Author: Nathalie Godet

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Faithful Parishioners of St. Matthias,

As we begin this new year together, I want to offer an update regarding our parish donation envelopes and share a brief summary of recent statements from Pope Leo XIV on peace—words that speak to both our spiritual mission and the realities facing our world today.

Donation Envelopes: Current Status and Next Steps

You may have noticed a delay in receiving our 2026 parish donation envelopes. Our order was placed well in advance with our usual supplier, who originally assured us that delivery would take approximately two weeks. Unfortunately, the company has notified us that the production and shipment schedule has slipped beyond that timeline due to issues with their printers.

We recognize that donation envelopes are a practical means for many parishioners to manage their weekly stewardship and support the ministries of our parish. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this delay has caused. Rest assured, we are actively monitoring the situation and maintaining regular communication with the supplier to expedite delivery.  Please consider migrating to Parish Giving in the meantime, or permanently.  Or, feel free to place your donation loose or in an envelope in the collection basket.

Concurrently, the parish finance council and administrative team are assessing alternative vendors who can meet our needs more reliably and with prompt service.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued generosity. Your faithful stewardship enables the ongoing work of worship, service, and outreach in our community.

A Synopsis of Pope Leo XIV’s Recent Statements on Peace

In these weeks and months, Pope Leo XIV has made a series of statements and appeals on the theme of peace that are both timely and spiritually grounded. His Holiness’s voice is a call to the global Church and the wider world to renew commitments to dialogue, justice, and the protection of human life.

Pope Leo’s reflections have been shaped by the contemporary landscape of international conflict and humanitarian crisis. In his Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace, released at the start of this year, the Pope emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of war but a proactive, “unarmed and disarming” pursuit that transforms hearts and societies. He insists that peace requires dialogue, the conversion of hearts, and moral clarity, and that it cannot be rooted in a reliance on arms or the logic of military dominance. Rather, peace must be nurtured through mutual trust and respect for human dignity.

This theme was reinforced in Pope Leo’s address to the diplomatic corps at the Vatican, where he warned that “war is back in vogue” and that the world is witnessing an alarming shift toward the use of force over peaceful negotiation.

In that address, he urged nations to embrace diplomacy and international law and lamented the erosion of institutions dedicated to peaceful conflict resolution.

Numerous appeals from the Holy See under Pope Leo’s leadership have focused on specific conflicts. He has called for:

  • Immediate ceasefires and humanitarian respect in Gaza, emphasizing the need for relief and adherence to international humanitarian law;
  • Just and lasting peace in Ukraine, urging negotiations that honor the dignity of all peoples affected by war;
  • Global prioritization of negotiation and reconciliation over escalation, reminding both leaders and the faithful that the Gospel calls Christians to be “peacemakers” in all aspects of life.

Pope Leo XIV’s message is consistent: peace is not passive. It is a call to active justice, compassionate dialogue, and the pursuit of what is right for every human being. He repeatedly underscores that war harms the innocent, erodes human dignity, and contradicts the Gospel’s vision of reconciliation and hope.

As members of our parish—and as citizens of the broader human family—may we take these teachings to heart. Let us pray for peace in our world and reflect the peace of Christ in our homes, our community, and our hearts.

God bless,

 Fr. Tom Lanza
Pastor, St. Matthias Parish & School

 

The Baptism of the Lord

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In every age, the Church is given a shepherd whose spirituality responds to the particular wounds and hopes of the time. Our current Holy Father, Pope Leo, has emerged as a pope deeply attuned to the spiritual restlessness of the modern world. His message is not marked by grand gestures or dramatic pronouncements, but by a steady and insistent call to rediscover God’s nearness. At the heart of Pope Leo’s spirituality is a conviction both ancient and urgently needed: God is present, active, and accessible in the ordinary texture of human life.

Pope Leo often speaks of faith as something lived, before it is debated. He resists a Christianity reduced to slogans or abstractions, insisting instead that belief must shape how we pray, work, suffer, and hope. His teaching reflects a concern that many today know about God but do not know how to live with God. In response, Pope Leo has emphasized interior conversion—quiet attentiveness to God’s presence—as the foundation for renewal in the Church and the world.

This emphasis has shaped his broader message to the global community. Pope Leo consistently reminds political leaders, economic systems, and social institutions that progress without moral grounding eventually fractures human dignity. He speaks clearly about the sacredness of human life, the responsibility to care for the poor, and the danger of allowing efficiency and power to eclipse compassion. Yet his tone is notably pastoral. Rather than condemning the modern world outright, he calls it back to its deeper vocation: to recognize the human person as created, loved, and sustained by God.

What distinguishes Pope Leo is the way he integrates contemplation and action. He does not present prayer and engagement with the world as competing priorities. Instead, he insists that authentic action flows from prayer. Without a lived awareness of God’s presence, even the most well-intentioned efforts risk becoming driven by ego, fear, or ideology. This is where Pope Leo’s spirituality finds a striking harmony with a much humbler voice from the Church’s past: Brother Lawrence.

Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite lay brother of the seventeenth century, is best known for his small but enduring work, The Practice of the Presence of God. His message was simple and radical: holiness is not found primarily in extraordinary acts, but in doing ordinary things with great love and conscious attention to God. Whether scrubbing floors or preparing meals, Brother Lawrence sought to remain quietly aware that he was in God’s presence.

Pope Leo often echoes this same insight in contemporary language. He challenges the faithful to resist compartmentalizing their lives—placing God in church while excluding Him from work, relationships, and daily responsibilities. Like Brother Lawrence, Pope Leo teaches that prayer is not confined to words, but becomes a posture of the heart. Living in God’s presence means allowing faith to permeate even the most routine moments of the day.

Together, Pope Leo and Brother Lawrence offer a compelling spiritual vision for our time. Pope Leo addresses nations, institutions, and cultures, urging them to remember the moral and spiritual foundations without which society cannot endure. Brother Lawrence reminds each individual believer that transformation begins quietly, within the soul, through fidelity in small things. One speaks from the Chair of Peter; the other from a monastery kitchen. Yet both proclaim the same truth: God desires intimacy with humanity.

For us as a parish community, this message is both consoling and challenging. It assures us that God is not distant or indifferent. At the same time, it asks something of us—to slow down, to become attentive, and to allow our faith to shape not only what we believe, but how we live. Pope Leo’s spirituality invites us to rediscover a sacred attentiveness in a distracted world, and Brother Lawrence shows us that this attentiveness is possible, even amid the demands of everyday life.

To practice the presence of God, as our Holy Father continually urges, is not to retreat from the world, but to engage it with deeper purpose. In doing so, we learn anew that God is already with us—calling us to live, serve, and love with greater trust and quiet joy.

God bless,

Fr. Tom Lanza
Pastor, St. Matthias Parish & School

 

St. Matthias Church Contribution Envelopes Delayed

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Due to unexpected machinery issues, envelope packages for the period of January 11, 2026 to March 22, 2026 the production schedule has been disrupted and delivery is delayed.

You are encouraged to log into the Parish Giving website and register to process your contributions, which will be more accurate. If you prefer not to contribute online, please use envelopes available at church or use a blank envelope to give your donation. Be sure to write your name and envelope number clearly, so we can process them accurately. If you do not know your envelope number, please include your full address. Please do not place loose checks in the basket because it will be processed differently and you will not receive the credit.

A friendly reminder that all checks should be made payable to “Church of St. Matthias” and there should be only one check per envelope.  If you have questions or concerns please reach out to the Parish Office.

God bless.

The Epiphany of the Lord

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Feast of the Epiphany draws us to the quiet yet radiant mystery of Christ revealed—not only to Israel, but to the whole world. Celebrated from the earliest centuries of the Church, Epiphany proclaims that the child born in Bethlehem is the Light for all peoples, a Savior whose mission knows no borders.

The word epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearing.” In the Western Church, this feast centers on the visit of the Magi, those wise men from the East who followed a star and found not a king enthroned in power, but a child laid in humility. In the Eastern Christian tradition, Epiphany also highlights the Baptism of the Lord, when the Father’s voice is heard and the Spirit descends. Together, these traditions remind us that God makes Himself known in concrete, visible ways—through history, through creation, and ultimately through His Son.

The Gospel for Epiphany (Matthew 2:1–12) is rich with symbolism. The Magi represent the nations, the seekers of truth who respond to the light they have been given. They are not members of the chosen people, yet they recognize what many in Jerusalem do not. Herod, for all his power, is threatened and fearful; the religious leaders know the Scriptures, yet do not move toward Bethlehem. The Magi, however, set out on a journey. They risk discomfort and uncertainty because they trust that the star is leading them somewhere meaningful.

Their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—tell us who this child is. Gold honors Christ as King; frankincense acknowledges His divinity; myrrh foreshadows His suffering and death. Even at the cradle, the Cross is in view. Epiphany reminds us that the glory of Christ is inseparable from His self-giving love.

Historically, Epiphany was one of the great baptismal feasts of the Church. New Christians were welcomed into the faith as a sign that the light of Christ had reached new hearts and new lands. Over time, popular traditions developed around this feast: blessing homes with chalk, sharing Epiphany bread or king cake, and marking doors with the initials C+M+B—often associated with the names of the Magi, but also meaning Christus mansionem benedicat (“May Christ bless this home”). These practices are not quaint customs for their own sake; they are tangible ways of proclaiming that Christ desires to dwell with us, not only in church, but in our homes and daily lives.

Epiphany also carries a deeply personal message. Each of us is, in some way, a pilgrim like the Magi. We are given signs—moments of grace, questions that stir our hearts, encounters that awaken faith—and we must decide whether we will follow them. The journey is rarely straightforward. The Magi had to pass through confusion, political danger, and a change of direction. After encountering Christ, they returned home “by another way.” A true encounter with Jesus can change our path.

As we celebrate Epiphany, the Church invites us to ask: How is Christ being revealed to me now? Where is God asking me to step out in trust, to follow the light rather than remain where it is comfortable or familiar? And just as importantly, how is Christ being revealed through me to others?

The world still longs for light. In an age marked by division, anxiety, and distraction, Epiphany assures us that God has not remained hidden. He has drawn near, and His light still shines. May we, like the Magi, recognize Him, adore Him, and then carry that light back into our homes, our parish, and our world.

 

God bless,

 Fr. Tom Lanza
Pastor, St. Matthias Parish & School

 

Greetings from Fr. Tom!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Merry Christmas!  Blessings for your Families!
 

Greetings from your recovering pastor! I watched the Midnight Mass from bed and recall Pope Leo mentioned an insight in his homily from St. Augustine: “when humans tried to become God, God decided to become human to lead us back.” My humanity was certainly affirmed as I entered this Christmas season with the flu.

I was able to celebrate Mass this morning and wanted to apprise you of my upcoming schedule.

Masses, Fr. Tom will be the celebrant:

  • January 1st- 12 pm (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God)
  • January 2nd- 8 am
  • January 4th- 10 am & 12 pm
  • January 5th-11th – I will be away on my annual retreat.

May God bless you this Christmas Season,

Fr. Tom

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The days immediately following Christmas are not an afterthought. The Church, in her wisdom, places before us three feasts that interpret the mystery we have just celebrated: the Feast of St. Stephen, the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, and the Feast of the Holy Family. Together, they remind us that the Word made flesh enters real human history, with all its beauty and cost.

On December 26, we honor St. Stephen, the first martyr. It can feel jarring to move so quickly from the joy of the Nativity to the violence of martyrdom. Yet this is precisely the point. The birth of Christ is not sentimental; it is consequential. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, bears witness to Christ not with anger or revenge, but with truth, courage, and forgiveness. As stones fall upon him, his final words echo those of Jesus on the Cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” The Child born in Bethlehem already casts a long shadow toward Calvary, and Stephen shows us that to follow Christ is to allow love to triumph even in suffering. Christmas faith is not protected from the world; it is lived within it.

The next day, December 27, we celebrate St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the beloved disciple. John stands in striking contrast to Stephen. Stephen dies for Christ; John lives long for Christ. He is the one who reclines close to Jesus at the Last Supper, who stands at the foot of the Cross, and who runs to the empty tomb. John’s witness is not sealed with blood, but with fidelity. He reminds us that holiness is not only found in dramatic sacrifice, but in steady, lifelong love. His Gospel begins not with a manger, but with eternity: “In the beginning was the Word.” John teaches us that the Child of Christmas is the eternal Son of the Father, the Light no darkness can overcome. To remain close to Christ, as John did, is itself a profound act of discipleship.

Then, within this same octave, the Church invites us to contemplate the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Here the mystery becomes even more intimate. God chooses to dwell not only among humanity, but within a family. The Holy Family was not idealized or exempt from difficulty. They knew uncertainty, displacement, obedience, silence, and trust. Joseph leads his family into exile. Mary treasures mysteries she does not fully understand. Jesus grows in wisdom and stature through ordinary days of work, prayer, and love. In them we see that family life, with all its challenges, is a privileged place of God’s presence.

Taken together, these feasts form a pattern for Christian life. St. Stephen teaches us courage and forgiveness in the face of opposition. St. John teaches us intimacy with Christ and perseverance in love. The Holy Family teaches us that faith is lived out daily, in homes, relationships, and responsibilities. Christmas is not confined to December 25. It unfolds in witness, in fidelity, and in family life.

As we continue through these holy days, may we resist the temptation to rush past them. Let us ask for Stephen’s courage, John’s closeness to Christ, and the Holy Family’s trust in God’s providence. If the Word has truly become flesh among us, then our lives, too, are meant to become a living proclamation of the Gospel.

Blessed Christmas Season,

 Fr. Tom Lanza
Pastor, St. Matthias Parish & School

 

4thSunday of Advent

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Keeping Christ at the center is not simply a design principle for a church building; it is a spiritual discipline for a parish community. The physical arrangement of our worship space teaches and reinforces what we believe. When we walk into the church and our eyes are drawn immediately to the tabernacle, placed in the center of the sanctuary behind the altar, we are reminded of the foundational truth that animates all Christian life: Christ is truly present among us. He is not symbolic, distant, or abstract. He dwells with His people. He is the One we come to adore, the One who sustains us in every joy and trial, and the One who sends us forth to live as His disciples.

Pope Leo XIII once wrote, “There can be no greater danger than forgetting God; and no greater blessing than keeping Him ever before our eyes.” That simple, incisive line speaks directly to the heart of Christian discipleship. Forgetting God does not typically happen suddenly. It happens quietly, through small compromises, through distractions, through rhythms of life that slowly edge Christ out of the center. The same can occur in a parish. When Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is treated as an afterthought, the spiritual fruits of parish life diminish. When His presence becomes our reference point, everything gains clarity and purpose.

This is why the placement of the tabernacle is not incidental. Its position at the center of the sanctuary is a proclamation in wood, stone, and gold of what we hold most dear. It situates the Eucharist at the heart of our communal life. From the moment a parishioner walks through the door, reverence becomes intuitive. Silence becomes natural. Prayer becomes almost instinctive. The church itself teaches: “Here is the Lord. Come and adore.”

Christ-centered worship space forms Christ-centered people. The gestures we make in church carry into the attitudes we carry at home, at work, and in the world. Every genuflection, every moment of silence before the tabernacle, every time a child asks, “Why do we kneel here?”, becomes catechesis. We learn to order our lives the same way the sanctuary is ordered: with Christ at the center, everything else oriented around Him.

To keep Christ at the center of life is far more demanding than keeping Him at the center of a sanctuary. It requires daily choices: choosing prayer before noise, choosing mercy when anger feels easier, choosing gratitude in seasons of discouragement, choosing to place our anxieties into His hands instead of carrying them alone. When we intentionally make space for Christ, He reshapes our priorities. He clarifies what matters. He offers peace where the world offers only distraction.

The placement of our tabernacle is also an invitation to deeper Eucharistic faith. If Christ is truly present there, then our lives must reflect that belief. We are called to approach Him with reverence, to adore Him with love, and to receive Him with a heart ready to be changed. The more we believe that Christ is truly with us, the more we imitate Him. This is what Pope Leo meant about the blessing of keeping God before our eyes. When our gaze remains fixed on Christ, we cannot help but become more like Him.

As we continue to grow as a parish, let us allow our worship space to form our hearts. When you enter the church, take a moment to pause and rest your eyes on the tabernacle. Offer a simple prayer: “Jesus, be at the center of my life today.” Let the sanctuary’s design guide your interior life. Let the presence of Christ in the Eucharist draw you into deeper holiness.

A parish that keeps Christ at the center of its worship becomes a parish that keeps Christ at the center of its mission. May our church, our homes, and our hearts reflect that singular truth: Christ dwells among us, and He leads us always to the Father.

Fr. Tom Lanza
Pastor, St. Matthias Parish & School

 

Beware of Scams!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Please be cautious of fake emails or phone calls from people claiming to be Fr. Tom, or the Pastor of St. Matthias. There has recently been an increase in spam/phishing emails.  Scams have become increasingly sophisticated; it is always a good idea to scrutinize an email address to assess its authenticity. Please know that Fr. Tom would never send an email asking for money or private information. If you receive a phone call, make sure the number is from the organization you are interfacing with. If you’re unsure, hang up and call the organization back to verify.

How We Communicate Urgent News

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

As the winter season approaches, we will periodically experience inclement weather conditions. Our Mass schedule will remain the same unless there is an extreme weather condition. Notices regarding any changes or concerns will be posted on this website under the Latest News section.

We encourage all of our parishioners to be cautious, make wise decisions, and check our website for any updates. This is our main way to communicate with the community should any emergency arise. We also send out St. Matthias Family Connect (SMFC) emails to those who have submitted their emails and are open to us sending updates on an as-needed basis.  If you would like to be included on the email list, please email bulletin@stmatthias.net your contact information.  *We do not share this list with anyone outside of St. Matthias.*

God bless.

 

3rd Sunday of Advent

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we journey through this sacred season of waiting and hope, the Church invites us to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ anew. One of the most powerful ways we do this is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation—a gift of mercy in which God restores us, strengthens us, and draws us back into His peace.

Advent is often described as a “little Lent,” a time not only of joyful anticipation but also of honest reflection. In the quiet moments of this season, we recognize where we have wandered, where relationships need healing, and where we long for a fresh start. Confession is not meant to weigh us down, but to set us free. It is Christ who meets us in our sinfulness, not with judgment, but with compassion. He lifts the burdens we carry and replaces them with grace, clarity, and renewed purpose.

Many people tell me how relieved they feel after going to confession—how the sacrament brings spiritual lightness, deeper peace, and a renewed sense of direction. Whether it has been months, years, or even decades, the Lord’s mercy is always ready, always personal, and always transformative.

With this in mind, I warmly invite all our parishioners and families to our Advent Reconciliation Service on Monday, December 15th, from 6:00 pm –7:30 pm. We will have seven priests available on the first floor of our school to hear confessions. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals, couples, parents, and children to prepare their hearts together as a family of faith.

At the same time, our usual Monday Eucharistic Adoration will take place in the main church from 6:00–8:00 pm. Whether you choose to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament before or after confession, or simply come to pray quietly, I encourage you to make this evening a moment of grace in your Advent journey.

Please join us. Come as you are. Let the Lord meet you with the mercy and love He desires to pour into your life.

 

Blessed Advent,

Fr. Tom