St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish – Hamilton

Where faith builds community | 125 Picton St. E., Hamilton, ON L8L 0C5

Category: upcoming

Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass

Published January 24, 2023 / by St. Lawrence Hamilton

This is an annual Mass for couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60th plus Wedding Anniversary!

Mass includes a renewal of marriage vows by all participating anniversary couples. Registration forms are attached to a poster sent to Churches several months before the Anniversary Mass; fill in the form and return to the Family Ministry Office. Couples will be able to register online. A formal invitation (including general information and directions) is mailed to the home of the anniversary couple once registration has been received.

Each couple will receive a program listing the names of all participants and a small corsage to celebrate the day. Light refreshments follow the Mass, as well as an opportunity to take a picture with Bishop Crosby, so bring your camera!

Large numbers of couples register for the Mass, so only those couples married 60 or more years may bring a guest as there will be no remaining seats to accommodate guests.

Find out more on the Diocese of Hamilton Website

Posted In Events | upcoming

“Is This Spot Taken? The Church’s Call to Radical Hospitality in a Post-Pandemic Church”

Published October 18, 2022 / by St. Lawrence Hamilton

As a part of our ongoing work in Forward Together in Christ, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is happy to welcome Mr. David Wells to the Diocese for a presentation at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on Tuesday, November 08, 2022 at 7pm. David is a tremendous educator, catechist and disciple who speaks with great love for our Holy Church. The topic for our gathering will be, “Is This Seat Taken? The Church’s Call to Radical Hospitality in a Post-Pandemic Church”. David will be sharing from the heart about the importance of hospitality in our communities of faith, and how essential this ministry is as we rebuild our communities after COVID. All are very welcome and encouraged to join us for this important presentation.

Evening-with-David-Wells-PosterDownload
Posted In Events | upcoming

Thank you to our campaign volunteers!

Published February 14, 2021 / by St. Lawrence Hamilton

St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish is so grateful for parishioners who are working on preparations for the One Heart, One Soul Campaign, which kicks off here in two weeks. With their help and yours, we believe the campaign will strengthen our parish in important ways and help build a culture of stewardship.

Q. What changes are being made to the campaign process because of the current situation?

A. The options for parish projects that utilize campaign funds are even wider now and can include efforts to stabilize operating budgets. Pastors and parish leaders are encouraged to further review

request amounts and their use to be sensitive to parishioners’ changing situations. Also, options have been expanded on how we communicate with prospective donors. Face-to-face meetings have been an important piece of the campaign, but safety is paramount, and a number of alternatives, such as phone calls, will be utilized so that every parishioner’s situation is handled safely, sensitively and appropriately.

Q. Won’t giving now make it harder for a lot of parishioners?

A. The campaign is founded on stewardship, our belief that we give back in gratitude a portion of what we’ve been given by God. Stewardship isn’t just for the good times in life, when we can give easily; it’s for all times, including the bad. We may adjust how much we give, or to whom we give, but we continue to give – in gratitude for and in proportion to what we’ve been given. A truly sacrificial gift demonstrates our trust that God will provide what we need, though not necessarily what we want. Stewardship isn’t what KEEPS us from getting through the tough parts of life; it’s what HELPS us get through them.

Are you ready for kickoff?

The One Heart, One Soul Campaign kickoff is just a week away! Next weekend, you’ll be given a way to hear Father’s message about the campaign, learn more about our parish projects and view the beautiful campaign video. (Psst! If you want a sneak peek at the video, go to oneheartonesoul.ca/watch.)

Why do you emphasize making a pledge?

Pledges allow donors to consider giving more than is possible through one-time gifts. Parishioners are able to be more generous to their parishes’ campaign and the Diocese through incremental giving over time. Also, pledging is not as big a strain on household budgets. This is important in a campaign of this magnitude.

Posted In One Heart One Soul | upcoming

One Heart, One Soul Campaign comes to St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish

Published February 08, 2021 / by St. Lawrence Hamilton

The Diocese of Hamilton’s One Heart, One Soul Campaign has raised more than $23 million so far, with most of it benefiting parishes and the projects of their choosing. Our parish will kick off its participation in the campaign on Feb. 20-21. For the next few weeks, we’ll feature Frequently Asked Questions about the campaign, beginning with questions related to COVID-19. For the full list of FAQs and much more about the campaign, visit www.oneheartonesoul.ca

Q. Why are we doing the campaign? With the virus, shouldn’t we be focused on other priorities?

A. From the beginning, this campaign has been primarily about strengthening our parishes. Because of the pandemic, our parishes have even greater needs than when we started. Because the campaign is in place, we are in a better position than almost any diocese in North America to help our parishes recover from the blows suffered from COVID-19. The campaign offers parishes the opportunity to better fulfill their missions. There is no greater priority than that. Let’s make something extraordinarily positive for our Church out of something extraordinarily challenging!

Q. How can we ask for money from people who lost their job or are otherwise hurting financially because of the virus?

A. We certainly are very sensitive to the struggles parishioners are facing, whether related to the virus or not. That’s why we work with pastors and leaders at parishes to set and review request amounts. That process will be even more important throughout the rest of the campaign. It is not foolproof, though. Pastors do not know every parishioner’s situation. But there is never an intention to be insensitive to a parishioner’s suffering. Meanwhile, some parishioners are in a position to give now, and they want to help. The campaign gives them the opportunity to help and the confidence of knowing how the money will be used. Be assured that only those who are able to give are expected to do so, and ultimately the decision is between the donor and the Lord.

Posted In One Heart One Soul | upcoming

Invitation to Prayer

Published March 25, 2020 / by St. Lawrence Hamilton

During these Lenten days, and mindful of all who are affected by the COVID-19 Virus, we are called to be more fervent in prayer. Since we are not able to gather publicly for prayer at this time, we are encouraged to pray with our families in our homes, our “domestic” churches, and to draw on the many spiritual resources which are part of our Catholic tradition.

This week, Bishop Crosby invites you to accept the invitation of our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray with him on Wednesday March 25 at Noon. In particular we pray for the health and safety of all in our Diocese, and in particular for the sick and those who care for them, and families facing financial difficulty during the pandemic. You may hear as well that our church bells will be ringing at noon each day as a reminder to pray for the healthcare professionals that work tirelessly at the service of others during this crisis.

Additionally, on Friday March 27, Pope Francis will preside over a moment of prayer at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He invites everyone to participate in this prayer by means of communication. The celebration will consist of readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At the conclusion of the prayer Pope Francis will give the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication. This service of prayer will take place at 6:00 p.m. Rome time (1:00 p.m. Daylight Saving Time in Ontario).

The Prayer of the Holy Rosary is especially recommended during this time of crisis. Families and individuals are encouraged to pray the Rosary daily. Pope Francis offers us these encouraging and insightful words:

“The Rosary is the prayer of the humble and of the saints. In its mysteries, they contemplate, along with Mary, the life of Jesus, the merciful face of the Father. O, how much we all need to be truly comforted, to be wrapped in loving presence! We measure the truth of this experience through our relationship with others. At this moment, they are our closest relatives. Let us be close to one another, being the first to be charitable, understanding, patient and forgiving. Though you may be confined to your own homes, allow your hearts to expand so they may be available and welcoming to all.”

May we unite ourselves with all Canadians and Catholics throughout the world in offering this prayer, relying on the powerful intercession of Mary, our Mother, the Mother of Church.

God Bless,

Father Peter

Posted In Pastoral Notes | upcoming