Category: Uncategorized

 

SMYLE is YOUR Safe Space where you can feel comfortable and confident to just be yourself while discovering new things about God, your faith, life, and others. You can be with people who can bring you joy, create new possibilities, spark new adventures or friendships!

Please help us create these opportunities for you by telling us what kind of activities/events that would be worthwhile for you to show up – and even invite a friend? To *SMILE* at SMYLE!

After you complete your survey, you’ll be eligible to receive a free SMYLE T-shirt!

We’ll be asking the larger Community of St. Matthias to hopefully help us do what interests you.

We can only do more as we gain more support – so please pray and encourage others to participate! Thanks – TEAM SMYLE

 

To fill out the survey please click here.

The Racial Justice Initiative is working on lots of things for our parish, such as movie nights, discussion groups, and book talks. Another exciting project we have taken on is facilitating racial justice programs via Just Faith Ministries. Here are some videos with some reflections from the first of those programs, and information about upcoming programs.

We had a Eucharistic Procession, led by Msgr. Seamus Brennan, accompanied by Altar Servers, members of the Knights of Columbus and some 100 parishioners, soon after the 5 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday June 18, 2022 as we celebrated the solemn feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Many commented that this was the first time in memory that they witnessed such a procession here at St. Matthias. To watch a glimpse of the procession in a 2-minute video please click here.

The Parish Pastoral & Finance Councils, and other parishioners have suggested that we use this year of the 60th Anniversary of our parish to do some renovation of our church that is long overdue. Many ideas are suggested. But the Councils felt since we cannot hope for all the suggested projects to be implemented immediately without enough funds, we should ask the whole parish for your input to see what you think should be the priorities. Hence this short and easy Google survey. The answers to the survey are completely anonymous.  None of your personal information is collected.

The suggested needs/projects are: refurbishing the pews, new floors throughout the Church, bathrooms, narthex (gathering area), deep clean and brighten the walls, replace windows with stain glass.

Please participate, your voice matters.

To take the Parish Survey please click here.

Our Parish Finance Council has been giving us periodic updates about our financial health. Please read the letter from the Finance Council to all parishioners on this matter below.

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Dear Parishioners,

This letter is to continue our commitment to keeping you, our fellow parishioners, informed regarding the activities of our council and the financial health of our beloved parish.  First, our thanks to all who continue to support our church and school with their generous giving of their time, treasure and talent.  Your Parish Finance Council feels blessed to be just one of many ministries along with parish and school staff that work diligently to create the caring community of Saint Matthias led by Father Abraham, Monsignor Brennan, and Principal Mary Lynch.

Some updates:

• Parish Giving On Line – We are told St Matthias has the most on line contributors in the Diocese which helps solidify our revenue projections. We invite others to consider Parish Giving on line (parishgiving.org) if appropriate for them.
• Parish Financial Status Improved – Our revenues have stabilized after our difficult Covid times and our expenses have decreased, resulting in current net gains for both the church and school. We will be providing another annual financial report to you in the fall.
• Facility Improvements – The upcoming Parish 60^th Anniversary is an opportunity for us to consider facility improvements, many that are long overdue. Along with Father Abraham, the Pastoral Council, Property Management Committee, and others we can plan together. We will need your help, fellow parishioners, completing improvements by running a fund raiser.  Parishioner input will be solicited.
• Financial Audit – The Diocese recently had an independent firm audit our prior fiscal year and we look forward to the report which should help us going forward.
• In House Finance Review – Currently we have a CPA firm reviewing our financial books. The purpose is to assure that we are observing the best accounting practices and procedures.

Much still needs to be done but together we can plan and move forward as a thriving Catholic Community.  Any questions may be directed to us at financecouncil@stmatthias.net.

Sincerely,

Saint Matthias Finance Council

Kester Hector, Chair, Carmen Driz-Melilli, Barry Dusault, Audrey Francis, Mary Pat Burke-Grospin, Gwen Orlowski, Joan Pritchard, Joe Porter, Fr. Abraham, Pastor.