Saturday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation.  Three Masses will be offered in celebration of this important day, at 6:00pm on Friday, December 7, and at 8:30am and 11:00am, on Saturday, December 8.  All Masses are in the church.  Hail Mary, full of grace!

Ten years ago, we introduced this parish mission statement:  We, the people of St. Laurence Catholic Church, are centered in the love of Christ and live to glorify God in all we do.  This one, simple statement answers the question of WHO we are.  We are part of the Catholic Church.  We believe in Jesus our Savior who loves us.  Everything we do is through Him, with Him and in Him.
 
However, while our Masses at St. Laurence are vibrant and full, we all know not everyone is here.  In fact, only about one-third of the 7,700 registered households in our parish are actively participating in their faith and parish life.  So, three years ago, our clergy, staff and lay leadership committed to becoming a more “engaged church,” because the more we all become engaged in the life of the parish, the more we grow in communion with Christ and with one another.
 
During this Engaged Church effort, we conducted a survey to measure the “spiritual engagement” of our parishioners.  From these findings (see full report at stlaurence.org/engaged-church), we identified four focus areas of LOVE, CONNECT, GROW and LEARN; Fr. Drew challenged us to a greater level of engagement with his Pastor’s Challenges; we held Church Chats to better understand what parishioners expected of the parish and what the parish can expect from its members; and through it all, we continued to help parishioners identify their God-given talents and invite them into ministry.
 
Today, we all take a step toward greater understanding of what it means to belong to St. Laurence.  This statement answers HOW we live out our mission:
 
At St. Laurence Catholic Church, we respond to Jesus who calls us to love God and our neighbor.  As a member of this faith community, I strive to:
 
LOVE by showing respect, mercy and compassion to all
CONNECT with others in a meaningful way
GROW closer to God through prayer, Sunday Mass and the Sacraments
LEARN about my Faith and share it with others
 
Filled with the Holy Spirit, I will be a grateful and supportive member of the Body of Christ.
 
We are the people of St. Laurence.  We love, we connect, we grow and we learn.  All are welcome and all have a way to share in the life of the Church.  How will you be a part of it?