The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has prepared English-language resources for celebrating Catechetical Sunday 2017. The theme, Missionary Disciples in the Vineyard of the Lord, focuses on four topics: catechists are called to be missionary disciples, facilitate encounters with Christ, accompany others, and live in solidarity with the poor and marginalized. The resources are available on CCCB website at http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/office-for-evangelization-and-catechesis/4757-catechetical-sunday-2017.

The resources can be used at any time throughout the pastoral year by clergy, directors of religious education, parish pastoral workers, chaplains, Catholic teachers and parents to emphasize the special role of the catechist. They have been designed in such a way that they can be used for reflection by individuals or in larger group settings. Dioceses and parishes may wish to use the liturgical suggestions for a special blessing of catechists either on Sunday, 1 October 2017, or at another time when catechists are gathered together.

PASTORAL COUNCIL…

When Jesus first came among us, he offered us a whole new way of living. In the Gospel, we learn that we have been invited to be branches connected to the vine of the Lord, to eat the bread of everlasting life and to hear words of truth, words that endure forever. This is the mission of the Church in and through the ministry of the parish each Parish has the Mission to proclaim the Good News to all people in all ways, here and now.

All of us are mindful that the New Evangelization is not one specific action, but rather a way of seeing a whole range of activities carried on by the Parish to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Like a family, the parish is an organic community shaped by particular relationships. With the Pope as pastor of the Universal Church, the local church is shepherded by the Bishop.  e Pastor is the Bishop’s representative in the parish and the pastor is responsible to the Bishop for the life and vitality of the parish. For the Pastor, carrying out the mission of the parish is dependent on the full and active participation of the faithful laity.

For this reason, it is important that in each Parish should have a Parish Pastoral Council when the pastor see it is necessary for the good of the Parish. A Parish Pastoral Council is an important consultative body that comes together under the direction of the pastor to provide him advice and support for the good of the parish community.

During these past months, I have been working on it with the intension to get this important piece in the structure of our Parish. In the next coming weeks I will introduce the new Parish Pastoral council to all of you.

My hope is that this Parish Pastoral Council will assist me as pastor and you parishioners alike in revitalizing our Parish Life and to get a more fervent and vibrant experience of God’s love poured out in our Parish.

NEW SECRETARY

Please join me in welcoming Patricia Leblanc to our St. Lawrence Parish family. Patricia is starting her job as our new Parish secretary on September 5. She is an active and faithful Christian mother of two children and grandmother of three grandchildren. Patricia comes to us with mix of experiences in human service and education.

She lives with her family in Hamilton Downtown. Please give your love and warm welcome to Patricia as she transitions into her new role as our parish secretary. The new opening hours of the Parish are Tuesday to Friday. Patricia Leblanc, our Parish Secretary, will now assume the new position of Parish secretary and administration.

Her work hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 1:00pm.You can contact her at our parish office for any of your queries.

STUDENTS WELCOME BACK

In the Values Statement of our parish we read, “NEXT GENERATION:
Our children and youth have an important part in the life of our community. We value Catholic education. Therefore, we commit to good and faithful cooperation with the Catholic Schools of our parish. We strive to offer our young people a life-giving experience of the living Church, forming them as disciples of Jesus Christ.”

September is always a new beginning for everything specially it is new begin for our school pastoral plan 2017- 2018, for that reason it is a great pleasure for me to welcome the principal, parents and all staff members of our Saint Lawrence Elementary Catholic School. Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year. I hope that your summer was relaxing and enjoyable and that there was plenty of time for fun, family and friends. I extend a special welcome to new students and their families and especially to our kindergarten.

As Parish Community of Saint Lawrence share the desire to have our children develop to the best of their abilities. Academic success is influenced by what is expected at home as well as at school. We celebrate and appreciate everyone’s continued support and look forward to having each and every one of you be active participants at St. Lawrence Catholic School. All parents are invited and encouraged to be part of our Saint Lawrence The Martyr Parish.
I look forward to meeting each one of you and being a part of such a vibrant and caring community School. Best wishes for a great 2017 – 2018!

SCHOOL MASS

Embracing this vision, students, teachers and staff of St. Lawrence Catholic School celebrate monthly Mass at the parish. The first School Mass will take place this Thursday, September 21 at 12:30 pm. Parents, grandparents and all parishioners are welcome to join this celebration