Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice – the entrance antiphon of the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us that we may find true joy while searching for the Lord. He is a source of authentic joy and happiness even if one experiences trouble. In the same spirit of the joy, the entrance antiphon for the Solemnity of All Saints speaks to us: Let us all rejoice in the Lord. This liturgical exhortation invites us to taste the heavenly joy of the saints.

Annually, on the first two days of November the Universal Church celebrates All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. The first feast is officially named the Solemnity of All Saints and it was established first for the local Church in Rome in the 8th century and in the next century it was extended to be celebrated by the Universal Church. On this day we honour all the saints, those formally recognized, those whose names remain unknown, and the baptized of every epoch and nation who enjoy the heavenly glory. The liturgy of this solemnity urges us to raise our eyes towards heaven and inflame our hearts with a desire for holiness. Our Lord wants us to be holy as the Father in heaven is holy, so we should generously respond, as the saints did, to this divine calling for holiness.
On November 2nd celebrating the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed we pray for all our sisters and brothers who completed their earthly pilgrimage and are waiting for admittance to God’s glory. It is our duty to remember them and help them with our prayers and self-denials to get in the kingdom of heaven. One day we will be in the same situation asking others for that same spiritual support.

This Saturday, as on the first Saturday of the month, we honour the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a Mass at 10 am.
Pope Francis encourages us to pray during the month of November for the following intention: That the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict.
All holy men and women pray for us!

God bless,
Fr. Peter

Screening and Discussion – In honour of both St. Faustina and Pope John Paul II, on Saturday Oct 20th at 7pm there will be a screening of Faustina in the church hall. Foustina is a 1995 Polish film directed by Jerzy Łukaszewicz about Blessed Sister Faustina Kowalska, a saint of the Roman Catholic Church who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.

The children’s Liturgy of the Word happens every Sunday Mass (11:00 a.m.) during the school year and is geared towards children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old, and presents the weekly readings and the Gospel in a kid friendly way using songs and activities. Your children are encouraged to join us!

You can visit our children’s liturgy webpage for more information

I know what you’re thinking…how do you move a church?  Well, we didn’t but we’ve added a separate address to the church.  From now on if you wish to send mail to St.Lawrence our new address is 125 Picton Street E.  Hamilton ON L8L 0C5.  Don’t worry, you still go to mass through the same doors in the same place.

Advent is a season of hope and anticipation. All Catholics are invited to celebrate the season the Filipino Way, with a nine-day Novena of Masses at Saint Lawrence Church.
This year the Filipino community working in our community decided to celebrate this novena in our Parish which will be held Dec. 16 at 8: 00 pm. Each day for nine days, Mass will be held at 8:00 p.m. culminating with the last Mass on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. At the final Mass, parishioners are invited to bring the Baby Jesus from their Nativity sets to be blessed.

“Simbang Gabi”, a tradition they brought with them from the Philippines. Simbang Gabi was adapted from the Catholic Misa de Gallo, which literally means “Mass of the Rooster,” to indicate it is held when the rooster crows.

SIMBANG GABI, at ST. LAWRENCE The Martyr Parish from DECEMBER 16 – 24, 2017, @ 8 PM except Sunday, December 17, @ 5 PM & be followed by POTLUCK CHRISTMAS PARTY, and Dec. 24th– Sunday @9pm for MIDNIGHTMASS. To All Our Dearest KABABAYANS

Please join us to our 9 Days Novena or Simbang Gabi, Traditional way of worship before Christmas from our hometown PHILIPPINES!!!!