In this edition:

Liturgy, Community, & Ongoing Events

• Update Your Online Giving Webpage Bookmark
• Get Your Free 1-year Membership to the Museum of the Bible!
• Knights of Columbus Pizza Party
• Labor Day Mass
• Deacon Bart Merella to Celebrate his 40th Anniversary of His Ordination to the Diaconate at the Cathedral
• Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Mass
• Mass for the Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle
• Cathedral Book Club
• Mass to Commemorate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
• The Way Retreat
• Together in Holiness | Marriage Enrichment Conference
• New Online Exhibit in Honor of the Feast of the Assumption

Faith Formation

• Baptism Prep Class
• Franciscan Mysticism: Divine Ecstasy in Human Flesh
• Meditation Group on Sundays
• Mystical Word

Hispanic Ministry

• Grupo de Oración
• Encuentro Matrimonial Mundial 

Social Justice

• Sponsor a Monday Morning Breakfast
• Catholic Social Thought in the News
• Catholic Social Teaching Fellowship Series
• Adult English Classes – Fall / Clases de inglés para adultos – Otoño
• Annual Health & Wellness Fair / Feria Anual de Salud y Bienestar 
• Creation Care Corner

Music Ministry

• Schola Cantorum



Cathedral Young Adults

• Sunday Meeting
• CYA Happy Hour
• Women's Group Bible Study
• CYA Book Club

Update Your Online Giving Webpage Bookmark

If you use a saved bookmark or favorite to access our online giving page, please take a moment to update it with our new ParishSOFT Giving link: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/FD-284.

If you've been using our previous Faith Direct link, don't worry—your donations are still reaching us. The old link automatically redirects to our new ParishSOFT Giving page, so no gifts have been missed.

Updating your bookmark will make it easier to access our current giving page directly in the future. Thank you for your continued generosity and support of our parish!

Get Your Free 1-year Membership to the Museum of the Bible!

The Cathedral of St. Matthew has been given a wonderful opportunity to receive a free 1-year membership to the Museum of the Bible for all its parishioners! You can sign up for a free membership simply by clicking this unique link HERE.

This membership provides exclusive access to resources that capture the living and active power of God’s Word throughout history. For those who live outside of the DC-area, our online portal offers a wealth of resources to help members grow in their faith from anywhere.

Your Membership Benefits

• General Admission: Two (2) adult and all youth (5–17)* general admission tickets per visit.
• Washington Revelations: Two (2) adult and all youth (5–17)* tickets to Washington Revelations per visit.
• Special 2025 Perk: Two (2) free adult and three (3) youth tickets to "Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition" (valid until September).
• Special 2026 Perk: 50% discount on unlimited tickets to "Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition".
• Guest Discounts: 50% discount on tickets for accompanying guests.
• Theater Savings: 15% discount on two (2) adult and all youth (5–17)* tickets to select World Stage Theater shows.
• Discounts on Dining & Shopping: 10% discount at the Museum Shop (and online store) + 10% discount at the Milk + Honey Café.
• Exclusive Content & Events:
• Access to members-only content on our streaming site and mobile app.
• An invitation to our annual member appreciation event.
• Exciting programming exclusive to Family memberships.
• Advance notice of museum events and exhibitions.

What to Expect Next

• Visiting Before Your Card Arrives: Your official physical membership card will arrive in the mail in a few weeks. In the meantime, you can use your email receipt to gain full entry and benefits at the museum immediately!
• No-Hassle Renewal: We do not require or keep a credit card on file for this membership. When your year is up, we will simply prompt you to renew at our standard $60 annual rate.

Knights of Columbus Pizza Party

The Knights of Columbus Potomac Council 433 cordially invite you to a fun-filled evening of pizza and fellowship on Monday, August 31, from 6pm to 8pm in the North Conference Room. Come meet our Grand Knight, Patrick Realiza, and the rest of his leadership team, and learn more about the world's premier lay Catholic men's organization with over 2.2 million members worldwide, focused on developing a Christ-centered brotherhood and fraternity while serving the local parish community.

For questions, please contact Grand Knight Patrick Realiza at patrick.realiza@oulook.com. All are welcome! Donate here.

Labor Day Mass

Please join Cardinal McElroy and the Catholic Labor Network for a Labor Day Mass on Sunday, September 6 at 11am!

Immediately after the Mass, everyone is invited to join us for a gathering in the Great Hall, where they can learn more about the Catholic Labor Network.

Watch the livestream here.

Click here for more information.

Deacon Bart Merella to Celebrate his 40th Anniversary of His Ordination to the Diaconate at the Cathedral

Deacon Bart Merella returns to the Cathedral on Sunday, September 13 for the 11am Mass, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate. Bart served the St. Matthew community for 15 years (2006-2021), helping with baptism and marriage preparation and celebrations, as well as helping to plan the liturgical life of the Cathedral community. Bart is a long-time friend of our Cathedral Rector, Msgr. Jasmeson, serving with him on the former Archdiocesan Liturgy Committee, the 1979 papal Mass planning committee and later with him at Holy Redeemer parish in College Park, MD. Bart and his wife (Eileen) live in Bowie, MD; he currently serves the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish community in Crofton, MD. Bart is the parent of 3 children (Mark, Maureen and Monica) and 9 grandchildren. St. Matthew’s Cathedral was Bart’s first local parish community, upon moving to Washington from his native Cleveland, Ohio in 1961. He led its young adult community until his marriage in 1963 to Eileen Connors (RN) who lived near Boston, MA.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Mass

The Constantinian Order will sponsor a Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Monday, September 14, at 5:30pm at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Monsignor Jameson will be the principal celebrant.

Mass for the Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle

On Sunday, September 20, we will celebrate the patronal feast of our parish, The Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle. We will have our regular schedule of Masses, but the 11am Mass will be bilingual. Monsignor Jameson will be the principal celebrant and Fr. Isaac will be the homilist. The wonderful Schola Cantorum will be back for another year of great music. We hope you can join us in celebrating our titular feast!

Plan to come by the Great Hall for Hospitality after the 11am Mass!

Cathedral Book Club

The next subject of the Cathedral Book Club is the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic of political integrity, "Profiles in Courage", by John F. Kennedy... then junior senator from Massachusetts.

The discussion will be held on Thursday, September 24, from 7pm to 8:15pm in the West Conference Room.

Mass to Commemorate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

All are invited to join us in solidarity and prayer for migrants and refugees, listening to and honoring their stories and experiences on Sunday, September 27, 2026; Rosary Prayer: 4:35pm; Mass: 5:30pm

The theme for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), chosen by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, is “Even Just One of These Children.”

Through this theme, the Holy Father draws attention to the particular challenges faced by children affected by migration and displacement, whose safety, dignity, and fundamental rights are often at risk.



Rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, the Church calls all people of faith to welcome, accompany, protect, and promote migrants and refugees, especially the most vulnerable. Join us as we pray, reflect, and reaffirm our commitment to fostering communities of compassion, justice, and hope.

Register for The Way Retreat

As the Church continues to minister to all survivors of abuse, the Archdiocese of Washington sponsors a retreat for survivors. The archdiocese will offer a women’s retreat on Sept.18-20, 2026 and April 23-25, 2027. In partnership with the Archdiocese of Atlanta, a men’s retreat will be held in the DC area January 8 - 10, 2027. This retreat is an occasion for survivors to reflect on God’s plan for their lives and for healing through prayer and the sacraments. For more information go to adw.org/the-way-retreat. To register email mcdonaldd@adw.org 

New Online Exhibit in Honor of The Feast of the Assumption

In honor of the Feast of the Assumption, St. Matthew’s mobile guide now features a new exhibit showcasing the statue of The Blessed Mother by Gordon Kray. All are invited to explore this special exhibit by scanning the QR code.

Baptism Prep Class

The baptism prep class is held on the first Thursday of the month from 7pm to 8:30pm on Zoom. Registration for the class is required. A registration link for the class is sent upon the completion of the main baptism application/registration, which is a link given by the priest.

The next class will be on September 3, 2026.

Learn more about baptism classes here.

Franciscan Mysticism: Divine Ecstasy in Human Flesh

The tradition started by St Francis of Assisi is primarily a mystical - focused on leaving the ego for the burning love of God in Christ Crucified.

We will explore various Franciscan mystics from the time of Francis of Assisi in the thirteenth century up to our own time. Some of these mystics are St Bonaventure, St Angela of Foligno, St Catherine of Bologna, Francisco de Osuna, Padre Pio, and, in our own time, Ilia Delio and Richard Rohr. Franciscan mysticism is “Divine Ecstasy in Human Flesh.” Mystical ecstasy means abandoning the self because one has experienced the goodness of God.

Join us for this class to learn how the Franciscan mystics threw themselves into the mystery of divine goodness and learn how to do the same in your own life.



Tuesdays, 7pm to 8:30pm in the EAST Conference Room

September 15 – October 13, 2026

For more information and to register, email L.J. Milone here.

Meditation Group

Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? Come to the Meditation Group. You will discover a centuries-old prayer method that consists of simply sitting in silence with God - beyond thoughts, words, and emotions - and opening our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery.

If you are new, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer, a Christian contemplative practice first described in The Cloud of Unknowing, written in the latter half of the 14th Century. It calls one to abandon all thinking and to surrender to God within.

It is a very personal prayer practice but is often practiced in groups. It opens one to God's infinite love and power to heal, and opens the door to other related prayer practices around forgiveness, and dealing with painful situations and emotions.

Meeting Times:

Sundays, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM on Zoom

See the cathedral website for the Zoom link HERE, or email L.J. Milone here for the link.

Mystical Word

A weekly reflection based on the Sunday Gospel reading, written by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. Read this week's reflection HERE.

Sponsor a Monday Morning Breakfast

Every Monday, our Monday Morning Ministry welcomes neighbors experiencing homelessness with a warm breakfast, fellowship, and compassionate care. We also provide nutritious meals to go, personal-care essentials, and new socks and undergarments.

Your donation can sponsor all or part of a breakfast and help provide hot food, fruit, yogurt, beverages, and other essential supplies. Together, we can ensure that no one begins the week hungry or without basic necessities.



Help us set the table—sponsor a breakfast today by clicking here!

Catholic Social Thought in the News

AI and the Church: When Catholic higher education meets A.I.: We can't let new technology override moral wisdom

"Pope Leo urges us to ensure that moral wisdom guides humankind's decision-making about A.I., and he calls us to accept our shared responsibility in this regard: 'Fidelity to the truth requires integrating the possiblities offered by technology within a framework marked by wisdom, which is capable of safeguarding both the dignity of each person and the future of our common home.'"

"In a world with A.I., the humanities, which have always been at the core of Catholic higher education, have never been more important."

"We must encourage [students] to cultivate curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, moral courage and compassion through their study of the humanities. These qualities cannot be replaced by artificial intellegence, and they are precisely the competencies our future leaders will need in order to navigate a world that grows ever more complex."

 —Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., America, August 13, 2026

Catholic Social Teaching Fellowship Series

“let it be said once again that economics is supposed to be in the service of man.”

-Populorum Progressio, Paul VI, 1967

As part of our ongoing Catholic Social Teaching fellowship series, join us in the North Conference Room on Sunday, September 13 after the 11am Mass to discuss the Church’s teachings on Economics with economist Tony Annett, author of Cathonomics. All are welcome.

"la economía está al servicio del hombre.”

-Populorum Progressio, Pablo VI, 1967

Como parte de nuestra serie de encuentros sobre la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia, los invitamos a acompañarnos el domingo 13 de septiembre, después de la Misa de las 11am, en el salón del Norte. Conversaremos con el economista Tony Annett, autor de Cathonomics, sobre la economía desde la perspectiva de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

Adult English Classes – Fall 2026

Registration is now open for our Fall 2026 Adult English Classes! This 13-week program begins Tuesday, September 15, and meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30pm. The $35 registration fee includes a new textbook. Register here. For questions about registration or volunteering, email stmatthewsdcesl@gmail.com.

Clases de inglés para adultos – Otoño 2026

¡Ya están abiertas las inscripciones para nuestras clases de inglés para adultos de otoño de 2026! Este programa de 13 semanas comienza el martes 15 de septiembre, con clases los martes y miércoles de 6:30 a 8:30pm. La cuota de inscripción es de $35 e incluye un libro de texto nuevo. Inscríbase aquí. Para preguntas sobre la inscripción o para ser voluntario/a, escriba a stmatthewsdcesl@gmail.com.

Annual Health & Wellness Fair

Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 10:30am – 3pm

Join us for the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle’s Annual Health & Wellness Fair, sponsored by the Social Justice Committee. Take advantage of this opportunity to receive health screenings from qualified professionals, including blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, dental screenings, and additional wellness services.

Volunteer interpreters are needed. To volunteer or request additional information, please contact Willy Escobar here.

Feria de Salud y Bienestar

Domingo 27 de septiembre de 2026 | 10:30am – 3pm

Acompáñenos en la Feria Anual de Salud y Bienestar de la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol, patrocinada por el Comité de Justicia Social. Aproveche esta oportunidad para recibir evaluaciones de salud realizadas por profesionales, incluyendo chequeos de presión arterial, glucosa, colesterol, salud dental y otros servicios de bienestar.

Necesitamos intérpretes voluntarios. Para ofrecerse como voluntario o solicitar más información, comuníquese con Willy Escobar.

Schola Cantorum and a Summer Choir

The Schola Cantorum, the Cathedral’s semi-professional choir began its summer hiatus June 14. It will resume September 20, for the feast of St Matthew the Apostle.

If you have significant adult choral experience and would like to participate in the Schola Cantorum, please contact Tom Stehle here or call 202-587-5141 to set up an audition.

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 30, after the 5:30pm Mass, join us in the North Conference Room.

CYA Happy Hour

Tuesday, September 1,  CYA will be having its bi-weekly happy hour at 6:30pm at Aslin Beer Company on 14th street.

Women’s Group Bible Study

Join the CYA Women's Group for Bible Study on Wednesday, September 2, from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Great Hall.

CYA Book Club

Join the CYA Book Club to discuss Mariette in Ecstasy, by Ron Hansen, who will be in attendance. Tuesday, September 27, at 7pm in the West 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!