In this edition:

Liturgy, Community, & Ongoing Events

• Faith Direct Donors: Introducing Our New ParishSOFT Managed Giving
• The Catholic Standard Article on the Mass for Peace
• Fr. Joe's Selection: Pope St. Leo the Great
• Canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
• World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
• The Way Retreat for Women
• Jubilee Cross in the Cathedral Sanctuary
• St. Ann Catholic Church's St. Dymphna Ministry for those with Mental Illness
• St. Ann Catholic Church's St. Peregrine Ministry for those with Cancer, Survivors, and their Caregivers

Faith Formation

• Registration is Open for Children's Faith Formation 2025-2026
• Jubilee Events
• Meditation Group on Sundays
• Divine Adventure Weekend Retreat
• Mystical Word Reflection

Hispanic Ministry

• Grupo de Oración

Social Justice

• Summer in the City Food Drive Thank You
• Adopt-a-Family Back to School Drive
• Always God's Children
• Inscripción al Semestre de Otoño de ESL/Fall Semester English as a Second Language Classes
• Learn About St. Matthew's Care for Creation Green Team

Music Ministry

• Choir Openings & Summer Hiatus

Cathedral Young Adults

• Sundays with CYA

Volunteer Opportunities

• St. Matthew's Cathedral Tour Guides Needed
• Livestreaming Volunteers Needed

& more!

The Catholic Standard Article on the Mass for Peace

On August 22, 2025, a reporter and photographer from the Catholic Standard attended the Mass for Peace to write an article summarizing the Cathedral's answer to Pope Leo XIV's call. Kimberley Heatherington, the reporter, highlights Fr. Isaac Sagastume's message of peace seen through the lens of the Queenship of Mary, mother of the Prince of Peace. Mihoko Owada, the photographer, took some photos of the Mass (including the above) for the article.

Read the article here.

Selection from Fr. Joe:

Pope St. Leo the Great

"It cannot be doubted that the poor can more easily attain the blessing of humility than those who are rich. In the case of the poor, the lack of worldly goods is often accompanied by a quiet gentleness, whereas the rich are more prone to arrogance. Nevertheless, many wealthy people are disposed to use their abundance not to swell their own pride but to perform works of benevolence. They consider their greatest gain what they spend to alleviate the distress of others.

This virtue is open to all men, no matter what their class or condition, because all can be equal in their willingness to give, however unequal they may be in earthly fortune. Indeed, their inequality in regard to worldly means is unimportant, provided they are found equal in spiritual possessions. Blessed, therefore, is that poverty which is not trapped by the love of temporal things and does not seek to be enriched by worldly wealth, but desires rather to grow rich in heavenly goods.

The apostles were the first after the Lord himself to provide us with an example of this generous poverty, when they all equally left their belongings at the call of the heavenly master. By an immediate conversion they were turned from the catching of fish to become fishers of men, and by their own example they won many others to the imitation of their own faith. In these first sons of the Church there was but one heart and one soul among all who believed. Abandoning all their worldly property and possessions in their dedicated poverty, they were enriched with eternal goods, and in accordance with the apostolic preaching, they rejoiced to have nothing of this world and to possess all things with Christ.

Therefore, when the apostle Peter was on his way up to the temple and was asked for alms by the lame man, he replied: Silver and gold I have not; but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk. What is more sublime than this humility? And what could be richer than this poverty? Though Peter cannot assist with money, he can confer gifts of nature. With a word Peter brought healing to the man who had been lame from birth; he who did not give a coin with the emperor’s image refashioned the image of Jesus in this man.

And by the riches of this treasure, not only did he help the man who recovered the power to walk, but also five thousand others who believed the preaching of the apostle because of this miraculous cure. Thus Peter, who in his poverty had no money to give to the beggar, bestowed such a bounty of divine grace that in restoring to health the feet of one man, he healed the hearts of many thousands of believers. He had found all of them lame; but he made them leap for joy in Christ."

Canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis (left) and Pier Giorgio Frassati (right). These modern day holy men have inspired the faith of many due to their zeal for the Catholic Church.

For more information on each saint-to-be, check out this page.

World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday, September 7, 2025

“Blessed are those who have not lost hope.” This scripture passage from Sirach 14:2 proclaims hope in the Lord as the companion for those who grow in relationship with God as they grow older in years. Grandparents are cherished members of our family. They offer wisdom and love, and they share their faith and tell stories of God’s merciful presence in their lives. We thank God for their example and ask that he bless them with happiness and good health.

Learn more about this day here!

St. Ann Catholic Church's St. Dymphna Ministry for those with Mental Illness

St. Ann Catholic Church in Tenley Circle is starting a new ministry for those with mental illness.

The St. Dymphna Ministry meets on Wednesdays at 6:30pm, beginning on September 3, 2025. Meeting will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, in the Malta Library facility, in the basement of the church. 

St. Ann Catholic Church's

St. Peregrine Ministry for those with Cancer, Survivors, and their Caregivers

St. Ann Catholic Church in Tenley Circle is starting a new ministry for those with Cancer, Survivors, and their Caregivers.

The St. Peregrine Ministry meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm, beginning on September 4, 2025. Meeting will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, in the Malta Library facility, in the basement of the church. 

Summer in the City Food Drive Thank you

A message from Anthony Arreaga, Social Justice Coordinator:

Dear parishioners,

I would like to express a tremendous thank you to the parish community for all the contributions and donations that were made towards this year’s 11^th annual Summer in the City Food Drive, organized by the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation. Your abundant generosity resulted in our biggest and most successful food drive contribution throughout our partnership with the Mulholland Foundation. Once more thank you, and a special thank you to Brian Mulholland for organizing the Summer in the City Food Drive.

Thank you,

Anthony

Adopt-a-Family Back to School Drive

Donations are being accepted for the Adopt-a-Family Back to School Drive. Scan the QR code on the flyer above, or click on this LINK to donate online or see one of our Social Justice Committee Volunteers at the back of the Cathedral after all Sunday Masses on the weekend of August 30/31. Thank you for your generosity and for helping out our families in need!

Always God's Children

Always God's Children is the Cathedral ministry to persons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and their friends and family members. The first meeting of the season will be Sunday, September 7, at 3:30pm, in the West Conference Room.

Inscripción al Semestre de Otoño de ESL

Únase a nosotros para un semestre de 14 semanas para clases de inglés como lengua secundaria, que se llevará a cabo desde el martes 2 de septiembre hasta el miércoles 3 de diciembre de 2025. Durante el semestre, las clases se ofrecerán los martes y miércoles de 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m., con tutoría opcional antes de clase de 6:00 a 6:30 p.m. en 1726 N St., 20036. La instrucción del idioma se ofrecerá desde el Nivel 1 (Principiante) hasta el Nivel 5 (Avanzado). Si desea inscribirse, aquí está el formulario de inscripción en línea por un costo de $35 por todo el semestre.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con el Sr. Anthony Arreaga al correo electrónico: aarreaga@stmatthewscathedral.org.

Register for Fall Semester English as a Second Language Classes!

Join us for a 14-week Fall semester of English as a Second Language Classes that will run from Tuesday, September 2 to Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Throughout the semester, classes will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, with optional pre-class tutoring between 6 and 6:30pm at 1726 N St., 20036. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 (Beginner) through Level 5 (Advanced). If you would like to register, here is the online registration form for a cost of $35 for the semester.

If you are interested in being a Teacher, Tutor, or Substitute for the Fall semester, there is still time! Register HERE!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Anthony Arreaga at aarreaga@stmatthewscathedral.org

The Cathedral Young Adult ministry (C†YA) serves the community of Catholic adults ages 21 - 39 who live and work in DC, supporting them in the continued growth of their faith, discernment of their vocations, and development as stewards of the Church through opportunities for socializing, community service, and spiritual reflection.

Sundays with CYA

Sunday, August 31, after the 5:30pm Mass, in the North Conference Room.

Meet other Catholics, talk about the faith, and build friendships! C†YA uses a WhatsApp Community to plan future events, post updates, and stay in touch. Please follow the links for information about how to join and the latest details about upcoming events. You can follow C†YA on Instagram and Facebook for events and news from our community!