On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, and took the name Pope Benedict XVI.

Crowds erupted with shouts and cheers when his name was announced by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez: "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!)

The world now watches as the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, begins his pontificate. Use the links below and to the right to learn more about this remarkable man.

Note: To view these documents, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat installed on your system. Click here to download the free reader.

Click here to view facts about Pope Benedict the XVI.
Click here to view how a pope is chosen.
Click here to view our Holy Father's first homily.

Click here to send an e-mail to our Holy Father!

Prayer for our Pope:
Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your sheherd Benedict XVI a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build Your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

It is our privilege at St. Lawrence to hold Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday afternoons.  What a special way in which to spend time with our Lord!  Please accept His Divine invitation to come and be with Him in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Take a moment today to make a commitment to be here at a time of your choice to visit with our Lord each week.  Individual sign-up sheets are provided for your convenience.  For further information please contact:

Joan Knych           845-7849
Helen Holland        547-9879
Mille Callahan        849-6115
Gloria Wheeler       545-3840

Hours of Eucharistic Adoration are as follows:
Thursday & Friday after 8:00 a.m. Mass until 5:30 p.m.
Sunday after Noon Mass until 5:00 p.m.

What to you actually do during adoration? You may sign up to be and “adorer” which allows you to schedule yourself for one or more hours per week to pray before the very presence of Our Lord, exposed in the monstrance. It means that you can have some time alone with Jesus to recite your favorite prayers, read the bible, contemplate acts of faith, hope, charity, thanksgiving, reparation, pray a rosary or do whatever type of prayerful devotion that suits you before Our Lord. You can just sit and say nothing simply keeping Him company, just as you would with a dear friend.

As Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemani contemplating the suffering He would endure on our behalf, He was disappointed that His disciples could not spend one hour with Him. How often have we thought that if we had been there we would have spent that hour. Now we can. We are privileged to have EUCHARIST ADORATION at St. Lawrence in the chapel every Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Benediction and Mass, Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

It is not necessary to stay for an hour. Please just come when you can and stay whatever time you can. This would be a great Lenten resolution to spend time with Jesus

Eucharistic Adoration at St. Lawrence
"One person in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament represents all humility. This person touches God's Heart and He releases His blessings throughout the whole world." We at St. Lawrence are privileged to have Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel every Thursday and Friday from 7:00am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 1:15pm to 5:00pm. Spending this special time with Jesus would be such a grace-filled Lenten season devotion.

St. Lawrence Library
The St. Lawrence Library is now open during Sunday Masses. Come in and browse; check out our vast selection of books and tapes. The Library is located in the Hospitality Room of the church – next to the bookstore.

The Rosary
There is no other article… that means so much to me…Or gives me such comfort as …My precious Rosary…Each bead is bright and lovely as…A flower or a gem … And sacred is the Crucifix.. That watches over them … My fingers touch them lightly while … My head I gently nod … “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” and The “Glory be to God” … I say my Rosary in church … At home and on retreat… I say it in my pocket when … I walk along the street … And when I quench the little flames … That light the candle-wicks … I always kneel beside my bed … And kiss the Crucifix. James J. Metcalfe

Cordiafonte House of Prayer
Cordiafonte House of Prayer at 3650 E. 46th Street invites you to a quiet and peaceful space for a Personal Retreat. Two private bedrooms are available for overnight retreatants. Guidance is offered if desired. Call Fr. Eric Kahn, OFM or Sr. Coletta Wrasman, PHJC at 543-0154.

EWTN
EWTN – The Global Catholic Television Network can now be seen on WKOG TV-31, a local Indianapolis UHF (over-the-air) Television Station. Your financial assistance is needed to help purchase equipment so that WKOG TV-31 can also be seen on cable stations here in Indianapolis, as well. For more information please call or write:
WKOG TV-31, P.O. 88400, Indianapolis, 46208; 920-1000 TV-31 or 283-5800 (evenings & weekends).

What are the Liturgy of the Hours and Vespers?

Christ Jesus continues His priestly work through the agency of His Church, which is ceaselessly engaged in praising the Lord and interceding for the salvation of the whole world. The Church does this not only by celebrating the Eucharist, but also in other ways, especially by praying the divine Office.

-Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1963

The Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office) is the public prayer of the church. From early Christian times, the Church ahs maintained a tradition of song, prayer, psalms, sacred reading, and meditation, which are prayed at fixed hours throughout the day. The chief hours of the Liturgy of the Hours are Lauds (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer).

For individuals- both religious and laity- who pray the Liturgy of the Hours and for the entire Christian community who prays it across all time zones, the Liturgy of the Hours fulfills the Lord's command to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). In the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, the entire day is made holy as the mystical body of Christ unites in praise and thanksgiving to God.

Whether you pray the Liturgy of the Hours on a regular basis or whether this prayer form is new to you, please join us as the evening hour of each day is sanctified through prayer and praise. Handouts will be provided.

What is it?
What changes have been made?
How does this affect St. Lawrence Church?
We are now bowing our heads just before the reception of Holy Communion. In addition we are inviting everyone to kneel just after the Lamb of God; and just before the priest raises the host and says “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

From the Constitution (based on the brochure: "Where Your Treasure Is ..." by Rev. Fr. Joseph Champlin, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1983):

294. Principles and Philosophy of Tithing:
Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II said:"We cannot stand idly by, enjoying our own riches and freedom if, in any place the Lazarus of the twentieth century [or any century] stands at our doors."

1 Timothy 6:17-19 states:"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Malachi 3:6-10 warns:"'I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendant of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,' says the Lord Almighty." "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' " "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me." "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' " "'In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse–the whole nation of you–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' "

296. Four Principles of Tithing:
a) Give back to the Lord in gratitude a portion of everything God has given, whether through paychecks, dividends, unexpected windfalls, Social Security payments, or regular allowances.

b) See the gift as a sacrifice, a donation that seems almost more than affordable, an offering that "makes holy" (the literal meaning of the word "sacrifice") all the efforts and earnings of the past month.

c) Use whatever means the Local Community may use to identify your tithe as a donation from you, thus both manifesting to others your commitment to regular support of the Community and actively participating in the collection as part of the Community's Conventual Mass worship.

d) Consider the biblical norm of tithing in determining the amount of your sacrificial gift. The biblical norm was ten (10) percent of gross income. But in addition, there were many other "required" offerings. Both tithes and offering could equal more than one-third (1/3) of a families' gross income. The specific amounts or percentages recommended for members shall be discussed in the General Directory.

297. The Biblical Basis of Tithing:
Tithing is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, reinforced by the New Testament teaching on generosity and exemplified in the lives of the early Christians.

298. The following passages from each of those sources illustrate this Scriptural challenge of tithing and generous giving:

Old Testament: "Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness." - Sirach 35:8-9 (RSVCE)

New Testament: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " - Acts 20:35

Early Christians: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." - Acts 2:44-45

299. Additional passages on the biblical basis of tithing are: Dt 12:17-18; 14:22-29; 15:7-11; 26:1-15; Nm 18:21-32; Neh 10:36-40; 13:4-5, 10-14; Sir 35:1-10; Mt 25:44-46; Lk 6:24-25; 9:25; 16:13; 16:19-31; 18:25; Acts 2:42-45; 4:32-35; 2 Cor 8:2; 9:7; Jas 2:15-17.

300. Holy Scripture also promises that God will care for the needs of those who tithe and generously return a share of what the Lord has given them.

301. These verses exemplify this biblical summons to trust and the promise of our Creator's providential support:

Old Testament: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging food." - Ps 37:25

New Testament: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Mt 6:33-24

302. Additional Scriptures on this call to trust are: Mal 3:10; Mt 6:19-34; Lk 12:22-32; 1 Tm 6:17-19.

303. Additional Principles of Tithing:
a) Tithing means to give of a person's gross income. The tithe, however, is only a barometer, guideline, or estimating level for one's sacrificial giving. Some can and should offer more than the recommended amount of their tithe; others may return less than that percentage.

b) If the amount of the suggested tithe is legitimately too much for one's current budget, a member may begin with a lower percentage that will be both sacrificial and yet possible. Then the member may gradually raise the level of giving until the full suggested amount is reached. In this way brothers and sisters and families are making a decision for the Lord first and only afterward considering their own needs and wants.

c) Families should involve their children in tithing by teaching them through word and by example the priority of returning to God a portion of the blessing He has given us. Children may do this through tithing their allowances or income from part-time jobs.

d) Those faithful Christians who tithe report how remarkably their material needs have been met. Moreover, they will cite these blessings as even greater, spiritual rewards:

1) a sense of serenity and satisfaction that comes from generosity;
2) an awareness that God comes first, even in decisions about money;
3) a recognition that one has eliminated the practice of making contributions that are mere leftovers or contributions of habit;
4) a deep sense of satisfaction in the progress made by the Order due to the amount of tithing by its members;
5) an ability to distinguish between wants and needs;
6) a deeper consciousness of society's materialism and consumerism;
7) A keener appreciation of the world's poor and how we should and can alleviate their pain and poverty;
8) a quiet confidence in the Lord's protective care.

On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of communion. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of eucharistic communion.

For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family. __________________________________

Committee on the Liturgy
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3060

November 10, 2002 Copyright © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Sacrament of Reconiciliation is a practice of holiness, an action in which we seek Christ's peace and strength, and a sacramental sign in which we come more and more to know God's love.

Without the Sacrament of REconciliation, we are apt to do one of two things: 1) Drift into a life of indifference about our actions as if God doesn't really care what we do, or 2) A life of self disgust about our action in which forgiveness does not take place.

Instead of either indifference or self disgust, when we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation we say to God, "well in spite of all I may say or fancy, this is whatI am really like, so please help my weakness."

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a fresh start on life. Writer G.K. Chesterson, said that wehn we receive absolution we are only five minutes old. We start afresh with glad hearts and prayerful gratitude.

In confession, the break-through to new life occurs. When sin is hated, admitted and forgiven, there the break with the past is amde. Old things hav passed away. But where there isa break iwth sin, there is conversion. Confession is conversion. Behold, all things become new. Christ has made a new beginning with us. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

What happened to us in baptism is bestowed upon us anew in confession. We are delivered out of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is joyful news! Confession is the renewal of teh job of baptism. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

This suggested form for an examination of conscience should be completed and adapted to meet the needs of different individuals and to follow local usage. In an examination of conscience, before the sacrament of penance, each individual should ask himself these questions in particular:

1. What is my attitude to the sacrament of penance? Do I sincerely want to be set free from sin, to turn again to God, to begin a new life, and to enter into a deeper friendship with God? Or do I look on it as a burden, to be undertaken as seldom as possible?

2. Did I forget to mention, or deliberately conceal, any grave sins in past confessions?

3. Did I perform the penance I was given? Did I make reparation for any injury to others? Have I tried to put into practice my resolution to lead a better life in keeping with the gospel?

Each individual should examine his life in the light of God’s word.

I. The Lord says: “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart.”
1. Is my heart set on God, so that I really love him above all things and am faithful to his commandments, as a son loves his father? Or am I more concerned about the things of this world? Have I a right intention in what I do?

2. God spoke to us in his Son. Is my faith in God firm and secure? Am I wholehearted in accepting the Church’s teaching? Have I been careful to grow in my understanding of the faith, to hear God’s word, to listen to instructions on the faith, to avoid dangers to faith? Have I been always strong and fearless in professing my faith in God and the Church? Have I been willing to be known as a Christian in private and public life?

3. Have I prayed morning and evening? When I pray, do I really raise my mind and heart to God or is it a matter of words only? Do I offer God my difficulties, my joys, and my sorrows? Do I turn to God in time of temptation?

4. Have I love and reverence for God’s name? Have I offended him in blasphemy, swearing falsely, or taking his name in vain? Have I shown disrespect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints?

5. Do I keep Sundays and feast days holy by taking a full part, with attention and devotion, in the liturgy and especially in the Mass? Have I fulfilled the precept of annual confession and of communion during the Easter season?

6. Are there false gods that I worship by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I give to God: money, superstition, or other occult practices?

II. The Lord says: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
1. Have a genuine love for my neighbors? Or do I use them for my own ends, or do to them what I would not want done to myself? Have I given grave scandal by my words or actions?

2. In my family life, have I contributed to the well-being and happiness of the rest of the family by patience and genuine love? Have I been obedient by parents, showing them proper respect and giving them help in their spiritual and material needs? Have I been careful to give a Christian upbringing to my children, and to help them by good example and by exercising authority as a parent? Have I been faithful to my husband (wife) in my heart and in my relations with others?

3. Do I share my possessions with the less fortunate? Do I do my best to help the victims of oppression, misfortune, and poverty? Or do I look down on my neighbor, especially the poor, the sick, the elderly, strangers, and people of other races?

4. Does my life reflect the mission I received in confirmation? Do I share in the apostolic and charitable works of the Church and in the life of my parish? Have I helped to meet the needs of the Church and of the world and prayed for them: for unity in the Church, for the spread of the Gospel among the nations, for peace and justice, etc.?

5. Am I concerned for the food and prosperity of the human community in which I live, or do I spend my life caring only for myself? Do I share to the best of my ability in the work of promoting justice, morality, harmony, and love in human relations? Have I done my duty as a citizen? Have I paid my taxes?

6. In my work or profession am I just, hard-working, honest, serving society out of love for others? Have I paid a fair wage to my employees? Have I been faithful to my promises and contracts?

7. Have I obeyed legitimate authority and given it due respect?

8. If I am in a position of responsibility or authority, do I use this for my own advantage or for the good of others, in a spirit of service?

9. Have I been truthful and fair, or have I injured others by deceit, calumny, detraction, rash judgment, or violation of a secret?

10. Have I done violence to others by damage to life or limb, reputation, honor, or material possessions? Have I involved them in loss? Have I been responsible for advising an abortion or procuring one? Have I kept up hatred for others? Am I estranged from others through quarrels, enmity, insults, anger? Have I been guilty of refusing to testify to the innocence of another because of selfishness?

11. Have I stolen the property of others? Have I desired it unjustly and inordinately? Have I damaged it? Have I made restitution of other people’s property and made good their loss?

12. If I have been injured, have I been ready to make peace for the love of Christ and to forgive, or do I harbor hatred and the desire for revenge?

III. Christ our Lord says: “Be perfect as your Father is perfect.”
1. Where is my life really leading me? Is the hope of eternal life my inspiration? Have I tried to grow in the life of the Spirit through prayer, reading the word of God and meditating on it, receiving the sacraments, self-denial? Have I been anxious to control my vices, my bad inclinations and passions, e.g., envy, love of food and drink? Have I been proud and boastful, thinking myself better in the sight of God and despising others as less important than myself? Have I imposed by own will on others, without respecting their freedom and rights?

2. What use have I made of time, of health and strength, of the gifts God have given to me to be used like the talents in the Gospel? Do I use them to become more perfect every day? Or have I been lazy and too much given to leisure?

3. Have I been patient in accepting the sorrows and disappointments of life? How have I performed mortification so as to “fill up what is wanting to the sufferings of Christ”? Have I kept the precept of fasting and abstinence?

4. Have I kept my senses and my whole body pure and chaste as a temple of the Holy Spirit consecrated for resurrection and glory, and as a sign of God’s faithful love for men and women, a sign that is seen most perfectly in the sacrament of matrimony? Have I dishonored my body by fornication, impurity, unworthy conversation or thoughts, evil desires, or actions? Have I given in to sensuality? Have I indulged in reading, conversation, shows, and entertainments that offend against Christian and human decency? Have I encouraged others to sin by my own failure to maintain these standards? Have I been faithful to the moral law in my married life?

5. Have I gone against my conscience out of fear or hypocrisy?

6. Have I always tried to act in the true freedom of the sons of God according to the law of the Spirit, or am I the slave to the forces within me?