Second Collection for the Catholic University of America

— September 14, 2025 —

In this edition:

Liturgy, Community, & Ongoing Events

• ParishSOFT Managed Giving
• Mass for the Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle
• Cardinal Wilton Gregory to celebrate Mass for the Ladies of Charity
• Fr. Joe's Selection: Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr
• The Way Retreat for Women
• 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope” – Reflection Procession & Mass 
• Season of Creation Concluding Mass 
• Natural Family Planning Instruction
• Jubilee Cross in the Cathedral Sanctuary

Faith Formation

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

Hispanic Ministry

• Grupo de Oración

Social Justice

• Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) Listening Session
• St. Matthew's Annual Health Fair
• Deportations and Assaults on Human Dignity Dialogue
• Learn About St. Matthew's Care for Creation Green Team
• 2025 Season of Creation
• Paddling on the Anacostia River
• Always God's Children

Music Ministry

• Summer Hiatus

Cathedral Young Adults

• Sundays with CYA

Volunteer Opportunities

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

& more!

Cardinal to Celebrate Mass for the Ladies of Charity

The Ladies of Charity (LCUSA) will have their National Assembly "Choose Hope" closing Mass at the Cathedral on Saturday, September 13, at the 5:30pm Vigil Mass. Cardinal Wilton Gregory will be the celebrant of this Mass. All are welcome!

Learn more about the LCUSA and the National Assembly here.

Selection from Fr. Joe:

From the final exhortation of Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr

My brothers and sisters, my dearest friends, think again and again on this: God has ruled over all things in heaven and on earth from the beginning of time; then reflect on why and for what purpose he chose each one of us to be created in his own image and likeness. In this world of perils and hardship if we did not recognize the Lord as our Creator, there would be no benefit either in being born or in our continued existence. We have come into the world by God’s grace; by that same grace we have received baptism, entrance into the Church, and the honor of being called Christians. Yet what good will this do us if we are Christians in name alone and not in fact? We would have come into the world for nothing, we would have entered the Church for nothing, and we would have betrayed even God and his grace. It would be better never to have been born than to receive the grace of God and then to sin against him.

Look at the farmer who cultivates his rice fields. In season he plows, then fertilizes the earth; never counting the cost, he labors under the sun to nurture the seed he has planted. When harvest time comes and the rice crop is abundant, forgetting his labor and sweat, he rejoices with an exultant heart. But if the crop is sparse and there is nothing but straw and husks, the farmer broods over his toil and sweat and turns his back on that field with a disgust that is all the greater the harder he has toiled.

The Lord is like a farmer and we are the field of rice that he fertilizes with his grace and by the mystery of the incarnation and the redemption irrigates with his blood, in order that we will grow and reach maturity. When harvest time comes, the day of judgment, those who have grown to maturity in the grace of God will find the joy of adopted children in the kingdom of heaven; those who have not grown to maturity will become God’s enemies and, even though they were once his children, they will be punished according to their deeds for all eternity.

Dearest brothers and sisters: when he was in the world, the Lord Jesus bore countless sorrows and by his own passion and death founded his Church; now he gives it increase through the sufferings of his faithful. No matter how fiercely the powers of this world oppress and oppose the Church, they will never bring it down. Ever since his ascension and from the time of the apostles to the present, the Lord Jesus has made his Church grow even in the midst of tribulations.

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.

The Mystics: An Intentional Community

Join a small intentional community that meets to experience the Christian mystical tradition. We 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.

Join if you want to grow closer to God and be a part of a dynamic spiritual community.

The first of four meetings will be on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 9am to 2pm in the North Conference Room.

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

The Little Poor Man: The Life and Radical Mystery of St. Francis of Assisi

In this course, we will experience the life and radical mysticism of St Francis of Assisi who was known in his lifetime as “Il Poverello,” the little poor man. Stories of his life capture the imagination and make holiness real, vivid, and deeply attractive. His teachings open us to a deeper living of the Gospel.



The first of four meetings will be on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 7 to 8:30pm in the East Conference Room.

To learn more about any class or to join any group email L.J. Milone.

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.

Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) Listening Session

As part of its ongoing membership in the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), a DC-focused, faith-based advocacy organization, St. Matthew’s and WIN will be hosting a Listening Session on Sunday, September 14. The Listening Session is intended to enable parishioners to get to know both WIN and the broader Social Justice community at the Cathedral, and for St. Matthew’s and WIN to learn about the Social Justice concerns that most interest parishioners, with an eye to fostering ongoing engagement by the parish community as a Catholic voice for social justice in DC civil society. If you’re interested in getting involved and making a difference right here in our home city, we hope you’ll join us on September 14 at 12:15pm in the Cathedral 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.

Deportations and Assaults on Human Dignity

A Special Initiative Roundtable on Catholic Principles, Human Costs, and Pastoral Challenge 

Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life is hosting a dialogue with various Catholic leaders, including the Archdiocese’s Bishop Evelio Menjivar, on the topic of the various immigration issues happening around the nation today, on Thursday, September 11 from 6-7:30pm at Healy Hall. To learn more or to register for the event, click here.

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

There will be a theology talk this Sunday, September 14, after the 5:30pm Mass, in the North Conference Room. The topic is TBD.

CYA Happy Hour

Tuesday, September 16, at 6:30pm. Location TBD, but will be announced in advance on the CYA Instagram page.

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!