During the time that our church is closed due to COVID restrictions, the bulletin will be posted weekly as a post on our website.
From The Pastor’s Desk
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, he was blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.
On the Fourth Sunday of Lent we listen to the account of the man who was born blind. This biblical passage tells us that there is no direct connection between a disease, disability, suffering, or catastrophe and a personal sin. In spite of all adversities the last word belongs to the Lord.
As we face this difficult situation when we cannot come together to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist in our church, today’s Gospel account takes on a special meaning for us, emphasizing the need for trusting the Lord. Let us be united in prayer, especially at the time of our Sunday Mass! At 11 o’clock I will celebrate Mass, as I usually do on Sunday, praying for all the parishioners entrusted to my pastoral care. Although we cannot be together at this time, please, be united in spirit with your pastor and each other.
This Wednesday, March 25th, we observe the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. With the Universal Church we celebrate the day when the Blessed Virgin agreed to bear the Son of God. Her perfect faithfulness to the Father’s will and trust in His goodness can help us to overcome all adversities. This feast is traditionally a day of a special prayer for the unborn children and mothers expecting birth. Once again, we are reminded of the respect for life from conception to natural death. Sacredness of life is established by the Creator. It is also a special feast for our diocese because Mary, under Her title, Our Lady of the Annunciation was declared a Patroness of the Diocese of Hamilton by its first bishop John Farrell.
Our Lady of the Annunciation – pray for us!
God bless,
Fr. Peter
Today’s Readings:
1) 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
2) Ephesians 5:8-14
3) John 9:1-41
FOCUS: The Lord of all gives sight to the blind.
Jesus’ power and claims divide those who encounter him. He is the long-awaited one, and he heals all wounds, even giving sight to the blind. We can trust that Jesus can heal all the wounds of our lives, giving us sight to see and a light to follow in the darkness of sin.
In the first reading, the Lord sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem because the Lord has chosen the new king from among Jesse’s sons. Samuel goes, and anoints David in the presence of his brothers. In Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he exhorts them to live as children of light. In the Gospel, Jesus encounters a man blind from birth. After Jesus gives the man sight, the Pharisees become divided over the account. The man defends Jesus, explaining that he must be from God.
Prayer intentions for today
For God’s protection for all of God’s children, for the health and safety of everyone during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pray to the Lord.
For continuous coordinated efforts among individuals, nations and societies as we all work together to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, we pray to the Lord.
For healthcare workers and all who are on the front-lines, especially those in positions of vulnerability as they work to serve their neighbors, we pray to the Lord.
For those are sick and suffering, especially for those who are isolated and without help, for their healing, we pray to the Lord.
For those who have died, for eternal rest for their souls, and for peace and comfort for those they left behind, we pray to the Lord.
For all the parishioners of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish, we pray to the Lord.
In the Parish
The church continues to be closed due to COVID 19 however the office is still operating and can be contacted by email stlawrencehamilton@hamiltondiocese.com or by phone.
If you need to speak with the pastor in case of an emergency you can call the emergency number 365-888-1275.
There are a number of restrictions regarding visits to hospitals, communion and celebration of sacraments. For further clarification please read this article: http://stlawrencehamilton.ca/2020/03/covid-19-update/
Obituaries
Because of the restrictions due to COVID 19, we are sadly unable to celebrate funeral Masses. Please keep the families of the deceased of our parish in your prayers. Especially we pray for the family of Jose Diogo of our Parish.
https://www.friscolanti.com/obituary/jose-diogo
Please pray for priests and the religious of our diocese:
March 23 Rev. David Walter
March 24 Most Rev. Matthew Ustrzycki
March 25 Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny (S.J.C.)
March 26 Rev. Vernon Boyd, S.J.
March 27 Rev. Roger Yaworski, S.J.
March 28 Rev. Stan Kuczaik, S.Chr.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER TO OUR LADY
(in the corona virus emergency)
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross, you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana in Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
AMEN