Category: Uncategorized

We are so proud of our St. Matthias Children’s Choir!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 Joan Best Seamon– Director 

The St. Matthias Children’s Choir introduces the children of our faith community to the rich treasury of Catholic music, traditional and contemporary.
The Children’s Choir welcomes young parishioners, grades 3-8, who are registered in our GIFT Religious Ed Program, St. Matthias School, or who are home-schooled.

To register for the Children’s Choir click here or visit www.stmatthias.net/music and click on the link under Children’s Choir by September 1, 2024.

             Thursday afternoons in church starting on September 19, 2024

 3rd and 4th graders rehearse from 3:30- 4:15 PM

 5th – 8th graders rehearse from 4:00 to 5:00 PM

“You have a place where you belong. You have a song to sing. Sing, sing, let music ring, YOU are part of the song!”

 

Please join us to celebrate Dee Nann on her retirement.

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

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.

 

Spread the Light! Our Christmas Tree Sponsorship is Back!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

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.

UPDATE ABOUT OUR CHURCH MEDIA PROJECT

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

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.

Twenty Three St. Matthias School Families Provided Financial Assistance.

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

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 Fr. Henry

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

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

 

Join Us For A Farewell Mass

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

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.

Part-Time Parish Associate for Faith Formation Needed.

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

The responsibilities include coordinating religious formation programs for families with children K-8. Manage preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation/First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Adult faith formation through parish small groups.

The candidate must be a practicing Catholic, with excellent communication and organizational skills. Computer proficiency especially in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other digital tools employed in catechetical ministry.

Experience in parish or related pastoral ministry.  A degree in Theology, Catechetics, or Religious Education is preferred.

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

 

Come and See!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

This coming Friday, June 7th, on the Solemnity of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, we celebrate World Day for the Sanctification of Priests. Established by Pope John Paul II, this day is dedicated to fostering the spiritual renewal and holiness of Catholic priests. It underscores the essential role of priests in the Church and the need for their ongoing personal and spiritual development.

On this special day, our priests are encouraged to reflect on the importance and dignity of their vocation. All of us are invited to support our priests through prayer and expressions of gratitude for their service and sacrifices. We pray for Father Abraham’s and Father Lancelot’s spiritual well-being as we ask God to grant them the strength, courage, and wisdom needed to fulfill their priestly duties.

Related to The World Day for the Sanctification of Priests is our upcoming Morning of Prayer for Vocations to the Ordained & Consecrated Life to be held on Saturday, June 8th from 9:30 to Noon in the John XXIII room here at St. Matthias.  All are welcome! Please join us as we pray for our priests – current and future!

Until then we can pray: O Jesus, eternal High Priest, who, in your incomparable love for humanity, allowed Catholic priesthood to issue from your sacred heart, continue to pour out on your priests the life-giving streams of your infinite love. Live and act in them so that they may perform in your name and by the strength of your Spirit the works which you have accomplished for the salvation of this world.

For more information on the St. Matthias Vocations Ministry feel free to email Joe Percoco at percoco@rutgers.edu