Dear Parishioners,
I wish to convey by means of this post the letter received this evening from the Diocese announcing the end of the Mass dispensation, of COVID precautions and the resumption of Mass schedules effective May 22-23, 2021.
Please pray for me and for St. Matthew parish.
In the Lord,
Father John Allen
To read the letter from the Diocese, click the link below. General Executory Decree – Return to Normal Operations
In response to improving conditions regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, and in an effort to continue to provide a safe environment for worship for a greater number of parishioners, we are adding two additional weekend Mass times, beginning in June.
We are thrilled to announce that we will celebrate Mass in Waxhaw at 4 pm on Saturdays, starting June 5. As a result, we will discontinue the 4 pm Communion prayer service. In addition, we will add a 7:30 am Sunday Mass at the Ballantyne Campus, starting June 6. The Daily Mass schedule will also change effective June 14. Please see the entire Mass, Communion service and confession schedule below. All changes are indicated in blue.
Weekend Mass Schedule
Ballantyne Campus
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM
Sunday Masses: 9 am, 10:45 am and 12:30 PM
(Please be aware that the 9 am Mass has been near capacity in recent weeks. Once capacity is reached at any Mass, parishioners will be kindly asked to return for a different Mass in order to maintain safety practices as recommended by the parish COVID-19 Task Force. Thank you for your understanding.)
For Covid-19 Mass procedures, please click here.
Ballantyne Camps
Monday through Friday: 8:15 am
Church doors open at 8 am. All other doors will remain locked. We will follow weekend Mass procedures for daily Masses. See the link above for the guidelines.
Ballantyne Campus (Outdoor)
Sunday: 10 to 10:30 am and 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
Wednesday 9 to 10 am
Waxhaw Campus (Indoor)
Saturday: 4 pm
Click here for more information and to register for a time to receive Holy Communion.
Ballantyne Campus
Sunday: 10 to 10:30 am and 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
Wednesday: 9 to 10 am
Upon request
Ballantyne Campus
Friday: 9 to 10 am
Ballantyne Campus
Monday through Friday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Please note that the church is off limits while funeral Masses are being celebrated, to respect the privacy of families.
Monday through Friday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 am to noon
Catholic Charities Elder Ministry will be hosting a FREE “Options for Paying for Long-Term Care” Webinar Series that will begin on Tuesday, May 18th.
This series of webinars will offer participants the opportunity to explore payment options for long-term care other than private pay and how to help secure one’s future.
A 4-part Webinar Series: “Options for Paying for Long-Term Care”
VA Benefits – Session One
Tuesday, May 18th
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
This one-hour webinar will address VA benefits, coverage, eligibility and how to apply for services. Learn about benefits available to wartime veterans and their spouse and how these benefits can help pay for care that you might not be able to afford otherwise.
Hosted by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Elder Ministry
Presented by Heath Smith, Veterans Services Supervisor, Buncombe County Veterans Services.
Please register in advance by clicking here by Clicking Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For additional information or assistance with registering, please contact Sandra Breakfield, Program Director Elder Ministry at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org
Medicare vs Long-Term Care Medicaid – Session Two
Thursday, May 20th
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
This webinar will compare the difference between what Medicare covers and what Long-Term Care Medicaid covers. We will explore Medicaid eligibility requirements, coverage provided, countable and non-countable assets, penalties and lookback periods for Long-Term Care Medicaid as well as information about State & County Assistance Programs.
Hosted by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Elder Ministry
Co-Presented by: Zahra Coleman, Quality & Training Specialist for Long-Term Care Medicaid, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and John Wingerter, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships with the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc.
Please register in advance by Clicking Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For additional information or assistance with registering, please contact Sandra Breakfield, Program Director Elder Ministry at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org
Long-Term Care Insurance – Session Three
Wednesday, May 26th
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
This one-hour webinar will examine what long-term care insurance is, what types of policies are available, what are the benefits provided, what services are covered, and tips to consider when purchasing a policy.
Hosted by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Elder Ministry
Presented by Louis Suarez, Premier Benefits Insurance
Please register in advance by Clicking Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For additional information or assistance with registering, please contact Sandra Breakfield, Program Director Elder Ministry at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org
Understanding the Process for Medicaid Planning – Session Four
Thursday, May 27th
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
This one-hour webinar will address Long-Term Care Planning, Medicaid Myths, Eligibility for NC Long-Term Care Medicaid, Asset Protection, and when to start planning for Medicaid.
Hosted by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Elder Ministry
Presented by Kelli Y. Allen, Attorney at Law
Please register in advance by Clicking Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For additional information or assistance with registering, please contact Sandra Breakfield, Program Director Elder Ministry at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org
Very Reverend Monsignor Patrick J. Winslow, V.G., will celebrate a Mass for United States military personnel on Monday, May 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Charlotte. The Mass and rosary (to be recited at 9:30 a.m.) will be offered for all military personnel who have died or retired and for those who are now serving. An all-American hotdog lunch will be served after Mass. All military personnel are invited and encouraged to come in uniform.
Photos of those who have died, who are now serving in the military and retired military personnel will be displayed in the Cathedral. To include your service member, preferably in uniform, please mail a photocopy of them with their name and military rank on the back to Michelle Maher, Office of the Bishop, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 to be received no later than May 26, 2021. (Please do not send original photographs as they cannot be returned.)
If you are interested, please visit our website: www.charlottevocations.org, or contact
Sister Mary Raphael at (704) 370-3402 or mraphael@charlottediocese.org or
Lainie Lord at (704) 370-3401 or ldlord@charlottediocese.org
Attention all Catholic young men ages 15-19! Do you know where your life is going? The Lord Jesus has a great plan for you! You are invited to attend the eighth annual Quo Vadis Days camp to spend time with other young men your age looking at the Lord’s call in your life while having fun. QVD is led by priests and seminarians of the diocese and is supported by the diocesan Office of Vocations. Quo Vadis Days will be held from June 14-18, 2021 at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont. The cost of the camp is $150.00. Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
If you are interested, please visit our website:
www.charlottediocese.org/vocations/quo-vadis-days or contact Father Brian Becker, Diocesan Promoter of Vocations at bjbecker@charlottediocese.org
There are a lot of great events, multiple job postings and more, all around our Diocese. Click the link below to visit the Around the Diocese page on our website to check it out!
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None of us need to be reminded what an unpredictable and unprecedented year 2020 has been. Last February, on the first Sunday of Lent, our parish responded with the great generosity for which St. Matthew has always been known. Our parish made e the largest pledge in our history to this year’s DSA. No one could have predicted the turmoil and heartache this pandemic would subsequently bring, and yet, your generosity continues! This year’s Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive has raised nearly $250,000 to help our family in Haiti and Jamaica. However, the needs of our neighbors in Western NC continue. Catholic Charities offers remarkable help to families in need. Your support of this year’s DSA is still vital.
Our St. Matthew gifts to date include:
Payments $ 654,832
Remaining pledges $ 176,145
Total payments and remaining pledges$ 830,977
2020 DSA goal$ 852,481
Shortfall in payments to goal ($197,649)
We recognize that many of you who made pledges in February may be facing much different financial realities today. We understand. For those who are able, we would be most grateful for your support today, either in fulfilling your remaining pledges, or in making an additional gift to help those who may need a leg up during these difficult days. You may give online at the link below, or by dropping a check in the mail (marked DSA) to St. Matthew Catholic Church, PO Box 49349, Charlotte, NC 28277. Thank you for your continued generosity!
