“TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 17, 2014”

From the Desk of Fr. Underwood: This is Labor Day Weekend! We are accustomed to it being the last weekend at the pool, on the lake, or out in the campground with our families. We sometimes think of it as merely another day in a long weekend or a blessing that shortens a work week. But, the historical origin of Labor Day causes us to pause and reflect.

The United States Department of Labor says this about Labor Day: “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contribu-tions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” As Catholics, we look to Labor Day as more than merely a celebration of our personal successes. It is the weekend where we take a special break from labor in the United States – a day where we appreciate our opportunity to work – a day that we thank God for giving us the ability to work. There are so many people who want to work, but don’t have the opportunity. Human labor has always been a cooperation in God’s creative power. When we work, we help to build up God’s Kingdom. When we work, we should do so to give glory to God. When we work, we should also thank God for our ability and talents. This Labor Day, we join as a parish to pray for three things: 1. That those in need of work may find work with a just wage. 2. That all workers may give glory to God through their labors. 3. That human talents may be realized and thanks be given to God

for them. Mass on Labor Day will be at 9:00 am. What a perfect opportunity to come together for these prayer intentions. Do you know someone who is not Catholic? Do you know someone who has no church to turn to? Do you know someone who may have questions about our faith? How about inviting them to explore the Cath-olic faith in the St. Lawrence RCIA program? So many people have said “I always wanted to, but nobody ever asked me.” You might be the one to extend the invitation to a friend, a neighbor, or even a family member. Without you, they may never hear God’s call. We are preparing to begin regular RCIA classes on September 10th in the Parish Social Hall. Those interested are asked to attend the Inquiry pro-cess on Sunday mornings before they begin these more in-depth classes. For more information, please contact the parish office. Parish Picnic: I’m really looking forward to our parish picnic coming up on September 13th. We are trying to plan some unique and fun events (it might even be as wild as a circus that day), so reserve the date on your calendar. Activities will take place that Saturday from 3:00-8:30pm. Bring your families! It will be a wonderful time for our St. Lawrence parish family.

Liturgy Schedule

Monday, September 1st

Labor Day 9:00 a.m. Liv. & Dec. Kochert Family 5:15 p.m. No Mass

Tuesday, September 2nd 8:15 a.m. Safety of Schilli Company Employees

Wednesday, September 3rd 8:15 a.m. Charles E. Halsema 6:30 p.m. Ron Bartrom

Thursday, September 4th 8:15 a.m. Fr. Jack Trippel

Friday, September 5th

First Friday 8:15 a.m. Patty Elsner

LORD’S DAY MASSES

Saturday, September 6th

First Saturday 5:00 p.m. Carl & Emma Quaintance

Sunday, September 7th 8:00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Lawrence 9:30 a.m. Liv. & Dec. of John Bresnahan Family 11:15 a.m. Deb Kennedy 5:00 p.m. Joe Silver

“TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 31, 2014”

Baptism Meeting - A meeting for upcoming Baptisms will be held Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00pm in the Bishop Higi Rm., St. Mary Cathedral. The meeting will be informal but will include information about the Sacrament of Baptism and how to make this event more meaningful for you the parents, your child and the godparents. The godparents are also welcome to attend the meeting if available. Please call the office 742-2107 to register.

“THE FAMILY THAT WORKS, PRAYS AND PLAYS TOGETHER”

Protocol Meeting - A Safe Conduct Protocol Meeting is being offered Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00pm in the St. Francis Rm., St. Lawrence Parish Office Bldg. All adults (age 18 or older) who assist with ministries/activities involving any children from our parish are required to attend one of these meetings every five years. If you are a new volunteer/employee or need to renew your paperwork and background check, please plan on attending. The meeting lasts approximately 90 minutes. Registration Required – no later than 1 day prior to meeting. Please call the office with any questions or concerns (742-2107 ext. 236).

Ministers Schedule Saturday, September 6, 2014 5:00 p.m. M. Davis, M. Grundman (R) S. & M. Brown, C. & B. Shelton, B. German, E. & N. Julian (C) L. Rush R. Comery, A. Davis (S) Sunday, September 7, 2014 8:00 a.m. R. Mankus, T. Steill (R) R. Novak, M. Coomey, L. & M.A. Steiner, C. Smith, T. & M.A. Lawrence (C) A. Butz, A. Novak (S) 9:30 a.m. K. Dienhart, L. Brandt (R) J. Walters, J. & L. Vanderwielen, C. Mejia, E. Boes, J. Parr, K. Redinbo, L. Arvidson (C) K. & L. Hutzel, A. Denney (S) 11:15 a.m. D. Cramer, A. Lindberg (R) H. Jacobson, M. Helms, M. J. Nelson, J. Peden, J. & L. Crum, M.F. Nelson (C) M. Cramer, A. & E. Jacobson (S) 5:00 p.m. S. Schmitz, D. Seeger (R) J. Seeger, S. Romig, D. Koning, F. Sanchez, J. & P. Bennett, J. Harris (C) E. Langley, E. Romig (S)

Sacrificial Fund, August 24, 2014 $13,388.38 Electronic Fund Transfers $380.00 School Expansion Fund $183.00

The St. Lawrence “50 Plus Club” St. Lawrence “50” Plus Club will meet Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 in the Social Hall from 1:00-3:30pm. Short

meeting, refreshments, fun and good fellowship. Euchre will be played and prizes awarded. For more information call Sonja Wiegand at 490-3829.

The “90+ Club” celebrates the following August Birthdays: Adelaide King - August 3rd

Iona Loro - August 12th

Rita Jaffe - August 13th May God continue to shower blessings of love, joy, and peace in your life!

RCIA - Precatechumenate or Inquiry Conversion is a gradual process or a faith journey. The first step in this journey is the inquiry stage. This period may last a long time. One needs to be aware that gradual conversion cannot be measured in earth time, but in God's time. The aim of this period is to awaken one's faith. It is characterized by: • Sharing stories about the Catholic faith. • Answering questions about why Catholics do the things they do.

• Proclaiming the message of salvation through the Word. • Introduction into parish life. • Building trust and community. Once God's time has been fulfilled and the inquirer is ready to take the first step in the process of conversion, they will be invited to participate in The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. Beginning Sunday, September 7th Inquiry will meet every Sunday at 9:30am in the St. Clare room at the Parish Office Bldg. We would love for you to join us. You must attend inquiry sessions before you can be invited to participate in the Rite of Acceptance on October 26th at the 9:30am Mass. RCIA will begin meeting on Wednesday nights starting September 10th from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Social Hall. If you have questions please call the Parish Office or Jim & Connie at 447-2939.

Uniting in Heart Pastoral Planning Survey Our numbers keep growing of those who have filled out the Surveys associated with Uniting in Heart, Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. If you have not filled one out, please take the time to do it now. Go to www.dol-in.org and click the button which will lead you to the surveys. Choose the most appropriate for your use. Most people will be using the General Survey. If you do not have access to a computer please take a survey from the back of Church and return it next week so someone can input your information. If you know people who do not regularly participate in Church, and consider themselves Catholic, please feel free to take “yellow” surveys from the back of Church and invite them to participate so the Bishop can hear their voices and incorporate the needs he hears into the pastoral plan.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NOTES

Want to Know More about your Catholic Faith? We are need of new catechists for this school year. It is a good opportunity to share your faith and love of children. We are in need of Children’s Liturgy of the Word leaders during the 11:15 Mass, a second kindergarten teacher (Wednesday evenings) and discussion leaders for Confirmation classes (Sunday afternoons 3-4:45). If you are interested please contact Ryan Hillman at Hillman@Catholicweb.com or at 423-2396.

Religious Education Registration for 2014-2015 Registration forms are now available at the church exits and in the social hall. They are also available at the parish office, and on the St. Lawrence website. Calendars, registration forms, and baptismal information forms for the upcoming religious education year can also be found on the parish website. Religious Education events can be linked to smartphones, tablets, or computers calendars. To do so click on the calendar tab at the top of the St. Lawrence website and click on the event.

Confirmation Registration St. Lawrence currently confirms young people who are in their freshman year of high school. We do accept older students who have yet to be confirmed. The policy of St. Lawrence mandates that a young person must have participated in religious education program or at a Catholic school the year prior to receiving the sacrament. The following are important dates for Confirmation preparation. Candidates are expected to participate in all the events and Confirmation class. Confirmation events can be linked to smartphones, tablets, or computers calendars. To do so click on the calendar tab at the top of the St. Lawrence website and click on the event.

Nov. 9 Sponsor/Candidate Mtg., Social Hall Nov. 22/23 Rite of Enrollment at all Masses. March 18 All Assignments Due April 11/12 Confirmation Retreat at Cary Camp May 13 Confirmation Rehearsal, St. Mary Cathedral 7pm May 14 Confirmation, St. Mary Cathedral 7pm

Upcoming Dates

Sept. 7 Religious Education begins for Grades 6-8

First Reconciliation Oct. 2 or 7 Parent Mtg. Soc. Hall LL 7-8pm Oct. 11/12 Reconciliation Enrollment Rite at all Masses Nov. 8 Parent/Child Mtg. in Soc. Hall Nov. 24 First Reconciliation in Church 7pm

First Communion Feb. 23 or 26 Parent Meeting, Social Hall LL 7-8pm March 7/8 Holy Eucharist Enrollment Rite at all Masses March 14 Parent/Child Mtg. in Soc. Hall April 18 Day of Recollection for 1st Communicants April 19 First Communion 1:30pm

If you have a son or daughter participating in a Sacrament this year, please note these dates on your calendar. It will help to alleviate conflicts. Thank you.

Food Pantry – Next Sunday is our monthly Food Sunday to help those in need. Please bring non-perishable food items,

toiletries and paper products. Canned meats, cereal, dry milk, spaghetti & sauce, pasta, rice, peanut butter, laundry detergent and toilet paper are needed. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by those we help!

High School Bible studies will start on August 27th

from 7-8:30. All high school students are invited

every Wednesday in the lower level of St. Mary.

Contact Kendra Leckrone with questions

kmleckrone@gmail.com, 219-208-0060.

The high school youth group will be starting its

Fall semester of Life Teen on Sunday, September

7th. All high school students are invited to join

the youth group each Sunday for fellowship and

food. The youth group will meet in the lower

level of the St. Lawrence social hall each Sunday

from 6:30-8. Registration is not required. Contact

Kendra Leckrone with questions kmleck-

rone@gmail.com, 219-208-0060.

“TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 31, 2014”

“THE FAMILY THAT WORKS, PRAYS AND PLAYS TOGETHER”

Superhero Run/Walk Benefiting Matrix Pregnancy Resource Center

September 27th, 2014 Columbian Park, Rush Pavilion Register online at www.lafayetteherorun.com

Join the St. Lawrence Team led by Ben Davis today!

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Ninth Annual St. Boniface GermanFest Saturday, September 6th

4-11:30pm. Please join us!

SAVE THE DATE! Anniversary Mass with Bishop Doherty at the

Cathedral. All couples are invited to renew their vows with Bishop Doherty during Mass on Sept 28, 2014 at 2:30 pm. Register online at http://www.dol-in.org/

index.cfm?load=page&page=537.

Teaching about God’s Gift of Forgiveness is the theme for the 2014 Catechetical Day which is sponsored by the Diocesan Pastoral Office for Catechesis. The day will take place on Saturday, October 11th, at Central Catholic High School, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., EST. The day begins with Mass, a Keynote Address by Fr. Rick Nagel, Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Church, Indianapolis, and participants can choose three breakout sessions among the many offered. There is a $30 registration fee which includes lunch and hospitality. For a registration brochure and a complete schedule and list of the breakout sessions, please go to: www.dol-in.org/CD or contact the Pastoral Office for Catechesis at (765) 269-4650.

ST. ELIZABETH HOSPICE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS TO BEGIN WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9 “Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Are you feeling overwhelmed and confused after the loss of a loved one but aren’t sure where to turn? Spending time with others who are on the same emotional roller coast, in a group setting, can be helpful during your grief journey. St. Elizabeth Hospice has served the greater Lafayette community in the grief support ministry for many years by providing practical information in a facilitated but relaxed group setting. New groups are forming now to begin a 10-week series the week of September 9. To accommodate different schedules, groups are available on either Tuesday evenings (6:00-7:30 pm) or Friday mornings (9:30-11:00 am). Please contact Dwight Herrin, St. Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Group Facilitator, at 423-6911, for more information and to register. You need not make this journey alone!

The Parents’ Guild of Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School

will host their Annual Football Homecoming Fish Fry on Friday,

September 5th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, in the Central Catholic cafeteria.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, and a carry out option is available.

Choice of fish or hot dog for children.

That Man is You! Modeled on some of the country’s leading men’s programs, That Man is You! is an interactive men’s program that combines Scripture, solid secular research and fun to address the pressures and temptations facing men in our modern culture. It seeks to form authentic leaders who will be capable of transforming homes and society. That Man is You! meets weekly at Church of the Blessed Sacrament: 2224 Sacramento Dr., West Lafayette. Two convenient meeting times are available, choose to attend on Monday mornings (6-7:30am) or Thursday evenings (7-8:30pm). Each meeting begins with refreshments, followed by a short presentation combining the best scientific research with the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints. The meetings conclude with breakout groups that provide an opportunity for discussion. Meetings begin the week of September 8, 2014. Find complete program details and registration information for this free program at www.blessedsacramentwl.org/tmiy.

“TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 31, 2014”