December 9, 2018 Saint Matthew Catholic Church...a community of faith and love Mission Statement With the Word of God as our foundation, the people of St. Matthew Catholic Parish strive to be the presence of God in our community. We do so through joyful worship, fellowship among our members, a welcoming spirit to visitors and seekers, an increasing willingness to give our time, talent and treasure to serve God s people and a desire to spread our faith through ongoing spiritual sharing. Pastor Mass Times St. Matthew Catholic Church Very Reverend Thomas J. Anastasia, V.F. Priests Assisting this week: Rev. James Bucaria Rev. Bernie MacAdam Rev. Paul McLaughlin Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm Sunday:7:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am 9111 90th Avenue North Largo, FL 33777 Phone (727) 393-1288 Fax (727) 398-2683 Website www.stmat.org E-Mail: Info@stmat.org Deacons Deacon Tony Quattrocki Deacon Anthony Kijonka - Retired Holy Days: Will be announced Monday Saturday 8:30am Rosary: Monday Saturday 8:00am Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:00pm 3:45pm or by appointment through the parish office. Parish Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm Friday 9:00am-12:00pm
12/9/18 Dear Friends in Christ, Pastor s Column This weekend we are reminded of the historical context of John the Baptist. His role as a prophet was predicted by Isaiah. While our prophetic vocations in following Christ and building up the kingdom do not often require martyrdom the way they did in the case of the Baptist, I sometimes get the feeling that a beheading is near because my role as pastor includes the business end of operations. Last year I had a conversation with a member of the parish who told me that she wished to leave all of her worldly possessions to the parish in her will. I contacted a lawyer in our parish to help her with her desire and she was thrilled with the end result. Her gratitude to God for St. Matthew s family of faith is something that she desires to show at all times but her fixed income now does not allow her to be quite as generous as she would like to be. Remembering the parish in her will however, a process known as legacy giving, is a way that she can make a truly significant dent in our debt once the Lord calls her home. She was thrilled, as was I, when we discovered that it might be possible that our parish debt (approx. $ 640,000.00) could be reduced by 1/3 due to this one bequest. This woman felt that her grown children don t need her money so she d rather see it go to the parish. It is my hope that others will be inspired by her story. If you d like more information about legacy giving please do not hesitate to give me a call. In this season of giving, I would like to encourage you to remember your parish at Christmas. We are about $ 20,000.00 short of our APA goal and all monies given towards this goal are not assessable towards next year s goal. Thank you so much for being generous in the past if that is the case for you and for considering a generous gift this year either to help us make it to our Annual Pastoral Appeal goal by giving to APA directly or to giving to the parish. All gifts large and small are greatly appreciated. Peace in Christ, Readings for the week December 2-9, 2018 Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent Bar 5:1-9 Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 Lk 3:1-6 Monday, December 10 Is 35:1-10 Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday, December 11 Is 40:1-11 Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday, December 12 Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a,10ab Lk 1:26 or Lk 1:39-47 Thursday, December 13 Is 41:13-20 Mt 11:11-15 Friday, December 14 Is 48:17-19 Mt 11:16-19 Saturday, December 15 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent Zep 3:14-18a Phil 4:4-7 Lk 3 10-18 Fr. Tom J. Anastasia Pastor Deck The Halls - Invite to All Parishioners We will be decorating the church on Friday, December 14th. Time 9:30am - 1:00pm. All are invited to come and assist as we welcome in the Holiday Season Christmas Flower Offering If you would like to make an offering in honor or in memory of a loved one, please fill out and drop a Flower envelope in our offertory basket or in the parish office. We will be printing the names in upcoming bulletins. Your gift will help decorate our church to the Glory of God this Christmas season.
Second Sunday of Advent The Deacon s Corner Mass Intentions Saturday, December 8 4:00pm Donna Vaz-Medeiros Sunday, December 9 7:30am Kay Reilly 9:00am People of the Parish 11:00am Michael Kinder, Jr. Monday, December 10 8:30am Judy Safransky Tuesday, December 11 8:30am Aurea DeVera Wednesday, December 12 8:30am Intentions of Mother John Marie Stewart, Foundress DLJC Thursday, December 13 8:30am Intentions of Rick Scott Friday, December 14 8:30am George s. Thompson Saturday, December 15 8:30am Intentions od Ron DiDantis 4:00pm Nancy Lynch *Fr Terry Fleming Sunday, December 16 7:30am Kay Reilly 9:00am *Fr. Tom Anastasia People of the Parish *Fr. Tom Kirchhoefer 11:00am Norma Dungca *Fr. Tom Anastasia *Priest schedule subject to change. Pray for our Military We pray that God will protect and watch over those we love and care for as they bravely serve our country. By the intercession of the patron saints of soldiers, St. George and St. Joan of Arc; may they all return home safely. Ok, today we are celebrating the 2 nd Sunday of Advent. What immediately pops into your mind when you hear the 2 nd Sunday of Advent? Only 16 days until Christmas morning! Decorating your home with the soft glow of candlelight, snowflakes and a Christmas tree full of carefully arranged ornaments and sparkling lights. Do you have a special place where you set up the manger scene, minus the Christ child? When all the decorations are up; when the last Christmas card is mailed out and when the final home baked cookie is out of the oven will you then be ready to celebrate Christmas? This season brings joy to many but it can also be a time of frustrations, loneliness and anxiety to others. In the back of your mind and in the depths of your soul do you recognize the yearning for the One who is to come? Can you hear the call to conversion? Jesus, the Christ child is calling each of us to be present in the manger. To come and adore, to worship, to follow and to believe. Each of us has the opportunity during this Advent season to prepare ourselves to be open and receive the Christ child into our lives. Here are a few suggestions, not meant to be another to-do list, but rather a way to remind ourselves daily that we are called to love and be loved by Jesus, our Lord. Today, think about what you want spiritually, and in relation to friends and family, from Advent. Discard all the extras and the fantasy of the perfect Hallmark Christmas. What will bring growth, peace and quality time in your life? Take a few minutes to read the daily Advent readings. The beautiful words of Isaiah are guaranteed to inspire, and you commitment to take a few minutes will guarantee you a bit of quiet and reflective time. Write a friendly note to an elderly relative or a friend you haven t seen in a long time. Make time to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This might be the best gift you receive this season. This is a beautiful way to clean up in preparation for the coming of Jesus and the beginning of a new year. In this season of giving, please do not forget the poor in our community. If the above is too much for you to handle then I ask you reflect on this single thought for the next 16 days God did not prevent His angels from falling, but when man/woman fell, God could not bear to be parted from us so He sent His only Son to (be born in a manger) to redeem our relationship with God who loves us infinitely. Peace, Deac T Prayer for Priests and Future Priests Eternal Father, we lift up to you these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them, heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness and holiness of your Son Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be pleasing to you. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 12/10 Christopher Marte, Seminarian, 12/11 Rev. Phillip Scott 12/12 For Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life 12/13 For All Bishops, 12/14 Msgr. Cesar Petilla 12/15 Msgr. Joseph F. McCahon, 12/16 Rev. John D Antonio
www.stmat.org Building a caring community that serves others. Stewardship of Treasure Parish Sacrificial Giving Summary In gratitude for the gifts we received from God, we thank all Parishioners and visitors who made a joyful return to the Lord this weekend. December 1-2, 2018 Offertory Totals Envelopes $ 5,565.10 Loose Donations $ 3,134.75 OnLine Giving $ 2,596.50 Total $11,296.35 St Matthew s is a Catholic parish community with a warm heart and has always been generous with those in need outside the parish. Now we are asking that you also dig a little deeper to help those within our parish who could use some help this Holiday season. Please contribute to the Parish Poor Box located at the entrances of the church. All donations are used for our parish community fund throughout the year. Are you a St Matt s Busy Bee? She may bee big, she may bee small, so look carefully throughout these pages and see if you can find where she may bee landing. Retirement for Religious Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests ministered for years for little to no pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate retirement savings. Your gift to the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious this weekend helps to provide medications, nursing care, and more for tens of thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous. St. Vincent de Paul In today s Gospel, John the Baptist urges us to Prepare the way of the Lord, and this is what Advent is all about. We are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our family and to reach out to those in need. Today is the deadline to return your wrapped Jesse Tree gifts since they need to be sorted into family bags before distribution this Wednesday. It s imperative that you please call and leave a message on the Help Line if you still haven t returned your gift so we know START THE NEW YEAR WITH PRAYER! SAVE THE DATE! January 11-12, 2019 Women s Weekend Retreat Friday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Saturday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Continental Breakfast and Lunch served on Saturday!! Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall 11565 66 th Avenue N., Seminole, FL 33772 Join us for a Spirit-filled weekend with Barbara Alderfer, author of Stop Drop and Pray. Barbara will share with us a simple and exciting way to Pray with Power! Experience presentations, song, meditation, and prayer followed by a closing Vigil Mass on Saturday. Tickets are FREE but are required. Seating is limited so plan now for this retreat! Distribution of St. Matthew s tickets will be on December 29-30 after all Masses. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE Please join our Blood Donor Ministry and brighten the holidays for patients and their families. Sign up at either entrance today at St. Matthews or call Dan Eberts at 393-0805 and make an appointment to donate blood between 8 am and 1 pm on the Big Red Bus next Sunday, December 16. Your blood donation can help to save the lives of three patients! What greater gift can you give this holiday season?
December 9, 2018
www.stmat.org 2018 - St Matthew Parish APA APA GOAL $104,520.00 This Week... Sunday, December 9 Pancake Breakfast Retirement for Religious Collection 9:15am Youth Ministry 9:30am Children s Faith Formation 12:15pm RCIA Monday, December 10 Tuesday, December 11 9:00am Miraculous Medal Novena Wednesday, December 12 9:00am Faith Share 9:30am Griefshare 9:30am LOTW 7:00pm Centering Prayer 7:00pm St. Vincent de Paul Thursday, December 13 6:00pm Band 6:30pm Adult Programs 7:20pm Choir Friday, December 14 9:00am Divine Mercy Saturday, December 15 Sunday, December 16 Debt Reduction 9:15am 9:30am 12:15pm 4:00pm Youth Ministry Children s Faith Formation RCIA Christmas Pageant and Parish Christmas Party to follow 76% From 278 Families 43% of registered families are contributing Please use the Yellow APA envelopes to make your donations. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank You for Supporting Our Parish Annual Pastoral Appeal as of November 30, 2018 Goal $104,520.00 Pledged $ 84,774.00* Paid $ 82,286.00 *Pledges are from 279 of our 649 families. Thank you! Pope Francis Prayer Intention for December That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of [baby's name], the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion." --Prayer of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Be Bold - Be Courageous Be Catholic!! Follow Bishop Parkes on Twi er! @BishopParkes
myparishapp.com / Sacraments and Ministries BAPTISM of INFANTS: The Sacrament of Baptism celebrates God s love and initiates us into the community of believers called the Church. We are the Church, and each baptism we perform or witness is a sign of our faith in Christ s power to renew the face of the earth. Baptisms are celebrated during the Mass. For Baptism preparation classes for parents, contact the parish office: (727) 393-1288. We recommend attending before the birth of your child. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Call the office at any time in case of serious sickness. If you are hospitalized, the priest assigned to the hospital will administer the sacrament. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Call the office a minimum of six months in advance. Participation in Journey to Matrimony or Pre-Cana program is required. SACRAMENTS FOR ADULTS: R.C.I.A. is for adults and unbaptized teens wanting to be Catholic Christians. Please contact the office of Faith Formation at (727) 393-1288, ext. 204. SACRAMENTS FOR TEENS: CONFIRMATION for baptized teens wanting to complete their Sacraments. Please contact Youth Ministry, Faith Formation at (727) 393-1288, ext. SACRAMENTS FOR CHILDREN: First Communion and Reconciliation for baptized children ages 7 and older. Please contact the Office of Faith Formation at (727) 393-1288, ext. 204. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council #11226, extends an invitation to all Catholic men to join our council. The council meets the First Monday of the month. If you are interested in hearing more about the Knights of Columbus, please contact Jack Hughes- Grand Knight at 727-418-4071. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: Assistance to the needy. Calls are monitored and returned daily. Phone 592-1960. PROJECT HUNGER: On the third Sunday of every month, donations of food for our food pantry are collected. CENTERING PRAYER: Centering Prayer is a form of silent contemplation practiced both as a part of a group and in our daily lives. We meet Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm for approximately one and a half hour. Please feel free to come join us. Call Judi Valori at 727-399-2306 or jvalori@tampabay.rr.com if you have any questions. WOMEN S MINISTRY: Meet at 7:00pm the third Tuesday of every month August through May. New members are always welcome! SICK OR INCAPACITATED: Please contact the parish office if you, or a family member, would like to be included in our monthly prayer list. If you are unable to attend Mass, let us know if you would like to schedule a visit from an Eucharistic Minister. VOCATIONS: Contact Fr. Melchior for more information at (727) 345-3452 or spvocation@dosp.org. Welcome New Members We invite everyone interested in joining our faith community to take a welcome packet, which is located in the two entryways and register to be part of our faith community. Registering allows us to serve your needs more fully. Please come by the office during the work week or fill out the registration from and place in the collection basket. You can also register online at www.stmat.org. Children over the age of eighteen, please register separately from your parents. PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND AND EASTERN EUROPE 12 Days: September 9-20, 2019 Warsaw * Krakow * Budapest * Vienna * Prague Hosted By Fr. Tom Anastasia ONLY $3899 from Tampa or Miami (Air/land price is $3479 plus $420 gov t taxes/ airline surcharges) GERMANY, PRAGUE & AUSTRIA Featuring the Passion Play of Oberammergau! 12 Days: August 25 to September 5, 2020 ONLY $ 4799 from Tampa or Miami (Air/Land price is $ 4349 plus $ 450 gov t taxes/ airline surcharges) Tour Includes: Roundtrip Airfare from Tampa or Miami, First Class/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Professional Tour Director, Comprehensive Sightseeing and more!! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT FR. ANASTASIA Tel: (727) 393-1288 Email: godrays@stmat.org Parish Staff Pastor: Very Rev. Tom Anastasia, V.F. (ext. 205) Deacon: Deacon Tony Quattrocki (ext. 203) Deacon.Tony@stmat.org Faith Formation Ministries: Phil Coit (ext. 204) Youth Ministries: Lisa Limberger Music Ministry: Chantal Ward (ext. 202) Parish Secretary: Anne Koster (ext. 201) Maintenance Staff: Jim Murray Joe LaFrazia Don Koster