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St. Matthew > Articles by: Lisa Fick

Author: Lisa Fick

A Letter From Father John – New Assignments

Dear Parishioners,
 
I am writing to let you know that Bishop Martin today announced new assignments for priests of the Diocese of Charlotte and that I will be leaving my position at St. Matthew. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the people of St. Matthew during these past 5 1/2 years. I am humbled by the confidence of Bishop Martin in appointing me pastor of Saint Margaret Mary in Swannanoa, which as you know was devastated by Hurricane Helene. I look forward to walking with the parishioners and the community in the days and years ahead. I have been inspired daily by the people of every age at St. Matthew, the longest pastoral assignment of my priesthood. Your devotion to God and enthusiasm to reach out in the name of Christ and His Church have made a profound impact on my life.
 
The bishop has also announced that Father Patrick Cahill has been appointed to serve as your pastor, effective July 8, 2025. Father Cahill comes to us from serving as pastor of St. Eugene in Asheville. He grew up in the Charlotte area, graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School, and was ordained at St. Matthew in 2007, where he served his first priestly assignment – so this is like a homecoming for him.
 
Also, as you know Father Darren Balkey is leaving St. Matthew on June 2 to serve with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and replacing him will be Father Chukwunonso Nnebe-Agumadu, who is currently serving as parochial vicar at St. Mark Church. Father Chukwunonso Nnebe-Agumadu has been assigned as the Chaplain of Charlotte Catholic High School and will be assisting at our parish on weekends and various occasions.
 
Please welcome them with the same warmth and kindness you have always shown me. The parish will publish details in the coming days of how we will celebrate this transition. Please keep Father Cahill, Father Balkey, Father Nnebe-Agumadu, and me in your prayers – as you remain in ours.
 
 
Father John Allen    
Parochial Administrator

We Are Hiring!

St. Matthew Catholic Church is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Gift Shop Manager to oversee the daily operations of our parish gift shop. This part-time role (approximately 25 hours per week, including weekends) involves managing staff, maintaining inventory, creating visually appealing merchandise displays, and providing exceptional customer service.
 
We are looking for a highly organized individual with strong written and verbal communication skills, a passion for their Catholic faith, and a desire to share it with others through this ministry.
 
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to: Sharon Dalvi, sharond@stmatthewcatholic.org

Farewell Mass and Reception for Father Balkey

Sunday, June 1 at 10:45 am
Children’s Mass & Farewell to Father Balkey
Church, Main Campus
Reception to Follow

Over the past two years, Father Darren Balkey has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our parish community. His presence at both church campuses, involvement with St. Matthew Catholic School, and his joyful, approachable spirit have deeply touched the hearts of many. Whether celebrating Mass, conferring the sacraments, or simply engaging with parishioners, Father Balkey has exemplified what it means to serve with humility, energy, and love. We will miss him greatly.

Father Balkey has long felt called to serve as a chaplain in the United States Navy, and we are excited to share that this calling is now becoming a reality.

We invite all parishioners to join us for the Children’s Mass and Father Balkey’s Farewell Mass on Sunday, June 1, at 10:45 am, as we offer our prayers and good wishes to him as he concludes his time here at St. Matthew and prepares for active duty in the United States Navy. We encourage everyone to dress in red, white, and blue!

A farewell reception will be held immediately following Mass in the New Life Center Banquet Room. This is a special opportunity to thank Father Balkey for his service, share memories, and send him off with our prayers and blessings as he embarks on his new vocation as a United States Navy chaplain.

Let us continue to pray for Father Balkey as he answers this noble call to serve both God and country.

Baccalaureate Mass

Class of 2025 Parish Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday, June 1 – 5:30 pm Mass

High school, college, and graduate school graduates, your parish family wants to celebrate your accomplishments and pray for your future! Graduates and their families are invited to a special Sunday 5:30 pm Mass, followed by a reception (in the Parish Center Gym) with light appetizers and desserts. Please reach out to Sarah for more information at sjerome@stmatthewcatholic.org.

RSVP Here
Submit Photo and Info Here

Children’s Mass

Family, Faith, Fun, and Fellowship
Parish Children’s Mass and Family Sunday
Sunday, June 1 at 10:45 am, main campus

We hope you can join us for this special Mass as we joyfully welcome summer and offer our prayers and good wishes to Father Balkey as he concludes his time here at St. Matthew. More details coming soon.

Children in third to fifth grade are welcome to serve as lectors, greeters, and gift bearers as we celebrate Mass at the Main Campus. Children in third grade or older are also invited to participate in our Children’s Choir, which sings at each monthly Children’s Mass. After Mass, we invite you and your family to come together for Family Sunday.

If you are not receiving the monthly signup emails and would like your child to participate, please email Michelle Lyberg at mlyberg@stmatthewcatholic.org.

2025 Diocesan Support Appeal

The 2025 Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA), themed Reflecting God’s Light, provides essential funding for over 50 ministries and programs that help fulfill our mission to grow as a community of praise, worship, and service in the Piedmont and western North Carolina. Bishop Martin invites us to prayerfully consider a “stretch” gift to the DSA, serving Christ by supporting thousands of Catholics in our diocese. To contribute online, visit www.charlottediocese.org/dsa and select “Saint Matthew” as your parish to ensure your gift counts toward our parish goal.

Call to Action for Our Liturgical Ministries

Our parish community thrives when everyone shares their gifts in service to the Church. We invite you to consider serving in one of our liturgical ministries! Whether you have a warm smile to welcome others as a greeter or host (usher), a deep love for the Eucharist as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), a calling to proclaim God’s Word as a lector, or a heart for reverent preparation as a sacristan, your service makes a difference. We also need altar servers to assist at Mass, choir members to lift voices in praise, and parishioners to serve in our production ministry to enhance our liturgies. Join us in making our worship beautiful and welcoming. Your parish family needs you! Please follow the links below to visit the individual ministry pages.

Need Help Finding a Place to Serve?

Do you want to be involved at St. Matthew but aren’t sure where you best fit? We would love to talk to you! Take a minute to fill out the form below to get started or contact Rossana Alvarez, at ralvarez@stmatthewcatholic.org.

Volunteer Interest Form
Full List of St. Matthew Ministries

Organ Donation: A Selfless Act of Love

Did you know the Catholic Church supports organ donation as an act of love and self-giving? Both Pope Francis and St. John Paul II have encouraged this life-saving practice, describing it as a meaningful way to show charity and solidarity. St. John Paul II described it as “a genuine act of love,” while Pope Francis called it “a testimony of love for our neighbor.” By offering the gift of life to those in need, organ donors live out Christ’s call to love our neighbor in a tangible way.

 

Right now, Joe Buonanno, a long-time member of our parish community, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. If you feel called to help, please visit http://www.giftforjoe.com/ for more information.

 

Let us keep Joe and all those awaiting transplants in our prayers, and may we strive to embody Christ’s love through acts of kindness and generosity.

Wildcat Aunnal Fund

Support and Donate to the St. Matthew Catholic School Wildcat Aunnal Fund

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2024-2025 Wildcat Annual Fund, themed “Joy in Service.” Together, we celebrate the joy of serving others in our community—whether through our meal-packing event, in-school service projects, serving meals to the homeless, or helping our neighbors in Western North Carolina.

Our goal this year is to raise $75,000 to support Catholicity, professional development, technology, and cultural enrichment.

Join us in making a difference in St. Matthew Catholic School and the broader community as we embrace the joy of giving back and finding joy in service! We invite you, and anyone who loves Catholic Schools, to help us meet our goal by donating today. Gifts of all sizes make an immediate impact and are tax-deductible. By supporting our mission through the Wildcat Annual Fund, you play a pivotal role in creating a brighter future for our school.

Click the video to watch a special 2024-2025 Wildcat Annual Fund message from St. Matthew Catholic School Principal, Kevin O’Herron.

Support the Wildcat Fund