From the Desk of Fr. Underwood:

Are You an Adult and Not Yet Confirmed? If so, please contact the parish office to sign-up for special Confirmation Preparation classes. You must be 18+ and out of high-school to participate in this program. Confirmation is a beautiful Sacrament where we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and given specific gifts to live our faith in the world. Don’t miss out on this special grace.

To prepare, we have synthesized the basic tenets of our Catholic faith into 4 sessions (April 8, 15, 22, 29). They will be held in the St. Francis Room of the Parish Office from 7-8:30pm each of those nights. On May 13 at 7:00pm, there will be a Confirmation practice at St. Mary Cathedral. And, on May 14 at 7:00pm, properly prepared adults will be Confirmed along side our high-school Confirmation class. Sign up no later than April 7th.

Confession: Why Bother? We have heard this question posed by people who don’t believe in the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation. Isn’t this really something the Devil would say? “Why bother going to Confession? Do you really think it matters? Do you really think God cares that much?” Don’t let the Devil win. Come to the St. Lawrence Penance Service on Monday March 16th at 7:00 pm.

The Serpent, The Son of Man, and the Eucharist: In today’s Gospel, we heard John reiterate the words of Jesus. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone

who believes in him may have eternal life.”

I can’t help but consider how God knows our hearts and how much we can handle. For the Israelites, they were caught in the workings and struggles of their earthly lives. So, Moses met them where they were and offered them a starting point for faith. If only they looked at a serpent held up high on a pole, they would be healed from their snake bites. They trusted and their faith began to grow.

We know that this foreshadowed Jesus being held up high on the Cross. People looked at him—some with deep faith - and their faith grew. Some, however, looked at him with contempt, while others just walked away. Jesus, Our Savior, was lifted high so that we might be healed, not from snake bites, but from the bite of the serpent that roamed the Garden of Eden. He was lifted high so that we might be healed of our sins and have Eternal Life.

Today, as Catholics we are so blessed to have Jesus lifted high once again in the Eucharist. We gaze on his Body and Blood that are held up at Mass. We marvel as we consume that life-giving bread from Heaven—Jesus Christ himself. And, we are blessed when we come to Jesus in Adoration.

How do you look at Jesus? Are you there making yourself present to Him so that he can heal you and give you faith? Do you prayerfully attend Mass? Do you come to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament? Or… do you subtly look on Christ like those who walked away?

“THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 15, 2015”

Liturgy Schedule

Monday, March 16th

8:15 a.m. Jan Sterner 5:15 p.m. Spec. Int. Doris Wyant 7:00 p.m. Penance Service

Tuesday, March 17th

8:15 a.m. Eve Bongen 10:00 a.m. Mass at Rosewalk Charles E. Halsema

Wednesday, March 18th

8:15 a.m. Joe Delaney 6:30 p.m. Rene Arthur Johnson

Thursday, March 19th

8:15 a.m. Mary Brennan 2:15 p.m. Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 20th

8:15 a.m. Stan Steill 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross & Confessions

LORD’S DAY MASSES

Saturday, March 21st

5:00 p.m. Sandra Morgan

Sunday, March 22nd

8:00 a.m. Ken Runkle 9:30 a.m. Parishioners of St. Lawrence 11:15 a.m. Doug Windler 5:00 p.m. Michael Morrison & Carol Morrison Port

Pat Clark Gerald Redinbo Henry Mercker Brad O’Farrell

Baptism Meeting - A meeting for upcoming Baptisms will be held Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm in the St. Francis Rm., St. Lawrence Parish Office Bldg. 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, April 14 at 7:00pm in the Bishop Higi Rm., St. Mary Cathedral. 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 21, 2015 5:00 p.m. M. Grundman, K. Anderson (R) T. DeLion, B. German, N. Julian (C) A. Anderson, J. & T. Bjork (S) Sunday, March 22, 2015 8:00 a.m. D. Finney, J. Meluch (R) P. Meluch, M. Grogan, C. Mejia (C) E. Finney, 1 needed (S) 9:30 a.m. D. Lowry, L. Brandt (R) J. Walters, J. Roach, D. Dillard, L. Arvidson (C) A., B., & J. Yeaman (S) 11:15 a.m. J. Peden, D. Cramer (R) M.J. Nelson, J. & L. Crum (C) AJ & C. Bordenet, M. Cramer (S) 5:00 p.m. 2 needed (R) R. Reuzenaar, S. Hyland, D. Koning (C) B. Reuzenaar, L. Schramm, J. Drerup (S)

Sacrificial Fund, March 8, 2015 $16,211.93 Electronic Fund Transfers $4,160.00 Catholic Relief $1,635.00 School Expansion Fund $1,160.00

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!

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 8th we celebrated the Rite of Sending at the 9:30am Mass and a Combined Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral. After this Rite the Catechumens are now 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.

The St. Lawrence “50 Plus Club” will meet Wednesday, April 1, 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.

Q: What is the difference between praying before the exposed Eucharist and just praying before the tabernacle? A: Blessed Mother Teresa once said, “When you look at the crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” We can receive grace in many different ways, and certainly reception of the Eucharist is one of the most powerful ways that we can receive God’s grace. A way to continue to pray about and receive grace from the reception of communion is to pray in the presence of the Eucharist. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is when the consecrated host is exposed in a monstrance so that the faithful can pray before Jesus’ real presence. St. John Paul II said, “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship.” The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. If you have yet to experience Eucharistic adoration, I challenge you to try it. There is perpetual Eucharistic adoration at the St. Elizabeth Central chapel and we have adoration on Monday nights during Lent. (email questions to frduquaine@saintlawrencechurch.net)

Knights of Columbus

Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast

Sunday, March 15, 2015 9:00 -11:00 a.m.

St. Lawrence Social Hall

Meal includes all you can eat biscuits & gravy, sausage, fruit, cereal, drinks. Proceeds benefit

School Expansion Fund. Everyone is welcome!

Religious Education Confirmation

March 15th Conf. Class LL Soc. Hall (3-4:45pm) A reminder that all Confirmation assignments and forms including have your priest interview are to be turned in after one of the Masses on the weekend of April 1st. You may bring the forms and assignments to the lobby of the social hall. See St. Lawrence’s 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 Ryan Hillman at 423-2396 or at Hillman@SaintLawrenceChurch.net if you would like to help in anyway. Thank you.

First Communion 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 me 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.

Spring Break There will be NO Kindergarten through Grade 5 Religious Education classes Wed., March 25th. There will also be NO Religious Education classes for Grades 6-8 or Children’s Liturgy of Word Sundays, March 22nd & March 29th. The sessions are cancelled for Spring Break.

Scholarships There are two diocesan scholarships for graduating seniors, the Christopher Warner, and Diocesan Leadership Scholarships both are for $1,000 each. For more information go to web page at http://www.dol-in.org.

“THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 14, 2014” “THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 15, 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

Parish Penance Service March 16 at 7:00pm

Monday Night Lenten Devotions Adoration / Confession March 23, & 30 at 7:00pm

Pray for our Girl Scouts as they

celebrate Girls Scout Sunday

today at the 11:15 am Mass

Mark your calendars for the 93rd Annual…

Easter Monday Card Party This year our Card Party will be held on Monday, April 6th at the St. Lawrence Social Hall. There will be two sessions: in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00pm and in the evening from 7:00 to 9:00pm. There will be prizes for different card games played, door prizes, and money trees. A beautiful hand made quilt donated by our St. Lawrence Quilters will be raffled. Refreshments will be served. Tickets for the annual social event will be $2.00. Volunteers are needed to help with card party and donations of cookies would be appreciated. If you can help or have any questions please contact Kathy Walters at 430-6196.

Holy Thursday Simple Meal Come and join us for a simple meal Holy Thursday, April 2nd in the Social Hall. Serving at 6:00pm. We will have 3 kinds of soup. Table service and drinks will be provided. We ask that if your LAST name begins with+A thru S bring a salad; garden, Jell-O, fruit, vegetable, etc. If your LAST name begins with+T thru Z bring a dinner bread; rolls, muffins, etc. After we finish our meal, we will begin the three day celebration of the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection with the Holy Thursday Mass at 7:30pm.

“THE FAMILY THAT WORKS, PRAYS AND PLAYS TOGETHER”

Married Couples, join us for six evenings of fun. SIX DATES for Catholic

Couples is coming to St. Lawrence.

Saturday Evenings: March 21; April 18; May 16; June 13; July 11; August 8

Schedule: 6:00-6:30—Social Hour/Optional for couples

6:30-7:00—Program 7:00-8:30—Date Time (child-care concludes)

Cost is $25 per couple for the program. Limited Child-care provided (Suggested free will

o0ering $5.00 per family). For more information or to register please contact the

St. Lawrence Parish O6ce at 765-742-2107.

Kairos Prison Ministry International is a Christian faith-based ministry which addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, youth, and their families. By sharing the love of Jesus Christ, Kairos hopes to change hearts, transform lives, and impact the world. Members of St Lawrence are supporting the team scheduled to go into I.S.P. (Indiana State Prison) in Michigan City the weekend of April 9-12th. If you would like to donate cookies (only a specific recipe is allowed for the cookies) or would like to provide a small donation to support the weekend, please pick up a copy of the recipe from the table in the Social Hall or stop by the St Lawrence Parish Office. Note: Cookies can be delivered to the Social Hall or the Office anytime prior to April 7th (Cookies do NOT need to be frozen). For more information, contact Larry Dresch at 765-418-4795.

Changing HeartsChanging HeartsChanging Hearts

Transforming LivesTransforming LivesTransforming Lives

Impac�ng the WorldImpac�ng the WorldImpac�ng the World

“THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 15, 2015”

Susan VogtSusan VogtSusan VogtSusan Vogt Marriage Moments & Parenting Pointers

March 2015

Parenting Pointer— March 21 is Single Parent Day. Single parents do double duty. It's hard but it's not impossible. Your children will eventually appreciate your sacrifices. If you're not a single parent, find one and give them a break.

Marriage Moments— 3 Steps to apologizing well: 1. I'm sorry. 2. Please forgive me. 3. Try to make an amend. To check yourself, avoid the word "But" when apologizing. For example, "I'm sorry, but if you had only..."

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.

Purdue Students’ for Life invites you to attend our end of

the year Celebration of Life Banquet March 28th at 7:00pm, Newman Hall—St. Thomas Aquinas Church (535 W. State St., W. Lafayette, IN) Please join us for a formal evening of reflection over our past year at Purdue, and partner with us as we work to change hearts and save lives on our campus. Cost is $15 for Adults and $10 for Students. Attire: Business Casual. RSVP: by March 21st at purduestudentsforlife.weebly.com/banquet or Amelia Reising at 812-480-1775. All are welcome.

The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion

St. Mary Cathedral, Lafayette March 8, 2015

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.