Saint Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Church
You are seeking a test strip container that holds only a log, with no room for trade items. This container is thoughtfully placed at the flagpole, with the kind permission of Bill Chavez, the Pastoral Council President.
Important Notes:
- Respect the Area: Please be considerate while searching in this space.
- Timing: We advise against searching on Sunday mornings to maintain the sanctity of services.
Congrats to texasdishman, jhssearcher, and Washu0059 for FTF !!
Church History
The Catholic community of Waskom began gathering for Holy Mass on Sundays at the Sub-Court House in Waskom on February 17, 1979. On March 9, 1979, Mass was moved to the First United Methodist Church.
On Sunday, September 28, 1981, Mass was celebrated at the current church site, which was generously donated by the late Bill Rondolph.
St. Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Church was established as a Mission of Immaculate Conception Church in Jefferson, Texas. Later, the Mission was assigned to St. Joseph Church in Marshall, Texas.
Fr. Gerald Priest, the pastor of St. Joseph's, and the congregation of St. Lawrence of Brindisi joyfully celebrated Holy Mass in the newly built St. Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Church Family Center on Saturday, February 12, 1983. The Most Reverend Thomas Tschoepe, Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, dedicated the new Family Center on Sunday, July 17, 1983.
In 2017, Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler designated St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church in Waskom as an independent parish. The current permanent pastor was assigned in June 2019.
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi’s Story
At first glance, perhaps the most remarkable quality of Lawrence of Brindisi is his outstanding gift of languages. In addition to a thorough knowledge of his native Italian, he was fluent in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish, and French.
Lawrence was born on July 22, 1559, and died exactly 60 years later on his birthday in 1619. His parents, William and Elizabeth Russo, named him Julius Caesar, or Caesare in Italian. After the early death of his parents, he was educated by his uncle at the College of St. Mark in Venice.
At just 16, he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Venice and took the name Lawrence. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the University of Padua and was ordained a priest at the age of 23.
With his proficiency in languages, Lawrence was able to study the Bible in its original texts. At the request of Pope Clement VIII, he spent considerable time preaching to the Jews in Italy. His excellent knowledge of Hebrew led the rabbis to believe he was a Jew who had converted to Christianity.
Lawrence’s sensitivity to the needs of people—a character trait perhaps unexpected in such a talented scholar—began to emerge. He was elected major superior of the Capuchin Franciscan province of Tuscany at the age of 31. He possessed the combination of brilliance, human compassion, and administrative skill necessary to fulfill his duties. Rapidly promoted by his fellow Capuchins, he was elected minister general of the Capuchins in 1602, a role in which he was responsible for significant growth and geographical expansion of the Order.
Lawrence was appointed papal emissary and peacemaker, a role that took him to several foreign countries. His efforts to achieve peace in his native kingdom of Naples led him on a journey to Lisbon to visit the king of Spain. Unfortunately, he fell seriously ill in Lisbon and passed away in 1619.
In 1956, the Capuchins completed a 15-volume edition of Lawrence’s writings. Eleven of these volumes contain his sermons, each relying chiefly on scriptural quotations to illustrate his teachings.
Reflection
His constant devotion to Scripture, combined with a deep sensitivity to the needs of people, presents a lifestyle that resonates with Christians today. Lawrence exemplified a balance in his life that blended self-discipline with a keen appreciation for the needs of those he was called to serve.