October 31st/November 1st
Updated Guidelines for Mass this Weekend/Registration Requested

Saint Lawrence is able to expand our capacity at Mass to 200 people. Our normal capacity is over 700, so the cap of 200 allows us to maintain easily the appropriate social distancing, and use of every other pew. The capacity limit is in place to protect the health of our parishioners. Last week far fewer than 200 attended each Mass, so there remains plenty of room in the weeks ahead for people to attend Mass.

Nevertheless, the Diocese requested that parishes continue registration which will help ensure the capacity allowed by state law. This will also allow us to notify parishioners in case someone tests positive. Since Corpus Christi Sunday in mid June when public Mass began again at Saint Lawrence, no such incident has occurred here and to date, no widespread exposure to the virus has occurred in Fairfield County because of Mass or liturgical services.

So please register for mass with the “Sign-up Genius” application on the website. There will be no need to check in if you have registered and all the entrances will be available. If you decide to attend Mass at the last minute – and have not had a chance to register – we would ask that you simply sign in with your name and phone number or email on the forms provided at the doors.

It is still a requirement for all members of the congregation to wear face masks, and every effort should be made to maintain social distancing while in Church.  Pews that are blocked off should not be entered, and please recognize that it may not be possible to sit in familiar places.  Families may sit together in a pew, but for much of the Church a limit of six people will be enough for each pew.

Staff and ushers will be present to assist you. We ask that you make every effort to arrive at Mass early, in plenty of time to enter and be seated according to social distancing protocols before Mass begins.

We look forward to having you back to Saint Lawrence!

The Catholic Practice of Making a Spiritual Communion
(Excerpted from a longer article) 

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that Spiritual Communion is “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and in lovingly embracing Him as if we actually received Him.” Think of it! You can have your own private “audience” with Christ in Spiritual Communion or in front of the Blessed Sacrament! Countless Saints and theologians throughout the centuries have extolled the virtues and great spiritual benefits we can receive from this time spent with our Lord. Remember, however, that you can “turn toward the holy tabernacle” and receive Jesus in your heart from anywhere you might happen to be, at any time, day or night!

SAMPLE PRAYERS Here are some sample prayers for making a spiritual communion:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Another version reads:
Oh Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come, nevertheless, and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.
Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

St. Jean-Marie Vianney once said “when we feel the love of God growing cold, let us instantly make a Spiritual Communion. When we cannot go to the church, let us turn towards the tabernacle; no wall can shut us out from the good God.” We can indeed be grateful for that!

All events at St. Lawrence Parish
are canceled/postponed until further notice.
 

    CONTINUE YOUR OFFERTORY
 

Sign up for
  
(Click on icon to go to Online Giving)

For Online Giving information 
click here

Call the Parish Office if you would like help setting up your account. 

If you prefer you can mail your weekly offertory,
we will continue to pick up the mail daily.

For detailed information and resources from Bishop Caggiano and the Diocese of Bridgeport
concerning the Novel Coronaviris COVID-19, please click here:https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/

RELIGIOUS ED NOTICE:

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and our concern for the safety of the children and their families, we are offering a "home study" program for our students this year instead of the usual classroom setting. Students will be held accountable for program completion by completing their workbook at home with parent supervision and handing in completed unit tests on a timely basis to the Religious Education Office. The Religious Ed Office will be available for on-line guidance and virtual meetings through the year.  Student books, program procedures and schedule will be available at the start of the program in early October to those that complete the registration process.  You will be contacted via email with a book pick-up date in late September.