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The St. Matthias 2024 Mass Book is Open!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

There are NEW Mass Intentions Guidelines this year.

Mass Intentions: It is an ancient and noble practice to pray for the living and the dead during Mass. The greatest and most powerful prayer we have is the Mass, since the fruits of the Mass are the very fruits of Jesus’ redemption made present to us. Therefore, so many of us seek to book a Mass intention for our loved ones, living or deceased.

A Mass intention may be requested for: a deceased loved one; a living person who is sick or suffering; a living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special moment in their life; in thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit); in thanksgiving for a favor received through the intercession of a Blessed or a Saint; or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).

In our parish, there are many requests for scheduling Mass intentions. Our 2024 Book of Mass Intentions will be opened on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 8:30 AM in the Parish Office. To accommodate our parishioners, we will continue the limit of four (4) Masses – two (2) weekday Masses and a maximum of two (2) Weekend Masses. You can return on or after November 15 for additional Mass requests. Here are the details of the different kinds of Mass intentions:

Announced Weekday Mass Intentions: The suggested stipend for weekday Mass remains the same: $10.00. The intention will be printed in the bulletin and announced during Mass. Please be sure to indicate if the person for whom the Mass requested is living (L) or deceased (D).

Announced Weekend Mass Intentions: The suggested stipend for Weekend Mass is $15.00. The intention will be printed in the bulletin and announced at Mass. Please be sure to indicate if the person for whom the Mass requested is living (L) or deceased (D).

Multiple Intentions: With increasing requests for additional Mass intentions during unforeseen special occasions such as death, month’s mind, etc., it is a pastoral practice to better accommodate such needs of our parishioners by allowing additional intentions with the existing intention for the Mass.  In such cases, we will be accepting only two (2) additional intentions, which will be announced in the Universal Prayers (Prayers of the Faithful) but not in the bulletin. Please know that the stipend for these additional intentions ($10 for weekdays and $15 for Weekends) will be sent to the Mission Office of our Diocese.

Unannounced Mass Intentions: There will be no limit on unannounced Mass requests. These Masses are available at any time and are sent either to the Office of Missions of the Diocese of Metuchen or to missionary priests. The suggested stipend remains the same: $10.00.

Mass for the People (Missa Pro Populo): One Sunday Mass per weekend is offered for the intention of the living and deceased parishioners of St. Matthias. 

 

SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE in Lancaster, PA are now SOLD OUT!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Join us for a fun-filled day at the SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE in Lancaster, PA!
To See

“DANIEL Live on Stage”
Saturday, April 20, 2024

TRIP HOSTED BY:

Senior Ministry and St. Martin De Porres Society, of The Catholic Community of St. Matthias

TO SECURE TICKETS:
$70 deposit/ticket due by November 1st
Final payment due by Feb 16th
(Note: After March 1st, Tickets are Non-Refundable)
Make checks payable to:
“St. Martin De Porres Society” with “Sight and Sound” in the memo and mail to the Parish Office.

PRICE INCLUDES:
– Roundtrip Transportation
– Light Breakfast on the Bus
– Ticket to “DANIEL” Live on Stage
SHOWTIME – 11:00am
– Lunch Buffet after the show at “Bird-In-Hand” Restaurant

TRANSPORTATION:
BUS DEPARTS 7:30am Sharp!
From The Catholic Community of St. Matthias, 168 JFK Blvd, Somerset 08873
BUS RETURNS approximately 6:30pm

For More Information and To Purchase Tickets Contact:
Pearl Scott – pearlkscott12@gmail.com or Dolores Christmas – deechristmas@aol.com

Our “Spread the Light” Tree Campaign is in Full Swing! Deadline has been extended!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!! Our annual Christmas Tree “Spread the Light” campaign is in full swing!  We would like to thank all of the parishioners and friends of the parish who have already arranged for their trees. If you have not sponsored a tree yet —GOOD NEWS!!  The deadline has been extended!!! There are both Personal and Business forms in the back of the church and on the website.  You can either pay at the parish office, through Parish Giving, or by placing a sealed envelope marked ‘Trees’ in the collection basket during mass. Don’t miss out on honoring a loved one, friend,
business, or group! Join in this wonderfully moving tradition that helps support our church and brings joy to so many.
Help us to ‘Light the Night’ here in Somerset! But, don’t wait, numbers are limited, get your request in now!  
Join in this wonderfully moving tradition that helps support our church and brings joy to so many. For more information on how to order a tree, click here. Flyers are also available in church.

Maui Relief

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

The death toll in Maui is 114 as of 8/21 but over 800 people are still missing. The wall of flames that ravaged this beautiful island has left survivors with nothing in their hands. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is actively doing relief work on the ground. For those who wish to contribute to the relief effort, donations can be made online directly to CCUSA. www.diometuchen.org/mauirelief

 

ATTENTION – All High School SMYLE members!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

“Fully Alive – National Catholic Youth Conference – November 16-19th – NCYC 2023

In our second reading from St. Paul, we hear “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

If you are in high school reading this, or know someone who is, I have the perfect opportunity for any high-school teen to “be transformed”!

In November, the National Catholic Youth Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from November 16-19th. The theme for NCYC 2023 is *Fully Alive*

The estimated cost is $1,100 which includes airfare, event fee, hotel (4 teens/room), meals, transportation, and T-shirts. (Students will miss 2 days of school).

If you’re interested in learning more about this exciting trip, please send an email to SMYLE@stmatthias.net by September 10th. The total cost is $1,100.00.

Each student will only have to pay 50% ($550) in two installments. To reserve a spot, the first payment ($275) is due Sept 10th. The final payment ($275) is due Sept 17th which is when we’ll actually book the airline, hotel, and pay the conference fee. We’ll be traveling with 8 youth and 2 chaperones from St. Joseph parish in Hillsborough.

The remaining $550 per person will be paid through fundraising (bake sales, etc.) and any donations offered by our generous parishioners.

I encourage you to support our youth through your monetary donations and/or prayers.

If we have enough replies, we’ll let you know next steps – including fundraising possibilities, and a required pre-travel meeting for teens and parents.

If anyone really wants to attend, but has financial concerns, please still email SMYLE@stmatthias.net

Deacon John

 

For a preview:

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

The World Youth Day celebrations (August 1-6, 2023) are concluding today. More than 28,600 young adults from 1,300 U.S. groups travelled to Lisbon, Portugal, to participate in this global event for young people that takes place about every three years, offering a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ through liturgical celebrations, networking, faith sharing, catechetical sessions, and prayer with the Holy Father. We are happy that our parishioners Emily Chavez, Mary-Frances Chavez and Jasmine DeLeon are there attending this spectacular event. I hope you have been watching some of the exciting and inspiring WYD programs.

“Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39) is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the World Youth Day. This quote from the Gospel of St. Luke opens the account of the Visitation (Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth), a biblical episode following the Annunciation (the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God). During their conversation of the Annunciation, the angel also tells Mary that her older cousin, thought to be sterile, is pregnant. It is then that Mary sets out for Ain Karim, a village near Jerusalem, where Elizabeth lived and was awaiting the birth of John, who would become St John the Baptist.

This week we keep the feast of St. Lawrence (August 10th ). The esteem in which the Church holds Lawrence is seen in the fact that his memorial day ranks as a feast. He is one of those whose martyrdom made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church. Celebration of his feast day spread rapidly. He was a Roman deacon under Pope Saint Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Deacon Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. The church built over his tomb became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages.

The feast of Deacon Lawrence naturally reminds us of our own wonderful deacons – John Radvanski, Russ Demkovitz and Ron Caimi – who have been ministering us for years.

The word deacon derives from the Greek diakonia, meaning “service,” thereby indicating that a deacon is called like Christ to be a servant. The Church teaching clearly states that the Order of Deacon has three essential functions: the proclamation of the Gospel, the service of the liturgy, and the administration of charitable works. Deacons may baptize, witness the exchange of vows and bless marriages, distribute Holy Communion, impart benediction with the Blessed Sacrament, bring Viaticum to the dying, read Sacred Scripture to the faithful and especially proclaim the Gospel, preach, officiate at funerals and burials, and administer the sacramentals. Besides, they should dedicate themselves to other charitable works, particularly within the parish community. (Confer the Catechism, No. 1569-70, and the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, No 29).

This feast is a wonderful opportunity for our community to thank our beloved deacons for their selfless ministry to us all. Their life should be an inspiration for the men of our parish to consider taking their place as deacons. I invite our men to pray about it and speak with one of our deacons.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Alzheimer’s Support Group Meets In Person, on 7/12 at 2 PM!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP MEETS IN PERSON, ON 7/12 AT 2 PM!

LET’S CELEBRATE SUMMER AND ENJOY EACH OTHER’S COMPANY AND SOME FOOD!

The Alzheimer’s Association and Saint Matthias Catholic Church are co-hosting a monthly Support Group for people living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia and their care partners. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, July 12th, from 2 pm-3:30 pm in the dePorres room in the Parish Office building at St. Matthias Church in Somerset. Registration is required. To register, call 800-272-3900 and mention the St. Matthias group.

The Group provides a safe and supportive environment and offers dementia-related education, emotional support, and connections with resources so that the group members may enhance their lives in the midst of the journey. For more information, visit alz.org/NJ.

Survey for Adults Interested in Supporting St. Matthias Youth Ministry

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

SMYLE provides a safe space for our teens for self-expression and to find their purpose while developing an authentic relationship with God, others, and self. SMYLE provides Social, Service, Spiritual, and Religious opportunities/events where teens can form a community with people who can bring joy, create new possibilities, and spark new adventures or friendships!

Our teens in Junior High and High School (grades 6 – 12) have completed surveys highlighting their interests and concerns during these challenging times. This Adult (21+) survey is an attempt to match their responses with your skills and gifts. Please help St. Matthias to create a variety of different opportunities for our youth, by sharing your time & talent in areas of interest/need identified by our youth.

There are many direct, and also very helpful indirect ways, for adults to minister either to, for, or with our youth. Whatever you’re passionate about doing which gives you meaning and purpose – either professionally or as a hobby – it might be something a teen would be curious to further explore with your guidance.

We can only do more as we gain more support – so please pray and also encourage others to participate!
If you don’t have time to answer these questions but would like to chat with us, just provide your contact info, scroll to the bottom of the second page and click –> Submit.
Thanks for prayerfully considering being a part of a ministry where you’re capable of greatness!

To fill out the form, please click here.

Announcement From Msgr. Brennan

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Parishioners of Saint Matthias,

On March 7th, 2023 I celebrated my 75th birthday and on March 23rd I wrote a letter to Bishop Checchio requesting his approval and blessing on my retirement from active priestly ministry effective July 1st, 2023. Bishop Checchio has approved my decision and so June 30th will be my last day serving as Senior Priest at Saint Matthias. On July 1st I will enter into full retirement and will move to Saint James Church in Basking Ridge. The pastor, Msgr. Sylvester Cronin has extended an invitation to me for the last two years letting me know I was welcome to live with him in retirement. In addition to the pastor, there is an associate, a retired priest from Newark, and a seminarian living at the rectory. So we will be a small community of five people living at the parish.

In retirement I will still continue some priestly ministry, but on a limited basis. If requested I will assist with some weekend Masses, funerals, or even some weekday Masses.

I am deeply grateful to Father Abraham and the people of Saint Matthias, for the welcome you have given me over the past two years. I moved into Saint Matthias in February 2021, though I did not begin ministry officially until July 1, 2021. So it will be exactly 2 years I have served here as Senior Priest and I have enjoyed my time here and the people I have met. Father Abraham has been most thoughtful and a joy to live with. I am grateful to the deacons and the staff of the parish who have shown such kindness and consideration to me and my needs. I am also thankful to Bishop Checchio for allowing me to serve here as Senior Priest.

I must confess I am looking forward to retirement as my energy level has certainly begun to wane. I hope to be able to play some golf (though even that has to be limited to allow time for recovery), and perhaps a little travel, especially back to Ireland to visit family and friends. I already have plans to visit Ireland in July.

I have assured Father Abraham that he can call me if he needs some help from time to time and I will do all in my power to assist, if possible. Please be assured of a remembrance in my prayers and masses and I ask the same of you. We are one in Christ and especially in the Eucharist. During this year of Eucharistic Revival let us pray for each other and our church that we may truly become one in Christ.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Msgr. Seamus F Brennan

A letter From Fr. Abraham Regarding St. Matthias School

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

To the Parents of St. Matthias School

Dear Parents,

As we come to the final days of the current academic year, I wish to thank you for your interest and support for your children’s education and for the support you have given to the school administration to fulfil our mission of Catholic Education. The beautiful graduation celebrations of the 8th Graders was a clear testimony of this.

The Principal is the primary person responsible for the overall management of every school. While shouldering that responsibility, our Principal, Mary Lynch, has done an amazing feat in getting her own graduation of her Masters degree last month from St. Peter’s University, Jersey City. She deserves a double congratulations for this.

Over the past years, the enrollment in our school has been decreasing which in turn made the parish having to generously subsidize the school. The St. Matthias Church’s mission is to support our school and do everything in its power to make the school strong. But when the enrollment drops and when parish subsidy is needed beyond a reasonable limit, some staff consolidation is called for. It is in that spirit that I painfully informed Mr. Joe Gidaro that his contract with our school would not be renewed. Mr. Gidaro has faithfully served St. Matthias for 12 years. Besides being the Vice Principal, he has worn many hats – especially as director of marketing & development, filling in as librarian and as substitute teacher when needed. He has the admiration and affection from all here in the campus and outside. Therefore letting him go was a very painful decision taken after lots of consideration and proper information over a long period of time.

Both Mr. Gidaro and Mrs. Lynch were informed of this possibility two years ago, and then one year ago. But when Mary Lynch informed you of this yesterday (6/8/2023), it must have come as a shock, and some rumors that are untrue have been going around. I wish to assure you that this decision is taken precisely to make our school strong and sustainable. The Church will not flinch from its primary mission of evangelization and our Catholic School is a major component of that mission. I am committed to that mission – despite whatever rumors are out there. Our Bishop, Most Rev. James Checchio is committed to that. The Office of Catholic Schools is committed to that. And certainly this Catholic Community of St. Matthias is committed to that.

Hence I invite you all to understand and accept the change, in the spirit of a family, and continue to support our St. Matthias School, and help it stay and grow stronger in ‘Faith, Caring and Excellence,’- as our School motto reminds us.

Have a wonderful summer.
God bless you and your families.

 

Fr. Abraham Orapankal
Pastor
The Catholic Community of St. Matthias, Somerset

 

Letter to SMS Parents 2023 June