In this edition:

Liturgy, Community, & Ongoing Events

• Mass for the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle
• ParishSOFT Managed Giving
• Fr. Joe's Selection: From a homily on St. Matthew by St. Bede the Venerable, priest
• Natural Family Planning Instruction
• The Way Retreat for Women
• 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope” – Reflection Procession & Mass 
• Season of Creation Concluding Mass 
• Fr. Daniel Roberts to Celebrate 11am Mass on October 26, 2025
• Jubilee Cross in the Cathedral Sanctuary

Faith Formation

• Registration is Open for Children's Faith Formation 2025-2026
• The Little Poor Man: The Life and Radical Mystery of St. Francis of Assisi
• The Mystics: An Intentional Community
• Meditation Group on Sundays
• Jubilee Events
• Cathedral Book Club
• Mystical Word Reflection

Hispanic Ministry

• Grupo de Oración

Social Justice

• St. Matthew's Annual Health Fair
• Learn About St. Matthew's Care for Creation Green Team
• 2025 Season of Creation
• Care for Creation Green Ministry: The Ten Green Commandments of Laudato Si'
• Paddling on the Anacostia River
• Always God's Children

Music Ministry

• Summer Hiatus

Cathedral Young Adults

• Sundays with CYA
• CYA Book Club: Death Comes for the Archbishop

Volunteer Opportunities

• Extroadinary Ministers of Communion Needed
• Volunteer Interpreters Needed
• St. Matthew's Cathedral Tour Guides Needed
• Livestreaming Volunteers Needed

& more!

Selection from Fr. Joe:

From a homily on St. Matthew by St. Bede the Venerable, priest

Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him: Follow me. Jesus saw Matthew, not merely in the usual sense, but more significantly with his merciful understanding of men.

He saw the tax collector and, because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him, he said to him: Follow me. This following meant imitating the pattern of his life – not just walking after him. St. John tells us: Whoever says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

And he rose and followed him. There is no reason for surprise that the tax collector abandoned earthly wealth as soon as the Lord commanded him. Nor should one be amazed that neglecting his wealth, he joined a band of men whose leader had, on Matthew’s assessment, no riches at all. Our Lord summoned Matthew by speaking to him in words. By an invisible, interior impulse flooding his mind with the light of grace, he instructed him to walk in his footsteps. In this way Matthew could understand that Christ, who was summoning him away from earthly possessions, had incorruptible treasures of heaven in his gift.

As he sat at table in the house, behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. This conversion of one tax collector gave many men, those from his own profession and other sinners, an example of repentance and pardon. Notice also the happy and true anticipation of his future status as apostle and teacher of the nations. No sooner was he converted than Matthew drew after him a whole crowd of sinners along the same road to salvation. He took up his appointed duties while still taking his first steps in the faith, and from that hour he fulfilled his obligation and thus grew in merit. To see a deeper understanding of the great celebration Matthew held at his house, we must realise that he not only gave a banquet for the Lord at his earthly residence, but far more pleasing was the banquet set in his own heart which he provided through faith and love. Our Saviour attests to this: Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

On hearing Christ’s voice, we open the door to receive him, as it were, when we freely assent to his promptings and when we give ourselves over to doing what must be done. Christ, since he dwells in the hearts of his chosen ones through the grace of his love, enters so that he might eat with us and we with him. He ever refreshes us by the light of his presence insofar as we progress in our devotion to and longing for the things of heaven. He himself is delighted by such a pleasing banquet.

The painting above is "The Calling of St. Matthew" by Caravaggio. Learn more about it here.

Read more about our Patron here.

Natural Family Planning Instruction

Therese Rodriguez, RN is offering Natural Family Planning instruction (with health insurance coverage options). Therese is certified in Natural Family Planning- NaPro charting, and a Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Practitioner. She offers instruction in Spanish and English, in person or on Zoom, from 7am to 10pm daily. Schedule a meeting.

For more information, email Therese, or call at 301-512-7451.

111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope” – Reflection Procession & Mass  

Join us for a Reflective Procession and Solemn Mass on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in honor of the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The procession begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart (3211 Sacred Heart Way NW) and ends at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave NW). We walk in solidarity, praying for those seeking safety, dignity, and hope. Organized with the Jesuit Refugee Service, this pilgrimage fosters compassion and unity. The Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral, led by Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington. This year’s theme, chosen by the Holy Father, “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope,” calls us to recognize the courage and faith of those who leave everything behind in search of a better future.

Acompáñenos a la Procesión de Reflexión y Misa Solemne el domingo 28 de septiembre de 2025, en conmemoración de la 111ª Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado. La procesión comenzará a las 2:30 p.m. en el Santuario del Sagrado Corazón (3211 Sacred Heart Way NW) y concluirá en la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol (1725 Rhode Island Ave NW). Caminaremos en solidaridad, orando por quienes buscan seguridad, dignidad y esperanza. Organizada con el Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados, esta peregrinación promueve la compasión y la unidad. La Misa se celebrará a las 5:30 p.m. en la Catedral, presidida por el Cardenal Robert McElroy, Arzobispo de Washington. El tema de este año, elegido por el Santo Padre, “Migrantes, Misioneros de Esperanza,” nos llama a reconocer el valor y la fe de quienes lo dejan todo atrás en busca de un futuro mejor.

Season of Creation Concluding Mass

The Cathedral Parish will celebrate a special Mass October 5, 2025 at 11:00am to celebrate the conclusion of the Season of Creation 2025.

This Mass celebrated the day after St. Francis Day and will feature special prayers, music and a homily focused on the opportunities we have to join Pope Leo and the universal church to express our thanks for the gifts of creation and to recommit ourselves to the care of this unique and precious gift. Fr. Isaac Sagastume will preside.

Fr. Daniel Roberts to Celebrate 11am Mass on October 26, 2025

Fr. Daniel Roberts serves as the parochial vicar at St. Aidan Parish in Wexford, PA, in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. He was ordained a priest in June, and spent some of his time in seminary (including his deaconate) serving here at St. Matthews! Please come and join Fr. Daniel at the 11am Mass on Sunday, October 26, 2025!

The Mystics: An Intentional Community

A mystic is someone who prays and experiences God deeply. Then, they share their experience. The Church has a rich history of mystics inviting us to know God and so be free and happy.

Join a small intentional community that meets to experience the Christian mystical tradition. We will learn how to be mystics in our daily lives through silent prayer, readings and lectures on the mystics, sharing, a meal, and time for solitude and reflection.

We meet every second Saturday of the month. Spiritual practice, study, and community will form the heart of these meetings. Join if you want to grow closer to God, be a part of a dynamic spiritual community, and learn more about the mystical tradition.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, October 11, from 9am to 2pm in the North Conference Room. The group will begin reading the Life of St Teresa of Avila.

All are welcome! Email L.J. Milone before coming.

Jubilee Events Led by St. Matthew's Faith Formation Director - All are Welcome!

Celebrate the grace of this Jubilee year! Join us for a series of meaningful and prayerful events, led by St. Matthew’s Faith Formation Director, L.J. Milone. Embrace this opportunity to grow in your faith. To learn more about these events, please contact L.J. Milone at ljmilone@stmatthewscathedral.org. We look forward to sharing this journey with you. LEARN MORE

Cathedral Book Club

Next on the calendar is a book providing insight into the influence of St. Augustine by an Augustinian: AS ONE STRUGGLING CHRISTIAN TO ANOTHER: AUGUSTINE'S CHRISTIAN IDEAL FOR TODAY, by Fr. Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A.

Written before the election of Leo XIV to the papacy, this provides a view of another Augustinian, Father Theodore E. Tack , O.S.A. The book is described as "an excellent readable reflection on the application of Augustine's spirituality to the problems of today."

Discussion will be Thursday, October 9th, 7–8:15 pm, in the West Conference Room.

St. Matthew's Annual Health Fair

Join us on for St. Matthew’s Annual Health Fair, sponsored by the Social Justice Committee. Take advantage of the opportunity for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, dental, and more screenings by professionals. The Health Fair will be Sunday, September 28, from 10:30am-3pm in the North Conference Room.

We are in need of Volunteer Interpreters. If you are interested or have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Anthony Arreaga.

Acompáñenos el domingo 28 de septiembre de 10:30 am a 3pm, en el salón de conferencias norte, en la Feria Anual de la Salud de San Mateo, patrocinada por el Comité de Justicia Social. Aproveche la oportunidad de realizarse chequeos de presión arterial, glucosa, colesterol, dentales y muchos más, realizados por profesionales.

Necesitamos intérpretes y traductores voluntarios. Si está interesado o tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, por favor comuníquese con el Sr. Anthony Arreaga.

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, September 21, after the 5:30pm Mass, in the North Conference Room.

CYA Book Club

Join the CYA Book Club to discuss Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather this Tuesday, September 23, at 6:30pm, 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!