St. Matthew > News

Getting Through the Holidays

The holidays can be especially difficult for those who have lost loved ones. Join Deacon Joe Becker and our parish Bereavement Ministry on Sunday, Nov. 10, from 2 to 4 pm in New Life Center 239/240/241 for our annual program on ways to cope with the upcoming holiday season. This afternoon is for anyone who has lost a loved one and would like some help facing the holidays. Light refreshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP, contact Allyson Casingal at 704-543-7677 x1007 or casingal@stmatthewcatholic.org.

Ministry in the Military

Join us Monday evening, November 11, from 7 – 8:30 pm in the Banquet Room for a special talk by Fr. Balkey on military chaplaincy. Hear about his journey as a Navy reservist and how he is preparing to serve Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members and their families as a chaplain. There will be an opportunity for Q&A following his talk.

Veterans and their families are encouraged to show pride for their service branch by wearing commemorative ballcaps, pins, or other memorabilia. All are welcome; no registration is required.

 

Wildcat Aunnal Fund

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.

Four Portraits, One Jesus: Know Your Gospels

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

LifeTeen/Edge (LTE) Contemporary Choir

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

Synod

Bishop Michael Martin’s Letter To The Faithful 2024

Please click the document below to download and view the complete letter. 

IFBL-CYO Basketball

Open to all 3rd to 12th grade youth interested in playing recreational basketball!

The 2024-2025 IFBL/CYO season is getting ready to tip-off!  We need volunteer coaches, as well as teens interested in serving as gym monitors or time/score keepers.  

If you are interested in coaching, or have any questions, please reach out to our parish league coordinator, Alex Kilmartin.  To register your child or teen, click on the basketball!

Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief

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.
 

🔹 Monetary Donations

For those wishing to make a financial contribution, we encourage you to donate online through Faith Direct for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief: https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/NC36/5736.
 
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.

Our Parish Response to Bishop Martin’s Corpus Christi Challenge

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!

Altar Server Training

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:

  • Friday, Oct. 4, 5 – 8 pm
  • Friday, Oct. 11, 5 – 8 pm

 

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