Family, Faith, Fun, and Fellowship
Parish Children’s Mass and Family Sunday
Sunday, Feb. 23 at 10:45 am, main campus

Theme: Attitude of Gratitude

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 where we will have refreshments and fun during this community time with other families in our parish!

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

Unintended Consequences: Martin Luther and the Modern World

Wednesdays, Feb. 12 to April 9, 7 to 8:30 pm
Main Campus, New Life Center 203
No cost

Unintended Consequences: Martin Luther and the Modern World Join us as we explore the unintended consequences of Martin Luther’s theology on the social, economic, and political character of Western Civilization. 

33 Days to Morning Glory: A Marian Consecration

Thursdays, Feb. 20 to March 20, 6 to 7:30 pm
Main Campus, New Life Center 208
No cost

If you have been thinking about entrusting yourself to Mary for the first time or simply looking to deepen and renew your devotion to our Blessed Mother, this is the class for you.

Divine Mercy: Understanding the Message

Wednesdays, Feb. 26 to May 21, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Main Campus, New Life Center 234/235
Cost is $8, register below

This study will dive deeper into the mystery of God’s mercy and expand on different topics to
help you understand the message of “TRUST” and “MERCY.” 

The Sacraments presented by Father Davis

Tuesdays, Feb. 25 to April 8, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Main Campus, New Life Center 239/240/241
No cost

During Lent of the Jubilee year 2025, let us renew our spiritual life by exploring the deeper theological meanings of the seven Sacraments, through the wisdom of Bishop Robert Barron. All are welcome. 

If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Duran at pduran@stmatthewcatholic.org.

Registration Opens: Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at 3 pm

Vacation Bible School 2025 – True North
June 23-27, 2025 from 9 am to Noon
Main Campus

Take kids on the ultimate Alaskan adventure where the northern lights shine over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and sparkling glaciers. As they trek the tundra, they’ll discover how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Guiding them towards Jesus, True North VBS reveals that He is a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North!

Registration links will appear on the VBS website on Monday, Feb. 3. Registration will go live on Feb. 9 at 3 pm.

Being an altar server is a wonderful way for children to actively participate in the Mass. Any child in grades 5 through 12 who has made their First Communion is eligible to serve.

Training will be offered on the following dates. Your child is required to attend one of the sessions listed below. Registration is required, all session are held in the main campus sanctuary:

• Feb. 14 – 10:30 am – 1 pm
• Feb. 17 – 10:30 am – 1 pm
• Feb. 22 – 10:30 am – 1 pm
• March 15 – 10:30 am – 1 pm

New to volunteering at St. Matthew? Please read our Safe Environment Policy.

Christ Renews Us, formerly Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), is a retreat for the men and women of St. Matthew. The parishioner-led experience is designed to foster a sense of community that will make this very large parish smaller and more manageable for you. Your faith will grow stronger; you will make new friends; and, your spirit will be renewed by attending a Christ Renews Us Men’s or Women’s Retreat.

We are excited to announce the dates for the next Christ Renews Us!

Men: Mar. 14 and 15, 2025
Women: Mar. 21 and 22, 2025

For full details visit the Christ Renews Us homepage

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.

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.

Are You a Guest or Are You a Host?

“We find ourselves longing for a real presence – that is, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that unites us with Christ really present in the Eucharist.”

“So what do we do as the People of God? What do you and I do as a community of faith that desires not only to be really present, but desires to come to know our God, who is really present?”

“In order for us to be really present, we have to be together in communion. Present.”

“We will follow the Lord. May we begin to realize that. This journey of real presence isn’t and can’t be done alone. It has to be done with one another. So we come and worship as one – with one voice, but not alone. That’s how presence is experienced, because we’re social beings at the core.”

“The work of faith requires preparation. You don’t just show up, I’ve told my parishioners all the time: there are two ways to come to church – you’re either a host or a guest. Too many people walk into church as guests. The hosts realize that they’ve been given a gift and they want to share it. They’re looking for ways to help people experience that gift, to help people be really present. Are you a guest or are you a host?”

Excerpts from Bishop Michael Martin’s homily – Corpus Christi 2024 Ways We Can Be Hosts

Rededicate to Worship 

• Volunteer for our liturgical ministries: ushers, ministers of the Word, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Mass coordinators, sacristans, altar servers, choir and greeters.
• Actively participate in the prayers, responses, songs and more. 
• Attend the Children’s Mass and encourage your children to be a part of the celebration.
• Foster a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere at our parish.
• Engage fully in the Mass as a shared responsibility.

Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist

• Embrace our Sunday obligation as a personal invitation from Christ.
• Give thanks for the Eucharist and receive the Eucharist as often as possible.
• Participate in Eucharistic Adoration and our monthly parish enrichment.

Enrich Our Faith 

• Take part in our adult enrichment programs.
• Support and engage with your children as they form their faith. 
• Join parish activities designed for all age groups.

Bring the Real Presence into the World 

• Let our revitalized worship inspire acts of service and hospitality.
• Volunteer for one of our outreach ministries. 
• Invite someone to Mass or one of our parish events.

Join Us as Hosts! Think about how you and your family can actively contribute to our parish community, bringing the True Presence into our daily lives and the lives of others. There’s more for us to do than sit in the pew. 

You Belong Here!