MARCH 29, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Visit our Facebook page this Wednesday, April 1, 2020, to adore the Real Presence of Our Lord from your home beginning at 7:00pm. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can also adore Him directly from the parish website: www.saintlawrencemartyr.org.

A NOTE ABOUT CONFESSION

The following directive was received from the Archdiocese of Baltimore regarding the manner in which the sacrament of Confession is to be celebrated during COVID-19 restrictions:

The Sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation) may still be offered, provided that:

• Reconciliation rooms be used if they offer the required social distancing and privacy. Traditional Confessionals should not be used even if the penitent is behind a screen.

• Signage be posted where people gather before and after receiving the sacrament re: required social distancing, refraining from entering if ill or vulnerable, practicing proper hygiene, and noting the State and CDC limits on gatherings to 50 or fewer;

• Sanitizer be offered, where possible, as people enter and the number of people present is monitored.

Given these directives, the sacrament of Reconciliation will still be available at Saint Lawrence Martyr on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.; however, the sacrament will be celebrated face-to-face outdoors (weather permitting) near the driveway circle or in the conference room located behind the parish office. Please observe appropriate social distancing in either case. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all adjust to how we practice our faith during this difficult time.

Father Victor and parish staff ask that parishioners be

diligent in watching our Facebook page and parish

website (www.saintlawrencemartyr.org) for up-to-the-

minute information. Another way to easily stay informed

is to be sure you are subscribed to FlockNote so

announcements are delivered directly to your email

inbox or phone. Just in case you forgot how to sign up

(it's free):

Go online to www.flocknote.com/saintlawrencemartyr or

text the letters "SLM" to the number 84576 from your

phone to subscribe to updates (regular texting rates ap-

ply). Be sure to follow all prompts to complete the easy

sign-up process. You also have the option to cancel your

subscription at any time.

The Lord wants us to be informed, but not afraid. Peace

be with you always.

#StayHealthy

#StayConnected

#StayPrayerful

March 29, 2020

Dear Parishioners of Saint Lawrence Martyr,

First, please know how very much Brother Ronald and I appreciate your outward concern and sincere prayers for

our personal wellbeing. We are doing our very best to take care of ourselves and each other, as I know each of you

are doing within your circles of family and friends. I continue to offer daily Mass in private not just for the daily

Mass intention, but also for the health and wellbeing of the entire Saint Lawrence Martyr parish family as well. You

are all very much on my mind and in my heart during this time apart from one another.

An update to parish accessibility: the parish office is open only to staff Monday through Friday from 10:00am to

3:00pm. The worship space is, unfortunately, closed in compliance with state law. However, several of our parish-

ioners have been generous in creating ways to bring liturgical celebrations into your homes. Many thanks to Kevin

Maier and Larry Bowers for their technical savvy in streaming live through our parish Facebook page the Saturday

5:00pm Vigil Mass and, most recently, the Stations of the Cross which was (or will be, depending upon when you

are reading this) added to the online lineup this (past) Friday evening at 7:00pm. I am also grateful to Dan Baker,

Joe Eble, and all members of our wonderful music ministry for so beautifully enhancing our prayer and worship.

Now is a time when it is more important than ever to stay connected, yes - with Our Lord, of course; that goes without saying. It is also very important to stay connected with one another. It’s not difficult to do at all. If you or a family member has a Facebook account, you can easily connect with others in the parish through ConVenit Online @SaintLawrenceMartyr (convenit is Latin for “come together”). ConVenit Online is simply a Facebook group which we’ve created to help us all “come together” virtually as a parish family during our current but temporary sepa-ration. Click here to be taken directly to the group, or use your phone to scan the QR code pic-tured here. Even if you do not have access to Facebook, you can still feel connected by visiting this page on our parish website to view archived videos of recorded Masses and other liturgical celebrations.

In a very particular way, my staff and I are tremendously grateful for the support of those who have recently signed up for online giving, those who continue to give online, and those who have been mailing in their weekly offertory. Although we are not able to physically pass the collection basket at this time, the parish must still make good on its financial obligations. If you have not yet had the opportunity, please consider our safe and secure online giving service, or consider mailing in your weekly/monthly/quarterly contributions (including donations for Easter flowers - yes, there will still be an Easter regard-less of the pandemic) to the general offertory and capital campaigns. Our address is 7850 Parkside Boulevard, Hanover, MD 21076. You can scan the QR Code included here with your

electronic devices to be taken directly to the online giving page of our website. If you need assistance in setting up your online account, please send an e-mail to office@saintlawrencemartyr.org.

Lastly, I want you to know that Deacon Steve, my staff, and I are preparing for Holy Week. We are working

joyfully together in holy anticipation of when we are once again together under one roof as the Body of the risen

Christ as it was meant to be. Whether that be virtually or in person, we remain an Easter people.

Until we meet again - hopefully within the relatively near future - may the Lord continue to bless you and keep you

in His care.

Fr. Victor Scocco, O.SS.T. , Pastor

StLM Online Giving

ConVenit Online

Saturday, March 28th:

5:00pm + Jean Nicholson req by Sharon and Milt McKenna

Sunday, March 29th:

8:00am

10:00am

12:00pm

5:30pm

Monday, March 30th:

9:00am + Rose Nduanya req by Maria Egudu

Tuesday, March 31st:

9:00am Ethel Kovalick req by Melissa Kovalick

Wednesday, April 1st:

9:00am + Deceased Members of the Trinitarians

Thursday, April 2nd:

9:00am Eseta Chimegwu req by Maria Egudu

Friday, April 3rd:

9:00am + Joseph Martin req by friends of the family

Saturday, April 4th:

5:00pm + Edward and Joan Albers req by Diane and John

Meinhardt

Sunday, April 5th: Palm Sunday

8:00am

10:00am

12:00pm

5:30pm

*Rosary following Mass ** Rosary and Novena to St. Agatha

*** Novena to St. Michael of the Saints †Holy Day of Obligation

Due to current events, weekday (Monday-Friday)

Mass Intentions are being prayed daily by Father

Victor at private Masses.

Mass Intentions for 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Masses

will be prayed by Fr. Victor during Masses which

are streamed live on the parish Facebook page and

website.

For the foreseeable future, Sunday Mass intentions

will be rescheduled to a future date.

Father Victor and the parish staff are grateful

for your understanding and patience during this

unprecedented time.

#SEALTHEDOORPOSTS

In this time of calamity, the Marian Fathers invite us to participate in a simple but incredibly powerful act of faith by posting an image of the Divine Mercy on our front doors. If you don’t have the Image in your home, please visit TheDivineMercy.org/DivineMercyImage and download it for free and print it out. If you are unable to have the Image blessed by a priest or deacon, the Church allows the laity to invoke a blessing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1669) teaches that lay people, on account of their baptismal priesthood, may administer certain blessings. How does one invoke such a blessing upon the Image of Divine Mercy? While making the Sign of the Cross over the Image, say:

O Lord, I seek Your blessing upon this Image,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

You can watch a video where Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains more by clicking here.

MYPARISHAPP.COM MyParishApp is a Catholic parish app that helps improve parish communication and outreach while offering the feathers that parishioners enjoy in a good app. MyParishApp can be downloaded to your tablet or phone from the QR code above. If you don’t know how to scan a QR code with your electronic device, feel free to email office@saintlawrencemartyr.org for instructions. Once the app is on your phone, enable your location to see the available parishes near you. Of course we want you to select Saint Lawrence! Follow the prompts to sign in and you’re there!

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,

Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas, We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,

as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,

and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones,

the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.

Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be

patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to

our hearts.

We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,

health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms,

help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

JOIN THE SSP TEAM!

We need to be ready when Masses at Saint Lawrence Martyr resume. Support our new Safety and Security

Plan by becoming a member of Saint Lawrence Martyr’s team of SSP Ushers or Greeters!

The successful implementation of the parish’s new Safety and Security Plan (SSP) relies upon all Saint Lawrence Martyr parishioners, but especially upon those who serve our parish as ushers and greeters. Our ushers and greeters are here at a time when our largest gatherings occur. On average, they see over 750 individuals in attendance at Sunday Mass.

We are in great need of dedicated women and men to serve who will not only fulfill the traditional role of an usher or greeter, but who will also be willing and capa-ble to support the SSP.

Those who feel called to serve the parish as an SSP Usher or SSP Greeter should contact our business manager, Clark Gaughan, as soon as possible by calling 410-799-1970. You may also email Clark at cgaughn@saintlawrencemartyparish.org.

Archbishop William E. Lori addressed the following message to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

March 18, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

As Catholics, we hold the Eucharist to be the very “source and summit” of Christian life. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament, we receive Christ Himself – body, blood, soul and divinity. The Eucharist gives us spiritual nourishment and helps empower us to serve others as Christ served us. It is a precious gift born of our Savior’s love for us.

One of the most painful and difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make as your archbishop was to limit Masses in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to private celebrations without the physical presence of the faithful. I know the profound sense of hurt so many of our people are experiencing without the ability to receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Know that I did not make this decision lightly.

I have been in ongoing contact with state leaders and public health professionals, as well as with the clergy and lay leaders of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Those consultations convinced me that we must do all we can to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community, even if it means we may not be able to receive the Eucharist for what may be a significant period of time. This is for the wellbeing not only of the faithful of our Archdiocese, but for all the people of Maryland.

During this time of uncertainty, I encourage you to remain strong in your faith and stay connected to your parish. Many of the parishes throughout the Archdiocese have been broadcasting Masses and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on social media or through radio or other means. You can find a list of those offerings, which is constantly being updated, by clicking here.

Please look for your parish in the myParish App to receive information about what’s happening in your local faith community. You will receive instant notifications, participate in online Masses, daily Mass readings, archdiocesan and international news, prayers, broadcasts of the Catholic Baltimore radio show and so much more. You may download the App in the Apple App Store here or through Google Play here.

I have been offering daily Lenten reflections as a way of helping us prepare for Easter. Those messages are posted to the archdiocesan YouTube channel as videos here or as audio files on our SoundCloud channel here.

The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen has been livestreaming its 11 a.m. Mass on Sundays, which I have the privilege of celebrating. You may find that live broadcast by visiting www.archbalt.org or by logging onto the archdiocesan Facebook page at 11 a.m. on Sundays. MeTV Baltimore will also air those Masses over the air on Channel 11.2, on Comcast on channel 208, and on FiOS on channel 460. The Masses will re-air on WCBM AM-680 at 7 p.m. every Sunday.

We have also begun a novena to our Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for her intercession and protection from the coronavirus. If you have already started that nine-day period of prayer, please continue. If not, it’s not too late to begin the novena at anytime. For more information, including audio and downloads of the prayer, click here.

I humbly ask you to remember that the needs of our parishes in serving the poor, providing ongoing maintenance, staffing programs and keeping up operations are continuing throughout this crisis. Please continue to provide financial support to your parish by mailing your contribution or checking with your parish about automatic giving opportunities.

I realize that many are experiencing economic hardship with the stresses the pandemic have placed on our national economy. All those who are suffering at this time are not forgotten and remain in my prayers. Visit Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore to learn how we are doing our best to serve those in need under difficult circumstances.

I encourage you to visit the archdiocesan coronavirus response page here. All of the resources I described above can be accessed there in addition to other helpful materials, news articles, commentary and more about the pandemic. I also strongly encourage you to sign up for the Catholic Review’s twice-a-week e-newsletter which provides the latest news coverage. You may sign up here or by texting CRMedia to 84576.

Know that you are constantly in my prayers. It is our shared faith in Jesus Christ and our confidence in Him that will get us through this challenging time.

In Christ,

Archbishop William E. Lori

GOD IS NOT KEEPING HIS SOCIAL DISTANCE.

Trust in Him always.