The parish is the place where Jesus touches our lives through the sacraments, especially through the Eucharist which we receive weekly, while some receive daily. Jesus is the center of our life and in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation we meet the loving and forgiving God. 

As you will see, our parish is involved with the activities of many people and we try to share the responsibility of stewardship by committing our time, talents and treasure.  Please consider one or two areas of service in which you will be able to serve.  In this way, you will be serving the Church and making this parish your own.  Remember the familiar saying, "Many hands make light work."

Thank you for visiting our parish and I hope you have many years as a member of our special community.

Sincerely in Christ,

The parish community of St. Matthew

 

Our Mission

St. Matthew Mission Statement:    
We, the members of the St. Matthew Parish community being many parts but one sacramental body, are sent by the love of God to make Christ present in the world. 

Declaración de la Misión de la Parroquia San Mateo:  
 Nosotros, los miembros de la comunidad parroquial de San Mateo, siendo muchas partes, pero un solo cuerpo sacramental, somos enviados por el amor de Dios para hacer presente a Cristo en el mundo.

 

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From Our Pastor:

Who started the St. Vincent DePaul Society?
 
That’s a trick question; because it wasn’t St. Vincent DePaul. It was a French lawyer, Frederick Ozanam. During the 1800s, Frederick was inspired by the life of St. Vincent to help poor people living in the slums of Paris. Actually, it is Christ who is at work here; he is always moving you and me to imitate his great love for us. We are in complete poverty, beggars who need the life that comes from heaven. And Jesus is the only one who can provide us with this greatest of all treasures. Here is how St. Paul describes it, “For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2Cor 8:9)”
 
St. Vincent recognized he was just another beggar in the world, and so he shared what he had with those in need. Blessed Frederick Ozanam, despite a wealth of education and money, recognized that he, too, was just a beggar in need of God’s grace. And so he not only helped to care for the poor, he gathered others to help him do the same. This wasn’t just a matter of tossing the poor some money and going on his way. For Frederick, it was a real contact with them, recognizing in every person a brother or sister. The present day St. Vincent DePaul Society follows this example through meeting with those in need, establishing a real, human contact. This is how Christ our God treated us when he came into this world as our brother.
 
Our parish St. Vincent DePaul Society tries to do the same. Many people in our neighborhood—your brothers and sisters—struggle with finances and life itself. Our group speaks with them and often meets with them personally. Some of these brothers and sisters are given help when possible. Others get in contact with Catholic Charities, whom we try to partner with here. As a parish, we offer $1000 a month in assistance. Other parishioners help out weekly at PADS, the homeless shelter that rotates throughout the area. And you know about special food and gift collections during the holidays. Deacon Bob Malek is the parish liaison with our parish St. Vincent DePaul Society and Chris Pekarek has been guiding things there since before I’ve  arrived. Contact them if, like St. Vincent and Blessed Frederick, you hear the voice of Christ calling you to serve your brothers and sisters in need. God bless our St. Vincent DePaul Society and all who serve there. Thank you for helping us follow Jesus more closely.
 
Tuesday, September 27 is the feast day of St. Vincent DePaul. May he continue to watch over and bless our St. Matthew parishioners who serve in the society that bears his name. St. Vincent is still an inspiration to us. He reminds us to listen for the call of Christ and serve our brothers and sisters with works of mercy. These works of mercy show our love in body and spirit, sharing our material gifts and the gift of our friendship.
 
St. Vincent DePaul and Blessed Frederick Ozanam, pray for us!
 
Fr. Jerome