News – St. Matthew

Fourth of July Closings and Schedule Changes

Please note the following closings for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

The church office and gift shop are not open on Friday, July 4.
There is no 7 am daily Mass on Wednesday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 8.
There is no Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, July 4.
We will not live stream the 9 am Mass on Friday, July 4.
The nursery is not open on Sunday, July 6.
If your group typically meets on Friday, your meeting might be changed or cancelled, as the buildings are closed. Please check the calendar or with the ministry leader.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July – God bless, America!

SummerFest

We invite everyone to our SummerFest on Sunday, July 20, immediately following the 5:30 pm Mass. Help us welcome our new pastor, Father Cahill, as we all enjoy an evening of fellowship, fun, and entertainment!

Enjoy a variety of delicious offerings from area food trucks and fun activities. Enjoy live entertainment from our Praise and Worship Band. Bring your yard games. This is a wonderful chance to relax and connect with each other beyond the pews, and to share in fellowship, laughter, and the community spirit that makes our parish a special place. We look forward to seeing you there!

Farewell to Father Torres

Father Torres will conclude his assignment as Chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School and his weekend ministry at St. Matthew on Sunday, July 6. We are grateful for the time he has spent with us and the many ways he has served our parish with joy.

Please join us for a farewell reception in the New Life Center Banquet Room following the 10:45 am Mass on Sunday, July 6, as we thank Father Torres and send him off with our prayers and gratitude.

Patriotic Rosary

Following the 9 am Mass on Friday, July 4, all are invited to remain in the church for a special time of prayer and song as we offer the Patriotic Rosary for the consecration of our nation. This moving devotion weaves prayers with beloved patriotic hymns, invoking God’s protection, guidance, and mercy upon the United States.

As we lift up each state by name and intercede for our leaders, citizens, and institutions, we respond to Our Lady’s call to be a light among the nations – so that peace may flourish in our land and extend beyond every border. Let us come together in faith and unity, trusting in the power of prayer to transform hearts and our country.

We Are Hiring!

St. Matthew Catholic Church is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Gift Shop Manager to oversee the daily operations of our parish gift shop. This part-time role (approximately 25 hours per week, including weekends) involves managing staff, maintaining inventory, creating visually appealing merchandise displays, and providing exceptional customer service.

We are looking for a highly organized individual with strong written and verbal communication skills, a passion for their Catholic faith, and a desire to share it with others through this ministry.

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to: Sharon Dalvi, sharond@stmatthewcatholic.org

Summer 2025 – Invited Intensive

As an option to school year programming, open to middle school youth beginning or in the process of completing the INVITED topics. Each topic is offered in a three-day intensive at our Waxhaw campus.

WEEK ONE (July 22 to 24)	WEEK TWO (July 29 to 31)
9:30 am to noon Sacraments, Morality or Trinity	9:30 am to noon Revelation, The Church or Jesus Christ
5:30 to 7 pm Revelation, The Church or Jesus Christ	5:30 to 7 pm Sacraments, Morality or Trinity

If you are unsure of the topics your child has taken already, BEFORE registering, please contact Carolyn (clynch@stmatthewcatholic.org) or Megan (mhanrahan@stmatthewcatholic.org).
Please note that all summer registration fees become non-refundable as of midnight on July 10.
Attendance at all three sessions is mandatory to receive credit for the topic.

Registration for rising 7th or 8th grade youth opens on Sunday, Mar. 16 at 3 pm through the button link below. Registration for rising 6th grade youth opens on Wednesday, Mar. 19 at 8 am. Visit our Summer Invited webpage for more details and registration link.

2025 Diocesan Support Appeal

The 2025 Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA), themed Reflecting God’s Light, 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.

SCHOLARSHIPS – Teens and Adults

St. Matthew parish offers scholarship opportunities for high school seniors or adults continuing their education! Deadline to apply for either scholarship is April 15, 2025.

JOURNEY OF FAITH SCHOLARSHIP: Two $5000 Scholarships will be awarded. Adults and high school seniors may apply.

ADULTS: Registered St. Matthew parishioner; active in parish ministry; pursuing a degree and career in teaching, youth ministry, health care, military, religious vocations or social work.

SENIORS: Registered St. Matthew parishioner; active in youth ministry programs or serving as a Faith Formation volunteer; pursuing a degree and career in teaching, youth ministry, health care, military, religious vocations or social work.

Journey of Faith: How to Apply

TEEN STEWARDSHIP SCHOLARSHIP: $1000 Scholarship will be awarded.

Registered parishioner of St. Matthew, high school junior and senior applicant who demonstrates Catholic stewardship in their life, and who has completed a service project for a parish ministry or local community.

Teen Stewardship: How to Apply

Call to Action for Our Liturgical Ministries

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.

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.

Volunteer Interest Form

Full List of St. Matthew Ministries

Organ Donation: A Selfless Act of Love

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.