Welcome to St. Lawrence Parish

Fr. Mark T. Watkins, Pastor
Sr. Helen Julia Hahn, S.C., Pastoral Minister
Mrs. Alma Lee Joesting, Principal

PASTOR'S CORNER

Religious Freedom-Standing Together!  Last Sunday, I read Archbishop Schnurr’s letter regarding the Health and Human Services Department forcing all of us to pay through the Health Care System for sterilizations, abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives.      By way of early follow-up, you will see below contact information of our Representatives in Congress.  Please, let them know your opposition to this severe assault on our religious freedom and conscience.  Moreover, you can insist that they support H.R. 1179 and S. 1467.  These two bills, one in the House and one in Senate, will overturn the mandate.      In his letter, the Archbishop asks us to fast and pray.  I will be putting out prayer and fasting suggestions next week.  By the way, Lent begins February 22.   Senator Sherrod Brown:  713 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, D. C. 20510 (202) 224-2315 OR 425 Walnut St., Suite 2310 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 684-1021 www.senate.gov Senator Rob Portman 338 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D. C. 20510 (202) 224-3353 OR 36 East 7th St., Room 2615 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 684-3265 www.senate.gov Congressman Steve Chabot 2351 Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, D. C. 20515 (202) 225-2216 OR 441 Vine St., Room 3003 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 684-2723 www.house.gov      St. Lawrence Summer Festival:  "Plans are getting underway for this year's Summer Festival.  The St. Lawrence Festival dates are July 6, 7 and 8, 2012.  Mark your calendars for the big event!"

Parish/School Announcements

• EdChoice checks are now in the office awaiting signatures.  All checks must be signed by February 10th.  You may stop in the office any school day from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, this Saturday (January 28th) from 8:00 am-10:30 am, or before the February 2nd PTO meeting.  Failure to sign may result in the loss of your scholarship.

• Track & Field Sign Ups   If you’re interested in running, long jump, high jump, softball, shotput, or discus, and like being part of a fun team, consider track this spring! All kids in grades K-8 are welcome.  Practices are Mondays and Wednesdays at Elder’s PAC facility.  There are 7 track meets beginning at the end of March and running through mid May.  Sign-ups & Registration end February 10th. If you are interested and/or have questions, please call Chris Hornback 513-471-5157. Last year we had nearly 100 participants from 9 west side parishes!

• Las Vegas Night will be held on February 4, from 8:00pm – midnight in the St. Lawrence Parish Center.  Invite your friends to come and enjoy an evening of fun, play cards, split the pot, instants, and more.  Pre-sale tickets are $1 or $5 at the door. A raffle ticket, beer, soft drinks, chips/pretzels are included.  All the St. Lawrence Scout Committees (boys and girls) sponsor the night.  The Poker Room will open at 7:00pm.  For tickets or more information call Connie Guethlein @ 941-1756.  Tickets are also available at the rectory.

• St. Lawrence Boy Scout Troop 302 is searching for a young man to serve as assistant Scoutmaster.  You must be 21 years of age with good maturity and common sense.  Love of the outdoors is essential.  Full training will be provided.  Having a trailer hitch is a plus.  Troop 302 has over 20 boys and is a strong youth ministry of our church.  The troop meets on Tuesday nights in Heritage Hall from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.  If you are willing to answer the call or would like to recommend an individual, please call Bill Aufermann, Scoutmaster, at 921-8208.  “It is better to build boys than mend men.”

• Super Bowl Party:  The Mother Seton Knights of Columbus invites you and your families to a day of family fun while you watch the big game!  Food and beverages.  Brother Toby Brauer promises a new projector with true HD picture.  Games and split the pot.  Cost is $10 person, or $20 per family and we ask that you bring a snack or dessert to share.  Come and enjoy us on Sunday, February 5, starting at 4 pm at the Knights Hall (located across the street from St. William at 4109 W. Eighth St). Everyone is welcome!

• Lenten Lunch with the Lord:  The Lenten series of Lunch with the Lord takes place on six Mondays, February 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19 and 26 following the 11:00am Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral to contemplate the upcoming Sunday readings with Fr. Mark Burger, who will be accompanied by musicians.  They meet in the Cathedral Synod Hall from noon until about 1:00pm. Bring your lunch if you like and feed on God’s word. Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase. Coffee and tea are provided.  All sessions are free and open to the public

• Archdiocesan Lay Ministry Formation:  The Archdiocesan Lay Ministry Formation Program will help you to grow in faith, discipleship and knowledge and it is accessible, affordable and can be integrated into an active lifestyle.  The Athenaeum of Ohio Lay Pastoral Ministry Program offers classes in scripture, doctrine, theology and history at the MA and non-degreed level.  Join us for an Information Meeting outlining program components and the application process on Saturday, January 28 at 9:30am in Room 114 or an Open House on Sunday, February 26 from 3-5pm in the Westerfield Room.  Both meetings take place on the first floor of the Athenaeum main building, 6616 Beechmont Avenue.  For more information or to set up an interview call 513-231-1200.

Bulletin Announcements

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PLEASE NOTIFY THE RECTORY when a family member is hospitalized or homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Penance. 

PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL.

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SACRED HEART RADIO’S SON RISE MORNING SHOW WITH BRIAN PATRICK-has everything you need:  traffic, weather and news headlines.  You’ll also hear thought provoking interviews with Catholic authors and personalities, and discussion on current events, issues and more.  Start your day a better way!  The Son Rise Morning Show, weekdays from 6-8 AM on Sacred Heart Radio 740 AM and online at www.sacredheartradio.com .

Click the link below to see some interesting (and beautiful) images of St. Lawrence Church, they were recently taken by Ron Rack, as part of his "Prayer Places" project.  He has the images posted on his website http://rackphoto.com/pp/prayerplaces/st-lawrence/  They were mentioned on the "Sonrise Morning Show" with a link on their Facebook page also.

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St. Lawrence Parish
3680 Warsaw Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45205
(513) 921-0328
rectory@stlawrenceparish.org