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Category: News
A Friendly Note to the Parents of Our Young Children
Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome!
- Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on at the altar. They tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads.
- Quietly explain the parts of the Mass and actions of the priest, altar servers, choir, etc.
- Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn by copying you.
- If you have to leave Mass with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me”
- Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.
To other members of our parish:
The presence of children is a gift to the church, and they are a reminder that our parish is growing!
Please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents. If you see a parent struggling, please offer to help them!
We Believe – a St. Matthew Video Series
Deacon Joe Becker, Deacon Lon Phillips, and Deacon Jack Staub discuss why Catholics believe in the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist in this multi-part video series found below.
Check back for more episodes as our parish celebrates the Year of the Eucharist!
Do You Believe?
St. Matthew Catholic Church is excited to be participating in the National Eucharistic Revival by celebrating the Year of the Eucharist with events throughout the year.
Upcoming Events:
- Family Eucharistic Adoration – Encounter Christ in the Eucharist Together as a Family!
- Friday, April 26 from 6 – 7 pm in the church on the main campus.
- Corpus Christi – Special Mass and Eucharistic Procession at the AMP Ballantyne
- Sunday, June 2 at 10:45 am, details coming soon.
Adoration is simply to show our love for Jesus, to adore Him in the Eucharist – and to allow Him to love us. The purpose of a Family Eucharistic Adoration is to welcome the entire family, including children of any age, to adore Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
If you have never been to Eucharistic Adoration, don’t worry, we will teach you everything you need to know. Simply come and be led through the loving Adoration of Jesus.
Interested in learning more about Adoration?
Want to learn more about the Eucharist?
About the National Eucharistic Revival
The Eucharistic Revival begins on Sunday, June 11, with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). It is a three-year journey to bring Catholics and non-Catholics into a closer, more personal relationship with Our Lord. The miracle of the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist heals the soul, brings unity to a torn world, and joy to the heart. In turn, receiving the Eucharist must inspire us to share with all the world the unconditional love of the Mystery.
Stay tuned for more information about the exciting events happening at St. Matthew as we celebrate the Eucharist, and explore what the Church means when she speaks of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is truly transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. During the consecration, the bread and wine are transubstantiated, which means that although they are the same to our human senses, they are actually the real body and blood of Jesus. According to Pew Research Center, only 31 percent of Catholics believe in the True Presence. We all need the healing of this Sacrament, and it is our responsibility as believing disciples to share this good news with everyone.
The first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years is July 17-21, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Over 80,000 Catholics are expected to attend. You do not want to miss this five-day experience. Click here for more information.
The National Eucharistic Revival
Purpose, connection, peace—these desires are written on our hearts for a reason. The answer lies at the very center of our faith: the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is a joyful, expectant, grassroots movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States.
Additional Resources
A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores is an initiative aimed at helping everyday Catholics better live their faith through various topics.
Ave Explores: The Eucharist is a series highlighting the mystery of the Eucharist, how it heals and changes us, and what it means to welcome the Eucharistic Lord into our hearts, homes, and neighborhoods.
Eucharistic Miracles – Database
Michael O’Neill is an author, speaker, and creator of the website MiracleHunter.com, the web’s top resource on Marian apparitions cited in news articles and blogs around the world. O’Neill’s career involves both explaining and exploring miracles. “If I can somehow prove to myself that miracles are in fact happening around the world,” he says, “then that connects me to God somehow.”
Church Mailing Address
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As a result of frequent vandalism, the physical mailbox has been removed from the premises. Please do not send any mail to the street address of St. Matthew. All mail should be directed to the parish post office box. St. Matthew Catholic Church |
Our Daily Bread –Please help us feed the hungry in the Charlotte area
All three of our areas of food distribution need volunteers:
Friday morning Pantry Run – In need of drivers and helpers
Using the box truck from the church 2 volunteers each Friday morning of the month leave from the church and drive either to Greensboro or Kannapolis to pick up donations from a grocery reclamation center. Volunteers will load boxes that avg 20-30 lbs a piece. On the return trip stops are made along the way to charities that feed the hungry and usually you are back at the church about 12:30 pm. Volunteers are usually scheduled one Friday a month.
Regional Farmers Market on Remount Road and delivery to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Tuskaseegee Rd.
Saturdays from Shed A (local farmers) pick up of donated goods in bins about 12:30 pm or From Shed B at 4:30 pmpick up of donated items from vendors. Time commitment is about 1 ½ hrs. You are usually scheduled for once a month. You will use your own vehicle and loads will fill a SUV or pick up space.
Weekly pick ups for local grocery store to designated charity that feeds the hungry
Two of our morning routes that happen weekly need volunteers. A Monday and Saturday morning route needs to be filled at this time. Usual pick up is done between 8-9amand delivered to designated charity of the day. Route usually takes 1 –1 ½ hr to complete.
If you are available to help in one of these ways, please contact Diana Hankins at dhankins48@gmail.com or 706 888-7764. You will receive training and we follow the church guidelines for volunteers.
Registration OPENS Sunday, July 14!
For information on program offerings for the 2024-2025 program year, as well as session days and times, please visit our FAITH FORMATION page. Specific questions can be directed to the program coordinator listed below.
Prepared to register? The form will go live at 4 pm, Sunday, July 14 through the button link below!
Preschool/Kindergarten/First Grade (Beginnings) – Becky (blennard@stmatthewcatholic.org)
First Eucharist (Encounter, Receive, Bridges) – Lori (lmathews@stmatthewcatholic.org)
Elementary (3rd/4th/5th) – Michelle (mlyberg@stmatthewcatholic.org)
Middle School (Invited) – Megan (mhanrahan@stmatthewcatholic.org)
Confirmation (Ignite) – Trish (tmartin@stmatthewcatholic.org)
Confirmation (Chosen/OCIT) – Pat (pduran@stmatthewcatholic.org)
SPARK/SPRED (Special Needs) – Stephanie (so’shields@stmatthewcatholic.org)
Parish Family Prayer Wall
We are so excited to launch our new parish family prayer wall! We invite you to share your prayer requests and also visit this page to lift up your parish family in prayer. Requests can be submitted with your name, or anonymously, and you can also let people know you are praying for their intentions. What a beautiful way to be connected as a parish family! The page can always be found at the top of the menu on our homepage, and you can also access it here: https://stmatthewcatholic.org/prayerwall .
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, 2024.
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.
TEEN STEWARDSHIP SCHOLARSHIP: One $1000 Scholarship will be awarded. High school juniors or seniors may apply.
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.