From the Desk of Fr. Underwood: Lenten Highlights

We are offering many wonderful opportunities this Lent to nourish your family’s faith. Consider participating in one, some, or all of these:

1. Daily Mass

2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

3. Sacrament of Reconciliation (special times on Monday evening during Lent and after Friday Stations of the Cross)

4. Stations of the Cross

5. Faith Nourishment Programs (33 Days to Morning Glory)

6. Eucharistic Mission (hosted here March 9th at 7:00 pm)

7. Retreats & Conferences (Women’s CRHP & Men of Madness)

8. High-School Antioch Retreat (sign up now)

Strong Marriage = Strong Family: With the hectic schedules of family life, I often hear people say that they feel selfish taking time as a married couple to go on a date. They feel like they are robbing their children of time. Remember, your marriage must be strong—for your children. Do something to nourish your marriage. Sign up for Six Dates for Catholic Couples, beginning March 21st. There is even babysitting.

The Importance of Youth Ministry & The Antioch Opportunity: It is becoming evident, more than ever, the great need to instill faith and morals in our next generations. Teens today are faced with greater stresses and temptations. They have decisions to make that have the potential to affect the rest of their lives. It is clearer how much they need God.

Please pray for our young people and their families. Encourage them to be holy and practice their faith. Share the beauty of your faith and how much Jesus feeding you with the Eucharist is a great gift. Even encourage them to participate in youth ministry or attend the Antioch Retreat. Your guidance is exactly what they need to set their path to Eternal Life in Heaven.

March ‘15 Men of Madness By now you have seen this unique event printed somewhere and wondered what it is all about. In place of Men’s Christ Renews His Parish this year, the team has decided to offer an exciting fast-paced faith-packed day called “Men of Madness.” There is no mistake it is in March—and the only mistake would be not attending.

Based on the Book of Wisdom, we took our inspiration from this passage: “This is the man whom we once held in derision and made a byword of reproach—we fools! We thought that his life was madness and that his end was without honor.” (Wisdom 5:4) Together, let’s live for Christ.

We are transforming the Social Hall into the “Man Cave” on Saturday, March 14th from 8:00am—6:00pm. All Adult men (18+) of the parish will want to be there! To sign up, please contact Deacon Jim Rush.

“THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 1, 2015”

Liturgy Schedule

Monday, March 2nd 8:15 a.m. Miriam Walters 5:15 p.m. Don Schmitz 7:00 p.m. Adoration & Confessions

Tuesday, March 3rd 8:15 a.m. Grace Dienhart 10:00 a.m. Mass at Rosewalk Cancelled - No Mass

Wednesday, March 4th 8:15 a.m. Paul Rund 6:30 p.m. Elizabeth Shaw

Thursday, March 5th 8:15 a.m. Dick Pfender 2:15 p.m. Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 6th First Friday 8:15 a.m. Denise Albrecht 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross & Confessions

LORD’S DAY MASSES

Saturday, March 7th First Saturday 5:00 p.m. Norma Plaspohl

Sunday, March 8th 8:00 a.m. Lorraine Hitze 9:30 a.m. Parishioners of St. Lawrence 11:15 a.m. Larry Remmetter 5:00 p.m. Bob O’Neil

Gladys White

Baptism Meeting - A meeting for upcoming Baptisms will be held Tuesday, March 10 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, March 10 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, March 7, 2015

5:00 p.m. B. Ahler, M. Grundman (R) L. Fallen, C. Gross, K. Askins (C) B. & H. Fallen, C. Haan (S) Sunday, March 8, 2015

8:00 a.m. R. Mankus, J. Meluch (R) R. Novak, P. Meluch, M. Grogan (C) A. Novak, E. Finney (S) 9:30 a.m. S. Boes, L. Brandt (R) E. Boes, W. Wiley, J. Parr (C) J., J., & S. Brown (S) 11:15 a.m. M. F. Nelson (R) M. Helms, H. Jacobson, P. Aranas (C) A. & E. Jacobson, L. Bordenet (S) 5:00 p.m. S. Bonner, M. Davis (R) D. Seeger, D. Koning, S. Hyland (C) J. Steinhart, A. Davis, J. Drerup (S)

Sacrificial Fund, February 15, 2015 $11,602.76 Electronic Fund Transfers $320.00 Catholic Moment $850.00 School Expansion Fund $472.00

The “90+ Club” celebrates the following March Birthdays:

Ester Kline—March 1st

Patsy Marocco—March 15th

May God continue to shower blessings of love, joy, and peace in your life!

Q: Why do we have First Friday Adoration?

A: Every Friday of the year we are supposed to remember the passion of our Lord. We are obliged to either abstain from meat or do another form of penance every Friday (during Lent we have to abstain from meat), even Fridays outside of Lent. The first Friday of every month is dedicated to honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus’ heart is the locus of his love for us and that which moved him to offer up his life for us on the cross. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (d. 1690) received a vision of the Sacred Heart and in one of her revelations Jesus asked her to promote the first Friday adoration. This devotion is a way that devout believers could make reparation for the ingratitude Jesus so frequently experiences by people when he is exposed in Eucharistic form. Jesus promised her that anyone who would devoutly receive Communion on 9 consecutive months (and go to confession before communion if needed) would receive special graces including: unity within divided families, the grace of final perseverance, and consolation in times of trouble. To have adoration on the First Friday, is a way to promote this devotion and to encourage everyone to grow in their love and adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist! (email questions to frduquaine@saintlawrencechurch.com).

RCIA: Period of Purification and Enlightenment This final period of preparation is one of intense, spiritual recollection that usually coincides with Lent. It is a period of Purification and Enlightenment. It is a time for reflection and prayer, more than teaching. We will celebrate several rites, giving the candidates strength and grace. March 1st we celebrate the Rite of Sending at the 9:30am Mass and a Combined Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral at 2:30pm. After this Rite the Catechumens will be called The Elect. The three purifying rituals, known as The Scrutinies, strengthen the elect and help to complete their conversion. The Presentation of the Creed and The Lord’s Prayer enlighten the minds of the elect in the final weeks of their preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, which will be celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Lent ends when the sacred Triduum begins (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter) at sunset on Thursday of Holy Week. Please keep The Catechumens and The Candidates in your prayers as they journey to the Easter Vigil, where they will become members of our parish. Inquiry is meeting the second and fourth Sunday of each month. If you are interested in attending an inquiry session please call the Parish Office at 742-2107 or Jim at 447-2939.

Religious Education Confirmation

March 1st Conf. Class LL Soc. Hall (3-4:45pm) March 8th Conf. Class LL Soc. Hall (3-4:45pm) A reminder that all Confirmation assignments and forms are to be turned in after one of the Masses the weekend of April 1st. You may bring the forms and assignments to the lobby of the social hall. See the St. Lawrence website for copies of forms, checklist and descriptions under the Formation and Confirmation tab. I am in need of people to help with the Confirmation Retreat on April 11th and 12th at Camp Cary in Lafayette. Please contact me, Ryan Hillman at 423-2396 or at Hillman@SaintLawrenceChurch.net if you would like to help in anyway. Thank you.

First Communion The Rite of Enrollment for First Communion will be March 7th and 8th at all Masses. All children are expected to participate in this Rite. 1st Communion Parent/Child Meeting is Saturday, March 14th at 10:30am in the Social Hall. The 1st Communion Day of Reflection is Saturday April 18th at 10:00am in the Social Hall. All children are expected to participate. If anybody would like to help with lunch for the children at the 1st Communion Day of Reflection please email at Hillman@SaintLawrenceChurch.net or call 423-2396. Thank you. Please submit your Baptismal Information Form if you have not done so. We must have the form so child can be able to receive 1st Communion.

Lent During Lent, the children are asked to participate in Operation Rice Bowl. 75% of our collection goes to Catholic Services for their programming around the world and 25% supports local efforts. The class that brings in the most money per student will receive an ice cream party.

“THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 14, 2014” “THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 1, 2015”

MAKE THE MOST OF LENT

Stations of the Cross Thursdays at 2:15pm (except 3/26) with School

Fridays at 7:00pm with Confessions

Lenten Penance Services St. Thomas Aquinas - March 2, 7:00pm

St. Boniface - March 6, 7:00pm Blessed Sacrament - March 12, 7:00pm St. Lawrence - March 16, 7:00pm

Monday Night Lenten Devotions Adoration / Confession

March 2, 23, & 30 at 7:00pm Eucharistic Mission March 9 at 7:00pm

Parish Penance Service March 16 at 7:00pm

Free daily Lent reflections with

Fr. Robert Barron

Sign-up at: http://www.lentreflections.com

Spring Antioch Retreat - All high school youth in the Greater Lafayette area are invited to attend the Spring Antioch Retreat, an awesome weekend led by high school youth who have previously attended Antioch. The 2015 Spring Antioch Retreat will take place the weekend of March 6th - 8th at St. Lawrence Catholic Church from 7:00pm Friday through 3:30pm Sunday. Registration forms can be found at the doors of Church, at the St. Lawrence website or at www.dualsaints.com. For more information contact Sue Bayley at 765-404-0753, bayleybunch@hotmail.com. We promise you’ll have a good time, so sign up today!

Culver Night will be Tuesday, March 10th from 4:30-7:30pm. Come join us for great food, fun and fellowship! Purchase Scrip at the door from 5:00-7:00 so we can make double the profit!

The St. Lawrence “50 Plus Club” will meet Wednesday, March 4, 2015 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.

Susan VogtSusan VogtSusan VogtSusan Vogt Marriage Moments & Parenting Pointers

March 2015

Parenting Pointer— March 6-7, 2015 is a new holiday - The National Day of Unplugging .http://www.sabbathmanifesto.org/unplug/Celebrate it by fasting from any unessential use of cell phones, internet, screens, - anything that takes you away from your family. Invite your family to sign the pledge.

“THE FAMILY THAT WORKS, PRAYS AND PLAYS TOGETHER”

Marriage Moments— Holidays: What holiday customs do you bring from your family of origin? Which ones are similar and you want to retain? Which ones clash? How do you resolve the differences? What new tradition would you like to start?

EASTER triduum EASTER triduum EASTER triduum EASTER triduum

CHOIRCHOIRCHOIRCHOIR

For anyone who is interested in singing or playing with the Easter Triduum choir,

rehearsals are Thursday Evenings at 7pm in the choir loft, and will last 75-90 minutes. All are invited, including instrumentalists. Please contact Jon-Paul Hurt at 742-2107, 404-5794, or email jphurt@juno.com

for more information.

“THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 1, 2015”

CATHOLIC SCOUT RETREAT - Scout retreat “Close Encounters with God” will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at St. Maria Goretti Church in Westfield from 9:00am until 3:00pm. All scouts, both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, from grades K-12 are invited. There will be games, stories, prayers, songs and Mass. The theme is “The Luminous Mysteries”. The cost is $5.00 and adults are free. Bring a sack lunch and drinks will be provided. To register, contact Steve Chatot at bigbear96@comcast.net or 765-286-5093. Registration deadline is March 16th, 2015.

The General de Lafayette #249, 4th degree Knights of Columbus is taking scholarship applications from any high school senior of the Catholic faith that will be attending college next year. The senior must reside in the Assembly area, which consists of the parishes in Crawfordsville, Oxford/Otterbein, Lafayette and West Lafayette. Applications will be available from the parish offices. The application and essay must be received no later than March 21st, 2015 to the address listed on the application.

SAVE THE DATE! The Office for Worship and RCIA will sponsor a WORKSHOP FOR LECTORS

AND READERS Saturday, April 25 (9-noon) at St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette.

If you are interested in participating with your family at the World Meeting of Families this

September in Philadelphia, please visit: www.worldmeeting2015.org. This link will offer you the

opportunity to register and find housing; it also provides you with a

breakdown of the events.

ELM Information Night - If you would like to learn more about the Catholic Faith and ways you can serve in the Church, you are invited to attend the diocesan Ecclesial Lay Ministry (ELM) Information Night Thursday, March 26, 7-8:30 p.m. We will be meeting in the St. Thomas Aquinas Room, St. Joan of Arc Church, Kokomo. ELM is rooted in service to the diocese. For more information, contact Dr. Anne D. Roat, Director of the Pastoral Office for Catechesis at (765) 269-4653, or aroat@dol-in.org.