Saint Matthew's Church
A Roman Catholic Community
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You Belong Here

 Due to restrictions imposed as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, reservations are required for weekend Masses.  Please note that effective August 8-9, a distance of THREE empty seats between unrelated parties will be utilized.  Reservations can be made at iTickets.  Please click HERE to be directed to the iTickets website to make your reservation.  
Weekend Masses are as follow:
Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM
Sunday Morning at 9:30 AM
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Full Schedule of Services
Weekly Bulletins
Ministry Schedule

 CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Click HERE to be directed to the St. Matthew's website ​Services page that contains links to St. Matthew's Celebration of the Eucharist.

Pastor's Message 

​Edward Schillebeeckx, the great Dutch, 20th century theologian. argues that one of the greatest tragedies of early Christian history was the disconnect from its Jewish roots. I agree. From my long relationship with and interest in interfaith dialogue I have come to appreciate so much more my Catholic Christian tradition as I have come to understand and appreciate Judaism. In fact, modern rabbinic Judaism and Christianity are actually two branches that grew out of the ancient Jewish Temple religion of which we read so often in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament).
 
Our second reading for this nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time continues our sequential reading of Paul's letter to the Romans. This Sunday's passage speaks of the great pain Paul feels from the growing separation between his Jewish brothers and sisters and the developing gentile (non-Jewish) Christian community. Paul writes: ...I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed  and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Paul obviously loves his Jewish heritage, religion and his culture. He so wants unity between Jews and Gentiles that he would be willing to sacrifice his own salvation if by doing so he could accomplish that unity.
 
Paul goes on to say They are Israelites; theirs by adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ... In this I hear Paul saying what I have come to understand in my own study, i.e., if one doesn't understand Jewish history one will be limited in one's ability to understand Jesus, his teaching, and his message. But Christian history, instead of revering this rich history and learning began to judge Judaism as inferior to our own Christian story. This judgement gradually turned to prejudice and prejudice to hatred. That hatred eventually lead to the acceptance of Hitler and of the Nazi policy for Jewish extermination and the Shoah (the Holocaust).
 
Thank God that in the Second Vatican Council document "Nostra Aetate" the view that Judaism is a religion that has been superseded by Christianity and that the Jews were responsible for the death of the Christ was condemned. Nostra Aetate encourages dialogue, mutual Biblical study and theological reflection among Christians and Jews to enrich each other. The document quotes the passage from St. Paul which we read this Sunday and goes on to say that 'the salvation of the church is mystically prefigured in the exodus of God's chosen people from the land of bondage. On this account the church cannot forget that it received the revelation of the Old Testament by way of that people with whom God in his inexpressible mercy established the ancient covenant. Nor can it forget that it draws nourishment from that good olive tree onto which the wild olive branches of Gentiles have been grafted."
 
It behooves Jews and Christians to study and learn together not only about each other, our similarities and differences, but also about the One God to whom we both pray and worship. May Paul's wish for unity among our rich faiths be realized in our time. 
​
Fr. Chris

Seasonal Messages

ST. MATTHEW’S RE-OPENING

St. Matthew’s re-opened for weekend masses on June 27-28.  At that time a distance of four empty seats was required between parties.  Effective August 8-9, a distance of three empty seats between unrelated parties will be utilized.  Due to COVID-19 requirements for social distancing,  the number of seats available at each Mass is  limited and you will need to make a reservation.  Reservations can be made at iTickets, by emailing Peggy McQuade at st.mattswelcome@gmail.com or by calling Peggy in the parish office at (518) 765-2805 Ext. 14.  Please see Fr. Chris’ complete letter regarding St. Matthew’s  re-opening here.
returning_to_church_ltr.pdf
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If you plan on attending Mass at St. Matthew’s you need to be aware of the following list of things you should do and know before attending Mass:
  •  Everyone over the age of 2 years must bring and wear a face mask. 
  •  Please bring and use personal hand sanitizer especially before receiving Holy Communion. 
  •  You must register to attend Mass. 
  •  Ambassadors/Ushers will direct you as you enter and exit the church. Please follow their directions and the signs for entering and exiting the church. Entrance to the church will be through the lobby (west side of the building) where you will be greeted. Exit from the church will be through the front doors (Mountainview St. side) at the direction of the ambassadors/ushers. 
  •  Social distancing will be practiced at all times in church. 
  •  At Mass you will be directed on how to receive Holy Communion. 
  •  Music during the Mass will be limited to a keyboard and other instruments only. 
  •  Offertory/Collection boxes will be at the entrances to the church for weekly donations. 
  •  No gatherings can be allowed before or after Mass. 
  •  No bulletins or missalettes can be used at Mass. No food, toys, books, etc. can be allowed into the church.
Visit our new Facebook Page.  You can view it by clicking on the facebook symbol below even if you are not currently on Facebook.

OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS

In this time of social distancing and isolation, please remember that the needs of your parish continue.  You can continue to support your parish through traditional methods (envelopes) or it may be more convenient for you to make your offertory contribution electronically through St. Matthew’s E-giving program.   Please see St. Matthew’s E-Giving page for more information.  We are truly grateful for all who have remained faithful with their financial assistance during this time of uncertainty.

RESOURCES

The Diocese of Albany is keeping Catholics apprised of changes, updates and resources on its dedicated web page: rcda.org/coronavirus. In addition, a Faith at Home page includes links to livestreamed Mass, daily Scripture readings, saints of the day, and suggestions for creating a sacred space at home: rcda.org/coronavirus/resources.

HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS AND ANXIETY
The attached documents provide some insight in how to deal with stress and anxiety in uncertain times​.  We are providing these as a resource for you.​
managing_stress_and_anxiety_during_difficult_times.pdf
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coping_article_part2.pdf
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managing_anxiety_part_3.pdf
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anxiety_part_4.pdf
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