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                                         ELECTION 2024 REFLECTION SERIES

                                                                                         SAVE THE DATES

                                        Thursday, September 19                                  Thursday, October 10

                                        Thursday, October 3                                          Thursday, October 17

                               All sessions are from 7 – 8:30 pm in the John XXIII room at St. Matthias.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) say in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “As a nation, we share many blessings and strengths, including a tradition of religious freedom and political participation.  However, as a people, we face serious challenges that are both political and moral.  This has always been so, and as Catholics we are called to participate in public life in a manner consistent with the mission of our Lord, a mission that he has called us to share.”  The USCCB goes on to say, “Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing, and health care.” As the Racial Justice Initiative here at St. Matthias, we feel it necessary to open a dialogue on racial justice issues as they pertain to politics in America, with a focus on our responsibilities as dictated by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

This dialogue will take place over four weekly sessions, each one-and-one-half hour long, during which we will pray, discuss CST principles, watch informative videos on pertinent topics, reflect, and discuss. The topics will be broken out as per the USCCB Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship:

SESSION 1—HUMAN DIGNITY

• Topics discussed will be voting rights and criminal justice reform.

Human life is sacred. The dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Catholic teaching about the dignity of life calls us
to oppose torture, unjust war, and the indiscriminate use of drones for violent purposes: to prevent genocide and attacks against noncombatants; to oppose
racism; to oppose human trafficking; and to overcome poverty and suffering.

SESSION 2—THE COMMON GOOD

• Topics discussed will be healthcare equity and environmental justice.

Human dignity is respected and the common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access those things required for human decency—food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing, freedom of religion and family life.

SESSION 3—SUBSIDIARITY

• Topics discussed will be education equality and economic justice.

The principle of subsidiarity reminds us that larger institutions in society should not overwhelm or interfere with smaller or local institutions, yet larger institutions have essential responsibilities when the more local institutions cannot adequately protect human dignity, meet human needs, and advance the common good.

SESSION 4—SOLIDARITY

• Topics discussed will be gun violence and Christian Nationalism.

It is important for our society to continue to combat any unjust discrimination, whether based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age, as these are grave injustices and affronts to human dignity.  Where the effects of past discrimination persist, society has the obligation to take positive steps to overcome the legacy of injustice, including vigorous action to remove barriers to education, protect voting rights, support good policing in our communities, and ensure equal employment for women and minorities.

**PLEASE NOTE: These sessions will be strictly NON-PARTISAN and focused solely on issues as they pertain to RACIAL JUSTICE.

We hope you will join us as we thoughtfully and prayerfully prepare for the upcoming general election in November.  ALL  ARE  WELCOME.

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.

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.

 

 

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

St. Matthias Church is looking for a part-time administrative assistant with management experience. Responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the parish.
• Maintain the parish calendar and schedule events.
• Serve as the point of contact for funerals and weddings.
• Proactive management of vendors.
• Work with maintenance supervisor ordering parts, supplies, and scheduling appointments.
• Maintain office inventory and complete other general office duties.
• Must be proficient in MS Office.Excellent office and interpersonal skills.
• Good communication skills, both in person and on the phone a must.

Please send your resume to: Mary Pat Burke-Grospin, Business Administrator at  mpburke-grospin@stmatthias.net