Category: Uncategorized

60th Anniversary Fundraiser

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Dear Fellow Parishioners and Friends,

The 60th Anniversary Fundraising team and Father Abraham would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who have already donated to this special fundraiser to repair, renovate, and restore our Church.

A donation progress thermometer, donation envelopes, and a fundraiser information letter are available in the church vestibule. Donation envelopes are also available at all the Church exits. Information regarding the ways you can donate is also provided.

With your support, we are confident that we will raise the funds needed to complete these projects. If you have any questions, please call Mary Jo Loboda at the parish office at 732-828-1400.

For more information about the 60th Anniversary Fundraising please visit: www.stmatthias.net/60fund

HOLY WEEK/EASTER 2023 SCHEDULE

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Dear Friends,

What is the proof of the Resurrection of Jesus? Is the empty tomb all we can show as proof? Searching for his body, the disciples were told: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6). Then, he appeared to so many! He is alive! He is risen! He is with us! He is our light and hope! We too have come into light now that we have practically come out of our prolonged pandemic struggles. I invite us all to attend our Holy Week services and celebrate the good news of the Resurrection!

Happy Easter!

Fr. Abraham

Saturday, April 1st
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Individual confessions)
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Vigil Mass—5:00 PM

Sunday, April 2nd
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon
Parish Reconciliation Service—6:00 PM

Tuesday, April 4th
Chrism Mass at St. Francis Cathedral—4:00 PM

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 6th
Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:30 PM
Combined Choir
Procession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
(Cafeteria)
Night Prayer (Cafeteria) – 10:45 PM

GOOD FRIDAY, April 7th
Morning Prayer (Church) – 8:30 AM
Outdoor Stations (SMS parking lot) – 2:00 PM
Children’s Choir
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion—7:30 PM
Combined Choir

HOLY SATURDAY, April 8th
Morning Prayer (Church) – 8:30 AM
Blessing of Food (Cafeteria) – 12:00 Noon
Great Easter Vigil – 8:00 PM
Combined Choir

EASTER SUNDAY, April 9th
Mass Schedule
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon
Combined Choir at 10:00 AM
Handbell Choir at 12:00 PM

EASTER MONDAY, April 10th
No Mass

All Are Welcome to Attend an April 22nd Diocesan-Wide Morning of Reflection Here at St. Matthias

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Multicultural Ministry is holding a Day of Reflection for Black Catholics on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress to be held July 20-23, 2023. The theme is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive”. Representatives from the different Black Catholic Communities are invited to attend the Day of Reflection on April 22nd which will be held at St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, NJ from 8:30 am to 12 pm.

Please note that registration for the April 22nd Day of Reflection is open to all, not just Black Catholics, although the topics will be focused on issues most relevant to Black Catholics in preparation for the Congress.

There will be no charge to attend, but registration is required please visit: www.diometuchen.org/2023nbc

To learn more about the National Black Catholic Congress 2023, please visit the National Black Catholic Congress website: nbccongress.org.

St. Matthias is a Proud Sponsor of Empty Bowls

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

The Catholic Community of St. Matthias is proud to be a sponsor of the 5th annual Empty Bowls being held on March 26, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center located at 200 Atrium Drive, Somerset, New Jersey. All are welcome to attend, this is a family-friendly event!

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level.

With your ticket purchase, guests choose a handmade bowl to keep and enjoy food from local restaurants.

All proceeds are given to the Franklin Food Bank which provides groceries to our neighbors with dignity and respect.

For more information or to register for this event, visit: https://franklinfoodbank.org/empty-bowls-2023/

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Join us on Fridays during Lent in Church at 7:00 PM. The Stations are a devotion intended to help us follow Jesus on his way to Calvary.

By accompanying him on the Way of the Cross, we see ourselves mirrored in him, gain his courageous patience, & learn to trust God who is with us no matter what we have to go through. Each Friday we have a different theme with beautiful reflections, led by our different ministries. Welcome to pray this ancient devotion of the church.

St. Matthias School HSA is organizing its first Blood Drive!

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Did you know that 1 blood donation saves THREE LIVES?!

February was American Heart Month and the St. Matthias School HSA is organizing its first Blood Drive!  We have been asked to gather interest before booking a date and time, so please let us know if you would be interested in donating.

SMS families receive 1 hour toward their 4-hour commitment.

To register to let us know you’re interested, please click here.

 

Sign up now for the third and last module of the Faith and Racial Justice series – Changing Systems and Structures.

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

8 Sessions – Saturdays from February 25, 2023 (Retreat) until June 10, 2023 (Session 8).

Books available for loan.

February 25; March 4, 18; April 1, 22; May 6, 20; June 3, 10
(Makeup sessions available for missed sessions)
9:00 – 11:30 AM
(Sessions on Zoom)
Contact program facilitators for more information or email matthiasracialjustice@gmail.com

         Neil Purcell                                          Kerry Millan                                     Phyllis Stone
neil.purcell.nj@gmail.com                  kerrytheinterim@gmail.com                 phylliswstone@aol.com

In Celebration of 60 Years: A Fundraiser for the Future of Our Church

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

As you know, the 60th Anniversary celebration of our church began in May 2022. We had various celebrations including two special Masses, a parish picnic, and a Music Ministry concert. To make this anniversary a special event, we are planning to make much-needed improvements to our wonderful church. The initial projects we selected were based on the results of a parish survey in which so many of our parishioners participated.

To fund these projects, we are launching the “In Celebration of 60 Years, A Fundraiser For The Future of Our Church”, with the modest goal to raise at least $200,000. (This fundraiser is distinct from the Building, Repair, and Replacement Fund quarterly collection we had begun last year, which is intended for smaller routine maintenance needs.). This being our 60th Anniversary, please consider donating $60, or any multiple of 60, or whatever you can give to this cause. All the parishioners will be getting a letter with more details about this fundraiser.

Thank you.

Fr. Abraham Orapankal                      Joan Pritchard, Dolores Christmas, Edna Arguello-Hitchner
Pastor                                                                                              Co-Chairs

Donate in one of two ways:

1. Make check payable to “St. Matthias Church” and write “60th Fundraiser” in the memo line and mail to the Parish Office or drop in the collection basket.

2. Pay via ParishGiving.

 

 

Mass In Celebration of Black History Month

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Join us for the annual St. Matthias Mass in Celebration of Black History Month

Fr. Cyril Adim Offiong,

Parochial Vicar of St. Cecilia’s Church in Iselin

will be the presider.

Saturday, February 25, 2023 – 5:00 PM

Liturgy and Worship to be led by
The UMOJA IMANI CHOIR under the direction of Aaron Brown and Joan Seamon

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Mass to be followed by a showing of a video narration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King in the St. John XXIII Room at 6:00 PM
‘Letter From A Birmingham Jail’ and a reflection.

(Light dinner to be served – pizza, sandwiches, drinks).

Please click here to RSVP