True treasure!

Today I popped into St Laurence with some safeguarding resources. The church is adjacent to the runway for Southed Airport. St Laurence is named after St Lawrence, one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" he said. "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "in three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and also sold precious vessels to have more to give away. The Prefect of Rome thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Laurence to bring the Church's treasure to him. He said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: "This is the Church's treasure!" Not too pleased, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to death. He was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that burned him little by little.

The church still has plenty of treasures. There are quite a few in St Laurence and the wider community.