Advent and Christmas Brochures

Please feel free to pick up an Advent brochure from the pews or at the entrance to the Cathedral. You may also view and download the 2024 Advent & Christmas brochure online in both ENGLISH and ESPAÑOL.

Faith Direct

Advent is Here!

This is a special time for us to prepare spiritually and reflect on how we serve Christ. The parish ministries you support play a vital role in spreading His love and mercy to those in need within our community. To continue these important works, we invite you to consider taking the next step in your stewardship by embracing eGiving. We have partnered with Faith Direct, a secure and simple platform that makes online giving easy and reliable. This not only helps you stay consistent in your giving but also allows us to better plan and forecast our parish budget. Enrolling is quick and simple! Just fill out the secure giving form or visit the Faith Direct website for more information about this convenient giving option. Our parish access code is DC284. You can also learn more about eGiving with Faith Direct HERE. If you are already enrolled, we sincerely thank you for your continued support through Faith Direct!

A Festival of Lessons and Carols

Join us for an evening of beautiful choral music and inspiring readings, presented by the Schola Cantorum, Festival Singers, and the Cathedral Lectors. A Christmas Sing-along and reception to follow! Sunday, December 15, at 7:30pm.

Advent Communal Penance Service | Servicio Penitencial de Adviento

A number of priests will be available to hear Confessions in a variety of languages, including American Sign Language, German, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, and Spanish. There will be no Confessions at 11am, no Eucharistic Adoration, and no 12:10pm Mass on this day. We invite everyone to experience the love and mercy of Christ through the Sacrament of Penance. Tuesday, December 17, starting at 12:10pm.

As we enter this season of Advent, we are reminded of the importance of community and service to one another. In this spirit, we invite you to consider giving of your time and talents to help support our parish during this special season.

• Sunday, December 15, Lessons & Carols at 7:30pm - we need Hospitality Ministers, requested arrival time 7:00pm.
• Monday, December 23, Decorating the Cathedral for Christmas, starting at 1:00pm.
• Hospitality Ministers needed for Christmas Masses

If you are planning to attend Masses at St. Matthew's for Christmas, please consider volunteering as a hospitality minister. We need help to welcome all our visitors at all the Masses:

Christmas Eve, December 24 @ 4:30pm - Msgr. Jameson 

Christmas Eve, December 24 @ 10pm - Cardinal Gregory

Christmas Day, December 25 @ 9am - Fr. McHenry

Christmas Day, December 25 @ 11am - Msgr. Jameson

• Tuesday, December 31, Vigil Solemnity of Mary at 5:30pm - Hospitality Ministers needed.
• Wednesday, January 1, Solemnity of Mary at 9am and 11am - Hospitality Ministers needed.



Please contact Ana Triaureau if you can volunteer or call 202-587-5143 for more details.

We are seeking a volunteer to assist at the Rectory once a week, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, on either Monday or Wednesday. If you are available to offer your time in service, please contact Ana Triaureau, Assistant to the Rector, at atriaureau@stmatthewscathedral.org or 202-587-5143. We are grateful for your prayerful consideration of this opportunity to serve.

Paris & Lourdes Pilgrimage April 30 - May 8, 2025, with Spiritual Director Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson

We are excited to announce that we will be visiting Paris and Lourdes, departing from Washington-Dulles on Weds April 30 and returning on Thurs May 8. Join us on visits to The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Sainte Chapelle! We will also visit the Louvre Museum and see many of the most famous sites of the City of Light! Pilgrims will also have free time to explore Paris on their own! In Lourdes we will visit the site of Our Lady's apparitions at the Grotto of Massabielle! We will also have the opportunity to be blessed by water from the miraculous Spring, attend the daily candlelit procession and pray the Rosary, just to name a few activities.

For more information and to sign up to travel with us, please visit this LINK. Should you have any questions, please e-mail: Maria Menacho, mariamenacho@yahoo.com with a copy to Msgr Jameson, rjameson@stmatthewscathedral.org and to Fatima Aybar, faybar@stmatthewscathedral.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Advent Lecture

Julian of Norwich, a medieval English mystic, offers profound insight on faith and hope. Join us for a lecture on Julian by Professor Julia Lamm from Georgetown University. Sunday, December 15, 12:15pm - 1:45pm, in the Great Hall.

Transforming Your Pain | Class

Come to a series of classes on Jesus' way of transforming suffering. We will learn how to work through resentment, grievance, offense, unforgiveness, grief, and fear. The more we let go of our identification with the stories and emotions behind the pain, the more our suffering eases and becomes the peace of God. In these evening classes, you will discover how our hardest and most painful experiences can become doorways to divine life. December 10 and December 17, 7–8:30pm, in the East Conference Room. For more information contact L. J. Milone.

Cathedral Book Club

Join the discussion with Fr. Jack this Advent! Our book selection for the month of December is Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI. Thursday, December 19, 7-8:15pm, in the West Conference Room.

Always God's Children

Always God's Children, the Cathedral ministry to persons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual and their friends and family members.

Sunday, January 12, at 3:30pm in the West Conference Room.