In celebration of the 105th anniversary of the dedication of St. Lawrence on April 20, 1918, the parish will offer a High Mass on Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 pm. In addition, we have recently added more details to the website about the construction and dedication of St. Lawrence from archived contemporary newspapers.
Each year, Holy Mother Church marks the dedication day for the greatest churches in the Universal Calendar; St. Mary Major (Our Lady of the Snows) on Aug. 5, St. Michael the Archangel on Sept. 29, the Archbasilica of Our Savior (St. John Lateran) on Nov. 9, and the basilicas of St. Peter (the Vatican) and St. Paul outside the Walls on Nov. 18. Within a diocese, the dedication day for its cathedral is commemorated throughout the diocese, while each parish commemorates the dedication of its own parish church. St. Lawrence was dedicated by Bishop McDevitt on April 20, 1918, so we recall that great event each year on the same day.
Details of the parish schedule for Passiontide are published in a new sign at the front of the church, thanks to the design work of parishioner Timothy Michonski.
The poster is available to be downloaded and printed here.
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.