Thank you to ALL who attended the NIGHT AT THE RACES! Our gratitude to all volunteers
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHOIR DIRECTOR
Our search for a Choir Director is completed!
We are happy to announce that Roberta Ward is our new Choir Director. Welcome Roberta!
FAST AND ABSTINENCE
FAST AND ABSTINENCE AND OTHER ACTS OF PENANCE FOR LENT 2023
The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation,
that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound
to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of
Lent and Good Friday. Further, all persons eighteen years of age
and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth birthday, are bound
to fast by limiting themselves to a1 single full meal on Ash
Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those
days are to be light.
All the faithful are encouraged, when possible, to participate at
Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist daily, to celebrate
frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading,
especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to participate in
parish Lenten devotions as well as Lenten education programs.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is especially recommended.
All are encouraged to participate in "Operation Rice Bowl", which
has aided countless hungry persons here in the Archdiocese as well
as throughout our nation and our world.
The Crowd
The original Pro-Life Religion
The Crowd
Abortion, an ever-tragic event, yet, Pro-Lifers, a joyful and hopeful crowd; this has to be our Capitol’s most light filled rally. Darkness and light cannot exist at the same time, and this crowd was full of light. There is no denying the light, love and hope on tens of thousands of faces, moving and chanting in unison. And so many young people, college groups, high school kids, seminarians, novices, children on their parent’s shoulders.
Love Life
The original Pro-Life Religion
The Crowd
Mostly ignored by our Nation’s media, it is difficult to find an estimate on how many attended, but certainly several hundred thousand. Folks traveled from afar; nuns from Florida seemed to keep our pace throughout most of the march so we heard their chant a number of times, “Who are we, SISTERS OF LIFE, Where are we from, FLORIDA, What are we, COLD!” And then a fit of giggles from both the sisters and the crowd.
The original Pro-Life Religion
The original Pro-Life Religion
The original Pro-Life Religion
Father Benn befriended a fellow clergyman, Rabbi Shlomo Nachman ben Ya’akov who’s sign read, ‘Judaism: The original Pro-Life Religion’. The Rabbi, his son and Joe Guilyard proudly posed for a photograph with Father Benn.
Moving Posters along route
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
The original Pro-Life Religion
One of the most moving posters, along our march route, stated ‘Conceived in Rape, Born of Love’, five or so posters held by a small group of young people, silently and peacefully making their point that the violence of abortion is not an answer to the violence of rape and incest. These posters speak of the moral incoherence that abortion is an answer to rape.
Another moving poster ‘I Regret My Lost Motherhood’ and ‘I Regret My Lost Fatherhood’ speaks to the pain of living with the choice of abortion. The pro-choice movement doesn’t mention a stronghold of sadness and regret. Thank you to these brave souls for their raw honesty.
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
The speeches were especially moving. Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Molla, made a trip from Italy to be a guest speaker. Tony Dungy spoke of our Nation and the NFL falling on their knees in prayer over a single life, Damar Hamlin, a prayer movement that could not be denied. Pro-life Democrat, Rep. Trenee McGee (Conn) gave a moving speech on the racist motives of abortion. Trenee McGee proclaimed life! Other speakers included Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who helped defend Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban and primed to revisit precedent in the case Dobbs v. Jackson, overturning Roe in a 6-3 decision. Steve Scalise rallied the crowd, along with other speakers. Jonathan Roumie, actor who plays the role of Jesus on ‘The Chosen’, gave the final speech.
Display of Banners
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
Listening to Inspiring Speeches
Banners representing the many diverse groups at the March for Life 2023.
Forty-nine previous years of peaceful, hopeful, prayerful vigilance led to overturning Roe vs. Wade. We attended the 50th Annual March for Life as we continue to hold fast in prayer that our Nation ends the barbaric and painful experience of abortion. We pray for the women who suffer anguish and pain following an abortion trauma. May these mothers trust in God’s mercy, the source of all hope, which truly springs eternal.
St. Lawrence Parish: Prayer to St Joseph!
Prayer to St. Joseph! (will be prayed at the conclusion of every Mass)
"Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you, God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and a guide to us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen"
