On Reception of the Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but medicine for sinners. (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 47).   No one but by the mercy of God is worthy of such a gift that is God Himself dwelling within us!  St. Lawrence welcomes everyone to Mass!

For the Eucharist to be the universal sacrament of salvation for all, it must be able to express a vital unity of faith and morals.  Those who do not profess a fullness of the Catholic faith, along with those who cannot make a sincere contribution to Her unity in morals, ordinarily do not physically receive the Blessed Sacrament without prior sacramental reconciliation.


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Fr. Mitchel Zimmerman
On Morality

The St. Lawrence Center, as the Catholic Church at the University of Kansas, is committed to the truth of the following moral principles, and asks for respect for the responsibility to propose these truths in charity as part of its mission.

  1. A unique and unrepeatable human life with a sacred dignity that is to be protected without exception, exists from the moment of conception to natural death. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2258

  2. Sexual expression between human persons fulfills its purpose when shared between a man and woman promised in a marriage that is naturally open to a family. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2337

  3. Human nature is received as an intrinsic and simultaneous unity of body and soul. Catechism of the Catholic Church 365

St. Lawrence accepts that many at KU will disagree with this morality that the Church finds to be life-giving.  All persons who engage with St. Lawrence are to be reverenced and received.  St. Lawrence is eager for a respectful and exploration of the meaning of life with all at KU!

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Fr. Mitchel Zimmerman
Response to the Supreme Court of the US Decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Co. Women's Health

"As the mission of the Catholic Church to the University of Kansas, the St. Lawrence Center (henceforth SLC) embraces the opportunity to respond to the recent Supreme Court decision in the matter of Dobbs vs. Jackson Co. Women's Health, a decision that has the attention of the KU community. SLC recognizes that many at KU are upset by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling. Some Jayhawks perceive the overturning of Roe v. Wade as detrimental to women's rights to privacy, autonomy, and equality. Not only this, but many in the KU community have been personally involved with or affected by abortion. SLC seeks mutual respect, conversation, reconciliation, and relationship with all at KU, including those who disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in this case. At the same time, St. Lawrence invites recognition that there are many others in the KU community who see the court's recent decision as a just and necessary one if there is to be a meaningful chance to build a just society founded on the right to life for every human person without exception.”

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Fr. Mitchel Zimmerman