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!
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!
#1: The Eucharist with Deacon Joe Becker
#2: The Eucharist (part 2) with Deacon Joe Becker
#3: The Eucharist – The Real Presence with Deacon Lon Phillips
#4: The Liturgy of the Eucharist with Deacon Jim Hamrlik
#5: The Eucharist – Our Salvation with Deacon Jack Staub
#6: Do You Believe? with Deacon Joe Becker
#7: The True Presence – My Relationship with the Lord with Deacon Jack Staub
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3RVuGy1Elk&t=6s
#8: Transfiguration Sunday Homily from Father Darren Balkey
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.
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.
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.”
