PLEASE PRAY DAILY FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROJECT. Prayer to St. Joseph for the Narthex Update-Expansion Project

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1 SAINT LAWRENCE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 6222 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia (office) (fax) PLEASE PRAY DAILY FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROJECT. December 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday Parish Clergy Rev. Ronald J. Gripshover, Jr., Pastor Rev. Daniel S. Spychala, Parochial Vicar Rev. Joseph Okwei Ocran, In Residence Deacon Michael A. Waters Permanent Deacon & Finance Manager Parish Staff Parish Secretary Cynthia Dreslin Director of Religious Ed Anne-Marie Pierce Youth Minister Joseph Stakem Music Director Raymond St. Pierre Prayer to St. Joseph for the Narthex Update-Expansion Project O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus; the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin; and the head of the Holy Family, and you have been chosen by Christ s Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore, it is with great confidence that we implore your powerful assistance for our narthex update-expansion project. By your great intercession for us, St. Joseph, help us to build up Christ s Church by guiding this project to its completion. O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, we place this our intention for our parish in your hands. St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church Pray for us! St. Lawrence Pray for us! HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS SUNDAY Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00am and 12:30pm (Extraordinary Form Latin Mass) HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS WEEKDAY M - F: 6:15 and 9:00 a.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. CONFESSIONS M 9:30am; W 7:00-7:45pm; F 6:45am; S 3:30-4:30 pm

2 Gaudete Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent MASS SCHEDULE AND OFFERINGS MONDAY, 12/17 - Saint Lazarus 6:15 am Maria Madalena Cardone & Lorenzo Zaccaro 9:00 am Healing of Jose TUESDAY, 12/18 - Saint Gatian 6:15 am Diane Michelle Melick 9:00 am Fr. Daniel Spychala WEDNESDAY, 12/19 - Blessed Urban V 6:15 am Vidal Simpao, Jr. 9:00 am Thomas Joseph Pierce THURSDAY, 12/20 - Saint Dominic of Silos 6:15 am Andres D. Borromeo 9:00 am Kathleen Therese Pierce FRIDAY, 12/21 - Saint Peter Cansius, Priest and Doctor of the Church 6:15 am Joseph Thinh Do 9:00 am Dave Hurley SATURDAY, 12/22 - Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini 9:00 am Ronald Pawolski 5:00 pm The Vu Family (Living/Deceased) SUNDAY, 12/23-4th Sunday of Advent 7:30 am Michael Washlack, Sr. 9:00 am Gladwyn & Alma Lagman 11:00 am Evelyn Santone 12:30 pm Parishioners of Saint Lawrence There will be additional opportunities for Confession this week and next: Monday 9:30 am and 7:15 pm; Tuesday 6:30-7:30 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 4:00-5:00 pm Friday 6:45 am and 9:30 am Saturday 3:30-4:30 pm Monday 9:30 am (Christmas Eve) Please pray for the sick of our par ish family including Jay Farabaugh, Melanie Brady, Helen Mekenie, Justin Pham, Raymond Stanekenas, Joan Chapman, Brian Padfield, Rita MacQueeney, Donald Lawson, Alice O Connor, Minh Tran, Anthony Torres, Leah Bloom, Richard Kuron, Sr., Jack Marzan, Matthew Peters, Cindy Kuron, Patricia Lewis, Christian Escoto, John Bonfanti Chris Henderson, Baby Leah and Chris Bacon. This Week in Our Parish Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs Confessions after 9:00 am Mass and 7:15 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00-8:15 Novena to OLPH - 7:15 pm Confessions 6:30-7:30 pm Legion of Mary - 7:30 pm Hammond Hall High School CCD Classes 7:00-8:15 pm RCIA Classes - 7:00 pm Hammond Hall Eucharistic Adoration 9:30 am - 7:15 pm Fatima Prayer Cell after 9:00 am Mass Divine Mercy Chaplet - 3:00 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00-8:15 Confessions 7:00-7:45 pm Holy Hour 7:15-8:15 pm Confessions 4:00-5:00 pm Contemporary Choir Practice - 7:30 pm Knights of Columbus (Fr. Ryder) 7:30 pm Friday Confessions 6:45 am and 9:30 am Sat. Pro-Life Rosary am (2839 Duke St.Alex) Confessions 3:30-4:30 pm Christmas Mass Schedule: 12/24 - Vigil Masses at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 pm 12/25-7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am and 12:30 (EFM) New Year s Day - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12/31 - Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm 1/1-7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm (EFM) Ushers Needed. The parish is in particular need of ushers to serve at the 11am mass, either part-time as back-ups for our regular ushers who have to be absent, or full-time for most Sundays. We have been operating with a shortage for over a year and really need some willing parishioners to help out with this important ministry. If you are interested, please see one of the ushers at the 11am mass or call the Head of the Usher Program, Dave Hurley at , or via e- mail: head.usher@kofc9407.org

3 Your Holy Church! We just celebrated the solemnity of the dedication of our beloved church a church you and founding parishioners built to honor God. In the 9th Goal $1.2 Mil week of this campaign we have received pledges in the amount of $1 million $708,125 (and in cash: $242,692). $750,000 We thank the 252 families who have responded to the call to support this $500,000 project. Now we ask the remaining $250, registered families to pray on the matter and respond. Donation NOTE: If you would like to have your pledge made and paid via electronic transfer (e.g.; from your Credit Card or Bank Acct)...Visit Faith Direct and enter your pledge!! For More Information See We are coming to the end of the TAX YEAR. Any payments made towards your pledge will be deductible come April 15. SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES Baptisms - First and Third Sundays at 1:45 p.m. by appointment. Parents are requested to make arrangements one month in advance and must be registered members of the parish. First time parents must attend a one session pre-baptismal class, usually held on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the Rectory office. Parents are encouraged to attend this class before the birth of their child. Baptisms in the Extraordinary Form may be requested by calling the parish office. Sponsor Certificates - These are Parish testimonies to the fact you are a practicing Catholic in the parish and are issued to those wishing to be a Godparent or sponsor for a Confirmation candidate. You must be registered in the parish and first time Godparents must attend a class before a certificate will be issued. Sacrament of Matrimony - Contact the parish office 6 months before your desired wedding date. Marriage Preparation is required by Church Law to enable a couple to fully understand the holiness and obligations of the Sacrament. Note that living together before marriage is sinful and harmful to future marriage. Couples who are living together will be asked to live separately during the marriage preparation time. Religious Education (CCD) - All children not attending a Catholic School who are in the first grade and up should be enrolled in the Parish Religious Education Program. Call the Religious Education Office at (703) for information. R.C.I.A. - The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which adults (and children who have reached the age of reason) are instructed in the Doctrine of the Church and are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. If you or someone you know would like to inquire about becoming a Catholic, please call Anne-Marie Pierce, Parish Registration - Prior to receiving particular services from the parish, one must be registered. Registration is now able to be conducted online, on the Parish website, and registration forms are available at the rectory or in the vestibule of the Church. For additional information, call the Rectory office. Prayers/visits for Ill or Homebound - If you are ill and would like to be placed on the prayer list or have communion brought to the home, please contact the parish office to make arrangements.

4 Advent Reflections with Bishop Burbidge - In anticipation of the joyful season of Advent, the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Arlington has created a resource of daily spiritual reflections offered by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. These reflections can be prayed privately or with the entire family throughout Advent. Please see the post on our website to access a special video message from the Bishop and these daily reflections at Women's Conference - All women of the diocese are invited to register for the 2019 Women's Conference to be held on Saturday, March 2, Hear "Miracles Do Happen" with gifted healer, Sr. Briege McKenna, OSC and author of the book "Miracles Do Happen"; and Fr. Donald Calloway, a priest of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and author of No Turning Back and other devotional books. Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington. The conference is held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Herndon from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. To register visit Pro Life Weekly Pro-Life Rosary outside the Duke Street Abortion Clinic. Please join St. Lawrence and other area parishes each Saturday morning from 9:00 am - 10: am, in a weekly Rosary conducted outside the abortion clinic at 2839 Duke Street, Alexandria, around the corner from Bishop Ireton High School. For further information, contact the rectory or Bruce Borzino, Gabriel Project: Support for pregnant women, whether you re a brand new mom or a mom looking for support because you are new to the area, contact Gabriel Project at , or visit the website at Gabriel Project , Project Rachel is a post-abortion healing ministry open to anyone who seeks healing after abortion. Project Rachel HOPE - Choose Life License Plates are available from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for a nominal annual fee. Part of the revenue is transferred to Heartbeat International for distribution to tax exempt pregnancy centers in Virginia. For more information go to :// select_plate.asp?plt=&pltno The December Share Sunday is this weekend. The collection will again benefit St. Lawrence parishioners and a few area religious in need this Christmas. Thank you for your support! Experience Christendom Summer Program (ECSP) for rising high school seniors. Five one-week sessions are available beginning June 9-15 and ending July Registration opened December 1 and financial assistance is available. For more information and to discover why attendees call it their best week ever, go to their website Christendom.edu/experience Pray the Holy Rosary From the Vocations Office: Do you rejoice in the Lord? Is He asking you to consider a vocation as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Call Fr. Michael Isenberg, (703) , or write: michael.isenberg@arlingtondiocese.org. Financial Note It is nearing the end of the tax year. All donations for the Narthex Update Project or for the Church made in 2018 will be deductible if you itemize for the 2018 year come April 15. If you make donations from an IRA or other retirement funds that have never been taxed, you avoid paying any tax. If you are over 70, and have a required minimum distribution--it can be directly sent to the parish--avoiding Paying tax on any interest/growth!! WITH THE STOCK MARKET STILL AT VERY HIGH LEVELS - Consider making a gift of appreciated stock to our parish or our Building Update. You will receive an income tax deduction and avoid capital gains tax on the stock appreciation. For more information, please call (703) or visit: giving/gifts_stock.aspx

5 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Giving Tree. Many families who are in need will enjoy a wonderful Christmas through your generous donations. It's not too late to pick up an Advent Magnificat as you spiritually prepare for Christmas. Copies are still available on the parish book rack. Also this weekend you will find a wide selection of children's religious books especially on the lower shelves of the book rack. Browse to see if some are just right for the young ones on your gift list. Advent blessings! OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, January 9th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We invite you to learn about our Catholic liberal arts education in the classical tradition. Children of all ages are welcome. Admissions: Share the treasures of a solid Catholic education with your child(ren)/grandchild(ren). New to the area? We offer rolling admissions during the school year. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium): Looking for a beautiful Atrium for your 3-6 year olds? Join us for Montessori religious formation classes for Christ s littlest ones. Sessions begin in January. SUMMER PROGRAM: Mark your calendars! June and August 5-9, Full and half day learning and fun. angelusacademy.org CCW Scholarship - Once again this year, the St. Lawrence CCW is offering a scholarship to a young lady of the parish. Application deadline is March 1, You can access the scholarship application at CCW-Scholarship-Application.pdf When you are traveling out of the area, go to to find a Catholic Church near you. Remember that leaving the area on vacation does not mean a vacation from hearing Holy Mass. It is a mortal sin to miss Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation through your own fault. Religious Education/Youth Educating our Youth in the Faith is the Future of Holy Mother Church. Religious Education Classes: Children entering 1st through 12th grade who are not attending a Catholic school should be registered in the parish Religious Education program. If you have not registered your child(ren) for Religious Education for the school year, please do so ASAP as classes have begun. Registration is still open and forms are available at the Religious Education Office, in the Church or the Rectory Office. For more information or if you have questions, please call the Religious Education Director, Anne-Marie Pierce at ST. LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOLER AND PARENT NEWS! High School/Teen Religious Education class is held every Tuesday night from 7:00-8:15 pm. All High School teens are welcome and registration will remain open. For Advent and Christmas we will be studying/ discussing Opening the Word Advent-Christmas Year B and watching Mary of Nazareth. Parents and teens can even watch at home! This series can be found on Formed.org Go to Formed.org and use our parish code Z2NDHT to create your own free account. The Youth of St. Lawrence extend a great THANK YOU to the Parishioners for donating to our Christmas Ornament Angel Fundraiser for WorkCamp 19. More Angel Ornaments are available in the Youth Office in Hammond Hall until they run out. We wish all St. Lawrence Parishioners a Holy, Happy, and Healthy Christmas and New Year. FORMED.ORG Study...Watch...Listen...Read (provided at no additional cost to you) St. Lawrence Parish maintains a subscription to FORMED.ORG which provides access to the best Catholic audio talks, movies, ebooks and video-based studies from trusted providers like Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Catholic Answers, St. Paul Center and more! For Example: You can look at a study discussing the journey of the Advent season look under Study for and click on Faith Formation, then under Augustine Institute Originals scroll to Prepare the Way an Advent Journey. What a great way to Prepare the way for yourself and your family this Advent by studying scripture. We are called to put our Faith into practice. To learn more and to grow in Faith, go to the following site: to create your free account for great information and videos on our Faith. Use access Code Z2NDHT.

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