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
Weekly Bulletins
Ministry Schedule

Pastor's Weekly Message


Many years ago I made a retreat sponsored by the Sisters of Guadalupe, an order of women religious who minister in Mexico. The retreat was designed to introduce us to the devastating poverty of the poorest of the poor in and around Mexico City. I was assigned to spend time with and learn from a single Mother of two small children who lived in a cardboard shack on the Mexico City dump. Her name was Maria and her little children were Carlos and Anna. It was a life changing retreat in many ways. I particularly remember my last day with Maria and her children. She invited me to stay for supper (we usually went back to the convent and ate with the Sisters and processed what we had seen and experienced each day). The Sisters told me I could join Maria for dinner but not to give her anything for the meal or for her kindness but rather to give her the dignity and permission to serve me. I didn't realize how hard that command was going to be. 
 
From what Maria had found in the dump that day she put on a great feast for her children and me. At the end of the meal she presented me with a hanging mobile made from trinkets, bottle caps, and assorted pieces of metal she had found in the dump. It was perfectly balanced and was a beautiful piece of art. I was honored and embarrassed and blessed by a generosity that was overwhelming. I knew I was in the presence of Jesus Christ.
 
This Sunday we hear the story of two widows who have next to nothing upon which to survive. The foreign, pagan widow that Elijah the prophet meets in our first reading realizing she is about to run out of all the little food she has left for her child and herself is willing to share it with the prophet. In gratitude, Elijah by God's grace does not allow this widow to die of famine but rather keeps the jar of flour from going empty and the jug of oil from running dry. In our Gospel, the scribes are seen as people seeking honor, wealth, and recognition but they devour the houses of widows and , as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. Jesus says: They will receive a very severe condemnation. In contrast, Jesus has us observe a poor widow who puts two small coins worth a few cents into the Temple treasury as her donation. Jesus tells us: she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.
 
That's how I felt having dinner with Maria and her children, that she was giving me her entire livelihood for that day. She gave me another gift as well, the experience of understanding what it is to give totally of oneself to another. I hope that in my gratitude Maria knew that she had given me Eucharist, Jesus, in her meal and in her immense generosity.
 
Fr. Chris
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Seasonal Messages

ST. MATTHEW'S
WREATH FUNDRAISER

St. Matthew's will sponsor a wreath fundraiser again this year.  Wreath orders will be taken beginning Saturday, November 10th through Sunday, November 25th.  Distribution of wreaths will be December 1st and 2nd after all Masses.  Order forms will be available in the parish office, the Social Hall Lobby and at the church entrances or you can download the order form.  
christmas_wreath_flyer___order_form.pdf
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