Church of St. Matthew – Bulletin Insert
November 12, 2023
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Download insert as a PDF: St. Matthew bulletin insert November 12, 2023
ISAAC’S BLESSING BAGS
Greetings,
Fall is finally here! I hope everyone gets a chance to walk outside and enjoy the colorful leaves. My family and I are already getting ready to accept donations. Last Holiday season was a record breaker for Isaac’s Blessing Bags. We hand delivered over 250 bags!
I couldn’t have done it without the heartfelt donations that were donated by St. Matthew’s Parishioners and families. I delivered all over the Twin Cities. It was important to me that people had warm clothing and warm food. So my mom and I made Wild Rice Soup for so many people downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. They were extremely grateful! I share all of this with you in hopes we can recreate this compassion and giving again this year!
We plan to accept donations until December 1st. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your ongoing support!
Many blessings,
Isaac Garcia & IBB Team
List of needs 2023
- Gently used clothing
- Warm Socks (highly needed)
- Warm Coats (all sizes)
- Hats
- Warm Gloves
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body Wash
- Shampoo & Conditioner
Place your donations in large bins by the main entrance. Thank you!
GIVING THANKS IN NOVEMBER
FUNDRAISER WINNERS
- November 1 – Bobby Bejblik, Jr. ($25)
- November 2 – Jeff Grundtner ($25)
- November 3 – Ann Contreras ($50)
- November 4 – Suzanne Clarke ($75)
- November 5 – Paul O’Neill ($25)
- November 6 – Daniel Blaskic ($100)
- November 7 – David Hottinger ($50)
- November 8 – Jackie Lackner ($150)
- November 9 – Marjorie Arnold ($25)
Congratulations to all the winners! Watch the bulletin for next set of winners.
Thanks to all who participated in our fourth annual Giving Thanks in November Fundraiser!
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Join us on November 18 and 19 to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass. This is the time to pray for and with those in our community who are struggling with illness or other difficulties. People of all ages who are in need of healing of body and soul and their caregivers and families are welcome to come forward and take part.
COFFEE SUNDAY
Coffee Sunday is this Sunday, November 12 after Mass. Come down to the Social Hall and visit with your fellow parishioners. November Coffee Sunday is hosted by the Parish Council. We hope to see you there!
There is no Coffee Sunday in December. It will return in January 2024.
LITURGY & HOSPITALITY
Last Saturday, St. Matthew’s hosted a very successful Liturgy Workshop. Many enthusiastic ministers attended the morning. Thank you to all who attended. For those of you who were unable to make it, Moya McGinn Matthews, liturgical director at Christ the King in Minneapolis, was invited to return and share her thoughts on Liturgy as an act of hospitality.
Every minister of the liturgy is first and foremost a minister of hospitality, “for Christ will say, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’” (Rule of Benedict, 53:1; Matthew 25:35)
Moya presented a thoughtful reflection on the four primary ways in which Christ is present in the liturgy: 1) the Gathered assembly, 2) the Word of God, 3) Holy Eucharist, and 4) the Ordained Presider. We focused on the first three.
Working backward, Moya challenged our Eucharistic ministers to look every congregant in the eyes. This is not something that we are very comfortable with, especially in a post-Covid world. But Moya reminded us that everything we do inside the church must be counter-cultural. When our Eucharistic ministers say “the Body of Christ” they are saying that the individual receiving communion is the body of Christ at the same time that it means the mystical presence of Christ in the species of bread and wine.
The Word of God is the entire first half of our liturgy, and an important way in which we experience Christ’s presence at Mass and in our community. Moya guided us through a prayer practice known as Ignatian contemplation, part of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. Praying with the imagination involves reading a passage of scripture and placing yourself in the scene. Imagining with as much detail and using all of your senses to play the scene out in your mind. When we place ourselves in the scene, we might be one of the main characters or a bystander. This kind of prayer helps us to remember that scripture is based on the lives of real humans and helps us to connect with God’s message to real people the same today as God did when Christ was on earth.
Finally, Christ is present in the liturgy through the Gathered Assembly. For where two or more are gathered in God’s name, God is there. Moya reminded us that God does not need us to do liturgy. We do liturgy so that we can find ways to connect more deeply with God and so that we can help each other connect more deeply with God.
One of my primary goals in assisting with the spiritual direction of our parish is for every member of our community to feel a radical call to hospitality. As a volunteer parish, this is already happening on many levels. We have greeters who meet you as you walk in, and provide you with a hymnal, a bulletin, a worship aid and a smile. Members serve reverently and faithfully as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, cantors, gift bearers, and behind the scenes decorating the church, keeping our sanctuary clean, contributing resources to our new library, or participating in one of our councils. Our Rosary Society and Men’s Club are always busy planning social events and meeting the needs of our community through preparing funeral luncheons, or supporting one of the many guest ministries in our buildings, and so on. There are many formal ways to participate in hospitality at our church and I encourage you to ask yourself if any of these ministries might be a good fit for you. But the ministry of hospitality is bigger than just service. It’s the way we engage our neighbor in the seats next to us.
When I was in graduate school in Los Angeles, I was surprised to find myself at the beginning of the school year attending my university’s Catholic Center. I was not planning to get overly involved. But when I got up to leave after that first Mass, students were lined up in the back of church to greet new students. Not to sign us up for anything in particular, but to ask a few simple questions. What are your gifts? What do you like to do? Do you want to learn to surf? We can get a group together to do that. You enjoy running? Let’s start a running club. Are you a knitter? Let’s find time to knit together. It came as no surprise after this warm welcome, when I learned that the Catholic Center at USC was voted the number one student organization on campus. Not religious organization. Student organization. Because it was a place of welcome.
I invite you to reflect on ways that you can welcome your neighbors when you come to Mass on Saturday or Sunday. How can you grow connections with the individuals in the seats next to you? Learn who they are and what gifts they already bring to our community? Let us find new ways to welcome the strangers among us as honored guests. Ubi caritas et amor, deus ibi est. Where charity and love are, God is there.
For copies of the handouts from the workshop, including lector and Eucharistic minister procedures, please contact .
Cristina Czaia
Director of Music and Liturgy
MUSIC MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Come make music with us! Fill out your availability online or use a form at the back of church. EVERYONE is welcome, regardless of how far along you are on your musical journey.
Please fill out the form, whether you sing or play an instrument, or if you are interested in joining choir. Schedules for the beginning of next year will be finalized by November 21. Please get your availability to Cristina by November 14. For more information contact .
WANTED – Crafters, Artists and Sewers
We are looking for crafters, artists and sewers for the Rosary Society Bake Sale, Boutique and, new this year, Craft Sale. The event will be Saturday, December 9 from 1:00 to 5:30 pm, in Saint Matt’s Social Hall. For just $25, you can have a table to sell your goods. There will be some limited tables available for Sunday, December 10 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, also for $25, during Breakfast with Santa. For more information, please contact Becky Montgomery or the parish office.
ROSARY SOCIETY MEETING
All women of our parish community are invited to the November 14th Rosary Society meeting. This month, we will be meeting from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Social Hall. Please note both the time and location change.
Our program will be Florida Stevens teaching us all how to make spring rolls. We will also be discussing our annual Rosary Society Bake Sale, Boutique, and new this year, Craft Sale. You do not need to be a member to attend the meeting.
SAVE THE DATE
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Traveling Rosary is coming to Saint Matthew on Monday, November 27 at 1:00 pm in the Church Chapel. All are invited to come and pray this special rosary together. Refreshments will be provided after the rosary.
SAINT PAUL DEANERY COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
Saint Paul Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold its next quarterly meeting on Thursday, November 16 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Registration begins at 8:15 am with refreshments, and the business meeting begins at 9:00 am. The program begins at 10:30 am and the speakers will talk about the Archdiocesan Synod, the World Synod and their personal experience. Lunch will be served after noon Mass. Cost for the day is $18.00. Please RSVP by Monday, November 13 by calling 651-261-2534. All women of the parish are invited to attend this program.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
More than a few people have asked if it would be possible to have a grief support group in our parish. The answer is yes! We have engaged a certified facilitator who has experience with “grief support”. If you are dealing with grief in your life and are willing to share your experiences in a non-judgmental setting, you are welcome to join us. Our first meeting will be held Thursday November 16 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center. For more information, call Mary at 651-224-9793 or email .
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Interested in volunteering? St. Mary’s Health Clinics is in need of RN’s and Spanish interpreters.
Please contact Chris at 651-287-7701 or visit the website for a volunteer application: https://www.stmaryshealthclinics.org/
THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM CASPER’S OF EAGAN
The wonderful tradition of free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will continue this year! All meals will be curbside pick-up only.
Meals will be available for pick up on Thanksgiving Day, November 23 at the Church of Saint Joseph parking lot, 1138 Seminole Avenue, West Saint Paul. There are two time slots for pick up: 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Meal delivery is available for the morning pick-up time only.
Tickets are needed for the meal and they are available at the parish office. You can call the parish office at (651) 224-9793 to reserve your ticket. Please provide your name, phone number, and number of meals you will be picking up.
Call the parish office by Wednesday, November 15 to place your order for tickets.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE COLLECTION
Next weekend is the monthly Neighborhood House collection. There will be a basket by the main entrance for you to place your non-perishable or monetary donation.
During the month of October, St. Matthew donated 73 pounds of food. On behalf of Neighborhood House and the people it serves, thank you for your generosity!
SAINT PAUL CIVIC SYMPHONY CONCERT
Sunday, December 3, 2023, 3:00 PM
Church of Saint Matthew
Save the date for the return of Saint Paul Civic Symphony in December. More details in future bulletins.
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Next weekend a special collection will support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. More than 37 million people in the United States live in poverty. This collection supports programs that empower people to identify and address the obstacles they face in bringing permanent and positive change to their communities. Learn more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at www.usccb.org/cchd.
To contribute, specially marked envelopes are available in the back of the church. Make checks out to the Church of St. Matthew with “CCHD” in the memo line.
$CRIP – GIFT CARDS
Prepaid gift cards will be available for purchase after Mass on Saturdays during the month of November. Gift cards to Cub Foods, Target, Walmart, Speedway, Holiday Gas and more are available. Proceeds from the program benefit the parish. If you need gift cards before the holiday season, please get them early. Contact Tim Nowak or the parish office for more information.
BIBLE STUDY AT THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION
Fr. Steve Adrian is holding a four-week study of the Gospel of John at the Church of the Assumption which began last Monday. The three remaining Mondays are: November 13, 20 and 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, in the lower church. No RSVP necessary.
Church of the Assumption
51 West 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
The next blood pressure check will take place the weekend of November 18 and 19 after Mass.
SAVE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 30
Fr. Steve invites you to a free morning seminar on November 30. It will be hosted by St. Matthew and the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) of Minnesota.
As Catholics, we have a sacred responsibility to prepare for our journey home. This seminar, called “Preparing for Heaven”, is designed to help you and your loved ones plan for the future.
Topics include sacramental preparation, funeral & burial planning, estate planning, and legacy charitable giving.
The seminar will begin with breakfast in the Social Hall at 9:00 a.m. and conclude with Mass.
If interested, please RSVP to Angela in the parish office so we can plan for the breakfast.
SAVE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 28
All are welcome to join in our next West Side Community Conversation on Tuesday evening, November 28. This will be our fourth such meeting. Once again, we’ll gather as members of the West Side community to listen to other members. Both global and local synod processes have emphasized how important it is to listen, listen, listen.
The session on the 28th will be held at Humboldt High School. Plans are for supper at 5:30 p.m., meeting at 6:30 p.m., and adjourning at 8:00 p.m. All are welcome.
If interested, please RSVP to Angela in the parish office so we can plan for the meal.
Phil Grant
Thanksgiving Day Mass
Thursday November 23, 2023, 9:00 AM
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