My dear parish family,
For the last few weeks, we have been urging and inviting families to enroll their children for our parish faith formation program (K – 12) which begins this fall. We ought to recognize that an important part of the mission of the Church is the transmission of the faith to the next generation and the parish’s faith formation program is an essential and practical tool that we use to accomplish this objective. My desire as pastor is to offer a doctrinally solid faith formation program that educates the mind and opens the heart to the mystery of God. This is vital because it allows our formation in the faith to become a bridge between what we know and how we act and worship as we mature in our faith. For this to be possible, it has to be based on two important goals.
First: Faith formation has to lead to a deeper appreciation of the sacramental life and communal character of the Church. Learning is the path to loving. We know in order to love better. When learning about God does not spur us to enter into a deeper relationship with him, it is shallow and incomplete. What we learn and believe is foundational to the practice of our faith.
Second: For faith formation to be effective, it has to be a journey undertaken by the entire family. Conversations about the value of the faith ought to be incorporated into the day to day practice and culture of the family. Parents should engage children on matters of the faith and assist them to appreciate the connection between learning the faith and our obligation to celebrate the sacraments. I am happy to inform you that we are expanding and improving the parent component of the faith formation program this fall, and we hope that all the parents who have children in grade school level especially those in our faith formation program will make an effort to be involved.
God bless you and see you at Mass!
Father Henry
Saint Lawrence,
Deacon and Martyr,
Deacon and Martyr,
Pray for us!
Celebration of our Parish
Feast Day
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Feast of our Patron, Saint Lawrence, on August 10th at 10:00 AM with a Bilingual Mass.
Following the Mass, there will be a light reception and a display of memorabilia showcasing our rich history.
This collection will be exhibited in Cogswell Hall.
This is a wonderful opportunity to tangibly connect with our history, especially in an age where we are increasingly immersed in the digital world.
Everyone is Welcome.
Reduce your income taxes. Make donations to Growing in Faith Together through your Individual Retirement Account.
Generally, retirees over age 73 must take a required minimum distribution each year from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). IRA distributions are fully subject to federal income taxes. An exception to this is a distribution from an IRA plan directly to a private nonprofit entities to include churches. Termed a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). It can at the same time be used to satisfy the annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). The QCD is available regardless of whether an IRA owner itemizes deductions. Save money on your federal tax bill and meet your RMD requirement. Make your donation to the “Growing in Faith Together” capital campaign directly from your IRA. For more information, go to https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans
Be sure to select Capital Campaign G.I.F.T. from the dropdown menu.
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 for more information or to schedule your tour. Visit www.saintlaw.org/preschool or contact our Preschool Director, Wendy, at wguillory@saintlaw.org or 770-962-1676.
Are you looking to learn about the Catholic faith to complete the celebration of the Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist)?
Registration for the RCIA/OCIA Adult program is open on our parish website and sessions will begin soon. Now is a good time to inquire about the process and required paperwork (especially for those seeking to be married in the Catholic church) as sessions will begin at the end of August.
Contact Diane Maguire at dmaguire@saintlaw.org for classes in English or Cristina Corbin at ccorbin@saintlaw.org for classes in Spanish. There is no obligation to join the Church if you attend these sessions. It’s never too late!
Faith Formation begins in one month, August 18! There’s still time to enroll your child or teen for 2024-
2025 Faith Formation! Tuition is $80/person.
Questions about Faith Formation or sacraments? Our team will be in the Narthex all summer to answer any questions. Stop by and see us!
You’ve got what it takes!
Love God? Love the Church?
Come share it by becoming a catechist or helper for
elementary, middle school, high school, or adults this Fall! Contact us now!
We provide training and materials, and we begin August 18. Contact Michelle, Nic, or Elizabeth for more information, or click here:
Please pray for our High School teens as they prepare to attend the Steubenville-Atlanta Youth Conference called “Illuminate!" (John 1:5) on the 26th ! Teens experience a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ that ignites their devotion, strengthens their prayer life, and empowers them to live on mission long after the conference ends. Contact Nic for more information!
Immaculée Ilibagiza invites you to participate in a retreat at St. Lawrence on September 6-7.
Please click here for tickets or more information:
https://www.saintlaw.org/immaculee
Immaculée survived the 1994 Rwanda genocide by hiding in the bathroom for 91 days with 11 other people. Her family was brutally murdered during a killing
spree that claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. Filled with anger and resentment, Immaculée turned to the rosary that her devout Catholic father gave her before she went into hiding. This was a turning point in her life. Author
of the New York Times bestseller, Left to Tell: Discovering God in the Midst of the Rwandan Holocaust.
Full retreat schedule available here.
FAMILY PROMISE OF ST. LAWRENCE
One of our Outreach Ministries at St. Lawrence is Family Promise (FP) - a program for helping homeless children with families get shelter and food as they work to transition back to self-sufficiency. Family Promise at St. Lawrence will be hosting families at the FP Promise Haven on Moon Road.
We are seeking volunteers for the week of August 4-10.
If you are not available to participate in-person, please support our upcoming week with 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.
St. Lawrence Dinner Club welcomes all adults… singles, couples, and newcomers to share fellowship and food. Twice a year small groups are formed, and each group of approximately eight people have six months to meet for four dinners. Each group gathers in each other’s home to enjoy a meal, with everyone contributing to the meal. For newcomers, it’s a great way to meet people. For those who have
been in the parish for a long time, it’s a great way to renew acquaintances, meet those you have never encountered, and welcome in newcomers. Please consider joining the St. Lawrence Dinner Club & let’s build community together. A kick-off meeting will be held in Cogswell Hall on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 6:00pm after the 5:00pm Mass. Please sign up before the meeting by using the link below or by contacting Loretta Mirandola and Tim Mullen at dinnerclub@saintlaw.org by Monday, July 22, 2024.
been in the parish for a long time, it’s a great way to renew acquaintances, meet those you have never encountered, and welcome in newcomers. Please consider joining the St. Lawrence Dinner Club & let’s build community together. A kick-off meeting will be held in Cogswell Hall on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 6:00pm after the 5:00pm Mass. Please sign up before the meeting by using the link below or by contacting Loretta Mirandola and Tim Mullen at dinnerclub@saintlaw.org by Monday, July 22, 2024.
If you sign up through this link, you will be automatically reminded 2 days prior to the event. If you need to cancel or change your registration, please contact Loretta and Tim.
St. Lawrence Fall 2024 Girls Volleyball Program is open to rising 5th through 8th grade girls. Beginners are welcome - no previous play experience is required! Volleyball consists of 2 GIRLS divisions: 5th/6th grade division and 7th/8th grade division. Sign up today - registration closes 7/19.
The Respect Life monthly food drive will be the last Tuesday of the month under the portico at the main entrance to the church. For those of you that want to drop off food the weekend before the drive, we will have a collection box available in the Narthex.
- Cereal
- Dry pasta
- Canned chicken
- Canned fruit
- Feminine pads
- Diapers Size 3 and up
- Baby wipes
- Adult diapers size S-XL
- Toilet paper
- Laundry Detergent
- * reusable shopping or grocery bags so that our homeless clients have a way to carry food
- ** egg cartons
Thank you for your generosity!
Young Families of Faith
Families with children in the 5th grade or lower are invited to join this ministry. Young Families of Faith is a welcoming, faith-based community where families and friends gather to enjoy delicious meals. After dinner, children ages zero to 6 can go to the nursery; children 7 and older go to Johnson Hall to play games while parents have engaging discussions and the sought-after adult time. For more information, please email Jessica Lemieux at youngfamilies@saintlaw.org.
Respect Life Ministry is hosting a pajama/sweats collection for C.A.S.A (Court Appointed Special Advocate) as they support the youth in the Division of Family and Children Services in Gwinnett County. Information and sizes will be available the weekend of August 10-11. New pajamas or sweats can be donated at any of the mass times on August 17-18.
The children that C.A.S.A. works with are displaced and transitioning from very difficult and often dangerous situations. Any contribution is appreciated.
Save the date and come and join your parish family as we enjoy food, music, fellowship, and fun. We will have more information on the different activities available for everyone.
Contact Lori Crocker in the parish office if you would like to volunteer, support, and help out in a special way, lcrocker@saintlaw.org.
Building a Community of Prayer
Let us pray...
For our faithful departed, Mia Campos
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Please consult our bulletin for the full list of individuals to pray for (Sick, Men and Women in the Military, and Pregnant Mothers).
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: Maryanne Hendrick at
(770)402-8185
This year’s theme is: “Love Beyond Measure.” The Lord God calls us to love Him and each other as He loves us. In marriage, this takes on a unique quality as the complementarity of husband and wife become the "one flesh" union that Sacred Scripture so beautifully teaches. And, God's gift of children are the fruit of such a noble love!
Couples who desire to join more fully in a Sacramental Marriage, whether they are civilly married or not yet married, should contact the parish office at 678-240-2545 to begin the marriage preparation process.
For more information on Natural Family Planning, please visit, https://archatl.com/ministries-services/marriage-family-ministry/natural-family-planning/
Our Stewardship of Treasure
The second collection this Sunday (July 21) is for the Mission Cooperative Program. 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
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church is celebrating its 40th Parish Anniversary this year! Please visit our website at christourhopeatl.org to see several activities from June to August 17! We are looking for our founding members and former parishioners to be part of this celebration. To share your contact information to keep you informed and for more information, please email to coh40thanniversary@gmail.com.
The Way for Women is a three-day retreat for adult female survivors of abuse offered by the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Victim Assistance Program on September 13-15, at Carmel Retreat Center in Hoschton, Georgia. Registration deadline is September 5. Please contact Sue Stubbs at 404-920-7554 or sstubbs@archatl.com for more information.
