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

Advent Reflection 


Through Mary hope comes to the world; all humankind awaits the coming of her Son, our Savior, our path to salvation.  Her place in this salvation history begins at the Immaculate Conception, the feast day we celebrated yesterday. Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anne, by a special grace of God, is conceived and preserved free from the stain of original sin. In all other ways, Mary is like us; she experiences life’s joys and sorrows.   
Her immaculate conception prepares the way for the annunciation. God sends the angel Gabriel to ask Mary to be the earthly mother of His Son, the One on whom salvation rests.  After great anticipation, all in heaven and on earth rejoice as Mary responds in the affirmative, in total surrender to the will of God: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word”.  Through her perfect obedience – in contrast to Adam and Eve’s disobedience, we come to understand free will and that the choices we make have consequence for good or bad. We learn from her to surrender to God and trust in Him.
Immediately following the annunciation, Mary hastens to her cousin, Elizabeth, who awaits the birth of her son, John the Baptist.  At the visitation, Mary’s response to Elizabeth, known as the Magnificat, foreshadows the life and virtues of her Son, Jesus.  Mary prays: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant…the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name…he has scattered the proud in their conceit… He has filled the hungry with good things.”  Mary shows us to praise, honor and glorify God. Through her we define our relationship with God: Creator and created.  From her, we learn to feed the hungry and care for the poor.  She teaches us the virtue of humility – of letting go of “ego”.
Mary gives us the perfect example of herself. She understands our needs, temporal and spiritual. She assures us of her constant presence to guide, protect and intercede for us.  All we need to do is commend ourselves into her loving care, always seeking to submit our will to the Divine Will.  What better way to prepare for the coming of Jesus than through Mary, God’s chosen instrument in His plan of salvation for each one of us.
May this advent be a time of spiritual growth and blessing for all.
Philomena Donaldson
Liturgy Committee
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Seasonal Messages

SAINT MATTHEW’S
HOLIDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE

ADVENT  RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Tuesday, December 18, 2018- 7:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Church
CHRISTMAS EVE  -  CHRISTMAS  DAY
Christmas Eve – Monday, December 24, 2018
4:00 PM
Children’s Choir 
6:00 PM
Holiday Choir 
9:00 PM
Holiday Choir 
Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25, 2018
10:30 AM
   Traditional Christmas Music
NEW YEAR’S LITURGY
New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 1, 2019
​ 9:00AM