Games)
- Deep Bible Adventures (Story Time)
- Imagination Station (Science Experiments)
- Sticky Scripture (Scripture Stories)
- Tidal Treats (Snack)
- Group Leader
- Decorating Team (takes place 1-2 weeks prior to VBS beginning)
Volunteers range from rising 8th grade students to adults. If you would like to sign up as a volunteer, please use the link below and one of our staff will contact you with more information. Please contact Michelle Sander if you have any questions (msander@saintlaw.org), and thank you for generously sharing your God-given gifts that witness to the present and future of our parish!
Doughnuts for a cause!
Until May 19, 2024, 50% of your order will be donated back to St. Lawrence to benefit our middle school teens when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! Doughnut coupons can be redeemed anywhere around the country, and at any time throughout the year.
All proceeds from the sale will help make it more affordable for our St. Lawrence families to send their middle schoolers to Camp Hidden Lake this summer. This year we are sending 30 teens to be immersed in the love of God, and have the opportunity to worship Him in the midst of His beautiful creation.
You can purchase Digital Dozens from our St. Lawrence Campaign Promotion Page, and you can redeem your order in-store or during your next visit to a participating Krispy Kreme. Treat yourself or gift to friends and family!
YAM-Yada-Yada (opportunities for Young Adults)
Your parish preschool offers weekday classes for children ages 2 through 5.
Our highly trained staff plans activities that help foster growth in physical, cognitive, social and spiritual development.
Call today, (770)962-1676, for more information or to schedule a tour.
St. Lawrence Preschool is accepting applications for Assistant Teacher positions for our new school year starting in August. Experience is preferred, but not required. Qualified applicants must love young children, have a high school diploma and excellent communication skills in English. Please contact Wendy Guillory at wguillory@saintlaw.org for more information.
2024 Vic Egidi Memorial Scholarship
Each year the St. Lawrence chapter of the Knights of Columbus presents scholarships in memory of lifelong member and educator, Vic Egidi. Available to graduating high-school seniors from our parish in good standing. Good standing is defined by existing parish registration, weekly participation at Mass on Sundays with your family, involvement as a volunteer with any of our parish ministries, or possibly supporting the parish in some other manner.
This fund was established in 2013 by the Egidi family and the Knights of Columbus to honor Vic’s lifetime commitment to education and to the Knights of Columbus. The scholarship was first presented in 2013 and continues today.
Applications must be completed and submitted by May 30, 2024. Decisions regarding the scholarship will be announced on June 30, 2024.
High school seniors graduating in 2024 and up to four (4) other family members are cordially invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass and Dinner here at our parish on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
High School Graduates will be invited to wear their cap & gown to Mass at 5:00 pm and then have a dinner immediately following, in the gym, where we can celebrate their achievements! This will be a black and white affair. There is no cost.
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEEPEN YOUR
SPIRITUAL LIFE
The Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study will continue its weekly bible study sessions at 9:00 AM each Sunday in the Divine Mercy room until the end of June. We are currently studying The Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, using the Ignatius Bible Study Guide and Commentary as our guide. The inspirations contained in this book are extremely relevant for our times. All adults are invited! No previous bible study experience is necessary and extra copies of the book will be made available. For more information, please contact Phil Scafidi at biblestudy@saintlaw.org.
Calling all Ministry Leaders: We have our quarterly ministry leaders’ meeting on Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm in Cogswell Hall. We ask you to please make an effort to be present and on time or send a representative from your ministry. If you cannot attend and cannot send someone, please contact Lori Crocker in the parish office, lcrocker@saintlaw.org.
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) will meet on Wednesday, May 8 at 12 noon in Cogswell Hall. All seniors 55+ in the parish are invited to attend.
May is the month of Mary and she will be our focus this month. Our seminarian, Jacob Butz, will join us to share some Marian devotions we can incorporate into our lives and other ways we can honor Mary.
Please RSVP to Lori Crocker if you plan to attend, sam@saintlaw.org
Divorced? Divorced and Remarried? Separated?
Join the Monthly Divorce Support Group forming at Saint Lawrence.
Join the Monthly Divorce Support Group forming at Saint Lawrence.
Come join to Learn, Share, Grow, Pray, Socialize and Heal. The first meeting will be Thursday, May 9 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in Divine Mercy.
If you would like to join but are unable to attend at that time, or for more information, please email Paul Krauth at divorcecare@saintlaw.org. RSVP not required but highly encouraged.
The Respect Life Ministry and the Knights of Columbus will host the Annual Baby Bottle Campaign beginning on Mother's Day (May 11-12) weekend and ending on Father's Day (June 15-16) weekend.
The bottles will be distributed after Masses on May 11 and 12. We invite you to take a bottle, and to be in prayer for mothers, fathers and unborn babies. Please place your donation (coins, cash, checks) in the bottles and pray for them until Father's Day, when they are due back.
Each bottle will have a number that correlates to a mother receiving medical care at the Obria Medical Clinic. All proceeds will benefit the Obria center. A list of moms who were present in prayer last year will be posted in the Narthex the weekend of May 11-12.
The bottles will be distributed after Masses on May 11 and 12. We invite you to take a bottle, and to be in prayer for mothers, fathers and unborn babies. Please place your donation (coins, cash, checks) in the bottles and pray for them until Father's Day, when they are due back.
Each bottle will have a number that correlates to a mother receiving medical care at the Obria Medical Clinic. All proceeds will benefit the Obria center. A list of moms who were present in prayer last year will be posted in the Narthex the weekend of May 11-12.
The Respect Life Ministry and the Knights of Columbus are coordinating this event in an effort to benefit the Obria Medical Clinic.
Every spare change, no matter how small,
saves lives.
Name Tag Sunday is May 18-19
Wear your name tag or stop in the Narthex and make a name tag so that we may come to know one another by name!
If you would like to order a personalized name tag, please take a moment to order one using the form ($10 each).
Allow a few weeks for them to arrive. We will contact you via email once they arrive (they are ordered in batches).
FAMILY PROMISE OF ST. LAWRENCE
Family Promise will be hosting families at Promise Haven on Moon Road May 12-18.
Will you support us? We need gift cards in donations of $20.00 from gas stations, grocery stores or stores like Walmart and Target. Family Promise information and donation envelopes are in the literature rack.
Did you know that St. Lawrence has an endowment fund? Our parish endowment fund not only ensures that we can continue our mission of encountering Christ, growing as disciples, and sharing the Gospel in the future, but it ALSO helps our parish at this time.
Because our endowment grows as the market grows, when our endowment reaches $25,000, we may receive a profit distribution from the endowment once a year if the parish chooses to do so. Other parishes have used distributions from their endowment for projects in the parish, such as office technology upgrades, teen mission trips, senior ministry materials and more. We will be able to support a current need without using our offertory and make our St. Lawrence experience more fulfilling today.
To make a lasting difference in our parish contact the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia staff at (404)497-9440.
The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia is a non-profit charitable organization governed by an independent board of lay leaders, clergy and the Archbishop. The Catholic Foundation is headquartered in North Atlanta and serves the Archdiocese of Atlanta, which consists of the 69 counties in the northern half of Georgia.
Because our endowment grows as the market grows, when our endowment reaches $25,000, we may receive a profit distribution from the endowment once a year if the parish chooses to do so. Other parishes have used distributions from their endowment for projects in the parish, such as office technology upgrades, teen mission trips, senior ministry materials and more. We will be able to support a current need without using our offertory and make our St. Lawrence experience more fulfilling today.
To make a lasting difference in our parish contact the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia staff at (404)497-9440.
The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia is a non-profit charitable organization governed by an independent board of lay leaders, clergy and the Archbishop. The Catholic Foundation is headquartered in North Atlanta and serves the Archdiocese of Atlanta, which consists of the 69 counties in the northern half of Georgia.
Coming this summer!
Weekly on Tuesday nights, for 8 weeks, beginning June 4 through July 30, from 7-8:30 pm, in Cogswell Hall. Registration information is now available on our parish website or sign up below!
There is no cost to participate unless you choose to purchase a participant book ($15).
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Will you consider donating blood at St. Lawrence? Mark your calendars now and save a life.
Building a Community of Prayer
Let us pray...
For our faithful departed, Ann Woodson
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
For the sick of our parish, especially Ricardo Betancurt, Victor Bute, Gabriela Calle, Sonny Canfield, Frances D’Amato, Dale Deese, Leonel España, Judy Fletcher, Isabel Garcia, Lynne Gormley, Peggy Grannan, Diana Jaramillo, Bill Jones, Jocelyne Labossiere, George Lappan, Eva Macakova, Rose Mackin, John Monsalve, Luis Monsalve, Martha Muñiz, Murakami family, Irene Muse, Jaime Orozco, Merilee Pavik, Mary Peterson, Carl Raimondi, Joan Romeo, Judy Szekely, Daranee Teapthong, Oscar P. Tolentino, Nicole Topoleski, Paul Van Name, Gabriel Wegendt, Louisa Wiles, along with their families and caregivers.
The prayer list will be cleared every 90 days. To add names or remove prior to the 90 days, contact Darleine Arce, administrative assistant, at (770)963-8992 x442 or by email at darce@saintlaw.org.
For our men and women in uniform, especially Vallerie Azansou, Danykha Nicole Backus, Philip Balmes, Nathan Barrick, Brandon Crocker, Jordan Crocker, Nathan Crocker, Ryan Crocker, Justin Ellis, Mario Flamenco, Giovanni Gachelin, Edgar Godinez, Isaac Gomez, Mark F. Gonzalez, Simone Hardy, Matthew Herbig, Brian Hodgson, Mariana Lacuzong, Nick McNabb, Brendon Murray, Kangudia Ntumba, Wesley Phillips, Rapheal Quarshie, Dillon Riedlinger, Dethan Stafford, Eileen Dilks Tatum, Philip Turner, Da’Maris Vanzandt, Brandon Ware.
If you have a son or daughter serving in the military and would like for his or her name to be on our prayer list, please contact Mary Jo Ware OR Laura Herbig at careforthetroops@saintlaw.org.
For all pregnant mothers and mothers to be, especially Bridgette Adams, Rosemary Burns, Lauren Farkas, Stefanie Hauck, Sterling Henderson, Luz Mariela, Yesenia Medellin-Anastasio, Katie Merriman, Nneze Eluka Nwankwo, Virginia Partridge, Nathalie Smith.
To add your name to this list, please contact our Respect Life Ministry at respectlife@saintlaw.org.
Pray for our Pentecost candidates
RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Need Assistance? To request help contact our local St. Vincent de Paul Society (For zip codes 30019, 30043, 30045 & 30046) call (678)215-4514
For all other Zip Codes, call (678)892-6163
Grief Support is available at St. Lawrence. If you're in need, please contact Barb Kennedy, R.N., at (678)427-4116.
Our parish Stephen Ministry provides confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives, such as:
- Divorce or Separation
- Troubling medical diagnosis
- Death of a loved one
- Job crisis
- Birth of a child
- Relocation
- Spiritual crisis
…and many other concerns
There is no fee associated with Stephen Ministry.
Contact: Trudy Turner at
(404)234-2891
Our Stewardship of Treasure
The second collection this Sunday (May 5) is for Maintaining God's House. Thank you for your generosity!
Online Giving through ParishSOFT Giving. We encourage you to use the link below to our secure ParishSOFT Giving program. By creating a login, you can set up recurring or one-time gifts, contribute to specific funds, and see your giving history at any time. We no longer support Vanco and ask that you transition your giving to ParishSoft Giving. https://www.saintlaw.org/giving.
Text to Give: Simply text the word "Giving" to: (319) 409-6381 dedicated for our ParishSOFT Giving Text users. The first time you do this you will be given an option to fill in your card information. Subsequently, all you need to do is text your donation to that number. You will always be given a receipt and funds will be credited to your parish donation statement.
Thank you for your support!
Events around the Archdiocese
FR. KEVIN HARGADEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION
Fr. Kevin Hargaden, who formerly served here at St. Lawrence, is celebrating his 25th year as a priest and you are invited to attend his jubilee celebration! His current parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Cartersville, is hosting "A Taste of St. Francis" on Pentecost Sunday, May 19th.
Festivities will start with a 10:30 am Mass, followed by food, fellowship, a talent show, and more! All are invited to attend. The celebration is free, we only ask that you bring your favorite dish to share. You can find more information and register to attend here: https://stfac.org/pentecost2024
The Way for Men is a three-day retreat for adult male survivors of abuse offered by the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Victim Assistance Program. It will be May 24-26, at Carmel Retreat Center in Hoschton, GA. The registration deadline is May 16, 2024. Please contact Sue Stubbs at 404-920-7550 or sstubbs@archatl.com for more information.
CURSILLO RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES THIS FALL
Who is Cursillo For?
- Are you longing to experience your faith more deeply and live it in your daily life?
- To enrich your relationship with God, no matter how strong it may be right now?
- Are you looking for a community with which to share your faith journey?
- Do you want to become more confident in and enthusiastic about your faith and in sharing it in the secular world?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Cursillo is for you.
The world “cursillo” is Spanish for “short course,” and Cursillo retreats are set up to be just that – a short course in Christianity through a highly structured weekend retreat that runs from Thursday evening through Sunday evening.
Men's Cursillo Weekend:
October 10-13
Women's Cursillo Weekend:
October 17-20
Want to experience Cursillo?
We are here to listen and take action.