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

PLEASE NOTE:  Seating in the Church for the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday, November 1st is almost at capacity.  If planning to attend Sunday's Mass, please call Peggy at (518) 765-2805 Ext:  14 to place your reservation.  Once the Church is full, you will be assigned seats in the Social Hall.  Note that seats are still available for 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, October 31st in the Church.
 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 

On this thirtieth Sunday in ordinary time our readings invite us to reflect on the role of law in the life of a follower (disciple) of Jesus. The first reading, from the Book of Exodus, gives us some of the ancient laws that guided the behavior of the Jewish people. When archeologists discovered the Code of Hammurabi, the 18th century BC Babylonian code of laws, scholars were impressed by how much they reflected the ancient Jewish code of laws we find in the book of Deuteronomy. Our most ancient ancestors realized that if we are to live in community we need codes of conduct that will allow us not to devolve into violence and chaos. With our conversation about the choice of Amy Coney-Barrett to the Supreme Court we, almost 40 centuries later, continue to consider how best our laws can and must guide us if we are to remain a civilized, and in our case democratic, union.
 
You shall not oppress or molest an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. Given the current conversation about how best to welcome immigrants to our country, this ancient law is as relevant today as it was 4,000 years ago. Everyone of us in the United States originally came from somewhere else. In our collective history someone in our family, many or a few years ago, came to this land as a immigrant. Even the native American population originally immigrated to this continent from Africa. This ancient law that begins our reading reminds us that we were once the struggling folk that now are trying to find a new life. This ancient law (and so many others) reminds us that God is always on the side of the oppressed seeking justice for the least among us. This law demands that we do the very same.
 
The short list of laws we read this Sunday also says: If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. I always enjoy quoting this law and ancient laws that regulate slavery in the Bible when people claim that the laws of the Bible can never change. We certainly can, do, and must change our laws over time. There would be no banking industry if we still abided by this ancient law and slavery would still be allowed if we had not developed over time and saw the horrible injustice of that human practice. So if laws about lending and slavery (and marriage) in the Bible can change over time why couldn't we change some others that we now see as prejudicial or unjust. If humankind has progressed over 4,000 years (and I hope and pray we have) then we should have learned a few things that demand change in the way we think and the way we legislate.
 
The making and implementing of laws, like the understanding of our faith (theologies), should and must change over time. Jesus, in our Gospel for this Sunday, tells us the one (two) law(s) that must never change: You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind....You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Everything else, after this central command, as Rabbi Hillel in the 1st century AD said, is simply commentary.
 
Fr. Chris

Seasonal Messages

BUS TRIP TO YANKEE STADIUM

St. Matthew’s is sponsoring a Bus Trip to a NY Yankees - Boston Red Sox game in June 2021.  Please see our Parish Events page for more information.

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.
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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.
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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.