Church of St. Matthew – Bulletin Insert
November 10, 2024
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Turkey Bingo, Saturday, November 9, 2024
Men’s Club’s annual Turkey Bingo is on Saturday, November 9 in the Social Hall after the 4:15 PM Mass.
Doors open at 5:00 PM and bingo starts at 5:30 PM. There will be 12 games for turkeys (cash if there are multiple winners in a game), 3 games for cash prizes and a raffle for turkeys. Children, accompanied by an adult, are eligible to play bingo. Food, beer, wine and pop are available for purchase. Featured meal will be Turkey Wild Rice Hot Dish. Burgers and hotdogs will also available.
Giving Thanks in November Fundraiser Winners
- November 4 – Thomas Maloney ($25)
- November 5 – Joyce Osborne ($50)
- November 6 – Duane Wesp ($150)
- November 7 – Janet Lackner ($75)
- November 8 – Becky Montgomery & Dave Haley ($50)
- November 9 – Becky Montgomery & Dave Haley ($100)
- November 10 – Peggy Finnegan ($50)
Congratulations to all the winners! Watch the bulletin for next set of winners.
Thanks to all who participated in our fifth annual Giving Thanks in November Fundraiser!
Monthly Scripture Study – Gospel of Luke
St. Matthew is offering a monthly Scripture Study, centering on the Gospel of Luke, facilitated by Zach Czaia. The second meeting is on Tuesday, November 19 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Parish Center Community Room (first floor).
Zach is in touch with Fr. Steve Adrian for reflections and will work to incorporate those into the prayer and conversations together.
You do not have to have attended the first meeting to join. Let Zach know if you’re planning to come, or if you have any questions at .
Neighborhood House Collection
Next weekend is the monthly Neighborhood House collection. There will be a basket by the main entrance for you to place your non-perishable or monetary donation.
During the month of October, St. Matthew donated 36 pounds of food. On behalf of Neighborhood House and the people it serves, thank you for your generosity!
WANTED – Crafters, Artists and Sewers
We are looking for Crafters, Artists and Sewers for the Rosary Society Bake Sale, Boutique and Craft Sale.
The event will be Saturday, December 14 from 12:00 to 5:30 PM and Sunday, December 15 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Saint Matt’s Social Hall. Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday during the same hours as the Bake Sale, Boutique and Craft Fair.
The cost is $30 for just Saturday, and $50 for both Saturday and Sunday. Two tables and 2 chairs are provided. For more information, please contact Becky at .
Saint Paul Civic Symphony Concert
Sunday, December 8, 2024, 3:00 PM
Church of Saint Matthew
Save the date for the return of Saint Paul Civic Symphony in December. More details in future bulletins.
Isaac’s Blessing Bags – Donations Needed
This fall, I was invited back to speak once again at the “Night of Light” Aim Higher Foundation Gala. I was honored to connect with over 700 people to highlight the importance of Catholic education. I spoke from my heart regarding my ongoing mission to help our unsheltered relatives in need.
Every year, we continue to work together to gather items for Isaac’s Blessing Bags, and every year St. Matthew’s Parish reminds me how blessed I am to be part of such a loving community!
Please consider giving again this year. Each item donated makes a huge difference in someone’s life. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for always supporting my mission!
Sincerely,
Isaac Garcia
2024 List of Items Needed
- Warm socks
- Hat
- Gloves
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Hand warmers
- Water/Drinks
- Snacks
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Travel size tissue
- Tarps
- Place your donations in large bins in the back of the church by Sunday, December 1. Thank you!
Ofrenda – Offering
The month of November is a time when we honor and remember our deceased loved ones, beginning on All Saints & All Souls Day. In Spanish and Latin traditions, this is known as Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of both life and death, and a reminder that the dead remain alive in our hearts and community. An important part of this tradition is the Ofrenda, meaning offering. It is also the traditional altar constructed to honor departed family members. An ofrenda symbolizes the connection between the living and the dead, and that death is not the end.
During the month of November, families are invited to place framed photos of departed family and friends, items that remind you of them, or things they enjoyed on our ofrenda in the back of church.
You will be able to pick up your items at the end of the month.
Cristina Czaia
Director of Music and Liturgy
$CRIP – Gift Cards
Prepaid gift cards will be available for purchase after Mass on Saturdays and Sunday from November 10 to December 22. You can also place an order for gift cards.
They will also be available for purchase before and after the Turkey Bingo on November 9 in the Social Hall. The last day to place orders for pickup on December 21 or 22 is December 17.
Proceeds from the program benefit the parish. If you need gift cards before the holiday season, please get them early. Contact Tim Nowak or the parish office for more information.
ECFFF Leader Training
St. Matthew is starting an ECFFF (Early Childhood Family Faith Formation) program in January 2025 for families with children birth to five years old.
To help our program succeed, we need:
1. Parent Leaders, to facilitate parent conversations. Parent leaders are expected to attend training sessions*.
2. Early Childhood Leaders, to facilitate parent/ child group time, circle time, and children’s play. Early Childhood Leaders are also expected to attend training sessions*.
3. Early Childhood Assistants, to assist the leaders. Assistants must be age 12 or older.
Training will take place at St. Matthew on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Training is free and sponsored by St. Matt’s and run through the Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL) program. There is no cost to you.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Cristina Czaia at
Cristina Czaia
Director of Music and Liturgy
ECFFF Leader Training
St. Matthew is starting an ECFFF (Early Childhood Family Faith Formation) program in January 2025 for families with children birth to five years old.
To help our program succeed, we need:
1. Parent Leaders, to facilitate parent conversations. Parent leaders are expected to attend training sessions*.
2. Early Childhood Leaders, to facilitate parent/ child group time, circle time, and children’s play. Early Childhood Leaders are also expected to attend training sessions*.
3. Early Childhood Assistants, to assist the leaders. Assistants must be age 12 or older.
Training will take place at St. Matthew on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Training is free and sponsored by St. Matt’s and run through the Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL) program. There is no cost to you.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Cristina Czaia at
Cristina Czaia
Director of Music and Liturgy
The Sounds and Sights of Saint Matthew
If you would like to schedule a day to ring the bells or a week to light the sanctuary lamp for your special memory, person or event, please contact the parish office at 651-224-9793 by 1:00 PM, Monday – Thursday.
Donations to Casper’s Thanksgiving Dinner
In 2023, Casper’s Thanksgiving Dinner was able to serve over 5,500 people for those in need and homebound.
They will once again be providing free Thanksgiving dinner this year. If you would like to support this cause, a donation can be made to:
Cherokee Charitable Thanksgiving Meal Fund
C/O Old National Bank
66 Thompson Avenue East
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
651-451-1111
Casper’s
4625 Nicols Road
Eagan, MN 55122
651-454-6744
Thanksgiving Dinner from Casper’s of Eagan
The wonderful tradition of free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will continue this year! All meals will be curbside pick-up only.
Meals will be available for pick up on Thanksgiving Day, November 28 at the Church of Saint Joseph parking lot, 1138 Seminole Avenue, West Saint Paul. There are two time slots for pick up: 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Meal delivery is available for the morning time only.
Tickets are needed for the meal and they are available at the parish office. You can call the parish office at (651) 224-9793 to reserve your ticket. Please provide your name, phone number, and number of meals you will be picking up.
Call the parish office by Wednesday, November 20 to place your order for tickets.
Book of Remembrance
During November, a book will be placed at the front entrance to the church where you may write the names of deceased family and friends. This book will then be moved to the sanctuary at the beginning of each Mass throughout the month of November.
Baptism Preparation for Children 6 years and younger
At St. Matthew, Baptism Preparation meetings are offered on a regular basis — usually the third week of every month.
The next meetings are on:
Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 16 at 10:30 AM
Preparation meetings are required for parents and guardians with children aged six or younger. If you have had a child baptized at St. Matt’s in the last five years, you may waive this requirement — but you’re invited to attend a meeting if you wish.
Registration is required, at least one week in advance. To register — or for more information —please contact Cristina Czaia () or call the Parish Office (651-224-9793).
Baptism Preparation for Children 7-13 Years Old
Baptism Preparation for children age 7-13 and their parents will involve three classes over the months of November through January, on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 13 at 5:00 PM
Wednesday, December 18 at 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 15 at 5:00 PM
Attendance is required for parents/guardians, and their children.
Baptisms for older children will occur in February, before Lent so that these children are prepared to make their First Communion during the Easter season with their peers.
First Communion formation is done through our Faith Formation program. Please email Janelle Rohr () for more information on First Communion preparation.
Registration for the baptism preparation classes is required by Thursday, November 7. To register – or for more information – please contact Cristina Czaia () or call the Parish Office (651-224-9793).
Attention Parents – ECFFF (Birth to Age 5)
Are you interested in an opportunity to connect with other parents in our community? Would you like to deepen your relationship with your child through playful worship and faith sharing? How about helpful discussions on parenting and early childhood?
If so, consider ECFFF: Early Childhood Family Faith Formation. St. Matt’s is starting an ECFFF program, and it welcomes families with children birth to five years old.
We plan to start the program beginning in January 2025. For more information or to sign up, please contact Cristina Czaia at
Volunteering with Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes is a nonprofit organization with a mission to serve free, healthy meals to Minnesotans where the need is greatest. Loaves & Fishes has been serving free community meals from the St. Matthew Social Hall since 2006. Currently, St. Matthew hosts one of the largest free community meals for the organization.
Volunteers work with a Site Coordinator to chop fruits/veggies, complete salads, and finish entrees during the Preparation/Package shift. Throughout the Service Shift, volunteers pass out meals and greet guests in drive-up or walk-up service. They also assist with keeping service materials organized and light cleanup.
Loaves & Fishes is in need of more volunteers! To volunteer at St. Matthew, go to https://app.initlive.com:443/JE/sn85yp14q9vcal to sign up.
For youth participation guidelines, contact Loaves & Fishes Director of Volunteer & Outreach at .
See bulletins and inserts for additional news and events at the Church of Saint Matthew.
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