Bishop Robert Barron reaches into the rich intellectual tradition of Catholicism, using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Pope Benedict XVI, to uncover a clear, yet sophisticated, understanding of what we mean by “God.” Who is God? And why does He matter? Watch this series and you will not only learn the answers yourself, but you will discover how to share them with others, especially those who no longer believe.

You can watch this video and then delve more deeply into Bishop Barron’s message, either individually or in a group, by using the companion study guide which is divided into sections that correspond to each part of Bishop Barron’s presentation. The study guide was written by Catholic author Trent Horn, an apologist at Catholic Answers, and compiled under the direction and approval of Bishop Barron. Trent is also the author of Answering Atheism: How to Make the Case for God with Logic and Charity.

Tuesdays
June 4 to 18, July 9 to 23
7 to 8:30 pm
New Life Center 239/240/241

Program Materials: $25.00

Registrations can be submitted as follows:

• Online with a credit card: following the link above you will be redirected to Faith Direct. You may check out as a guest without creating a Faith Direct account. If troubles come up with Faith Direct, please contact them directly so that they can assist you in completing your registration.
• In-person: complete a paper registration in the St. Matthew church office and pay by cash or check (we are only able to take credit or debit payments with online registrations at this time).

For a complete list of all the classes we are offering, please visit our Adult Faith Formation page.

Interested in joining RCIA or know someone that is considering becoming Catholic…

Consider attending one of our RCIA inquiry nights! The same information is shared at each night, so come to the one that is most convenient for you. All inquiry nights are held in the New Life Center Banquet Room.

• Wednesday, June 19 at 7 pm
• Wednesday, July 24 at 7 pm
• Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 pm

We will share the schedule, tell you about the program, and answer any questions that you may have.

Questions contact, Rachel at rachelw@stmatthewcatholic.org.

The Baby Bottle Campaign is now the Celebrate the Gift of Life Campaign

The Knights of Columbus invite everyone to join them in support of the many important Pro-Life organizations in our community, one of which is our parish Walking with Moms in Need ministry. In 2023, we received generous contributions of $22,130, which enabled us to send checks to 11 local pro-life programs in our community. 

Your donation directly helps these pro-life organizations:

• St. Matthew’s Walking with Moms in Need Ministry
• Birthright of CLT Pregnancy Center
• Sidewalk Advocates for Life
• Catholic Charities – Adoption Services
• Diocese of Charlotte – Office of Family Life
• Be Not Afraid
• Respect for Life Ministry
• MiraVia
• HELP Pregnancy Center
• Project Exodus
• SPRED

Thank you for your support! For more information visit, www.kofc10852.org. 

The Respect Life Ministry invites you to participate in Rosaries for Life, a prayerful way to promote the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

During the month of May, we are committed to praying 10,000 rosaries to strengthen the culture of life in our nation. Rosaries can be recited at home, in the car, at church, at work, or at play.

Please be sure to email your total rosary count to rosary.count@gmail.com.

We invite you to join us as we gather to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and feel His presence among us. Let us come together in faith, hope, and love as we embark on this journey of spiritual renewal and communion.

20th Eucharistic Congress
Charlotte Convention Center
August 30-31, 2024

About the Congress:

The Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress is a gathering like no other – part worship experience, part diocesan “family reunion,” this annual is an opportunity to come together as one faith community to deepen our relationship with Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist. It is a time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and reflection as we unite in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Why Attend?

• Encounter Jesus: Experience the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist through Mass, Adoration, and prayer.
• Community: Join fellow parishioners, members of our diocese, and vendors in a celebration of faith and unity.
• Spiritual Growth: Deepen your understanding of the Eucharist and its significance in our Catholic faith.

Schedule of Events

The Diocese of Charlotte is enhancing its Safe Environment program with new, comprehensive policies and procedures updated for today’s issues and needs. Among other updates, the diocese has shifted from Virtus to a streamlined platform called CMG Connect. CMG Connect will combine all of our Safe Environment screening, onboarding, and training in one place for all clergy, employees, and volunteers.

All who volunteer or work in the Diocese of Charlotte will need to be set up and certified through CMG Connect.

Existing Virtus Users: If your Virtus account contains your email address, please look for an email from the diocese or your local Safe Environment coordinator with instructions for how to access your new CMG Connect account.

New Volunteers: Please contact your local parish’s Safe Environment coordinator for further instructions or you can visit https://charlottediocese.org/offices/safe-environment/ to register as a new volunteer.

Questions? Please contact your local Safe Environment coordinator, Lisa Hornung, at lisah@stmattthewcatholic.org. You may also contact the Diocese Safe Environment Office at safeenvironment@rcdoc.org.

Support and Donate to the St. Matthew Catholic School Annual Wildcat Fund

We invite you to join us in Educating Saints and Scholars by donating to the 2023-2024 Wildcat Annual Fund. This year’s goal is to raise $70,000 to provide our exceptional teachers with even more support, upgrade our technology to new heights, and ignite a fresh wave of enthusiasm in our Catholicity and cultural development efforts, making this our best year yet! Gifts of all sizes make an immediate difference and are tax-deductible. Last Year’s Wildcat Fund was a HUGE Success! Meeting our goal meant we could purchase a high-tech audio system, fund professional development for our staff, and foster Catholicity with our special spring meal-packing event. We are grateful for your support of the Wildcat Annual Fund and our school. Your gift will help us to continue our mission to provide an atmosphere of faith and love where Jesus is alive and where students will be able to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.

Click the video to watch a special 2023-2024 Wildcat Annual Fund kickoff message from St. Matthew Catholic School Principal, Kevin O’Herron.

2023 E-Tax Statements are available to all parishioners on request. Please email your request to Lisa Rickher at lrickher@stmatthewcatholic.org and include your name, family envelope number, and your email address.

St. Matthew parishioners who received an E-Tax Statement last year will automatically receive their 2023 Tax E-Statement before the end of January 2024 provided your registration information has been updated with any changes.

2023 Tax Statements will be mailed by the end of January 2024 to those parishioners not receiving an E-Tax Statement.