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Dear St. Matthew Parishioners,
My prayers for you and your families as we begin the Holy Season of Advent.
As you may be aware from an article in the Catholic News Herald (attached below), our Bishop has issued a decree which begins on the First Sunday of Advent regarding the use of projectors and screens in the churches of the Diocese of Charlotte. The Bishop’s decree specifies that the use of screens be discontinued in the diocese beginning the first weekend of Advent.
As you know from attending Mass, we have discontinued the use of images except for songs and Mass parts on the screens. I have been striving toward compliance with His Excellency’s directives with the assistance of the staff.
Because St. Matthew is a large parish which values the full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful in the offering of Mass, I have requested an appointment with the Bishop and asked for a dispensation, for three months, to allow our parish more time to come into compliance and to prepare for the financial impact of preparing printed leaflets for each Mass. Unfortunately, I have not yet been granted an appointment nor has a dispensation been granted to St. Matthew.
Since my obedience to the decree and directives of the Bishop is non-negotiable, I am writing to make you aware that beginning on the First Sunday of Advent 2023, the screens will be blank at Mass and the Mass hymns will be announced by the cantor.
Please be assured that I will keep you informed as we strive to honor God in the Sacred Liturgy and respectfully and obediently fulfill the requirements that our Bishop has set before us.
Please find the links to the degree and to the article from the Catholic News Herald below which describes the new practice for our diocese.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father John Allen
Parish Priest
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Author: Lisa Fick
Men’s Shelter Collection December 2023
We continue to have a great need for men’s underwear, t-shirts, washcloths, and shower shoes. The shelter does not have a budget for these items. Your support of our Men’s Shelter Ministry is critical to help clothe the new shelter guests. We are the only Charlotte-area church that holds regular quarterly underwear and toiletry drives. The collection begins Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 17. Please place donations in the blue collection boxes near the church entrance. If you are interested in joining our distribution team, please reach out to Teisha Mitchell at teisha.mitchell@msn.com. We appreciate your continued support of Charlotte’s homeless men.
Polish Mass
Father Mateusz Darlak will celebrate a Polish Mass on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 pm in the main campus church.
We will offer confessions in the Polish language on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 5 pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1:45 to 3 pm. All are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Barbara Banas at 303-204-8342 or bbanas153@aol.com
Second Collection for the Holy Land
Humanitarian Aid Collection for the Holy Land
The weekend of Dec. 9 and 10, we will have a second collection for The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, officially seated in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Daughters of Charity sisters are assisting with the needs of the Christian community and others displaced by ongoing violence. The needs are great and continue to increase as the human-made humanitarian catastrophe deepens. Please read a letter from Chief Executive Officer Sami El-Yousef of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem with more details of the need for assistance.
Online donations can be made using the button below.
Holiday Happenings at St. Matthew
Christmas Mass Schedule, Confession Changes & Closings
The Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
Thursday, Dec. 7 (Vigil Mass)
- 7:00 pm Waxhaw Campus
Friday, Dec. 8
- 7:00 am Main Campus
- 9:00 am Main Campus
- 12:10 pm Main Campus
- 7:00 pm Main Campus
Christmas Eve – Sunday, Dec. 24
- 2:00 pm Main Campus Church
- 2:00 pm Main Campus Parish Center
- 4:00 pm Main Campus Church*
- 4:00 pm Main Campus Parish Center
- 4:00 pm Waxhaw Campus
- 4:30 pm Charlotte Catholic High School
- 6:00 pm Waxhaw Campus
- 7:00 pm Main Campus Church (Contemporary Music)
- Midnight Main Campus Church
Christmas Day – Sunday, Dec. 25
- 7:30 am Main Campus Church
- 9:00 am Main Campus Church
- 9:30 am Waxhaw Campus
- 10:45 am Main Campus Church*
- 11:00 am Waxhaw Campus
- 12:30 pm Main Campus Church
- 12:30 pm Main Campus Parish Center
*denotes Masses that are livestreamed.
Mass and Confession Schedule Changes
- There is no 12:30 or 5:30 pm Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24.
- There are no confessions on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Dec. 31.
- There is no 7 am Mass from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30.
Office Closing
- Closed Friday, Dec. 22 through Tuesday, Dec. 26.
- The gift shop is closed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.
During the Holiday season the Angel Tree Ministry partners with local charities to provide gifts to struggling families right here in our community. This year again we can only accept gift cards or check donations. Donations can be dropped in the offertory boxes at the main and Waxhaw campuses during Mass, or mailed to or dropped at the church office.
We continue to have a great need for men’s underwear, t-shirts, washcloths, and shower shoes. The shelter does not have a budget for these items. The collection begins Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 17. Please place donations in the blue collection boxes near the church entrance.
St. Nicholas is visiting our main campus on Dec. 10. In addition, the famous Knights of Columbus breakfast is returning for this special occasion. We will serve pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a breakfast biscuit after the 9 am and the 10:45 am Masses in the Parish Center Gym (main campus). The cost is $5 per person. Children under 10 are free. Parents may take photos of their children with St. Nicholas.
Father Mateusz Darlak will celebrate a Polish Mass on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 pm in the main campus church.
We will offer confessions in the Polish language on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 5 pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1:45 to 3 pm. All are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Barbara Banas at 303-204-8342 or bbanas153@aol.com
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates back to the late 19th century. Lessons and Carols is a combination of the proclaimed Word and the prayer of music. Lessons are formed from instrumental music, Scripture, and the poetry of song lyrics to prepare us for the coming of the Christ Child heralded at Christmas. Our choir and parish lectors will lead Lessons and Carols. This Advent service is appropriate for the whole family.
Family Assist Ministry provides assistance to parish families who are experiencing financial hardship. This Christmas, we will provide those in need with gift cards so they can shop for their family gifts. If you would like to join us in this effort, please contact Don Meanor at 704-543-7677 x 1018.
Advent Lecture Series Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice, Real Presence
Christ is alive and fully present in the Eucharist. Join Father Davis on Thursdays during Advent as we delve into the source and summit of our Faith with Bishop Barron’s Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice, Real Presence. The study will give us a deeper understanding of the precious gift of Christ’s body, blood, soul and divinity. Thursdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 9:30 to 10:15 am New Life Center Banquet Room
Children’s Christmas Cantata & Family Adoration
Friday, Dec. 22 from 6 – 7:30 pm in the church (main campus).
The first part of the evening is the children’s cantata – a telling of the Nativity story set to music – followed by a time of Adoration. The evening will conclude with cookies and cocoa in the courtyard!
Blood Drive
Give Blood. Help Save Lives.
The American Red Cross and St. Matthew Catholic Church have partnered to host a blood drive on:
Sunday, December 10, 2023
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
in the Family Room (main campus)
Please visit redcrossblood.org and enter St Matthew Catholic to schedule an appointment.
Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history question on the day of your appointment.
Please remember to bring a photo ID or your Red Cross Donor Card.
All donors will receive a $10 amazon.com gift card by email!
Breakfast with St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas is visiting our main campus on Dec. 10. In addition, the famous Knights of Columbus breakfast is returning for this special occasion.
We will serve pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a breakfast biscuit after the 9 am and the 10:45 am Masses in the Parish Center Gym (main campus).
The cost is $5 per person. Children under 10 are free.
Parents may take photos of their children with St. Nicholas.
Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice, Real Presence
Advent Lecture Series Facilitated by Father Binoy Davis
A Catholic Study Program by Bishop Robert Barron
Christ is alive and fully present in the Eucharist!
Join Father Davis during Advent as we delve into the source and summit of our Faith. Gain a deeper understanding of the precious gift of Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity.
Thursdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21
9:30 to 10:15 am New Life Center Banquet Room
Lessons and Carols 2023
We invite you to sing your way into the Christmas spirit!
Join us for Lessons and Carols on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 pm in the church (main campus).
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates back to the late 19th century. In this service, nine Scripture lessons recount the Fall, the promise of the Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Lessons and Carols is a combination of the proclaimed Word and the prayer of music. Lessons are formed from instrumental music, Scripture, and the poetry of song lyrics to prepare us for the coming of the Christ Child heralded at Christmas. Our choir and parish lectors will lead Lessons and Carols.
This Advent service is appropriate for the whole family.
2023 Electronic Tax Statements for Charitable Contributions
2023 E-Tax Statements are available to all parishioners on request. Please email your request to Lisa Rickher at lrickher@stmatthewcatholic.org and include your name, family envelope number, and your email address.
St. Matthew parishioners who received an E-Tax Statement last year will automatically receive their 2023 Tax E-Statement before the end of January 2024 provided your registration information has been updated with any changes.
2023 Tax Statements will be mailed by the end of January 2024 to those parishioners not receiving an E-Tax Statement.