Saint Matthew's Church
A Roman Catholic Community
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Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM
Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 AM
Full Schedule of Services
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Advent Reflection 


St Matthew’s Liturgy Committee has chosen Mary as our central theme for Advent, namely Mary depicted in the icon Our Lady of the Sign.  The Icon of Our Lady of the Sign is the term for a particular type of icon of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary).  The icon depicts the Virgin Mary during the Annunciation at the moment of saying, "May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38). The image of the Christ child represents him at the moment of his conception in the womb of the Virgin. He is depicted not as a fetus, but rather vested in divine robes, and often holding a scroll, symbolic of his role as teacher.  The term Virgin of the Sign or Our Lady of the Sign is a reference to the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel". As with most Orthodox icons of Mary, the letters ΜΡ ΘΥ (short for ΜΗΤΗΡ ΘΕΟΥ, "Mother of God") are usually placed on the upper left and right of the head of the Virgin Mary. (from Wikipedia)
 
Why not make this Advent a little different?  Take some time to spiritually prepare for Christmas….reflect on what it must have been like for this young woman to be told she would give birth to the long awaited Messiah.  How anxious and maybe sometimes alone she must have felt; yet at the same time she knew how blessed she was.
 
So when you are caught up with all the busyness of preparing for Christmas.  When you’re feeling anxious or frustrated trying to get everything done; step back and think of Mary. Think of the weight that was on her shoulders. She was prepared to become the “Mother of God”.  What are you doing this Advent to prepare to receive Jesus this Christmas?
 
May you have a blessed Advent,
 
Andrea Freeman
      Liturgy Committee      
 

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Seasonal Messages

ST. MATTHEW'S
WREATH FUNDRAISER

St. Matthew's is sponsoring a wreath fundraiser again this year.    Distribution of wreaths will be December 8th and 9th after all Masses.