About Parish Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Lawrence) · Lindenwold, New Jersey
The Parish Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Lawrence) is a diocesan Catholic shrine and active parish in Lindenwold, New Jersey, in the Diocese of Camden. It is one of the largest parishes in the diocese with about 5,300 registered families, a substantial Hispanic population, a sizable Burmese community, and several families from various African countries. The shrine was officially dedicated on October 30, 2011 by Bishop Joseph Galante and is dedicated under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe as patroness of the unborn. It contains an exact replica of the image on the tilma of St. Juan Diego (December 9, 1531), which was touched to the original tilma in Mexico, and offers daily Mass, daily confession, weekly adoration and benediction, and a weekly perpetual novena.
- Established
- 2011
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of the Unborn)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. René L. Canales
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine is one of the largest and most culturally diverse parishes in the Diocese of Camden, with robust English- and Spanish-language liturgies, a strong sacramental life (daily Mass and confessions, weekly Adoration and Benediction, and a perpetual novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe), and a deep bench of ministries — from Knights of Columbus councils and the St. Vincent de Paul Society to Charismatic Renewal, Legion of Mary, Stephen Ministry, youth groups, and a PreK–8 regional school. Pilgrims are drawn specifically to the shrine's exact replica of the image on St. Juan Diego's tilma (touched to the original in Mexico), the monthly Mass of Remembrance for prayer intentions, and a pastoral mission that places Our Lady of Guadalupe at the heart of the New Evangelization and the defense of the unborn.
Mass times at Parish Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Lawrence)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Lawrence Church — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:30 PM (Spanish)
- St. Lawrence Church — Saturday 4:30 PM
- St. Luke Church (Stratford) — Saturday 3:30 PM
- Our Lady of Grace Chapel — Monday, Wednesday, and First Friday 6:30 PM (enter through the Chapel, Spanish Office)
Adoration times
- Our Lady of Grace Chapel — Wednesdays 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Our Lady of Grace Chapel — Thursdays 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe — Mission and Identity
The Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in Lindenwold, New Jersey, is a Catholic place of pilgrimage under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe as patroness of the unborn. Its mission is to retell the story of Jesus Christ through worship, evangelization, and gospel-based service to neighbor. The shrine's two stated purposes are: (1) to provide a place of pilgrimage and prayer in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, seeking her intercession for the sanctity of human life; and (2) to fulfill Blessed John Paul II's January 24, 1999 call for Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the Star of the New Evangelization of the American continent.
- Officially dedicated October 30, 2011 by Bishop Joseph Galante, Diocese of Camden
- House the exact replica of the image on St. Juan Diego's tilma (Dec. 9, 1531), touched to the original tilma in Mexico
- Open seven days a week as a pilgrimage site
History of the Shrine and St. Lawrence Parish
St. Lawrence Parish has been present in Lindenwold since 1896; the present St. Lawrence Church building was constructed in 1958 under the pastorship of Msgr. Leon Winowicz. The church was fitted with original stained-glass windows by Bucks County, Pennsylvania artist Edward Byrne shortly before Byrne left for the Korean War. As part of the Diocese of Camden's 2009–2011 consolidation, St. Lawrence was merged with St. Luke (Stratford) and Our Lady of Grace Chapel into the new Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the diocesan shrine formally dedicated on October 30, 2011.
- St. Lawrence Parish in Lindenwold since 1896
- St. Lawrence Church built 1958 under Msgr. Leon Winowicz
- Shrine dedicated October 30, 2011 by Bishop Joseph Galante
- Merger of St. Lawrence, St. Luke, and Our Lady of Grace in the Camden diocesan consolidation (2009–2011)
2016 Vandalism and Stained-Glass Restoration
On Wednesday, January 6, 2016, between 11:30 a.m. and noon, an unknown person or persons entered St. Lawrence Church, broke multiple exterior and interior stained-glass windows, knocked over the paschal candle, the Papal flag, and the altar cross, and used glass votive candleholders from the shrine area to smash windows in the sacristy and vestibule. Damage was estimated in the thousands of dollars. Pastor Father Joseph P. Capella publicly appealed for prayers and the Diocese of Camden launched a special repair fund. In spring 2016, Edward Byrne — the original artist, then in his 80s — returned to consult on the restoration, directing his former apprentice James Darrah in painstakingly placing colored and painted glass into the hand-crafted metal leading. Surveillance cameras were installed afterward.
- Vandalism date: January 6, 2016
- Original 1958 stained-glass windows by Edward Byrne, Bucks County, PA
- 2016 restoration led by James Darrah with Edward Byrne
- Pastor at the time: Father Joseph P. Capella
Worship Sites of the Parish
The parish operates three worship sites across two municipalities. The flagship St. Lawrence Church in Lindenwold houses the shrine proper. The parish office is at 55A Warwick Rd., Stratford, NJ (with St. Luke Church in Stratford); the Hispanic Office is at 100 South Avenue, Lindenwold.
- St. Lawrence Church (Shrine) — 135 N White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021
- St. Luke Church — 55 Warwick Road, Stratford, NJ 08084
- Our Lady of Grace Chapel — Stratford, NJ (bilingual Mass, Adoration, and confessions)
Pilgrim Services and Shrine Devotions
The shrine is open seven days a week and provides a full suite of pilgrim services, including a daily Mass and confession schedule, weekly Adoration and Benediction, the perpetual novena, an indoor shrine area with votive candles (intentions remembered on the 12th of each month), an outdoor shrine and rosary fountain with memorial pavers, 'Our Lady's Gift Shop,' and a Perpetual Mass enrollment program.
- Daily Mass and Confessions
- Weekly Adoration and Benediction
- Weekly Perpetual Novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Indoor Shrine area with votive candles
- Outdoor Shrine and rosary fountain with memorial pavers
- Our Lady's Gift Shop
- Perpetual Mass enrollment
- Monthly Mass of Remembrance for enrolled intentions (on the 12th)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at the parish is led by Director Gelen Hernandez, with Dianette Delgado as Faith Formation Administrative Assistant. The program offers preparation for First Holy Communion, Confirmation (with sponsor certification, saint-name reflection, and retreat components), and an ongoing Religious Education curriculum in both English and Spanish ('Educación Religiosa'). A summer program and a family project list support multi-generational participation.
- Director of Faith Formation: Gelen Hernandez
- Administrative Assistant: Dianette Delgado
- Educación Religiosa (Spanish-language track)
- First Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Sponsor Certification Form for parishioner-godparents
- Summer Program available
Youth Ministry
The parish supports separate youth ministry tracks for middle school and high school students, coordinated by Youth Ministry Leader Brendan Murray. Programs complement the Faith Formation curriculum and Confirmation preparation, with retreats, service hours, and Saint-name reflection components.
- Youth Ministry (High School)
- Youth Ministry (Middle School)
- Youth Ministry Leader: Brendan Murray
- Confirmation Retreat Form 2026
Saint Lawrence Regional School
The parish operates Saint Lawrence Regional School, a Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic school located at 100 South Avenue, Lindenwold (856-783-7006). The school offers a traditional academic curriculum — including math, science, social studies, religious and physical education — along with extracurricular activities such as safety patrol, field trips, book fairs, family bowling nights, market days, and a parent-teacher association. Principal is Mrs. Helen Persing.
- Pre-K through Grade 8
- Located at 100 South Ave, Lindenwold, NJ 08021
- Phone: 856-783-7006
- Principal: Mrs. Helen Persing
- Active PTA and extracurricular programs
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at the parish. Baptismal preparation is offered in both English and Spanish, with separate prep classes and celebration schedules. Sacramental records from the predecessor parishes (St. Lawrence, St. Luke, Our Lady of Grace) have been transferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Couples preparing for marriage participate in the parish's Pre-Cana program.
- Baptism — English: 2nd Sunday; Spanish: last Saturday 10:30 AM
- First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Reconciliation
- English Baptismal Prep: 1st Tuesday at 7:00 PM at St. Luke
- Spanish Baptismal Prep: 1st & 3rd Thursday beginning with the 7:00 PM Mass
- Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation program
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The parish hosts more than two dozen lay-led ministries, organized by both language and apostolic focus. Spiritual, charitable, liturgical, social, and devotional groups are all represented, with bilingual leadership. The parish invites involvement through an online sign-up form.
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Children's Liturgy
- Children's and Adult Choirs
- Baptismal Prep, Bible Study, BVM Rosary Group
- Beloved Daughters, Legion of Mary, Juan XXIII, Men's Ministry
- Charismatic Renewal (Carismaticos), Stephen Ministry, Bereavement Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society, Senior Club, Social Committee, Hospitality
- Fiber Arts Ministry
- Knights of Columbus — Holy Family Council; Knights of Columbus — Nativity Council
- Youth Ministry (Middle School and High School)
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. René L. Canales, with Parochial Vicars Rev. Paul Abbruscato and Rev. Armando Rodriguez Montoya (who also oversees Hispanic Ministry). Deacon Omar Aguilar assists, with Francisco Torres serving as Sacristan. Lay staff include Director of Shrine Services Stephanie Greco, Director of Faith Formation Gelen Hernandez, Director of Liturgy & Music Carmen Williams, Office Manager Jill Tarquini, Bookkeeper Anna DiGialleonardo, Administrative Assistant Alexa Padilla, Hispanic Ministry Administrative Assistant Maria Nieva, Faith Formation Administrative Assistant Dianette Delgado, and Youth Ministry Leader Brendan Murray.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. René L. Canales
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Paul Abbruscato
- Parochial Vicar & Hispanic Ministry: Rev. Armando Rodriguez Montoya
- Deacon Omar Aguilar; Sacristan Francisco Torres
- Director of Shrine Services: Stephanie Greco
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Carmen Williams
- Office Manager: Jill Tarquini; Bookkeeper: Anna DiGialleonardo
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Leon Winowicz1950s
Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish who oversaw construction of St. Lawrence Church in 1958 and commissioned Edward Byrne's stained glass
- Rev. Joseph P. Capellathrough at least 2016
Pastor at the time of the January 2016 vandalism of St. Lawrence Church; coordinated the stained-glass restoration with artist Edward Byrne and apprentice James Darrah
- Rev. Msgr. René L. Canalescurrent
Current Pastor of the Parish Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe