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60th Anniversary Fundraising Update
Dear Fellow Parishioners and Friends,
We are more than halfway to reaching our fundraising goal of $200,000. Our sincere thanks to all who have already donated to this fundraiser. Your generosity has helped us reach this point. We are excited to start the bathroom construction and other renovation projects this summer. The opportunity to donate to this fundraiser continues.
A donation progress thermometer is on display in the church vestibule along with fundraiser information letters and envelopes. Additional letters and donation envelopes are available at all church exits and in the parish office. Be well and be blessed.
60th Anniversary Fundraising Committee
Come Join Us for Movie Night!
St, Matthias Racial Justice Initiative Hosts Movie Night
DATE: Saturday, May 27th
TIME: 6:00 pm Dinner / 6:30 pm Movie
WHERE: St. John XXIII Room
Please join us for a special Easter season movie night! We will be watching Lilies of the Field, starring Sidney Poitier. There will be sandwiches, beverages, cookies, and lots of fellowship. There will be a free-will offering for dinner and ALL are encouraged to attend!
Please RSVP to matthiasracialjustice@gmail.com by Thursday, May 25th so we can prepare accordingly.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
St. Matthias Ministry Fair May 20th & 21st
St. Matthias is blessed with a host of ministries doing so much good for our community and beyond. Our Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) has initiated a “Ministry Fair” to let our parish community know more about our various wonderful ministries. It is our hope that many will be inspired to join one of the ministries. Here are the details:
The date/venue: the weekend of May 20 & 21, in the cafeteria
Format: Each ministry will have a table in the cafeteria to put up displays. You can prepare your own charts, and giveaways like flyers about the ministry, objects, or other attractions.
Invitation: Parishioners will be invited to come after each Mass to the cafeteria.
Manning the Table: Each ministry will have to make sure that one or more of your ministry team will be present at the table after each of the Masses, to speak about your ministry to our parishioners who come.
Food: Coffee, drinks and snacks will be provided.
Printing: Each Ministry can prepare flyers and get them printed here in the office. Kindly contact Fr. Abraham for any help with that – at least by May 8th.
Contact person from PPC: Rose Peng email: rosepeng@optonline.net (Phone: 908-285-5921) will be the contact person to coordinate this. Kindly email her for any questions you have on this matter. If any Ministry is left out due to incorrect emails, change of leaders, etc, please inform Rose Peng or Fr. Abraham.
60th Anniversary Fundraiser
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
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
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
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
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!
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.