Greetings, Fall is finally here! I hope everyone gets a chance to walk outside and enjoy the colorful leaves. My family and I are already getting ready to accept donations. Last Holiday season was a record breaker for Isaac's Blessing Bags. We hand delivered over 250 bags! I couldn't have done it without the heartfelt donations that were donated by St. Matthew's Parishioners and families. I delivered all over the Twin Cities. It was important to me that people had warm clothing and warm food. So my mom and I made Wild Rice Soup for so many people downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. They … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2023
Community Service
Reading and math tutors needed for COS and Holy Trinity
We are looking for tutors to help in our local Catholic Schools. Dick McGuire, the president of Catholic Tutor Corps, has contacted our parish asking for volunteers who would be willing to help bring students up to grade level proficiency in reading and/or math. A couple tutors are needed at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School (COS) for Reading and also for Upper-Level Math. There is also a need at Holy Trinity in So. St. Paul for tutors in all grade levels. Simple lesson plans are provided. Our parishioners have a history of reaching out to students who need one on one tutoring. In … [Read more...] about Reading and math tutors needed for COS and Holy Trinity
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2022 – Thank You
We would like to express our gratitude to all of the donors who felt moved to donate to Isaac's Blessing Bags again this winter season. Every year Isaac prepares to sort and deliver as many blessing bags as possible. This year, he decided to ask a few friends from Cretin Derham Hall to join in on his mission. They put together and delivered blessing bags in downtown Saint Paul. Isaac and his friends will continue to make deliveries throughout the year, to anyone who may be in need. We could not fulfill the needs of our community without the ongoing support from St. Matthew's Church. We are … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2022 – Thank You
Calling All Bakers, Treat and Candy Makers (2022)
Your skills and creations are needed for the Rosary Society Christmas Bake Sale the weekend of December 10th and 11th. As you begin baking and making items for this Holiday Season, please bake and make some extra and donate it to the Rosary Society’s Christmas Bake Sale. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The money raised is used to cover our operational costs and the annual donations we make to charitable organizations, including Saint Matt’s, Casa Guadalupana, Loaves and Fishes, Neighborhood House, Neighbors, Inc., and Our Lady of Good Counsel Cancer Home. You can drop off your … [Read more...] about Calling All Bakers, Treat and Candy Makers (2022)
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2022
Isaac Garcia, a junior at Cretin-Derham Hall, will once again be collecting donations for Isaac’s Blessing Bags. The donations are accepted through December 1, 2022. Please download and read this bulletin insert: Isaac's Blessing Bags Bulletin Insert 2022.pdf Isaac is collecting items such as: socks, hats, gloves, boots, scarves coats, jackets, sweaters, hand warmers toothpastes, toothbrushes, deodorants, soaps combs, disposable razors, travel size tissues diapers, small toys for babies and children fruit snacks, granola bars, bottled water You can place your donations in large bins … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2022
Parish Administrator’s Note – October 9, 2022
A CREATIVE CHURCH? A few weekends ago (September 18), Fr. Steve explained the story of the so-called “bad steward.” (If you missed it or want to review, visit our website, www.st-matts.org, where you can find recordings of our online masses. The homily begins at about 18 minutes into the recording.) I was struck by Fr. Steve’s emphasis on the steward’s creativity in relieving local peasant farmers from crushing debt. He wasn’t a bad steward, who cheated his master. Rather, he was an entrepreneur, seeking opportunities for everyone to win: his master, the indebted peasants, and even himself. … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – October 9, 2022
Who will answer the call?
The Community of St. Matthew includes more than parishioners. Loaves and Fishes, St. Mary’s Clinic, Casa Guadalupana, People of Praise and Quantum STEAM Academy all benefit from St. Matthew’s presence on the West Side. And these programs serve many people, well beyond the parish membership. We need strong parish leadership to continue to be the Good Samaritan on St. Paul’s West Side. We will have 5 vacancies on the Parish Council this spring, and are looking for replacements: people who care about the parish as well as the community around us, people who want us all to thrive. Will you … [Read more...] about Who will answer the call?
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2021
Isaac’s Wish — To Help Homeless “My name is Isaac. I want to help the homeless!” Isaac Garcia is a Sophomore at Cretin Derham Hall. Shortly after his family moved from IGH to near Mounds Park, Isaac noticed the many people walking to a church in their neighborhood. This church offers services to those who are homeless. As winter approached, he began asking, “Where are they going to go? As it got colder outside, Isaac thought about the people he saw every day. He thought about what he might be able to do to help them. He wrote down his thoughts and titled it, “Isaac’s Christmas … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2021
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2020
Isaac’s Wish — To Help Homeless “My name is Isaac. I want to help the homeless!” Isaac Garcia is a Freshman at Cretin Derham Hall. Shortly after his family moved from Inver Grove Heights to near Mounds Park in St. Paul, Isaac noticed the many people walking to a church in their neighborhood. This church offers services to those who are homeless. As winter approached, he began asking, ”Where are they going to go? What will they do?” As it got colder outside, Isaac thought about the people he saw every day. He thought about what he might be able to do to help them. He wrote down his thoughts … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2020
Cerenity Care Humboldt will be hosting a Virtual Job Fair
Cerenity Care Humboldt will be hosting a Virtual Job Fair next week from June 8 to June 10. Please click on this link https://www.facebook.com/events/2504562689805140 and get the event details. We have positions for nurse aides, culinary staff, and other options including full- and part-time positions. This is a great opportunity especially for high school students who have found their usual summer job unavailable this year due to Covid19. We hope you are able to promote this opportunity to work in a faith-based organization doing work that is truly making a difference in the lives of our … [Read more...] about Cerenity Care Humboldt will be hosting a Virtual Job Fair
Catholic Services Appeal 2020
Serve the poor, support life and strengthen the faith! Video for the 2020 Catholic Services Appeal. More info here: archspm.org/catholic-services-appeal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMWUaNQUVc Prayers of the Faithful for 2020 CSA (To be used February 1 through March 8) For our neighbors in need who receive help from the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation. May we join in serving the poor, supporting life, and strengthening the Faith. We Pray to the Lord. Oraciones de los Fieles para CSA 2020 (Se utilizará del 1 de febrero al 8 de marzo) Por nuestros vecinos necesitados que reciben … [Read more...] about Catholic Services Appeal 2020
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2019: Catholic Spirit article
Isaac Garcia, an 8th grader at Community of Saints School, helped bring Christmas again this year to homeless people. Last year, at COS, he organized the collection of enough items to gift over 100 people at a local homeless shelter. This year, St. Matthew's offered to help Isaac collect items for gifts. Donations included hand warmers, socks, hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, boots, jackets, bottled water, soap, fruit snacks, granola bars, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, hair brushes disposable razors, small toys for babies & children, and diapers. Here is an article that appeared in … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2019: Catholic Spirit article
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2019
"My Name is Isaac. I want to help the homeless!” Two weeks ago Isaac Garcia, an 8th grader at Community of Saints School, spoke at both masses telling us of his wish to bring Christmas to the homeless people. Last year, at COS, he collected enough items to gift over 100 people at a local homeless shelter. This year we at St. Matthew's have offered to help him collect items for gifts. Until the weekend of Dec. 7th & 8th donations may be left back by the Scrip table. Suggestions from Isaac were: Hand warmers, socks, hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, boots, and jackets all for men, women … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2019
Volunteer Opportunities and Parish Needs, 11-10-2019
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 We need volunteers to continue the work of serving our parish and community. Currently we have 3 continuing opportunities. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Need Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Physicians and EMTs who would be willing to volunteer on the first weekend of the month, after Sat. & Sun. Masses. Blood pressure cuffs will be provided. MUSICIANS In need of Choir members, Cantors & Instrumentalists. The choir sings … [Read more...] about Volunteer Opportunities and Parish Needs, 11-10-2019
Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTqfUOIDWcY Featured at the Aim Higher Foundation's Night of Light celebration, the video "Isaac's Blessing Bags" is a look at one of the more than 1,300 Aim Higher Scholars and his impact on the local community. The Foundation made this video about Isaac for the event. For its Advent 2017 service project, Community of Saints helped those in need, thanks to the amazing idea of then-sixth-grader Isaac Garcia. Students collected items to create “Blessing Bags” that were distributed to people who were homeless and/or in need. An article about the project called … [Read more...] about Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2018
Food From The Heart: Neighborhood House food donations
On October 20 and 21 the third Sunday of the month, 325 pounds of food and personal care items were collected for Neighborhood House from St. Matthew’s parish. Through your generous donations friends and neighbors in the area are able to access nutritious food for themselves and their families. Your donations make a world of difference to families who are hungry. Our next food collection weekend will be on November 17 & 18, 2018. Thank you for helping to feed our friends and neighbors, please be as generous as you are able to be. … [Read more...] about Food From The Heart: Neighborhood House food donations
2017 in Review
Parish Life in 2017: Worship, Faith Formation, Finances and Outreach Download full letter from Fr. Bob: January 2018 Letter from Fr. Bob Church of Saint Matthew 510 Hall Avenue - St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 Mailing Address: 490 Hall Avenue - St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 st-matts.org 651.224.9793 January 2018 Dear Church of St. Matthew Parishioner, With the grace of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and your support, the Church of St. Matthew did great things in 2017. With the grace of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the support of each member the Church of St. … [Read more...] about 2017 in Review
