Saint Matthew Catholic Church

Saint Matthew Catholic Church 1st Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2018 Wednesday - 8:15-8:45a.m. Saturday - 3:00-3:30 p.m. Of the Presider December 3-9 Weekday Masses - 9:00 a.m. Mon. - 3 Tues. - 4 Wed. - 5 Thur. - 6 Fri. - 7 Deceased Friend James Kigdon + Oakley Grace James Danas +Gifty Ayeh & Family Saturday - 8 & Sunday - 9 Sat. 9:00 Sat. 4:00 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.. 5:00 p.m. Monsita Usera Sauber Rose Lizotte Debbie Nicholson For the People Patricia Konsin Keep Christ in Christmas - December 16 Jodie/George VanKessel + Special Intention If you would like to arrange a Mass Intention, please call or visit the Parish Office or the Welcome desk in the church Narthex Church Phone: 863.324.3040 Emergency Phone: 863.670.5026 Appointments with the Pastor thepastorscalendar.com. Page 8

Office Hours Mon. - Thur. 8:30-5:00 Office Closed on Fridays Susan Simonson, Office Manager ssimonson@saintmcc.com Maria Montejo, Adm. Assistant mmontejo@saintmcc.com Richard Monteverde Director of Faith Formation rmonteverde@saintmcc.com Adrienne Garalde Youth Ministry Coordinator agaralde@saintmcc.com Lee Rutan, Director of Music lrutan@saintmcc.com Steve Williams (I.F.S. Group), Accounting Parish Grounds Bill Ball / Adrianna Ball St. Matthew Thrift Shop/ Regenerations Rowena Koltchigin - Donations Coordinator Andrea Rugo OFFICE CONTACT 863.324.3040 or info@saintmcc.com Living the Eucharist Prayer MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Dear Jesus, help us to spread your presence everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may be only a radiance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every person we come in contact with may feel your presence. Let them look up and see no longer us, but only you! Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine; so to shine as a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be ours; it will be you, shining on others through us. Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us. Amen. Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman December 3-9 December 10-16 3 - St. Francis Xavier 6:00 - Living the Eucharist Liturgical Min. Mtg 6:30 - Rock & Rejoice Rehearsal 7:00 - KofC Assembly 4 - St. John Demascene 10:00 - Golden Ladies 5:00 - Junior Choir 7:00 - Adult Choir 5 - Advent Weekday 8:15 - Confessions 6:00 - Confirmation Prep 6:00 - Joy and Devotion/Faith Formation 7:00 - Marian Prayer Group 8:00 - Vietnamese Choir Rehearsal 10 - Advent Weekday 6:30 - Rock & Rejoice Rehearsal 7:00 - KofC Council Meeting 11 - Advent Weekday 9:00 - Mission Meal Cooking 10:00 - Prayer Shawl Meeting 5:00 - Junior Choir 7:00 - Adult Choir 9:00 - Vietnamese Advent Penance Service 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe 9:00-7:00 Angel Tree Gift Distribution 8:15 - Confessions 6:00 - Confirmation Prep 6:00 - Joy and Devotion/Faith Formation 7:00 - Marian Prayer Group 8:00 - Vietnamese Choir Rehearsal You can now make a contribution to St. Matthew Catholic Church with a quick text message! Simply send a text to 863-777- 5671 with the amount you would like to contribute. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Example: $25 offertory $amount OCA (OCA is for Our Catholic Appeal for a one time gift) THURSDAY FRIDAY SATUR- 6 - St. Nicholas 8:45 - Divine Mercy Chaplet 10:00 - Mary s Hands Rosary Makers 5:30 - Mt. 25:35 - Feed the Hungry 7 - St. Ambrose 9:30-5:30 Adoration of the Eucharist 1:30 - Devotion to the Sacred Heart 7:00 - Mass (Immaculate Conception Vigil) 8 - Immaculate Conception 12:00 - Youth Core Meeting 3:00 - Confessions 13 - St. Lucy 9:00-7:00 Angel Tree Gift Distribution 8:45 - Divine Mercy Chaplet 10:00 - Hispanic Rosary 10:00 - Mary s Hands Rosary Makers 4:00 - Mission Meal Cooking 5:30 - Mt. 25:35 - Feed the Hungry 6:00 - Youth Night 14 - St. John of the Cross 9:30-2:00 Adoration of the Eucharist 1:30 - Devotion to the Sacred Heart 7:30 - Vietnamese Christmas Skit Rehearsal 15 - Advent Weekday 3:00 - Confessions 4:00 - Mass at: Saintmcc.com/giving SUNDAY 9 2nd Sunday of Advent 8:00 - Mass 9:00 - Vietnamese Choir Rehearsal 9:15 - Sunday School 9:30 - Mass (Vietnamese) 11:00 - Mass 11:00 - Vietnamese Retreat 12:30 - Mt. 25:35 (Feed the Hungry) 5:00 - Mass 16 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:00 - Mass 9:00 - Vietnamese Choir Rehearsal 9:15 -KofC Keep Christ in Christmas Gathering 9:15 - Sunday School 9:30 - Mass (Vietnamese) 11:00 - Mass 12:30 - Mt. 25:35 (Feed the Hungry) 5:00 - Mass Masses are broadcasted Live and on-demand at: www.saintmcc.com Facebook ROKU Apple TV

DISCIPLES CORNER 197 W. Central Ave. Winter Haven, FL. Not only do we have our Disciples Corner located off the Narthex of our Church. We also have our Disciples Corner downtown Winter Haven located on the corner of West Central Ave and 2nd Street West. A FEW THINGS TO BE MINDFUL OF Please remember to push the kneeler cushions under the seats far enough so they do not become a trip hazard for others. PLEASE, for the safety of all, do not drive out the entrance drive and in through the exit drive, we have already had a number of near accidents. Please don t leave your bulletin or other items in the book racks under the seats, someone has to go around and pull them out. Please don t teach our children that it s acceptable to leave Mass before the final Blessing. Please take note that opening the door for us as we enter the nave of the church is not a New Job for our Pastor. He s opening it when no one else is opening it for us as we enter. We don t keep the doors propped open due to the fact the noise from the Narthex travels into the Nave where people are in quiet prayer before our Lord. Please feel free to take turns opening the door for others whenever you would like. DECEMBER 19 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Throughout the day there will be a priest available in the church for confessions Purchase in our St. Matthew Gift Shop 197 W. Central (made out of 1/2 Marine Grade PVC) St. Josephs - Penance Service December 10-7:00 p.m. Mary Queen of the Universe 8300 Vineland Road Orlando, Fl. 32821 Confessions Mon. through Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There you will find a great opportunity for Evangelization, Service and Fellowship. Located in what was the 1st Publix Supermarket (Now a Historical Landmark) you will find our St. Matthew Thrift Shop (Regenerations) our St. Matthew Gift Shop, a Disciples Lounge and our Matthew 25:35 Center. This is also the location where we serve food to the Hungry every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. If you have never been there or if it s been a long time since you ve stopped by our St. Matthew Thrift Shop (Regenerations) stop in, browse around. Stop by the Religious Gift Shop, relax in the Disciples Lounge, have a seat in the book area of the Thrift Shop, read a book, or buy it and take it with you at a low price you won t find in any book store or online. Please remember that our Thrift Shop accepts donations. There is a side door on 2nd street where you can drop them off. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of so many. Your purchases at our Thrift Shop and Gift Shop help support our Matthew 25:35 Ministries and Catholic Education. We also are grateful for all the Volunteers who make all that we do at the Disciples Corner possible. If you have extra time on occasion and want to serve stop by the information desk, call the parish office: 863.324.3040 Or Visit: saintmcc.com/volunteer

YOUTH SPOTLIGHT Henry H. Henry is a senior at Santa Fe Catholic High School and recently turned 18 years old! He was part of the original 5 High School Core Team group and in his time with the Core Team he has showed his natural gift of leadership and willingness to serve. He has stepped up on multiple occasions during our Faith Formation nights and lead a small group. He also helps his Mother, Sybel, time to time leading the 4th & 5th grade Sunday School Class. Henry has been an Altar Server for several years, and recently became an Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion this past Summer. Here are 5 facts Henry shares about himself: I m the captain of the Santa Fe swim team I like basketball I like to play Fortnite I like clothes and shoes My favorite Bible verse is John 6:51 Why are you part of the Core Team? I am part of the core team to try and bond with other youth at our church and spread the faith to them. -Henry Henry is such a Blessing to our team, and a great servant for our Lord. Please pray for him, his family, and the rest of our Core Team Members! Ministers of the Word Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God at daily and weekend Masses and at special liturgies. Ministers of the Word also lead the Prayer of the Faithful when a deacon is not present. Any parishioner who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church can volunteer to be a reader at our Liturgical celebrations. If you feel that you may be called to be a Minister of the Word or would like more information about this ministry, please stop by the information desk in the Narthex or contact Maria in the office or email her at: mmontejo@saintmcc.com Every year in January hundreds of thousands of people go marching through the Streets of Washington D.C. standing up for all Life, from conception to natural death! In 2019 our teens of Saint Matthew plan to be among the hundreds of thousands of people standing up for life and being a voice for the voiceless. We will also take this opportunity to turn this trip into a pilgrimage and offer up prayers for the prolife movement while visiting sights like the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. This will be a 3 day pilgrimage and we are planning on taking 12 Students and 2 Chaperones. With that being said we turn to our community to ask if you would prayerfully consider sponsoring parts of, or the entire cost of the trip for 12 teens. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated! We thank you in advance for your generosity and your prayers. Counseling & Spiritual Direction Michael Castrilli, J.C.L., M.A. Counseling is available for: Marriage, Family, retirees and Spiritual Direction Call the office for an appointment 863.324.3040 Cost Per Student Hotel: $156 Airfare: $202 Youth Rally: $30 Metro Card: $10 Chaperone Fee: $60 Total = $458 HOMEBOUND OR HOSPITALIZED If you or a family member are hospitalized, please remember to notify the office if you would like a priest or a Minister to the Sick to visit. Hospitals in our area do not provide us with this information. Unless you notify us when you are in the hospital we have no way of knowing. Please contact the parish office: 863.324.3040

PREPARE YE THE WAY! For some, getting there is half the fun. Cleaning up, organizing, pulling out, dusting off, setting up, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor. If you are one of us who enjoy preparing for the holidays as much as the holidays themselves, then we have some projects for you! Preparing our sanctuary for special holy seasons is an important part of our liturgy and worship. Come and help us set up for Christmas. Christmas decorating will begin on Monday, December 17 th, and continue on Tuesday, Dec. 18. On Monday we will begin to set up the nativity scene, Christmas trees, wreaths and banners. On Tuesday, the flowers will arrive and we can finish what got missed on Monday. Sign up now at the Narthex desk to help! It is a great honor to carry the wine and hosts to the priest at Mass for consecration! Any occasion can be a time to serve as a Gift Bearer: a birthday, an anniversary, or for no other reason than assisting at Mass. Or maybe you would like to bring the gifts on the memorial of a loved one. Gift Bearers actively participate in the celebration of the Mass by presenting the gifts of Bread and Wine at the altar and require no special skill or permanent ministerial duty, and yet it is a beautiful and significant part of the Mass performed by lay people. We now have a sign-up book in the back of the church, to the right of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where you can register you or your family for upcoming weekend Masses. E M H C xtraordinary inisters of oly ommunion Priest and Deacons are the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. If a large number of faithful are present, the presider will frequently need assistance of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in distributing communion so that the Communion Rite is not unduly long. EMHC must be fully initiated, active members of the parish and have no impediment to receiving Holy Communion and participating in the sacramental life of the Church. (If married, they must be in a sacramental marriage.) During the five-year period of which their mandate is valid, EMHC must have ongoing formation in this ministry. They may participate in programs provided by the parish or diocesan level. If you feel called to this ministry please stop by the Narthex information or contact Maria at the parish office or email her at: mmontejo@saintmcc.com LOW GLUTEN HOST PROCEDURE Beginning the 1st weekend of December we will begin a new procedure for those who receive the low gluten host. It is necessary to notify the sacristan at the lay ministers podium in the Narthex of the church no later than 10 minutes before the Mass begins. You will be given a special cross with a yellow ribbon to wear, similar to what our Eucharistic Ministers wear. The low gluten host will be given by the presider of the Mass in the center aisle, your left side. If you did not check in prior to the Mass to receive the cross please receive only the Precious Blood from the Chalice

Canon Law, Code 1240 St. Matthew Cemetery Columbarium Where possible, the Church is to have its own cemeteries or at least areas in civil cemeteries that are designated for the deceased members of the faithful and properly blessed. If this cannot be achieved, however, then individual graves are to be properly blessed. Benefits of our Parish Cemetery Columbarium located on our church grounds. Perpetual Care: The Code of Canon Law requires the Catholic Church to perpetually maintain its places of burial. Care will always be assured. Security: Proximity on constantly occupied, well-lighted Church grounds assures optimum security. Convenience: With your final resting place here on the Church grounds, your family and friends and all those attending Mass will find it convenient to visit and pay their respects. Serenity: Our columbarium fits perfectly into existing and planned future construction, offering a serene, peaceful environment for meditation and quiet reflection. For more information contact the parish office: 863.324.3040 St. Matthew Cemetery Columbarium Christmas Flower Memorial Remember your loved ones who have died with a $30 donation for a Poinsettia plant to be placed in the Columbarium at the feet of Christ. Deadline to have their names listed in the December 23 and 30 bulletins is Dec. 10 If they are not inurned in our Columbarium please list where they are buried or inurned. (City and State) St. Matthew Columbarium Christmas Flower Memorial In Memory of: By: Placed Buried or Inurned:

Thrift Shop Help is needed at our Thrift Shop (Regenerations) and our Gift Shop located downtown Winter Haven, especially during the Holiday Season. We receive donations for our Thrift Shop on a daily basis and need assistance getting it out on the sales floor. There is need of assistance in assuring that electronics and mechanical items are in working condition and while we have a large selection of new Religious articles, books, cards, etc we do not have the help to keep the Gift Shop open on a regular basis. For information on how you can help stop by the Information desk in the Narthex, call the parish office 863.324.3040 or email us at: calledtoserve@saintmcc.com

Altar Servers Altar Servers assist at the Mass. We encourage the youth of our parish to be involved in this ministry. It is a stepping stone to Liturgical service in the church. Any boy or girl who has made their 1st Holy Communion and completed the 3rd grade, is eligible to become an Altar Server. Parents are welcome to serve with their children either as an Altar Server along with their child or as a reader or Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. For more information stop by the information desk in the Narthex or call the parish office and speak with Richard or Adrienne. Holy Spirit 101 DECEMBER 8 Dea MASS SCHEDULE Friday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m. Keep Christ in Christmas The Knights of Columbus invite all families of the parish to join us on Gaudete Sunday, December 16th in the Parish Center, following the 8:00 a.m. Mass for a special KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS gathering. There will be coffee and donuts, and juice for the kids. We invite you to bring your Christmas Creche or a part of it, the baby Jesus or the Holy Family, to have them Blessed. The Knights will be distributing Blessed straw that you can take home and place in your nativity scene along with other special gifts focusing on the Christmas Creche.