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

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​

LITURGY OF THE WORD SERVICES

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

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.

Pastor's Message 

COVID-19 has changed almost everything. We are all trying hard to find new ways to stay connected, to carry on as best we can, to live lives of hope and promise. So many significant moments in our lives are being re-thought and re-imagined, e.g, first communions, graduations. confirmations, wakes and funerals, not to mention simply celebrating Mass or how to safely return to work or to go shopping. These times have changed everything at least for a while.
 
My plan for 2020 has always been to retire when I turn 70 years of age in October. I have been so very blessed with 43 remarkable years of priesthood in varied and challenging ministries. I have been particularly blessed these last 6 years to fulfill my dream of being a pastor. My plan and hope was that I could make this announcement of my retirement at the Sunday Masses in the beginning of May to give you and me time to plan for a smooth transition. Before the coronavirus struck, I had conversations with the Bishop and diocesan offices to start the process of transition and all was progressing as planned. Then the crisis came so, like all of you, I have had to try and decide how best to continue, how best to proceed with life under very different and often difficult situations. How I wish I could be telling you this news of my impending retirement in person but that looks unlikely at least for a little while more. So this pastor's message will have to do as my announcement of this next milestone in my life and as the next transition in the life of the community of St. Matthew's.
 
The Gospel for this seventh Sunday of Easter begins with Jesus praying and saying: Father, the hour has come. I don't want to be melodramatic but my hour, too, has come to pass on the burdens and the joys of pastoring to the next generation of leaders. I clearly knew when it was time for me to leave college ministry and to accept the challenge of being a pastor. I have that same sense now that the time has come to pass on the tasks of leading this parish to another. The diocesan process will soon begin to decide how to replace me. You will be kept apprised of that process throughout.
 
I will officially retire at the end of October. I am not sure if there is any significance in retiring on Halloween but if so I am sure God will make that clear eventually. I have offered to celebrate the weekend Masses throughout the end of the year if the diocese would like that assistance. 

But the most important thing I wanted to say as I made this announcement at the weekend Masses was how profoundly grateful I am to you, the people of St. Matthew's, for making these 6 last years of my active priestly ministry, some of the most rewarding years of my life. There will always be a deep and very special place in my heart for you all. Thank you. May God bless us all. 
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Fr. Chris 

Seasonal Messages

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM FR. CHRIS!

Your generosity at the Easter collection and for our weekly collections despite our inability to gather to celebrate Mass has been remarkable. I must admit I did not expect anything less. From the first day I arrived at St. Matthew's I knew that I was part of a very special community. During this unprecedented Coronavirus crisis you remain faithful to supporting your church community and those in particular need during this very difficult time. Please know how very grateful I am for all your kindnesses, notes, prayers and well wishes as well as your ongoing financial support. I am particularly grateful to our e-givers whose steady and regular financial support allows us to plan better and provide adequate funding for our many programs even during these troubling times. Know that I pray daily for you and your loved ones. May we all stay safe and healthy. May the sick among us know healing and may those who have died now know the fullness of eternal life in Christ Jesus.   
I also want you to know that St. Matthew's has applied for and been granted an SBA loan/grant that will allow us to continue to pay our talented and dedicated staff for the next 8 weeks. 

May God bless you abundantly with his love. 
Fr. Chris​

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
File Size: 144 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
coping_article_part2.pdf
File Size: 148 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
managing_anxiety_part_3.pdf
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
anxiety_part_4.pdf
File Size: 124 kb
File Type: pdf
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We also offer you this link (courtesy of one of our parishioners) to the Catholic Health Association of the Unites States website.  This link specifically provides spiritual resources for support during this time of COVID-19.   www.chausa.org/newsroom/coronavirus-resources/spiritual-resources-for-covid-19
We offer the following document on the Pandemic written by a parishioner who is an Ethics and Health Policy Professor at Maria College.
pandemic_review_by_david_hoffman.pdf
File Size: 131 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
 Due to social distancing,  some may be unable to connect in person.  The attached file provides some resources for on-line AA Meetings.
online_aa_meeting_list_as_of_3-20-20__1_.pdf
File Size: 329 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Sight and Sound Bus Trip

Please see the Parish Events page for information about the Bus trip to Sight and Sound's production of "Queen Esther" in July 2020.
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