Fr. Lawrence grew up on the Southside of Chicago. After joining the Franciscans, he was ordained a priest on June 8, 1985 and spent more than thirty years in parochial work.
After ministering for two years at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville, Illinois, Fr. Lawrence was transferred to the Basilica of Josaphat to serve as Parochial Vicar in the summer of 2018.