In this edition:

Weekend Mass Times

News & Notes

Centennial Mass Nuns of the Battlefield

St. Matthew's Feast Day

Red Mass Volunteers Needed

Faith Formation

Selected Readings by Fr. Joe McHenry

Workshop on Centering Prayer

Cathedral Book Club Meeting

Social Justice

Guest Speaker Series

Creation Care Green Team

ADW Retreat for Survivors of Abuse

Ministerio Hispano

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Young Adults

Book Club

Music Ministry

Auditions for Schola Cantorum

Volunteer Opportunities

Special Masses

Livestreaming Volunteers Needed

& more



Weekend Mass Times

Saturday, September 14 at 5:30pm

Sunday, September 15 at 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm (en español) & 5:30pm

Online Offertory: PayPal | Faith Direct

Let us pray:

—for the sick, especially Caroline Zaino McCall, Kathy Bateman and Anthony Danks.

—for the recently deceased, especially Rosemarie C. Flum and Ellen Lewis.

To add a name to the prayer list of the sick or recently deceased, email Msgr. Jameson. If asking for prayers for a person who is sick, please first get their permission.

Nuns of the Battlefield Monument

Located at Rhode Island Avenue across the street from St. Matthew’s Cathedral. The Monument honors Catholic nuns who served as nurses during the American Civil War. These sister-nurses provided medical and spiritual care to soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Erected in 1924, the monument honors the nuns who nursed sick and wounded soldiers. The winged figures on the sides of the memorial represent patriotism and peace.

Feast of St. Matthew's

St. Matthew's choirs return from their summer hiatus for celebration of the Feast of St. Matthew on Sunday, September 22, at 11am! All are most welcome when our parish family and friends of the Cathedral gather to celebrate our patronal feast at a bilingual Mass celebrated by Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala.

Please plan to come by the Great Hall for Hospitality after the 11am Mass, and to officially welcome our two new Parochial Vicars, Fr. Joseph McHenry and Fr. Isaac Sagastume.

Red Mass Volunteers Needed!

Can you volunteer as a Cathedral Hospitality Minister at the Annual Red Mass at 9am on Sunday, October 6? The John Carroll Society hosts the Mass and provides its own volunteers for greeting, seating guests, passing out programs and directing gift bearers. Cathedral ministers take up the offertory collection, monitor Communion lines, and perform other duties as needed. Serving at the Red Mass involves approximately a 3-hour commitment as the arrival time is 7:30am. For more information please email: atriaureau@stmatthewscathedral.org by Wednesday, September 25.

Spiritual Readings

Selected by Fr. Joe McHenry

Excerpt from a Homily by St. Bede the Venerable

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. Saint 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 realize 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 Savior 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.

Fun fact: Pope Francis chose as his papal motto a line from this homily! You can read more HERE.

An Introduction to Centering Prayer

Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will discover a centuries-old prayer method. Centering Prayer 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. Saturday, September 21, 9am-1pm. For more information, contact L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation, or call 202-347-3215. (Click on the image for more details.)

Meditation Group

Come, experience a way of meditation that is rooted in Jesus. Come, plunge into the healing, refreshing silence of God. Sundays, 1:30pm-2:30pm, on Zoom. Meditation Group meetings on Zoom are led by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation.

(Click on the image for more details.)

Mystical Word

Mystical Word is 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, The cross, losing self in God, is the main Gospel practice Jesus imparts.

Online Registration is Open

Our Faith Formation Office invites online registration for St. Matthew's Adult Initiation (OCIA, or Order of Christian Initiation) and for our Children's Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation programs for the upcoming year:

• OCIA 2024 - 2025
• Children's Faith Formation 2024 - 2025
• Youth First Holy Communion 2025
• Youth Confirmation 2025
• Adult Confirmation 2025

Let's Get Reading!

The Cathedral Book Club meets on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in the West Conference Room, 7 to 8pm, to discuss "The Afternoon of Christianity: The Courage to Change," by Tomáš Halík. Let's get reading so you can join the discussion and sharing, led by Fr. Jack Hurley!

Catholic Social Teachings

Dan Moriarty, Senior Program Officer for Peace and Nonviolence at the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, is guest speaker on "Conflict and Peacebuilding: a discussion about peacebuilding, conflict, violence, and Just War Theory." Please join us on Wednesday, September 18, 7-8:30pm. Contact Fr. Isaac at 202-347-3215 with any questions. (Click on the image for more information.)

Creation Care Green Team

St. Matthew's Creation Care Green Team has its monthly meeting (Zoom), September 19, at 6pm. Join us monthly to discuss projects and help plan activities that promote the Laudato Si' mission within our parish and beyond. Please visit our website for more information!

Homebound Ministry

We are collecting names and addresses of homebound parishioners who would appreciate a visit and communion from one of our priests or homebound ministers. Please pass along details for individuals interested in receiving a visit to Fr. Joe McHenry via his email: jmchenry@stmatthewscathedral.org.

Retreat for Survivors of Abuse

As the Church continues to minister to all survivors of abuse, the Archdiocese of Washington is sponsoring a retreat for survivors. The archdiocese will offer a women’s retreat on September 20-22, 2024. This retreat is an occasion for survivors to reflect on God’s plan for their lives and for healing through prayer and the sacraments. To register email mcdonald@adw.org. READ MORE HERE

Domingo XXIV del Tiempo Ordinario en español

15 de septiembre

Misa en español a la 1pm

Suspensión de las transmisiones en vivo de las misas dominicales

Nuestras transmisiones en vivo de las misas de los domingos a las 11am (inglés) y 1pm (español) en el canal de YouTube de la Catedral se suspenderán en julio y agosto de 2024, con la posibilidad de reanudarse en septiembre. Vuelva a consultar a finales de agosto para ver las actualizaciones. 

Participe como voluntario en el equipo de transmisión en vivo de la Catedral

¿Tiene experiencia en el manejo de equipos de transmisión en vivo o está interesado en recibir capacitación para ayudar con la transmisión en vivo de las misas dominicales de San Mateo? Póngase en contacto con Mons. Jameson o Fatima Aybar para obtener más información o para ser voluntario.  

Eventos

• Celebración Parroquial de Nuestra Fiesta Patronal y Bienvenida Oficial a Nuestros Dos Nuevos Vicarios Parroquiales. Todos son bienvenidos el domingo 22 de septiembre de 2024, cuando nuestra familia parroquial y amigos de la Catedral se reúnan para celebrar nuestra fiesta patronal en una Misa bilingüe a las 11am, celebrada por el Obispo Evelio Menjivar-Ayala. En este día festivo, damos la bienvenida oficial a nuestros dos nuevos vicarios parroquiales, el P. Joseph McHenry y el P. Isaac Sagastume. Por favor, únase a nosotros para una recepción especial en el Gran Salón después de la Misa.
• Únase a nosotros en la Catedral el domingo 29 de septiembre de 2024 a las 5:30 pm mientras el obispo Evelio Menjivar-Ayala celebra la misa para conmemorar la 110ª Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!
• Santo Rosario por teléfono en español – todos los días a las 3pm (347-378-0694, PIN 283 201 937#).

Para más información envíe un email a Fátima Aybar o llame a la oficina de la rectoría al 202-347-3215.

Sunday Night with C†YA

Join us Sunday nights at 6:30pm, following the 5:30pm Mass, in the North Conference Room. Meet other Catholics, talk about the faith, and build friendships!

Tuesday Happy Hour

Come for a C†YA Happy Hour at 6:30pm on Tuesday, September 17. Please join our WhatsApp group for up-to-the-minute details.

C†YA Book Club

The C†YA Book Club meets once a month. We pick a book related to Catholicism—from fiction with Catholic themes to a history of the early church—read independently, and then meet up to discuss the book. Future book suggestions welcome. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, September 24.

Let's Stay Connected!

C†YA uses a WhatsApp Community to plan future events, post updates, and stay in touch! You can join our WhatsApp by attending one of our in-person events or via email, (stmatthewcya@gmail.com), to request to join the WhatsApp. In your email, you must include your name, age, and whether you are a parishioner at St. Matthew's. You can also follow C†YA on Instagram and Facebook for events and news from our community.

Cathedral Parish Choirs

St. Matthew's Schola Cantorum, Contemporary Choir, and Spanish Choir are on hiatus, returning Sunday, September 22 for the Feast of St. Matthew.

Auditions for the Schola's Fall Season

The Schola Cantorum has openings for experienced singers in all voice parts. Prospective singers must have significant adult choral experience, good sight-reading skills, and a pleasant, agile voice. The commitment of time and focused energy is significant, particularly at Christmas and Holy Week. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7 - 8:30pm in the weeks when the choir is singing. Contact Tom Stehle for more information or to arrange an audition. READ ABOUT OUR CHOIRS

Volunteers Needed for Special Masses

As the Mother Church of the Archdiocese, St. Matthew's hosts some very special liturgies each year. We are seeking volunteers to help usher during Special Masses. Would you consider assisting the parish community occasionally? We will work out a schedule based on your preferences and time constraints. For more information, please reach out to the coordinator for Special Masses, Ana Triaureau, at atriaureau@stmatthewscathedral.org, or call the rectory office at 202-347-3215, ext. 512.