Category: News

Mass Resumes at St. Matthew

We are so happy and grateful to announce that Masses will resume at St. Matthew the weekend of June 6 and 7. Masses will be held on Saturdays at 5:30 pm and Sundays at 9 am and 12:30 pm, with very limited seating capacity. While we are filled with joy, we are also anticipating some time of adjustment as we get used to our new procedures and limited capacity. During this time, we ask for our parish family to treat each other and our clergy and staff with kindness, approach the new Mass procedures with patience and understand that while we are thrilled to be back in our Church and worshipping with you, it’s going to feel “different” and will take a bit of getting used to. We ask that you please take the time to carefully read the new procedures document, attached here, in order to avoid any surprises and to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible attending Mass.

Please remember there is still a dispensation granted from Bishop Jugis if you are not comfortable attending Mass, and we will still be streaming Mass online. We will also continue to offer Communion services Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The sign-ups for Communion services can be accessed here.

Please continue to pray for our parish as we navigate these new procedures and are able to begin celebrating Masses as a parish family. We are thankful for you and are blessed to have such a vibrant and engaged parish community!

VBS – An Alternative Approach!

When discussing options for VBS this year, someone made the comment “well, this will be the one where we socially distance in the parking lot.”  The phrase “the one where…” made me think of the television show Friends, and the accompanying theme song: I’ll be there for you.  This has been a period of time where so much was taken from us – school, activities, lunch dates… and the Mass.  There were times that it almost felt as if God himself was being taken from us.  I’ll be there for you.

If there is one constant about any VBS theme, it is that exact message.  God is there for us, present with us, always.  At our creation, during our journey of life and ready to welcome us home when it is our time.  And that, friends, is how VBS 2020 “He’ll Be There For You” has come to be.

On Tuesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 25, we will host a parking lot VBS.  Families will be invited to sign up and come in their cars on a ‘parade route’ through the parking lot.  Along the way will be messages and station stops to immerse you in God’s plan for you.  The ‘parade’ will culminate in the parking lot of the parish center, where families will be invited to gather in an assigned parking spot to dance along with the Holy Spirit before heading home, hopefully filled with joy, the Holy Spirit and the reminder of God’s powerful love for you.

We are asking families to make a donation to restock our St. Matthew food pantry, which has been used to help other communities in need during the past two months.  Information and your opportunity to sign up can be found HERE!

Elements of the Catholic Mass Video Series

The Liturgical institute has produced a series called “Elements of the Catholic Mass.” In this series each individual part of the Mass is explained in its larger meaning. While we are apart from being physically present at the Mass for a time, how beautiful it would be for our community to return to our Eucharistic Celebration with a new and deeper understanding of the unifying and healing mystery that is the Mass!

You can access the entire series here to view at your own pace: https://www.elementsofthecatholicmass.com/episodes . A preview of the series is below. We hope you enjoy!

Confirmation 2020 – Postponed

Confirmation 2020 – Postponed

 

Throughout this year, and especially during this time, we’ve been praying for you, your family, and especially your children as they walk this journey to receive the sacrament of confirmation. With the current situation in our community and world, that journey is a little longer than expected.

Just in case you may have missed any earlier communications, we wanted to inform you that we are not having our Confirmation Masses on May 18, 19, & 20. This is, of course, saddening for us all, but we know that it is for the health and safety of all in our community. Please inform your extended family members and your candidate’s chosen sponsor.

We are currently working with the diocese to set up new dates and procedures for our celebration of the sacrament. To answer some other follow-up questions, we put together this FAQ document for you! You can also find our Confirmation Dress Guidelines here!

 

If you have any questions, please email Avery Utz.

Frequently Asked Questions About Current Procedures for Reception of Holy Communion

We know that the desire to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist is deep in the heart of every parishioner. As we carefully work through the process of sharing the sacraments and reopening the parish in the safest way possible, we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Please continue to pray for our parish family, for a true sense of peace and grace that comes only from Our Lord.
For frequently asked questions about current procedures for reception of Holy Communion, click here.

2020 Graduates – We Honor You!

2020 Graduates – We Honor You!

This moment in history will be certainly a memory you will carry with you forever. We want you to know how proud the St. Matthew community is about your achievements and for graduating! This is an accomplishment to remember!

We invite you to submit a digital senior photo, the school you are graduating from (for college graduates, include your degree), and let us know your plans for next year (school, occupation, etc.) so that we can highlight you on social media and our website.

Click here to complete the Grad 2020 Form.

If you have any questions or problems with the form, please contact Adrian Quintero.

Congratulations 2020 Graduates!

Family Prayer Service

Family Prayer Service

Until we are able to once again gather for the celebration of Mass, please join us on MATTtv for the daily and Sunday Masses. 

 As an additional resource, the following prayer service is perfect for sharing prayer and the Mass readings with your family.

Begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Pray

I confess to Almighty God
and to you my brothers and sisters
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Read the readings of the day, which can be found at http:/usccb.org/bible/readings/, or in books like Our Daily Bread, Magnificat.

Pray the Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Petition

Spend a moment offering prayers of petition for the Church and the Holy Father, the world and your family, for those you love and for those you know are in need.

Pray the Our Father

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Pray

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us. (two times) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Pray

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Make a Spiritual Communion

Close your eyes, picture Jesus standing next to you and pray: My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come now spiritually into my soul. As I await the next opportunity to attend Holy Mass and receive You sacramentally in Holy Communion, I wish for your indwelling in my soul. Amen.

Close by praying the Hail Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel prayers.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do you, o Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

Urgent Parish Updates Regarding Covid-19 Coronavirus

Health-related Precautions and Changes at St. Matthew

March 14, 2020

 

Effective Sunday, March 15, in compliance with an executive order by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Bishop Jugis has directed that all public Masses be canceled until further notice.

 

While we are unable to attend Holy Mass, please make an act of spiritual communion:

 

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. 

I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come now spiritually into my soul. As I await the next opportunity to attend Holy Mass and receive You sacramentally in Holy Communion, I wish for your indwelling in my soul.

 

A delayed stream of the Mass will be available beginning at 10 am each day, Monday through Saturday, and 9 am each Sunday at the following:

 

Parish Website  www.stmatthewcatholic.org/mass

YouTube           https://www.youtube.com/user/stmatthewcatholic

Facebook         https://www.facebook.com/stmatthewcatholic/

 

Sincerely yours,

Father John Allen

Parochial Administrator

St. Matthew Catholic Church

 

Offertory and Online Giving

  • Online Giving and Text-to-Give: This is a terrific time to become an online giver! It’s safe, secure, and easy to set up. Find details here.
  • CATHOLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES: A reminder that all MACS families – including online givers – should continue to turn in offertory envelopes for parish participation records.

Disinfecting of the Church

Hospital-grade medical disinfectant has been applied to all hard surfaces in the Church,narthex and narthex restrooms and will continue to be applied weekly. We will continue to evaluate all information and will increase the frequency of the application of the disinfectant as needed.

 

Resources for Enriching Your Faith

CATHOLICtV. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CatholicTV wants to make sure all Catholics have access to the Mass. They just launched a new, simplified website where you can watch daily and Sunday Masses from their studio chapel. English Mass Sunday-Friday, English and Spanish Mass on Sunday. Please share this resource! Watchthemass.com

FORMED: The Catholic Faith. On demand. Get thousands of movies, programs, audio, and books instantly.

Want to create a new St. Matthew FORMED account?

  1. Visit FORMED.org
  2. Click Sign Up
  3. Select I Belong to a Parish or Organization
  4. Find St. Matthew by church name or zip
  5. Enter your email – and you are in!

 

Already have a FORMED Account?

  1. Visit FORMED.org
  2. Click Sign In
  3. Enter your email
  4. Click the link in your email
  5. You are in! No more passwords!

 

FLOCKNOTE. Register for a Flocknote account to stay in touch. Text SMCCC to 84576 or visit stmatthewcharlotte.flocknote.com. Flocknote also now gives you access to Word on Fire ENGAGE, with Bishop Robert Baron! Once you have a Flocknote account, visit World on Fire Online Digital from Flocknote to watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login. Your  have this button on your Flocknote dashboard once you register.

Have you tried connecting to Flocknote, only to become frustrated because you are told your record already exists, or perhaps doesn’t exist at all? Let us help! When data was imported from our current database to Flocknote, there was a good bit of conflicting information, including old, unused email addresses and phone numbers. Oh the blessings of a large, engaged parish, with so many registered families. Help us help you. Send us your preferred contact information for parish communications, and we’ll clean up our records. Please include: Name/Email/Cell Phone (One per adult, as two people cannot share the same contact information, or if you prefer one contact for your household, let us know who that should be.) It’s a big job getting a clean database, but once we do, Flocknote will provide a great tool to the parish, for everything from our monthly e-news to small group and ministry communications. You will be able to choose which ministries and groups you belong to, and what information you want to receive. Please send your contact information to communications@stmatthewcatholic.org and we’ll take it from there. Thank you for helping us do our best to keep our parish family informed and connected.

MAGNIFICAT. During this difficult time, many of the faithful may be unable to attend Mass. To help them sanctify their day and to keep walking in the liturgical rhythm of the Church, we are honored to make our online version of MAGNIFICAT temporarily available to everyone for free.

Please help us spread this message and share this link: www.magnificat.com/free with as many people as you can. Free temporary access is also available in Spanish:
www.magnificat.com/gratis.

 

Beware of Virus-Related Internet Scams

Shared by the Diocese of Charlotte:

Criminals are using public concern over the COVID-19 virus as a weapon to entice you into clicking on a link or going to a website so they can wreak havoc, steal information, plant malware, etc. Be on the lookout for emails, text messages, phone calls, etc. regarding the Corona virus outbreak.

Suspicious communications might contain information regarding a vaccine, a cure, a chance to invest in a cure or vaccine, expert advice for protection or prevention, interesting facts or videos about the disease, links to products like hand sanitizers, soaps, masks, gloves, etc. Do not be fooled.

A good practice is to view all forms of communication from people you do not know with caution. This includes websites, web links in emails, email attachments, text messages with links, phone calls, etc. Another good practice is to avoid clicking links to information, videos, etc. presented to you on social media sites.

If you feel a need to find information about the COVID-19 outbreak, go directly to the source. Only use official websites from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, NC Division of Health & Human Services, etc. Be careful that you do not click on ads when searching for websites.

 

Diocese of Charlotte COVID-19 Updates