Dear Parishioners,

We are delighted to share exciting news regarding our Waxhaw campus.

The process has officially begun for the Waxhaw campus to become its own parish. Established by Monsignor McSweeney, with the first Mass celebrated at our current location in October 2014, the Waxhaw campus has, over the past 12 years, extended the reach of St. Matthew Catholic Parish into the Waxhaw community.

During this time, we have been blessed to witness tremendous growth. From full Masses on weekends to the development of vibrant ministries and the expansion of faith formation offerings, it has been a joy to see this community flourish. This continued growth is a testament to the strong and engaged Catholic presence in Waxhaw and the surrounding areas.

Because of this, we are excited to begin the journey toward the Waxhaw campus becoming an independent parish. While we do not yet have a timeline for when this transition will be complete, we will continue to share updates as more details become available.

The Catholic News Herald is also sharing this announcement, and we invite you to read their coverage here. We look forward to the next step, as the Catholic News Herald will announce the pastor for the new Waxhaw parish on Friday.

We are grateful for the many ways you have supported the growth of the Waxhaw campus and ask for your continued prayers during this time of transition.

Yours in Christ,

Father Patrick Cahill
Pastor
St. Matthew Catholic Church

Programs Coming this Spring…

Fulfilled, Part Two

Facilitated in Ballantyne by Christine Corbly

Fulfilled explores the biblical roots of Catholicism.  It uncovers God’s consistent design for our worship of him and his relationship with us. Part Two focuses on elements of the outer sanctuary of the tabernacle and how they connect to the Magisterium, the Eucharist, Incense, Mary and more.

April 14 to June 16
Tuesdays, 10 am to noon 
New Life Center Room 202

*If you had registered for part one, you are automatically registered for part two*

Revelation

Facilitated in Ballantyne by Ron Groover and in Waxhaw by Christine Corbly

Discover what the mysterious figures and images of Revelation mean and see how Revelation is more than an apocalyptic vision of the “end times.” Explore the Church’s teaching on the second coming of Christ and the Last Judgment. Understand how God, the Divine Bridegroom, and the Church, his spotless bride, enter into a heavenly, holy, and mystical marriage every time we celebrate Mass.

April 14 to June 23
Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 pm
New Life Center Room 203

April 15 to July 1
Wednesdays, 10 am to noon
Waxhaw Campus

Cost: $28, Cost with Online Access: $35

Gospel of Mark

Facilitated in Ballantyne by Ron Groover

Explore the shortest of all New Testament Gospels, likely the first to have been written, and discover the rich details of Jesus’ ministry here on earth.

Doctors of the Church

Facilitated in Ballantyne by Brian Malarny

Doctors of the Church are 38 canonized saints officially recognized by the Catholic Church for having made a profound, lasting, and universal impact on theology, doctrine, and spiritual life. Discover who they are and what makes them stand out among the Saints.

April 20 to June 1
Mondays, 7 to 8:30 pm
New Life Center Room 234/235

Peculiar Crossroads: An Introduction to Flannery O’Connor’s Life and Her Works

Beginning Tuesday, April 28
Tuesdays, starting April 28 from 7 to 8:30 pm
The remaining sessions are May 5, May 19, May 26, June 2, and June 9
New Life Center Banquet Room

This six-week series is for book lovers or anyone interested in gleaning timeless and timely spiritual insights from one of America’s most celebrated fiction writers, who was also fiercely Catholic. Explore O’Connor’s short stories, essays, and letters with expert guest speakers and discussion with fellow parishioners.

We recommend purchasing O’Connor Collected Works, the textbook for the series. A complete set of O’Connor books is in the parish library, starting April 28. Some of the new donations were written by O’Connor herself, while others were contributed by leading O’Connor scholars. All are listed in a binder titled: Binding Flannery O’Connor. The binder also includes 15 documents to help you start your O’Connor reading journey. 

To learn more or register for programs, please visit www.stmatthewcatholic.org/adultfaithformation.

Celebrating 40 Years Together

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary this September, we invite our parish community to journey with us over the coming months through a series of meaningful and engaging initiatives. Each month will highlight a different way we can reflect, connect, and grow together as a parish family.

May: Mission 40 – Acts of Kindness

We begin with Mission 40, a parish-wide invitation to live out our faith through simple, intentional acts of kindness.

Each week, we’ll share 10 ways to spread kindness—at home, at work, in your neighborhood, and beyond. Together, we’ll complete 40 Acts of Kindness in honor of our 40 years as a parish.

Let’s make kindness contagious and show our community what faith looks like in action.

June: Did You Know?

Discover the rich history and unique stories of our parish through fun and meaningful facts. Each week, we’ll share something you may not know—from our early beginnings to the traditions that shape who we are today.

July: Voices of Our Parish

Hear directly from fellow parishioners as they share what they love most about our church. These personal reflections will celebrate the people who make our parish such a vibrant and faith-filled community.

August: Ministry Highlights

Get to know the heart of our parish through the ministries that serve and support our community. Each feature will offer a glimpse into how these ministries began, the impact they’re making, and how you can be part of their mission.

September: A Time of Gratitude and Invitation

As we reach our anniversary month, we turn our focus to gratitude and celebration. Together, we’ll give thanks for the past 40 years, recognize those who have helped shape our parish, and look ahead with a renewed call to get involved and continue building a strong, faith-filled future.

The 2026 Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA), themed Tending the Vineyard, 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.

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.

• Altar Guild
• Altar Servers
• Arts & Environment
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Hosts
• Mass Coordinators
• Mass Greeters
• Ministers of the Word
• Music Ministry
• Production Ministry
• Sacristans
• Seams of Faith
• Welcome Desk

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.

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.

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!