This Advent, we begin a Jubilee Year – the Year of Hope. Join us for an exciting journey through the heart of the New Testament as we explore the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! An advent study facilitated by Fr Davis! This engaging class will help you to dive deep into the life and teachings of Jesus, offering insights into His ministry, miracles, and parables that continue to transform lives today. Whether you are new to scripture or have studied it for years, this class will enrich your faith and will prepare you for the wonderful celebration of Christmas 2024.
Join us this Advent to discover how these Gospels connect us to God’s love and know more about Christ from the four perspectives of the evangelists.
When: On Tuesdays, Nov. 26 – Dec. 17, 2024 Where: St Matthew Catholic Church, New Life Center, Room 239/240/241 Time:
This new choir is open to all Edge and LifeTeen program singers, as well as adults. The choir leads the congregation in song at the weekly Sunday evening (5:30 pm) LTE Mass, with one Mass each month led almost exclusively by our middle school and high school singers. Additionally, this group, along with our Praise & Worship group, provides the music for one of the Christmas Eve Masses.
Beginning October 8, 2024, rehearsals will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm in the main campus choir room for the monthly Mass led by our younger members. Singers interested in participating weekly are invited to practice with us every Sunday from 4:30 – 5:30 pm, immediately preceding the Mass. As with our other choirs, consistent attendance is expected and encouraged so that singers can learn the music, foster community, and friendship, and gain a deeper understanding of our role as music ministers for the parish.
Children in third to fifth grade are welcome to serve as lectors, greeters and gift bearers! Children in third grade or older are also invited to participate in our Children’s Choir, which sings at each monthly Children’s Mass. To inquire as to how your child can participate, please email Michelle at mlyberg@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Get ready for a night filled with praise, sweet treats, and spooky fun! Join us on Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 pm for Adoration with praise and worship music in the church, followed by our fourth annual Trunk or Treat in the Parish Center parking lot. It’s the sweetest and spookiest night of the year, perfect for all ages!
Are you interested in transforming your family car into a hauntingly delightful attraction? Decorate your trunk and hand out candy to our littlest parishioners, spreading joy and just the right amount of spook!
Whether you come dressed as your favorite monster or just want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, we can’t wait to celebrate this magical night with you. Mark your calendars and prepare for a hauntingly good time!
In response to the devastating flooding that has impacted our neighbors in western North Carolina, we feel called to act as the hands and feet of Christ during this difficult time. Together, as a parish community, we can make a meaningful difference for those affected by this crisis.
You may also bring a check or cash donations to the church office or mail checks to St. Matthew Catholic Church, P.O. Box 49349, Charlotte, NC 28277. Checks should be made payable to St. Matthew Catholic Church with “Hurricane Helene Relief” marked in the memo line. Your generosity will directly assist families in need.
** A second collection will be taken the weekend of Oct. 5 and 6 to directly benefit the victims of Hurricane Helene. Please place your donation in the second offertory basket and mark checks with “Helene Relief Effort.” **
Supply Donations
** At this time we are no longer taking material donations. We will continue to assess the needs of those affected by Hurricane Helene and adjust our need for donations accordingly. **
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 1, a box truck will be stationed in the front parking lot of the church at the main campus from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm daily until noon on Thursday, Oct. 10. You can drop off any of the following essential items directly into the truck.
Thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we can be a beacon of hope for our neighbors in need.
“We find ourselves longing for a real presence – that is, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that unites us with Christ reallypresent 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.
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:
Interested in becoming part of the St. Matthew Wildcat Family?
Families with children in rising Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 5th grade are invited to attend our Fall Open House, tour our school, meet our teachers, and learn what makes our school special. This year, we are offering two sessions. Please register online by October 18.
Open House Dates
October 20
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
October 22
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Location: St. Matthew Catholic School, 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277
The Nursery will be open beginning Sunday, Sept. 8 during the 9 and 10:45 am Masses for children, infants to 3 years old!
St. Matthew Catholic Church provides loving child care at no charge on the St. Matthew campus for registered parishioners with children from age 0 to those who turn 3 before August 31 at 9 am, 10:45 am Sunday on the main campus, and for registered parishioners. No reservation is required. The Nursery for Sunday Mass care is located in the Parish Center. For questions about our nursery, contact our Nursery Supervisor Maria King, 704-543-7677 x1003 .
Nursery/Child Care Policy Child care will be provided by St. Matthew employees only. Volunteers will not provide child care as directed by Diocesan Policy on Safety and Loss Prevention as well as policies outlined by Diocesan Human Resources.
Child care employees will be screened by St. Matthew and will be required to complete the outlined Diocesan programs for interaction with children under the age of 18 and disabled adults (e.g. Protecting God’s Children); continuing classes in first aid, CPR, Epi-pen administration and AED will be available to all child care employees.
A minimum of two trained St. Matthew childcare employees will be assigned for each scheduled childcare session/event. We follow the child-to-caregiver ratio outlined by the state of North Carolina, up to the maximum capacity of the nursery facility. This will assure the safety of both the child(ren) and the employee.
Employees will provide child care no more than 15 minutes before the onset of a scheduled event and not more than 15 minutes after the close of the scheduled event. Child care will not be provided for any event in which any alcoholic beverages are served.
Children to be cared for must be healthy. Ill or sick children may be turned away at the discretion of the childcare employees to the parent or legal guardian.
