The line was out the door at tonight's festive gathering at St. Joseph's Table, as parishioners flocked to the Parish Center at 112 State Street to partake of the breads and other goodies gathered in remembrance of the many favors obtained through the intercession of St. Joseph over the centuries, but especially those bestowed on the people of Sicely, who began this devotion. Thanks to all of those who participated, especially the Ferguson family!
As announced last week, we are happy to inaugurate today, on his feast day, a new votive candle stand beside the altar of St. Joseph. The candles available to be burned at that altar were usually burned previously on the high altar at Mass and Adoration. These stubs range in height from three to six inches, and are made of 100 percent pure beeswax. We desire not to waste any of this highly valuable, natural material, blessed by the use of the Church from its earliest days.
St. Thomas Aquinas cites St. John Damascene in approving the burning of candles for the dead. He says:
Furthermore, in his sermon, On those who sleep, Damascene teaches that beeswax and oil and the like should be offered for the dead. Therefore, not only the offering of the Sacrifice of the Altar but also other oblations should be counted among the intercessory acts for the dead... (source). An offering of candles or oil like this can benefit the dead, inasmuch as they are a kind of almsgiving, for they are given for the Church’s worship, or for the use of the faithful (source).
We have provided foil cups to collect the last bit of wax once the stub has burned down, and we will collect this and send it back to the candlemaker for recycling. Please use the foil cups, then, in order to keep the votive globes neat and accessible to others.
Some have noticed new statuary in the parish center, which arrived a few months ago as a gift to the parish from a family at the FSSP apostolate in Tacoma, Washington, St. Joseph's parish, an arrangment organized by the pastor there, Fr. Timothy O'Brien, FSSP.
Three beautiful statues, including a statue of St. Joseph (below), Our Lady, and an impressive crucifix, were donated to St. Lawrence, only requiring our parish to pay for transportation. Given the delicacy of the items and their large size, the shipping cost approximately $3,200, and despite the great care taken by all involved, some small damage was done. Thanks very much to the Kadar-Kallen family for repairing St. Joseph, which looks wonderful now.
You will be able to see it in person at the St. Joseph's table Monday night after the High Mass in the parish center. May God reward the many people who helped us display these beautiful pieces of art in our parish center, helping us all to pray in a better way.
A new sign arrived and now hangs on the front of St. Lawrence Church, in place of its predecessor which needed to be updated with the latest details of parish life, including information about the Divine Office, updated scheduling of Mass and Adoration, and details of the parish's business office hours, which are now finally published, enabling parishioners to stop by unannounced to take care of any of their parish business. The process is thanks to the hard work of Melissa Roma and others; and it's amazing how much work goes into such projects.
Parishioners are encouraged to download a copy of the church sign (here) to print and post on their refrigerators.
HARRISBURG—Building on the great experience last week, St. Lawrence's Knights of Columbus host their second Lenten fish fry tomorrow night (March 3).
You may pre-order on the Knights' website here.
Please note that this week the Knights give two options of when to pick up your food (for either dine in or to go):
- after Stations of the Cross (~6:15 pm)
- after Mass (~7:15 pm)
Fr. Smith, Fr. Cortes, and the Knights look forward to spending time with whoever comes!