Church of St. Matthew – Bulletin Insert
November 17, 2024
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Neighborhood House Collection
This 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!
Saint Paul Civic Symphony presents “Winter Romance”
Sunday, December 8, 2024, 3:00 PM
Church of Saint Matthew
Beethoven: Overture “Leonore” No. 3 in C major, Op. 72b
Beethoven: Romance for violin and orchestra Nos. 1 & 2 (Cecilia Belcher, violin)
Diamond: Symphony No. 4
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
As always, the concert is free of charge!
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Please be generous in this week’s special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Through this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect remain in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Learn more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at usccb.org/cchd.
To contribute, specially marked envelopes are available in the back of the church. Make checks out to the Church of St. Matthew with “CCHD” in the memo line.
2024 Advent and Christmas Schedule
Communal Reconciliation Service
Sunday, December 1 – 3:00 pm
Private Confessions
Saturdays – 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Sundays – after the 10:15 am Mass
Saint Paul Civic Symphony Concert
Sunday, December 8 – 3:00 pm
Men’s Club Auction
Wednesday, December 11 – 7:00 pm
Christmas Bake Sale, Boutique and Craft Fair
Saturday, December 14 – 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 15 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 15 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Christmas Story and Carols
Tuesday, December 24 – 3:45 pm
Christmas Eve Mass
Tuesday, December 24 – 4:15 pm
Christmas Day Mass
Wednesday, December 25 – 10:15 am
The Feast of the Holy Family
Saturday, December 28 – 4:15 pm
Sunday, December 29 – 10:15 am
Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – 10:15 am
Men’s Club Holiday Auction
Wednesday, December 11, 2024,7:00 PM
Church of Saint Matthew Social Hall
The Men’s Club Holiday Auction to raise funds for Parish and Community of Saints Regional Catholic School families will be held at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 11. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided.
Items auctioned include: gift cards, homemade foods, fruit boxes and donated items. Accepting donations of gift cards, homemade foods (cookies, holiday candies, your home canning specialties) and gift baskets. Contact Tim Nowak at 612-269-9471 or bring your donation to the auction.
Giving Thanks in November Fundraiser Winners
- November 11 – Rick Tibesar ($75)
- November 12 – Beatrice O’Neill ($25)
- November 13 – Samuel Nowak ($75)
- November 14 – Marjorie Arnold ($25)
- November 15 – Ann Contreras ($50)
- November 16 – Joe Hrdlicka ($100)
- November 17 – Tony and Christine Wilfahrt ($25)
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!
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!
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.
On Anointing
Jesus showed special concern for the sick, and He told His followers to have the same concern. That’s why this weekend’s Masses included a celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
I’m glad you were able to join us this weekend. Our next Anointing weekend with Mass will be in the spring.
Welcome, Fr. Mike. In the meantime, we’ve recently enlisted the services of Fr. Mike Minogue, a full-time hospital chaplain. He’s willing to help out with anointings through St. Matt’s. If interested, please call the office, and we’ll reach out to Fr. Mike.
Fr. Mike had this to say in an email to me: “It’s important to encourage parishioners to get anointed early instead of waiting for an emergency or when one is actively dying. Anointings can be offered more than once, of course, but I’ve discovered parishioners and families appreciate the healing presence of Christ’s sacramental grace during and along the journey of illness.”
Phil Grant
$CRIP – Gift Cards
Prepaid gift cards will be available for purchase after Mass on Saturdays and Sunday from now through December 22. You can also place an order for gift cards. The last day to place orders for pickup on December 21 or 22 is December 17.
Many retailers are available for purchase including:
- Arby’s, Bath & Body Works, Burger King,
- Caribou Coffee, Chipotle, Dairy Queen,
- Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Noodles & Co,
- Panera Bread, Starbucks , Subway, Taco Bell,
- Target, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Wendy’s
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.
WANTED
Crafters, Artists, Sewers, etc., for the Christmas Bake Sale Boutique and Craft Fair
at Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church Social Hall
510 Hall Avenue, Saint Paul
Saturday, December 14
12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
and
Sunday, December 15
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Table Fees: $30 for Saturday, $50 for both Saturday & Sunday
For more information, contact Becky at:
Attention All Volunteers!
You`re invited to our Liturgical New Year’s Eve Party
Join us as we celebrate the end of liturgical Year B, and welcome the Jubilee Year of Hope!
- Who: All Volunteers & their families
- What: An evening of appreciation for all the work of our volunteers over the past year
- When: Friday, November 29, 2024
- 5:00 PM – Social Hour
- 6:00 PM – Dinner (catered by Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant)
- 7:30 PM – Dancing
- Where: Church of Saint Matthew Social Hall
Please RSVP to Angela Rakow ( or 651-224-9793) with number of attendees & any song requests by November 21.
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
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.
Gifted and Belonging Meeting
Gifted and Belonging (GAB), a Catholic social club for young adults with disabilities seen and unseen, is having their next meeting on November 24, 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the Church of St. Matthew Social Hall.
GAB welcomes all young adults to get together to share a time of prayer and reflection followed by games and social activities. For more information, contact Megan at .
Come Join Boy Scout Troop 288
Boy Scout Troop 288, chartered by Community of Saints Regional Catholic School, has spots available to join the Troop. The first four boys, age 10 or in the 5th grade and above, who sign up, will have their registration fee ($205.00 value), paid for the first year. There will be fundraisers available to help pay for the second year.
For more information, contact Scoutmaster Simon Haeg at or call 651-308-8622.
Monthly Scripture Study – Gospel of Luke
The next Scripture Study, centering on the Gospel of Luke, is on Tuesday, November 19 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Parish Center Community Room (first floor).
It is facilitated by Zach Czaia and he is in touch with Fr. Steve Adrian for reflections. He 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 .
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 two chairs are provided. For more information, please contact Becky at .
See bulletins and inserts for additional news and events at the Church of Saint Matthew.
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