The Best Catholic Content – All in One Place!
St. Matthew is excited to announce that our parish is subscribed to FORMED.org. This is a dynamic online gateway to the best teaching videos, audio, and e-books to deepen your relationship with Christ and His church. This allows every parishioner to have 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device, including your computer, smartphone and tablet with internet access. Many have called it “The Catholic Netflix”!
It’s Easy to Access!
- Visit stmatthewchurch.formed.org
- Enter your email address and zip code, then create a password and then click on ‘create an account’
- You’re in! And best of all access is free!
- Apple users may search ‘formed’ in the iOS App store and Android users may search in the Google Play Store. The App is free and the access is being provided to you by St. Matthew so why wait?! Get Formed today!
Also, add the AMEN app. https://amenapp.org/signup
Why Amen?
Christian meditation, led by the Spirit, leads us to this dialogue with Jesus. There is no page of the Gospel in which there is no place for us. For us Christians, meditating is a way to encounter Jesus.
—Pope Francis, General Audience, April 28, 2021
We know God tirelessly calls each person to encounter Him through prayer. Yet, we also know that obstacles continually block the way—whether it is distraction, spiritual dryness, or dwindling motivation. That’s why we created Amen. Through a variety of faithful prayers, trusted meditations, daily devotionals, and nourishing Scripture, Amen guides you to deepen your life of prayer and find rest in God. Amen assembles the most trusted Catholic minds and theologians to offer you peace through prayer, from the moment you wake to when you go to sleep.
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20).
We are here to help you do just that. So, let’s start with Amen.
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Please call Christine Balaty at 630-469-6300.
What is Alpha
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.
Information on St Matthew Parish’s Alpha offerings will be coming soon…
R.C.I.A.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process in which adults come into communion with the Catholic Church. This process is intended for adults who have never been baptized, those who were baptized in Christian tradition other than Catholic, and for those who were baptized Catholic but have not received any formation or celebrated Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
For those wanting to inquire about the Catholic faith or receive the sacraments for the first time, contact Christine Balaty at the Parish Center at (630) 469-6300.
Download the Parent Release Form
What is Totus Tuus? It’s a week-long Catholic summer camp held at St. Matthew and other parishes in the Diocese of Joliet led by college students and Diocese of Joliet seminarians. There is a day program for youth going into grades 1-6 and an evening program for teens going into grades 7-12. Totus Tuus focuses on the teachings of the Catholic Church, devotion to Mary, Eucharistic adoration, and FUN!!!
Save the date!!! St. Matthew is hosting Totus Tuus July 11-15 for the first time post-covid, and we are getting ready! Registrations will be in this week’s bulletin and accessible on our website. As we get ready, here are some things we need from the St. Matthew Parish community to make this year’s Totus Tuus a success!
- Families to house the college students/seminarians (missionaries) running Totus Tuus for the week that may have college or adult children that are out of the home, elder parishioners, single parishioners, or younger parishioners that do not yet have children.
- The Totus Tuus missionaries will need housing from Saturday night, July 9 through Friday morning, July 16.
- It would be great to have 2 host families – one for two girls and another for 2 young men.
- Host families would provide a light continental breakfast available each morning Sunday morning through Friday morning
- Host families or families with children or teens in the program are needed to provide dinner from Sunday night through Thursday night
- Parishioners are needed to provide lunch for the college students/seminarians (missionaries) running Totus Tuus for the week.
- Volunteers can bring take out or homemade lunches for the four missionaries on any day of the week from Sunday, July 10 – Thursday, July 14. Also, an adult needs to be with the missionaries during their lunch time break.
- Confirmation Candidates going into grades 7 and 8 or going into their 2nd year of Faith Formation preparation for Confirmation to be junior high and high school helpers for classroom activities, help for lunches and snack time, buddies for children that may need extra help to participate in the activities. This is a great opportunity for Confirmation service hours!!!
- If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Faith Formation office for teen volunteer Protecting God’s Children forms and training information.
Contact: Christine Balaty for more information. cbalaty@stmatthewchurch.org
Enrollment Information:
Youth Faith Formation
St. Matthew Parish has adopted a formation program that helps families keep holy the Lord’s Day. All general faith formation will take place on Sundays in our St. Matthew School AND in our parish church at Mass. St. Matthew Faith Formation is designed to support the parents in their role as the primary teachers of faith for their children (from the Rite of Baptism).
Families must be registered and active members of the St. Matthew Parish family before participating in our St. Matthew Faith Formation.
Families will have the choice between three sessions taking into consideration what Mass the family participates in. The Sunday Formation sessions are 40 minutes in length and run from mid-September through mid-May.
This is a Lectionary based catechetical approach and is based on grade level. We can accommodate every grade level at any of the three se.ssions. Preparation for celebrating sacraments is in addition to Sunday Formation. All students seeking to celebrate Confession, First Communion, and/or Confirmation must be enrolled in our Sunday Formation Program.
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Sunday Faith Formation
BILINGUAL FAMILY HANDBOOK click here
9:10am Session – families may either participate in the 8am Mass and then have the children attend their formation class or attend their formation class first and then, as a family, participate in the 10am Mass. This session ends at 9:50am.
11:10am Session – the timing of this session allows families the opportunity to participate in the 10am Mass and then have their children attend their faith formation class or have their children attend their faith formation class first and then, as a family, participate in the 12 noon Mass. This session ends at 11:50am.
12:40pm Session – Families choosing to have their children attend this session must have the intention to participate in the 1:30pm Mass in Español. This session ends at 1:20pm.
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Sacramental Preparation
Children seeking to celebrate sacraments must be in their second year of Sunday Formation. Good attendance for Sunday Formation classes is a requirement to be enrolled for sacramental preparation classes. At the time of enrollment we will review with each family the sacramental needs of each child and enroll them in the appropriate classes.
Reconciliation (Confession) Classes – are six 1.5 hour sessions on Saturday mornings (click here for calendar).
Communion (Eucharist) Classes – are six 1.5 hour sessions on Saturday mornings (click here for calendar).
Confirmation Classes – Students preparing for Confirmation will begin their first year of formation through Sunday Faith Formation. In their second year of formation, candidates will attend seven Confirmation classes which are held on Wednesday evenings and are 1.5 hours each (click here for calendar). Candidates for Confirmation are also required to participate in a Confirmation Retreat and to demonstrate their ‘Love of Neighbor’ by completing service projects.
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Enrollment in Parish Faith Formation Programs
Enrollment procedures:
Children in each family should be enrolled every year from 1st to 8th grades regardless of whether they are preparing to receive Sacraments.
New Enrollments
- All families must be registered parishioners.
- Photocopies of Baptismal certificates are required at the time of registration.
- If transferring from another parish, a letter stating the status of your child’s catechetical formation is necessary.
- Families that have moved into the area during the school year will be given individual consideration.
- Tuition and all other fees are expected to be paid in full at the time of Enrollment. This allows us to maintain an affordable program.
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Re – Enrollment
For families currently enrolled in the program, the procedure is as follows.
- Enrollment information for the upcoming year will be available in mid-April.
- Tuition and all other fees are expected to be paid in full at the time of Enrollment.
- Parents (or legal guardians) must complete the enrollment form.
- Parents are expected to attend a parent meeting scheduled just before classes begin.
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Tuition
The tuition and other fees cover a portion of the program expenditures. The parish subsidizes the remaining costs. Revenues are applied toward facility usage, the cost of classroom materials (including textbooks where applicable), and the formation of the catechists.
All families are expected to pay the tuition and other fees. However, no child will be denied faith formation or Sacraments due to financial difficulties. Families should contact the Faith Formation Office (630-469-6300 ext. 318) in these matters.
| 2024-2025 Tuition Schedule (prior to June 15, 2024) Sunday Formation tuition is $225.00 per family regardless of the number of children in the family. Families may not be combined. | 2024-2025 Tuition Schedule (after June 15, 2024) Sunday Formation tuition is $250.00 per family regardless of the number of children in the family. Families may not be combined. |
Sacramental Fees
First Reconciliation (Confession): $20.00 per student (payable in the second year of preparation)
First Communion: $40.00 (payable in the second year of preparation)
Confirmation: $75.00 (payable in the second year of preparation)
Confirmation Retreat: $30.00 (payable in the second year of preparation)
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Emergency School Closing
Click here for Emergency Closing Center
In the event of severe weather, St. Matthew will communicate to families of our Faith Formation program in many ways including local television and radio as well as the internet. The most effective way to monitor emergency closing situation is by clicking on the link below for up to date information.
You may also choose to sign up for E-mail notification on the Emergency Closing Center website so if Faith Formation classes/activities are cancelled, you would automatically receive a message.
Información de inscripción:
Formación en la Fe de los Jóvenes
La Parroquia de San Mateo ha adoptado un programa de formación que ayuda a las familias a santificar el Día del Señor. Toda la formación de fe general se llevará a cabo los domingos en nuestra Escuela de San Mateo Y en nuestra iglesia parroquial durante Misa. La Formación de Fe de San Mateo está diseñada para apoyar a los padres en su papel de maestros principales de fe para sus hijos (desde el Rito Bautismal).
Las familias deben estar registradas y ser miembros activos de la familia de la Parroquia de San Mateo antes de participar en nuestra Formación de Fe de San Mateo.
Las familias podrán elegir entre tres sesiones teniendo en cuenta la Misa en la que participa la familia. Las sesiones dominicales de formación tienen una duración de 40 minutos y se extienden desde mediados de septiembre hasta mediados de mayo.
Este es un enfoque catequético basado en el Leccionario y se basa en el nivel de grado. Podemos acomodar todos los niveles de grado en cualquiera de las tres sesiones. La preparación para la celebración de los sacramentos se suma a la formación dominical. Todos los estudiantes que deseen celebrar la Confesión, la Primera Comunión y/o la Confirmación deben estar inscritos en nuestro Programa de Formación Dominical.
Formación en la Fe Dominical
MANUAL BILINGÜE DE LA FAMILIA haga clic aquí
Sesión de las 9:10 a.m. – las familias pueden participar en la Misa de las 8 a.m. y luego hacer que los niños asistan a su clase de formación o asistir primero a su clase de formación y luego, como familia, participar en la Misa de las 10 a.m. Esta sesión termina a las 9:50 a.m.
Sesión de las 11:10 a.m. – el horario de esta sesión permite a las familias la oportunidad de participar en la Misa de las 10 a.m. y luego hacer que sus hijos asistan a su clase de formación en la fe o que sus hijos asistan primero a su clase de formación en la fe y luego, como familia, participar en la Misa de las 12 del mediodía. Esta sesión termina a las 11:50 a.m.
Sesión de las 12:40 p.m. – Las familias que elijan que sus hijos asistan a esta sesión deben tener la intención de participar en la Misa de la 1:30 p.m. en español. Esta sesión termina a la 1:20 pm.
Preparación Sacramental
Los niños que deseen celebrar los sacramentos deben estar en su segundo año de formación dominical. La buena asistencia a las clases de formación dominical es un requisito para estar inscrito en las clases de preparación sacramental. En el momento de la inscripción revisaremos con cada familia las necesidades sacramentales de cada niño y los inscribiremos en las clases apropiadas.
Clases de Reconciliación (Confesión) – son seis sesiones de 1.5 horas los sábados por la mañana (haga clic aquí para ver el calendario).
Clases de Comunión (Eucaristía) – son seis sesiones de 1.5 horas los sábados por la mañana (haga clic aquí para ver el calendario).
Clases de Confirmación – Los estudiantes que se preparan para la Confirmación comenzarán su primer año de formación a través de la Formación de Fe Dominical. En su segundo año de formación, los candidatos asistirán a siete clases de Confirmación que se llevan a cabo los miércoles por la noche y duran 1.5 horas cada una (haga clic aquí para ver el calendario). Los candidatos de la Confirmación también deben participar en un Retiro de Confirmación y demostrar su “Amor al prójimo” completando proyectos de servicio.
Inscripción en Programas Parroquiales de Formación en la Fe
Procedimientos de inscripción:
Los niños de cada familia deben ser inscritos cada año desde el 1º hasta el 8º grado, independientemente de si se están preparando para recibir los sacramentos.
Nuevas inscripciones
- Todas las familias deben ser feligreses registrados.
- Se requieren fotocopias de los certificados de bautismo en el momento de la inscripción.
- Si se transfiere de otra parroquia, es necesaria una carta que indique el estado de la formación catequética de su hijo.
- Las familias que se hayan mudado al área durante el año escolar recibirán consideración individual.
- Se espera que la matrícula y todas las demás tarifas se paguen en su totalidad en el momento de la inscripción. Esto nos permite mantener un programa asequible.
Re-Inscripción
Para las familias actualmente inscritas en el programa, el procedimiento es el siguiente.
- La información de inscripción para el próximo año estará disponible a mediados de abril.
- Se espera que la matrícula y todas las demás tarifas se paguen en su totalidad en el momento de la inscripción.
- Los padres (o tutores legales) deben completar el formulario de inscripción.
- Se espera que los padres asistan a una reunión de padres programada justo antes de que comiencen las clases
Costo de Registración
El costo de registración y otras cuotas cubren una parte de los gastos del programa. La parroquia subsidia los costos restantes. Los ingresos se aplican al uso de las instalaciones, el costo de los materiales de clase (incluidos los libros de texto cuando corresponda) y la formación de los catequistas.
Se espera que todas las familias paguen la inscripción y otras cuotas. Sin embargo, a ningún niño se le negará la formación en la fe o los sacramentos debido a dificultades financieras. Las familias deben comunicarse con la Oficina de Formación de Fe (630-469-6300 ext. 318) en estos asuntos.
| Calendario de pagos 2024-2025 (antes del 15 de junio de 2024) El costo anual de formación dominical es de $225.00 por familia, independientemente del número de niños en la familia. Las familias no pueden combinarse. | Horario de pagos 2024-2025 (después del 15 de junio de 2024) El costo anual de la formación dominical es de $250.00 por familia, independientemente del número de niños en la familia. Las familias no pueden combinarse. |
Cuotas sacramentales
Primera Reconciliación (Confesión): $20.00 por estudiante (pagadero en el segundo año de preparación)
Primera Comunión: $40.00 (pagadero en el segundo año de preparación)
Confirmación: $75.00 (pagadero en el segundo año de preparación)
Retiro de Confirmación: $30.00 (pagadero en el segundo año de preparación)
Cierre de emergencia de escuelas
Haga clic aquí para ver el Centro de Cierre de Emergencia
En caso de clima severo, San Mateo se comunicará con las familias de nuestro programa de Formación en la Fe de muchas maneras, incluyendo la televisión y la radio locales, así como el Internet. La forma más efectiva de monitorear la situación de cierre de emergencia es haciendo clic en el enlace a continuación para obtener información actualizada.
También puede optar por inscribirse para recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico en el sitio web del Centro de Cierre de Emergencia, de modo que, si se cancelan las clases/actividades de Formación en la Fe, recibirá automáticamente un mensaje.
Don’t Forget to Check out What Many People Are Calling the “Catholic Netflix!” Formed® Has Cartoons & More for Kids, Movies for The Family, Great Stuff for Teens and Much, Much More!
Click Here for More Information → Formed!
“I.M.P.A.C.T.”
“I.M.P.A.C.T.” is a program for teens and is offered for students in 8th through 12th grades on Sunday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. The group meets in the school and teens can enter using door #4. The format provides spiritual growth, fellowship, service and social time. Students are encouraged to attend on a regular basis, but may begin at any time. Being an active member of the youth group will satisfy the Service Project component required for Confirmation.
Catholic Heart Work Camp
Each summer teens from our parish participate in a summer mission/service trip in which we serve the needy. We partner with Catholic Heart Workcamp for these trips and you can find out more about this opportunity by visiting http://heartworkcamp.com/
