Fr. Lawrence Kubera, OFM Conv., son of Wallace and Julia (Gwozdz) Kubera, was born on February 20, 1945, in Holyoke, MA. His primary education was at the Parish School of Mater Dolorosa and his secondary training was at Holyoke Catholic High. Brought up in a Franciscan environment, he sought admission to the community of the Conventual Franciscans. In August of 1964 he entered St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate, Ellicott City, MD and professed his simple vows on August 15, 1965 in his native parish of Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke, MA. His philosophical studies were at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, MA. While at St. Hyacinth he professed his solemn vows on February 15, 1970. For his theological studies, he attended St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary, Rensselaer, NY. Fr. Lawrence was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1974. Fr. Lawrence had a varied apostolate. From 1974 to 1979 he was a teacher at Archbishop Curly High School, Baltimore, MD. During these years Fr. Lawrence was also very involved with the Secular Franciscans, and in 1979 he was appointed the Provincial Spiritual Assistant for the Secular Franciscans. In 1983 he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Anne Parish, Hollsopple, PA. In 1985 he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bessemer, AL. Shortly afterward he was appointed as pastor. After a brief illness Fr. Lawrence met Sister Death on May 9, 1990, in the 45th year of his life, 25th of his Profession and 15th of his Priesthood. The first service of Christian Burial was conducted in the evening at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bessemer, AL. The second liturgy was on May 14, 1990 at Mater Dolorosa Church, Holyoke, MA, where the Minister Provincial, Fr. Daniel Pietrzak, was the principal celebrant and homilist. The mortal remains of Fr. Lawrence were laid to rest at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, South Hadley Falls, MA (Friars Plot, No. 16) In addition to his enthusiastic ministry to the Secular Franciscan, Father Lawrence was also a great advocate of Marian Devotion. He often took visitors to Bessemer, AL to the location in nearby Birmingham where the Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Maria, one of the visionaries from Medjugorje, Yugoslavia when she visted Birmingham. Fr. Larry is also remembered for his artistic and culinary skills.