One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas is by sharing our blessings with those who are under-resourced. Our parish will reach out to our neighbors in need and provide them with non-perishable food items for Christmas Day celebrations. If you would like to join us in this effort, please fill a lidded 18-gallon plastic container with food for Christmas Day.

Examples of items to include would be:

• boxed mashed potatoes
• stuffing mixes
• canned soups, vegetables, and fruit
• cranberry sauce
• gravy mixes
• brownie/cake/cookie mix
• muffin/quick bread mix

Personalize your container by including a note of encouragement, inspirational Bible verses, and Christmas well-wishes. We will collect containers at the Fall Festival on Nov. 24, and on Dec. 7 and 8, we will have trucks in the parking lot for you to place your donations. Should the trucks fill up, please place containers in the narthex of the church (main campus).

Sunday, Nov. 24, Noon – 4 pm, Main Campus

Celebrate the season with us at our Fall Festival as we Fall Into Advent! Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks, games, and activities for all ages, including BINGO hosted by the Knights of Columbus and bounce houses for the kids. Families can create their own Advent wreaths to take home in preparation for Advent. Reservations and a small supplies fee are required for wreath-making.

Whether you’re new to the parish or a long-time member, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and share in the warmth of our community. We will also be collecting Christmas meal bins during the festival. We look forward to seeing you there!

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. ~ Psalm 107: 8-9

Thanksgiving Day Mass

Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 9 am at the main campus for our Thanksgiving Day Mass.

As part of our tradition, we invite parishioners, if able, to bring non-perishable food items to the 9 am Mass on Thanksgiving Day to support those in need in our community. Please place your donations in the collection bins as you enter the church.

Schedule Changes:

• There will be no 7 am Mass on Thursday, Nov. 28, or Friday, Nov. 29.
• There will be no Adoration on Friday, Nov. 29
• The nursery will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Church Office & Gift Shop

The church office and gift shop are closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29.

Catholic Scripture Study – Advent, Preparing for Christ: Are you ready for the King? Is your heart ready to receive the Savior? Advent is our time for reflection, meditation, and preparation. This year, the Sunday gospel readings come from the Gospel of Luke. Our engagement with this Gospel, woven with other parts of Scripture, like Jeremiah, Baruch, and Philippians creates a beautiful tapestry of prepared anticipation for the Christ Child coming to the world and into our hearts.

Class Cost: $17

Main Campus
Fridays, Nov. 22 to Dec. 20
10 am to 12 pm
Facilitated by Terry DeMao and Mary Catherine Surface

Waxhaw Campus
Wednesdays, Nov. 20 to Dec. 18
10 am to 12 pm 
Facilitated by Christine Corbly

Christ the King Children’s Mass

Sunday, Nov. 24, at 10:45 am, Main Campus

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.

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.

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:

• Morning Sessions: 9:45 – 10:45 am
• Evening Sessions: 7 – 8 pm

Questions? Reach out to Patricia, pduran@stmatthewcatholic.org

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.

For more information, please contact, Ken Boyce, kboyce@stmatthewcatholic.org

** 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. **

Thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we can be a beacon of hope for our neighbors in need.