The noon Mass on Sunday, August 4th will be the farewell Mass for Dee Nann on her retirement after 27 years of ministry at St. Matthias. Following the Mass, we will have the opportunity to personally offer her well wishes in the cafeteria over some light refreshments.
All are welcome to join us, especially our GIFT families and members of our small faith groups, as we thank Dee for her many years of dedicated service to our faith community.
This year, St. Matthias will again celebrate the Christmas Season by illuminating our church and school property with beautiful, personalized, 5-6-foot, freshly-cut Christmas trees in the field next to the church, as we “Spread the Light”. It is not too early to secure your family tree to honor your loved ones, family occasions or business. Join us by sponsoring a tree. The cost remains at $200 per tree. The deadline to sponsor a tree is Friday, October 11, 2024, since we need to pre-order the batch of trees. We have 280 trees to sponsor so order early and don’t miss out on this beautiful display that honors our loved ones and brings joy to our community. Click here for more details and to order a tree.
Many of you have probably noticed some changes on the wall behind the choir. We are making preparations for the installation of our new projection and live stream system this summer. This plan was begun when Fr. Joe (Msgr. Curry) was with us. You may remember that we had focused on the Giving Tuesday contributions two years in a row for this media update. And we’re very excited to finally be completing this important project!
Though details of this project were published in the bulletin a few times, it is good to refresh our memory. The new livestream system includes two high-definition remote-controlled cameras and a video and sound mixing system that will greatly improve the video and sound quality of our livestream. The projection system includes a 150” diagonal 16:9 screen and a 4K capable 8500 lumen laser projector. This will vastly improve image brightness and contrast, so the system will be useful not only for live-streaming our liturgy but also for faith formation, GIFT sessions, and other parish events. Mr. Jeff Beck and Mr. Joe Mancuso have been working tirelessly on this project. We hope to see a very much improved experience of the media use in our church.
The Tuition Angels Committee has wrapped up another year of tuition award assistance for students attending St. Matthias School. For the school year beginning September 2024, twenty-three families will benefit from tuition assistance via this fund. The Tuition Angels Committee provides confidential assistance to parents who are struggling with tuition payments for their child/children to attend St. Matthias School. Many factors lead parents to seek financial assistance, such as loss of jobs, reduced work hours, and medical concerns.
All donations to Tuition Angels are provided by the generosity of our St. Matthias parishioners.
Currently, Tuition Angels funds are running low, and we ask for your prayerful consideration of donating to the Tuition Angels fund. If you, your family, or your children have benefited from Catholic education, at any level, you understand the lasting and positive effects of this experience. If you are the parent of a SMS graduate, please contact them, and ask them to donate, if they are able.
Graduates, parents of graduates, or parishioners who are able to, please donate to this parish managed, confidential fund. Your gift helps a family to continue to provide a strong, Catholic, Christ-centered education to a child.
You may donate through Parish Giving, online, with a check in the donation basket, or a donation mailed to the Parish Office. Simply indicate on the envelope that the donation is for “TUITION ASSISTANCE” and kindly make a note on the check memo line”. You may make a one-time donation, or an ongoing regular contribution to the fund.
The school remains alive, and solid, with many new enrollees each year. We want to keep it that way. Our school continues to be a nurturing, vibrant and essential part of our parish community. Your donations will help to assist this critical component.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of the Tuition Angels fund.
We are sad to announce the passing of Reverend Henry L. Hemmerling, a retired priest of our diocese. Fr. Henry served our parish as weekend associate for a few years. He died on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at the age of 88. Here’s more information from the Diocese:
“Father Hemmerling spent four years with the Trappists at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts before discerning diocesan priesthood, and was ordained on May 28, 1966.
He served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (now Cathedral), Metuchen, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, and St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton. He served as Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, and Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Old Bridge. He retired from active ministry in 2001.
Father Hemmerling’s body will be received by Rev. Chester H. Carina on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Parish, 133 Amboy Road, Old Bridge Township. Public visitation will take place in the church from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Very Reverend Jonathan S. Toborowsky, VG will preside at the Mass of Commemoration at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Duffy of the Diocese of Paterson the homilist. On Friday, June 28, a viewing will take place from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in the church. Then, at 11:00 a.m., Most Reverend James F. Checchio will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial, with Rev. Chester H. Carina the homilist. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, NJ.”
We, here at St. Matthias, experienced his pastoral care, sense of humor and storytelling. We are grateful to God for his life and service.
Father Henry, may God our heavenly Father welcome you into His eternal kingdom, good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Rest in peace. AMEN
Like many pastors, I too have heard from our parishioners who received emails or text messages, seemingly from me, asking for donations. Please exercise the utmost caution when receiving these types of communications. I have not asked nor will I solicit donations. Please be suspicious of any such communication. Please call the parish office directly to verify its legitimacy. Anyone who feels that they have been the victim of this type of fraud is urged to contact the local police department.
-Fr. Abraham
Sr. Marie Therese, who has been serving our parish community for the past 17 years, has decided to retire from active ministry.
Please join us at the noon Mass on June 30th for her farewell Mass. After Mass, we will have the opportunity to meet with her in the cafeteria to offer her our good wishes as she starts the next chapter in her life and ministry. Sister has been an integral member of our parish and will surely be missed.
Please come join the many who spend some quiet time with the Eucharistic Lord.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place Monday evenings from 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM. When the Deacon is available we conclude Adoration with a Benediction.
St. Matthias Church is looking for a part-time administrative assistant with management experience. Responsibilities will include but not limited to:
Please send your resume to: Mary Pat Burke-Grospin, Business Administrator at mpburke-grospin@stmatthias.net
The “Trail of Faith” provides a new opportunity to appreciate nature on the grounds of Saint Matthias Parish. The Trail is approximately 1/3 of a mile long. It starts in the back parking lot between the northeast corner of the playground and the dumpster enclosure. It travels through wooded areas and fields behind the parish. The trail was planned and built by Parishioner Dalton Vassanella for his Eagle Scout Project.
Dalton is a member of Scout Troop 154, which is sponsored by St. Matthias Parish. Several Scouts and Adult Leaders from Troop 154 helped him with the construction of the Trail. The inspiration for the trail came to Dalton one Sunday after Mass as he was walking the Parish grounds reflecting on his experiences as a student at St. Matthias School. His goal was to come up with a project that would allow others to enjoy the natural beauty of God’s creations as part of their ongoing spiritual journeys. The Trail is dedicated to the many teachers and staff that have devoted decades of their lives to educating thousands of St. Matthias students.
The trail was built to provide parishioners a place to reflect on their relationship with God, deepen their spirituality, and pray or meditate, all while surrounded by nature. It was also built to be utilized by Saint Matthias School. Teachers can take their students on the trail to learn more about natural sciences and students can see firsthand different types of soil, trees, plants, birds, animals, and other elements of the ecosystem, in this “outdoor classroom”.
Scattered along the trail are a dozen signs. Each sign states one of 12 points that comprise the Scout Law, along with a corresponding Bible quote. When they walk the trail, parishioners, staff, and students are encouraged to ponder the Bible passages, or simply use each sign as a place to stop and reflect upon the beauty of God’s creations.
When walking the trail please stay on the path marked by the green trail markers, at all times. Also, please wear appropriate footwear and be aware of your surroundings. All children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, when walking on the “Trail of Faith”.
Anyone interested in learning more about Scout Troop 154 please contact: Scoutmaster, Mr. Paul Furnell; (732) 799 9956. info@troop154nj.com