Altar and Rosary Society
Altar and Rosary Society
Like all Altar & Rosary Societies, St. Lawrence Altar & Rosary Society began as a small group of women in the parish who cared for everything that contributed to creating and maintaining a beautiful environment within which parishioners could celebrate all of their liturgies. They cleaned the church; they washed and ironed the many altar linens involved with Mass; they looked after the care of the vestments. Not surprisingly, these women were also grounded in personal prayer and a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, thus their tradition of praying the Rosary. Today the women of St. Lawrence Altar & Rosary Society keep to this tradition, but are even more active in the life of the Parish then ever. They are mothers, grandmothers and single. They are stay at home Moms and work in the professional world. Whenever and however there is a need for help in the parish with regards to its life, you will find them working behind the scenes. They are Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. They participate in the Parish Scripture Studies. They are members of the Parish Pastoral Council. One is on the Board of the Ceader Trust. Our growing number of Socials: monthly Coffee & Donuts following the 9:30 AM Mass o the 2nd Sunday of each month, the Saturday Summer dinners in Ceader hall following the 5 PM Vigil Mass and the occasional special Dinners hosted during the winter. None of these would be half as enjoyable, delicious and organized if it weren’t for these women. Regardless of their age or backgrounhttps://websites.godaddy.com/ministriesd. all women of the St. Lawrence Parish are welcome to become a member of the Altar & Rosary Society.
Music Ministry
Music Ministry
Ministry Purpose:
Music adds a dimension of meaning and feeling to our worship that words alone cannot sustain. St. Lawrence places a high value on liturgical music. The main purpose of the Music Ministry is to lead the Assembly in sacred song and sung prayer with the intent to further faith and promote the singing of the congregation. This is done through a variety of musical styles, including traditional hymns, contemporary songs and Gospel-style. Recognizing the human voice as the primary musical instrument, our efforts are geared toward motivating and supporting the voice of the assembly.
“Obedient to Christ and to the Church, we gather in liturgical assembly, week after week. As our predecessors did, we find ourselves singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God. This common, sung expression of faith within liturgical celebrations strengthens our faith when it grows weak and draws us into the divinely inspired voice of the Church at prayer. Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations can foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken it. Good music makes the liturgical prayers of the Christian community more alive and fervent so that everyone can praise and beseech the Triune God more powerfully, more intently and more effectively.” (Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 5)
Dedicated musicians, choir members and cantors aim to give God the glory He deserves with the most beautiful and reverent sacred music we can deliver. Let’s share our gifts and talents to support our parish’s music program.
The Director of Music plays the organ at each weekend Mass. Cantors assist the congregation’s singing at weekend Masses. Our Adult Choir (ages 18 and older) complements the congregational singing at the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass, and various liturgies throughout the year.
Holy Name Society
Holy Name Society
Formerly known as the St. Lawrence Men’s Society this group can best be described as men from the parish who were eager to contribute to the care of the parish’s infrastructure. Historically, most had background in industry, construction, engineering, geology and commercial businesses. Background in these fields was not a requirement but it became a great blessing to the parish and its pastors. Their skills and experience were gifts that most pastors could only wish for. As an example, all of St. Lawrence 2018 and 2019 Capital Projects were initiated through their guidance and supervision. In 2017, they expressed a desire to add a spiritual component to their organization. After researching various spiritual groups for men, they settled on the Holy Name Society. The group was officially admitted as the Riegelsville Chapter of the Holy Name Society of Philadelphia on January, 2019. In their spirit of generosity and following the Gospel, they are currently in the process of developing a strategy of “Good Works” to be practiced within and outside of the Parish. Regardless of a man’s background, education, interest, age or state in life, St. Lawrence’s Holy Name Society welcomes all men of the area who seek to celebrate living the Gospel as men. Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month in Ceader Hall
President of the St. Lawrence Holy Name Society is Joe Affuso [610] 258-1621