My dear parish family,
The month of October is of great significance to the devotional life of the Church.
First, it is RESPECT LIFE MONTH. It is our responsibility as Disciples of Christ to proclaim to the world that God’s greatest gift to each of us is the gift of human life. It is the most fundamental of all human gifts. Moses affirms this at the end of his life when he gathers the Israelites and speaks to them: I call heaven and earth today to witness against you. I have set before you, life and death; the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live (Deut. 30:19). Our obligation to defend life includes the need to speak up and pray for an end to every legal process or method that endorses or defends the abuse of any human person. To secure our future and to guarantee prosperity for proceeding generations, America must CHOOSE LIFE once more.
Second, this is the MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY. Heaven and earth are spiritually connected by the beads on this Marian chain. As our mother, Mary is concerned about our spiritual wellbeing and salvation. The rosary is her gift to us so that, by remaining close to her, she may gently guide and lead us deeper into the mysteries of the life of her Son, Jesus Christ. By meditating on the mysteries of the most holy rosary, we intensify our bond with Christ and develop a more profound appreciation for the events that took place in his life that brought about our salvation. Therefore, I urge you to find time to pray the rosary during this month and don’t forget to encourage your children and grandchildren to do the same.
God bless you and see you at Mass!
Fr. Henry
Be sure to wish Fr. Henry a very happy birthday this weekend when you see him, and let him know how much you appreciate his leadership, friendship and presence at St. Lawrence. Fr. Henry's birthday is tomorrow, Friday, September 27.
Solemnity of All Saints
Thursday, October 31, 7:00 pm Vigil
Friday, November 1, 9:00 am, 12:15 pm,
7:00 pm* Spanish
Mass of Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)
Saturday, November 2, 10:00 am bilingual
If you lost an immediate family member this past year and the funeral was not celebrated at St. Lawrence, please contact Lori Crocker at lcrocker@saintlaw.org to RSVP for the special Mass of the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed that will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2 at 10am, and we’ll reserve a candle for you.
Enroll your deceased loved ones now to be included in our All Souls' Novena of Masses which will be from November 3 to November 11.
God Wants His Family Back! Find out all about it at The Rescue Project (in English) beginning Tuesday, October 1, from 7:00pm-8:30pm in Cogswell Hall. Contact Elizabeth, echinery@saintlaw.org, or Diane, dmaguire@saintlaw.org, in the office for more information.
For adults only.
Childcare is available for both 0-5 years and K-5th Grades!
The only cost is an optional $15 for the Participant’s Guide, payable at time of registration.
Register using the link below or using the QR code in the bulletin.
Race Conversation Workshop - Special time-limited offer:
For St Lawrence Parishioners Only
$20 Fee Waived for Next 20 Signups!
Experience practical ways to normalize talking about race at our Race Conversations Workshop, scheduled for next Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5. Conversations on race change you, and they change those around you. No dialoguing about politics or history of racism. No debates.
Click below for inspiring participant testimonials.
Interested? Sign up now! Contact Catherine Perry with questions at info@inwardboundprograms.com or Cristina Corbin at ccorbin@saintlaw.org.
Endorsed by Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Limited spots available.
The Registration deadline has been waived/extended!
Join us for the annual Blessing of Pets on Saturday, October 5, at 12 noon, in the side parking lot, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
We are asking for Pet donations to support the wonderful animals at our shelter. Your contribution will not only provide nutrition but also bring comfort and happiness to these furry friends in their time of need.
We are asking for Pet donations to support the wonderful animals at our shelter. Your contribution will not only provide nutrition but also bring comfort and happiness to these furry friends in their time of need.
All parents K – 12: As part of the ongoing effort to keep our children safe, our children and teens will receive a Virtus: Safe Environment class on Sunday, September 29 (K-8th) and Wednesday, October 2 (9th -12th). When you registered your child, you agreed to their participation. If you do not want them to attend, please send an email to Michelle, Nic, or Elizabeth no later than the day before class. Thank you.
Holy Families parent/guardian discipleship program meets in English and Spanish during your child’s class time. First Communion parents must come, but other parents are welcome! Holy Families parent sessions this week will review what our children will see (Virtus: Safe Environment). Contact Elizabeth or Michelle for more info.
September schedule of mandatory Parent Meetings for 2nd Year Confirmation parents/guardians.
Add these dates to your calendar. At least one parent/guardian must attend, and your attendance counts towards your teen’s attendance record. All Parent meetings are scheduled from 6 pm – 7:30 pm.
- October 2 — Rosary in the church
The Confirmation Paperwork deadline is November 20 (including baptismal certificate, etc.).
Click the link below to register for the Confirmation Retreat. Registration ends on October 4, 2024.
Once you are registered, you will have to complete the registration process by filling out the waiver form from Life Teen by visiting www.paperwork.lifeteen.com
Access Code is BWGY for the LifeTeen paperwork.
Growing In Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)
Capital Campaign Update
We are sincerely grateful for all those who have made their pledges and continue to pay them faithfully. We have received pledges from 1277 families, which is only a third of the registered families in the parish. We continue to rely on the generous support of every family in the parish to accomplish this project. As a committed and dedicated family, bound together by our love for Christ and each other, we are confident that God journeys with us as we pour our gifts into this G.I.F.T.
There are many different ways you can contribute or fulfill your pledge:
I. Online on the parish website (www.saintlaw.org/gift)
II. Using the envelopes in your envelope packages
III. Using the envelopes on the information table in the narthex. (Please make sure you write your name and address clearly so that you receive credit for your payment).
IV. You can scan the QR code on your phone from the banner in the narthex
V. You can come by the parish office during office hours and Brandy can assist you
To learn more about the G.I.F.T. Campaign, please visit www.saintlaw.org/gift.
Men of Faith
September 30, 6:30 pm, Cogswell Hall
All men of the parish 25 and older are invited to attend the next Men of Faith gathering on Monday, September 30, at 6:30 pm in Cogswell Hall. If you have questions, please reach out to Deacon Bob Riddett, menoffaith@saintlaw.org.
Ladies of St. Lawrence Trivia Night
October 3, 7 pm, Cogswell Hall
All Ladies of the parish 18 and older are invited to join us on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 at 7:00 pm in Cogswell Hall. Questions, please contact Rosanne Larkins at losl@saintlaw.org.
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
We continue our weekly bible study sessions at 9am each Sunday in the Divine Mercy room. We are currently studying The Book of Psalms,using the Ignatius Bible Study Guide and Commentary. 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.
All Saints Trunk or Treat
Join us for our fifth annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, November 2nd from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. (More information will follow next week!) If you or your ministry are interested in decorating/hosting a car, please contact Michelle Sander, msander@saintlaw.org.
Candy donations needed for Trunk or Treat beginning October 1! Please drop all donations at the Welcome Window. Thank you for your support!
Registration is open for K-2 Basketball at St. Lawrence! Contact Rob Aldrich at raldrich@catholicmetrosports.com for more information and to sign your child up.
Holy Land Wood Carvings
The company Holy Land Carvings will be at St. Lawrence with a variety of wood carvings from the Holy Land, available for purchase in Cogswell Hall, on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6 after all Masses.
Your purchases will support Christians in the Holy Land.
Parish Clean Up Day
Please join us on Saturday, October 12, from 8am-12 noon for our annual Parish Clean up Day to help clean and beautify our parish. We will have work to do indoors and outdoors. Please meet in the gym at 8am. Just as all members work to keep their domestic homes clean and beautiful, let us gather as a parish family to beautify our church grounds. RSVP not needed!
Questions? Contact Deacon Terry, Director of Facilities, tmillinger@saintlaw.org.
Young Adult Ministry (YAM)
Contact Nic or Katie at youngadult@saintlaw.org for more information on these and other events happening in the YAM!
Weekend of October 26-27 – The Swag Bag Project
Benefiting Nothing But the Truth, a faith-based nonprofit, that believes in supporting the needs of our community. Too many young girls are missing classes because they lack the basic needs for feminine products. (Donation list to follow.) We will also be collecting baby diapers for Obria Medical and Depends for Mending the Gap.
October is Respect Life Month
Help us pray for an end to abortion!
Wednesday, Sep 25th– Sunday, Nov 3rd, 2024
Wednesday, Sep 25th– Sunday, Nov 3rd, 2024
Please join us this Fall in front of the Lawrenceville Planned Parenthood abortion location on Tuesdays or Saturdays. Planned Parenthood’s NEW address is 355 Philip Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA. (Please see flyer in back of church for directions and parking details.)
We pray during abortion days at Planned Parenthood, which are the following:
- Tuesdays from 9am to 6pm – contact Brenda at bjstoll@comcast.net
- Saturdays from 8:30am to 4pm – contact Mary at maryfranceshayes@gmail.com
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:
- The Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry lawrencevilleco-op.org
- Mending the Gap mending-the-gap.org
- Lightway Recovery Lightway Recovery
- CASA gwinnettcasa.org
For more information either contact one the above organizations directly or email respectlife@saintlaw.org
Family Promise of St. Lawrence
Our next week at Promise Haven is the week of November 3-9. If you are interested in serving during that time, please ensure you are VIRTUS trained. Please check here https://www.saintlaw.org/safe-environment between now and then for more information about the training process and upcoming training dates.
If you need help with the process or need more information, contact Tarcy Hernandez at thernandez@saintlaw.org.
Building a Community of Prayer
Let us pray...
For our faithful departed, Tomas Mancia
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
Our Stewardship of Treasure
There is no second collection this Sunday (September 29). Thank you for your ongoing generosity as we seek to fulfill our mission!
Online Giving through ParishSOFT Giving (our secure 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. https://www.saintlaw.org/giving.
Text to Give: Simply text the word "Giving" to: (319) 409-6381 dedicated for our ParishSOFT Giving Text users. Follow the instructions to determine the funds and frequency of your gift. You will always be given a receipt and funds will be credited to your parish donation statement.
Questions? Contact Brandy Lake at blake@saintlaw.org.
Thank you for your support!
Events Around the Archdiocese
2024 Red Mass and Awards Luncheon
Attention all lawyers, judges and members of the legal community, the St. Thomas More Society of Atlanta will hold the 2024 Red Mass and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 10. Judges and lawyers of all faiths will come together to celebrate the commencement of the new judicial year at the Red Mass, which will be held at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King, with an awards luncheon, immediately following, honoring former Governor Nathan Deal, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Grimberg and Georgia-Pacific General Counsel Tye Darland.
For more information, please visit www.stm-atlanta.org.
Pregnancy Aid Clinic Evening for Life Gala
Join us on Sunday, October 27, for our annual Evening for Life gala at the Georgia Aquarium, supporting the sanctity of life. We are thrilled to welcome Tim Tebow as our keynote speaker, sharing messages of hope and life! Also enjoy a gourmet dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering in the stunning atmosphere of the Georgia Aquarium. You will be surrounded by life under the sea in the Oceans Ballroom. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in our silent and live auctions. Our VIP sponsorships include passes to an exclusive Meet and Greet with Tim Tebow. Secure your spot today! For sponsorship inquiries or questions, please call Carolina Gomez at 678-557-4637, or email cgomez@pregnancyaidclinic.org,or visit www.pregnancyaidclinic.com.
