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| | St. Matthew Catholic Church E-Newsletter: January 9, 2026 | | |
St. Vincent de Paul, Neighbors in Need Report.
Dear St. Matthew Parishioners,
Today I want to share information about a home visit made by volunteers from the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Matthew. Many who live within our parish boundaries call the SVdP Society for help. This is a story of two sisters and the assistance that your donations make possible. Names are changed to protect the privacy of our neighbors in need.
Mary was home when we visited. She works a 3rd shift job. Her sister Ann was at work. Her four kids were at school. Ann is pregnant and recently lost her husband. One of her children has special needs. Due to medical issues with her pregnancy, she couldn’t keep her apartment and moved in with Mary. The living room had only a worn-out sofa and a kitchen chair.
We gave Mary a $25 Walmart gift card and a bible. Each received a bag of groceries and a $20 Kroger gift card. A referral was sent to Birthline for the baby due in February. And available Conference funds made it possible to provide financial assistance for rent and electric bills. They were grateful for all the help we provided.
This is only one example of the many who are helped each month by the SVdP Conference here at St. Matthew with food, furniture, utility assistance, and more. None of this is possible without your donations to support our ministry.
Your contributions help build up the community we live in. Please consider joining us in serving our neighbors in need. Thank you for your generosity.
On Behalf of the St. Matthew SVdP Conference,
Deacon Mike Braun
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Respect Life Rosary. On the first Sunday of every month, the Respect Life Ministry prays the Rosary in the Church immediately after the 7:30 a.m. Mass. All are welcome.
9 Days for Life: Jan. 16-24, 2026. Each year, respectlife.org, promotes action for the protection of life. A novena is included with a number of other resources. Please use the links below to learn more and participate in this effort. Thank you. 9 Days for Life Sign-up. | Novena Link. | Daily Prayers.
The Respect Life Podcast
A Prayer anyone may use for the 9 Days for Life Novena, shared by Margaret Stempky, leader of the St. Matthew Respect Life Ministry.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious gift of life. Help us to cherish and protect this gift, even in the midst of fear, pain, and suffering. Give us love for all people, especially the most vulnerable, and help us bear witness to the truth that every life is worth living. Grant us the humility to accept help when we are in need, and teach us to be merciful to all. Through our words and actions, may others encounter the outstretched hands of Your mercy.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
| | BLAZE Bash in Two Weeks! BLAZE is a program rooted in scripture and designed especially for Girls in grades 7 and 8. Please join us at our next gathering on Sunday, January 18th, from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. Please reach out to Theresa Neff at theresa.r.neff@gmail.com if your daughter is interested in participating. | |  | |
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Bible Study. Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what He asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer--He wants you to be His disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St. Matthew Bible Study will begin an 8 week study entitled: FOLLOW ME: MEETING JESUS IN THE THE GOSPEL OF JOHN this January. You may choose to attend either Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings. Tuesday evening sessions begin January 13 at 7:00 P.M. and Thursday morning sessions begin January 15 at 9:00 A.M. We meet in the Community Room. Registration for both sessions will be held after all Masses in the narthex January 3-4.
Cost for the book is $25 (physical copy) and $5.95 (online version). Please contact Amy or Jim Barbar at 317.529.0141, amybarbar958@gmail.com, or jimbarbar@ymail.com for further information.
Click here to download a copy of the registration form.
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St. Matthew School Enrollment. Enroll Now to Join the Warrior Family at Our Parish School!
Registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open for Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten through 7th Grade! Give your child the gift of a faith-filled, academically sound education rooted in community and Catholic values.
Parishioners receive priority registration until January 31, 2026—don’t miss your chance to secure a spot!
Join us in shaping bright minds and joyful hearts. We can’t wait to welcome your family!
Please click below for the application
Saint Matthew School Enrollment Application
SMS Library Volunteers Needed. The SMS Library is always looking for volunteers! Volunteer shifts are available Wednesdays and Fridays, for just a few hours. You can sign up to help any day or time that's convenient for you. Volunteers read to the students (they love this!), help them find books, and reshelve books. Training is provided. Must be Safe Parish-certified. This is also a great opportunity for grandparents and a fun way to get your service hours! If you're interested, sign up here.
Presentation on Safe Usage of Technology. Join us on the evening of Tuesday, February 3rd, for a special workshop for all school and parish families. Laura Weaver, a licensed mental health counselor from The Cabin Counseling and Resources, will give a presentation on the science and best practices of safe technology usage. From dangers & devices to tools & tactics, Laura brings proven methods of how to manage technology use and keep kids safer online. The presentation will take place in the Cafeteria from 6:30p - 8p.
Childcare for SMS students (no babies, please) will be available at no charge. To ensure we have adequate staffing, please email me at kgray@saintmatt.org if you plan to bring your student for childcare.
| | Registration forms for the Women's Retreat and the Men's Retreat are available towards the end of the newsletter. Please register for the retreats soon! | | Collection for Kolofata, Cameroon. Envelopes for Dr. Einterz’ Kolofata, Cameroon Mission will be available this week. If you can, please take an envelope and return it with a donation to the general collection on December 28th. Thank you and God Bless you. | | |
North Deanery Youth Ministry Events
6 - 12th GRADE STUDENTS
Opportunities to interact in fun and spiritual ways with others throughout the North Deanery and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis!
- January 11 (Grades 9-12): North Deanery Black Light Volleyball
- January 22 (Grades 8-12): Arch Indy Rally for Life and Mass
- January 23 (Grades 7-8): North Deanery 7th & 8th Grade Gathering
- February 21 (Grades 7-12): North Deanery Ski Trip
- February 28 (Grades 6-8): Arch Indy Holy Fire
For questions, registrations, and permissions, please email Pam Fleming at pfleming@saintmatt.org
| | Appeals/Collections/Fundraisers | | |
Catholic Relief Services. Please click the link below to be directed to their Donor Portal. From there, you will be presented with options for making a contribution. Thank you. gifts.crs.org/user/
2026 Legacy Gala: This Year Honoring Patricia Etling. Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Legacy Gala. Please join us on Friday, February 26, 2026 at the JW Marriot Indianapolis White River Ballroom. Click here to learn more. Thank you.
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We have done it! We have exceeded our fundraising goal once again. Thank you all for your generous contributions. We could not be successful without your participation.
For any donation, no matter how small or how large, we are truly grateful.
Thus far, we have raised $98,612 from 120 donors! 108% of our goal! Thank you all so much!
2026 St. Matthew Parish Goal: $91,073
| | | St. Vincent de Paul Society Indy. SVdP needs volunteers at their Distribution Center (a.k.a. Mission 27) and their Food Pantry. Helping our friends at SVdP is a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones, and caring for our community can strengthen our bond with one another. Groups, families, friends, and individuals are welcome. If you would like to volunteer at the Food Pantry, please contact Ray Meckauskas at r.meckauskas@att.net; If you want to volunteer at the Distribution Center, please contact Kate Thedwall at kthedwal@iu.edu. | | |
Anti-Trafficking: Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis, via Catholic Charities, provides resources for how to prevent and confront human trafficking. Please click the following link for resources and ways to help victims of this crime. www.archindy.org/trafficking/index.html
Justice for Immigrants. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis offers information regarding rights of immigrants. The dignity of all human life must be upheld regardless of one's nationality. Please click the following link for resources that may help. www.archindy.org/immigration/index.html
Food Assistance Resources.
Click here for local Catholic Sources for Food Assistance.
Click here for a list of other food assistance events.
Natural Family Planning. Are you curious about Natural Family Planning? If so, please click the link below to be directed to the NFP webpage on the Arch Indy Office of Marriage and Family Life website.
Arch Indy: Office of Marriage and Family Life.
The Retrouvaille Marriage Program: Hope for a Better Marriage. This program is a retreat for married couples who perhaps need assistance and renewal in their relationship. If you have questions, or would like to learn more, please see their website by clicking the link below.
helpourmarriage.org/programdetails
Marriage Preparation, or Pre-Cana, Resources. Please see the following link for resources from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' Office of Marriage and Family Life. marriageandfamily.archindy.org/pre-cana-retreat
Life Giving Wounds. This effort seeks to offer support for adults who have suffered through the trials of being in a divided family. If you have experienced any such difficulty, please click the following link to find available resources from the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Find Catholic Therapists.
Grief Support. It may help to know that the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Office of Marriage and Family Life has a webpage dedicated to helping those struggling with grief and loss. If you are in need of such assistance, or would like to learn more go to marriageandfamily.archindy.org/grief, call 800-382-9836.
Resources after facing miscarriage:
marriageandfamily.archindy.org/miscarriage.
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Weekend Mass Times. Our weekend Mass times are Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Weekday Mass Times.
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When School is in Session:
Mon. 8:30am
Tues. 8:30am
Wed. 8:30am, 6pm
Thurs. 8:30am
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When School is NOT in session:
Mon. 8:30am
Tues. 8:30am
Wed. 6pm
Thurs. 8:30am
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Weekly Reconciliation. Saturdays 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Adoration Every Wednesday. All are welcome to stay/join us after 6 p.m. Mass every Wednesday for Adoration. Adoration lasts from 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
St. Matthew Parish Pastoral Council. We are now posting the minutes from each meeting to our website. To view a copy, please click here.
FORMED Catholic Resources. Parishioners have free access to FORMED On Demand Catholic resources, 24/7 on a smartphone, computer, iPad, or Kindle. Register at saintmatt.formed.org.
See Latest E-Bulletin for Even More Information. See this weekend's bulletin. Printed copies are available in the narthex; be sure to pick one up.
The Criterion: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
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Verse(s) of the week. "'I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'" (New American Bible, Mt. 3.11).
The New American Bible. St. Joseph Medium Size Edition, Catholic Book Publishing Co., n.d.
| Sign Up for Faith Direct. Faith Direct is our safe online giving site. You can donate securely and electronically via your credit card or checking account through Faith Direct at https://membership.faithdirect.net/IN187. Thank you to our generous parishioners for their stewardship of St. Matthew Parish! | Some of the flyers below are links. Please click/tap them to see more information or to download a copy of the flyer. | NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK: FEBRUARY 7-14, 2026! Tell your spouse, "I love you, and everything I am is yours." | | | | |
