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
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Pastor's Message 



Americans are used to spectator events and sports. We are not as comfortable with participatory events. We watch sports events or concerts or theater performances. Generally we don't participate in them. The Mass is a participatory event. As I have said in a previous pastor's message the priest does not celebrate the Mass for us, we all celebrate the Mass together. Yet still people are uncomfortable responding, singing, praying and engaging in the Mass. That lack of response diminishes the quality of the celebration.
 
Currently we are considering the liturgy of the Word, God present to us in his holy Word, the Bible. Last week we discussed the role of the first reading, most often taken from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Whenever God was present to His people in the Old Testament, the people would respond. Often they would kneel and bow their face to the ground as Muslims do today. At other times they would sing, dance, or even cry in the presence of God or God's Word. And so in our Mass we are called to respond to God present in the first reading by a song from the Bible. These ancient songs set to new melodies are our psalm response. Yes, the psalms were written in ancient times as songs to be sung not prayers to be read. In the Mass we continue to use them as song responses to God's presence in His Word. By participating in these ritual actions of the Mass we make them real again in our time and in our lives. The Mass is a participatory event not a spectator sport.
 
Throughout the Mass we will be asked to respond to the presence of God among us. After the first reading we sing the psalm response; after the second reading we sing the Gospel acclamation (alleluia), after the Gospel/homily we respond with our prayer of the faithful (Lord, hear our prayer); after the preface to the Eucharist we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy...; after the Eucharistic prayer we sing the great Amen; after communion we sit in prayerful silence and meditation; and after the closing blessing we go out to bring God's healing love to the world. Yes, the Mass is not an event to be watched or even admired but an experience to be engaged and lived.
 
Next time the cantor goes to the lectern and sings for us the psalm refrain won't you please join with the rest of the congregation in song as we respond to God's Word with our voices?

 
Fr. Chris
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Seasonal Messages

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR
2019-2020 FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS

Registration is now open for the following 2019-2020 Faith Formation Programs:  Generations of Faith,  First Communion and Confirmation.  Please click on the links for more information about each program.

SUPER WEDNESDAYS 
FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Join us at St. Matthew's once a month for the Summer Fun Series of events for the whole family.  Please see our Parish Events page for more information.

AN EVENING WITH MATT MAHER

St. Matthew's Church will host an acoustic performance by Matt Maher on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 7:00 PM.  Please see our Parish Events page for more information.

SOUND OF HOPE - A SINGER/SONGWRITER CONTEST FOR TEENS

St. Matthew's Church is sponsoring a Singer/Songwriter Contest for teens in conjunction with a Dave Pettigrew concert to be held at St. Matthew's Church in November 2019.   Applications to enter the contest must be received by September 15, 2019.  Please see our Parish Events page for more information and for the contest application.

DAVE PETTIGREW - "THERE IS HOPE"

St. Matthew's Church will host Dave Pettigrew in concert on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 6:00 PM.  Please see our Parish Events page for more information.