In this edition:

Liturgy, Community, & Ongoing Events

• Don't Forget to Vote for the DC Primary
• Cathedral Book Club
• Mass Commemorating the Feast day for Saint Dymphna/Mass for Persons Living with Mental Health Challenges
• Altar Server Training for New and Advanced Formation
• Lector Training and Orientation
• Honduras Collection Thank You
• Explanations from Fr. Joe
• New Online Exhibit: Papal Visits to St. Matthew's Cathedral
• Be the Light: The 2026 Annual Catholic Services Appeal
• The 23rd Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage
• Annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church
• 4-Day Pilgrimage to Mexico City Available

Faith Formation

• First Communion and Confirmations
• Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Justice Zoom Meetings
• Baptism Prep Class
• The Mystics: An Intentional Community
• Meditation Group on Sundays
• Save the Date for the Annual Cathedral Weekend Retreat!
• Mystical Word

Hispanic Ministry

• Santo Rosario por el mes de mayo 
• Grupo de Oración

Social Justice

• Film Screening of The Sultan and The Saint
• Catholic Social Thought in the News
• Catholic Social Teaching Fellowship Series
• Summer ESL Classes
• Annual Earth Day Clean-up Recap
• Creation Care Corner

Music Ministry

• Earth Day Lessons & Carols Recap
• Schola Cantorum

Cathedral Young Adults

• Sunday Meeting
• Women's Group Bible Study
• CYA Happy Hour
• CYA Book Club

Don't Forget to Vote for the DC Primary

The DC Primary is right around the corner, and we are electing a new Mayor, Congressional Representative, and many City Council positions, so voting is integral! The deadline for mail-in ballots to be received is Tuesday, May 26, and voting in person is on Tuesday, June 16, so make sure you are registered!

For more information click here.

To register to vote click here.

Cathedral Book Club

Inspired by Holy Week and the Easter season, we next will consider the journalist commentator Christopher White 's POPE LEO XIV: INSIDE THE CONCLAVE AND THE DAWN OF A NEW PAPACY.

Jesuit Father James Martin comments that White here "gives readers unparalleled insight and access into the highest levels off the church." White is now back in DC from the Vatican as associate director of Georgetown's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Social Life.



"Timely and insightful", this is fine overview of the first pontiff ever to hail from the US, as well as from Peru... a true All-American!

Discussion will be Thursday, April 30, 7–8:15 pm, in the West Conference Room.

Mass Commemorating the Feast day for Saint Dymphna/Mass for Persons Living with Mental Health Challenges

All are welcome as we gather as a faith community of persons living with mental illness, mental health challenges, family members, friends, and supporters to accompany and pray for one another on May 9 at 11am at the Cathedral. This Mass will be ASL interpreted. Cardinal McElroy will be our principal celebrant.

On this day, there will be no 12:10pm Mass.



Click here for more information about this event.

Step closer to the Altar.

We invite all those who feel called to serve at the Cathedral of St. Matthew to join our upcoming Altar Server Training Workshops. Whether you are starting your journey or looking to master your skills, there is a place for you!

Training Dates:

• New Volunteers: Learning the essentials to serve at the Altar with confidence. Wednesday, May 6 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
• Advanced Formation: Grow your ministry by mastering new skills for major celebrations. Wednesday, May 13 (7pm – 8:30pm)

Location: Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle  

To regiter click here

All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have received the First Holy Communion, in accordance with the Archdiocese of Washington Child Protection & Safe Environment policy.

Lector Training & Orientation

Have you ever thought about becoming a lector here at the Cathedral? Lectors serve the community by proclaiming the Word of God to the assembly. Come and join us on Saturday, May 16, in the Cathedral’s East Conference Room for a training and orientation session focusing on the ministry of lector and how that ministry is carried out here at St. Matthew’s. This morning session will begin at 9am and end at noon. You can register for this training and orientation session by calling the rectory at (202) 347-3215 and leaving your name and contact information.

Honduras Collection Thank You

Here is a message from Jake Nadeau, one of our seminarians:

Dear St. Matthew’s parishioners,

Back on Sunday, November 16 I went to every Mass to ask for donations for our seminary mission trip to Honduras. I was met with an overwhelming amount of support from all of you. Thanks to your generosity, we raised a few thousand dollars to help pay for the cost. 

Over a month ago, from March 7-14, we went on our trip with 9 seminarians from Theological College. We were also accompanied by another 13 seminarians from Phoenix, as well as 40 college students and 3 priests. I want to thank you for your contributions. This trip was truly powerful and life-changing. We were able to bring the Eucharist and Confessions to ten different mountain communities that normally only see a priest a few times a year. Additionally, this was a huge boost to our vocations, with the thought that we, too, will soon be able to be priests for these people. Personally, I was given the opportunity to bring communion to sick people for the first time ever. This trip has had a lasting impact on the people of Honduras as well as on our own lives. Thank you again for your generosity!

Sincerely, 

Jake Nadeau

Seminarian at St. Matthew

Explanations from Fr. Joe

Why May Is Dedicated to Mary?

The month of May has long been set aside to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This custom grew in medieval Europe, where May—marked by new life, blossoms, and beauty—naturally became associated with Mary, the one who bore Christ, the source of all life. By the 18th and 19th centuries, special Marian devotions in May had spread widely throughout the Church.

Mary is honored in a unique way because of her singular role in salvation history. In dedicating a whole month to her, the Church invites us to contemplate her faith, her humility, and her constant “yes” to God. In doing so, we are drawn closer to her Son, Jesus.

Five Ways to Celebrate May with Mary:

1. Pray the Rosary – Individually or with others.

2. Marian Consecration – Renew or begin a personal entrustment to Mary.

3. Scripture with Mary – Reflect on Gospel passages where Mary appears (Annunciation, Visitation, Cana, the Cross).

4. Acts of Service – Imitate Mary’s charity by serving someone in need.

5. Create a Marian Space at Home – A small prayer corner with an image or statue of Mary and fresh flowers.

May is not only about honoring Mary, it is about learning from her how to live with deeper trust, openness, and love for God.

New Online Exhibit: Papal Visits to St. Matthew's Cathedral

A new online exhibit is now available, highlighting the history and significance of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. It features key moments connected to papal visits to the Cathedral and to Washington, D.C., including those of Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis—whose 2015 visit coincided with his address to Congress, which is also available to view through a link in the exhibit.

We invite you to view the exhibit online and learn more about the Cathedral’s role in the life of the Church in Washington HERE.

Be the Light: The 2026 Annual Catholic Services Appeal

We have been asked prayerfully to consider making a gift to the 2026 Annual Catholic Services Appeal. Please complete or take a commitment form from the Cathedral (they are in the pews and placed in the back) or make your gift at give.adw.org. Visit appeal.adw.org to learn more about how the Annual Catholic Services Appeal benefits our parish and serves people in need throughout our community. It is our goal that every parish family will participate this year. All gifts will be credited towards our parish goal. Thank you in advance for your generous response to the 2026 Annual Catholic Services Appeal.

Annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church

At the Annual Blue Mass, first responders gather to remember the contributions of those who have served in law enforcement and public safety agencies and to ask for continued protection for them in the future. Representatives of Federal and local law enforcement and public safety agencies from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area and around the country attend. Please join us at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 619 Tenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the 12:10pm Mass for this special celebration. The Trooping of Colors parade will start outdoors prior to the mass.

Please visit SaintPatrickDC.org for more information.

4-Day Pilgrimage to Mexico City Available

Experience the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe- the most visited Marian shrine in the world. See the miraculous tilma of St. Juan Diego (an image created by God) and attend a pilgrim Holy Mass with the Bishop at the Basilica. Go to Tepeyac Hill where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Juan Diego and see so much more. Next, travel to the Sisters of Mary at the World Villages for Children (WVC) Girlstown in Chalco, Mexico, to witness how the Sisters are transforming the lives of impoverished children in the most desperate circumstances through education, faith formation and vocational training. This life-changing pilgrimage will take place from Friday, September 18- Monday, September 21, 2026.

Act Fast! Limited Space Is Available.

Register online by August 18, 2026 at: https://worldvillages.org/events/sweeney-wells

For tour inquiries email: pilgrimages@worldvilages.org or

Call: 1-800-662-6316

First Communion and Confirmations

On Sunday, May 3, the Cathedral parish will celebrate first communion for twenty-two second graders.

On Sunday, May 24, the Cathedral parish will celebrate confirmation for seven eight graders.

Please join us in praying for these kids as they approach the reception of these Sacraments of Initiation!

Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Justice

Experience the revolutionary mystical breadth and depth of one of America’s greatest Catholics: Thomas Merton. Contemplative, political and social critic, and prolific author, Thomas Merton captures the spirit of Christian mystical transformation.

If you are concerned about the way the world is going with war, racism, increasing poverty, loss of rights, rising authoritarianism, Merton provides a Gospel-based way to address all of it – a way of contemplation and love for personal and social transformation.

4 Tuesday evening classes on Zoom:

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: May 5/12/19

Join Zoom Meeting here.

Meeting ID: 820 0806 1210

Passcode: 279776

Baptism Prep Class

The baptism prep class is held on the first Thursday of the month from 7pm to 8:30pm on Zoom. Registration for the class is required. A registration link for the class is sent upon the completion of the main baptism application/registration, which is a link given by the priest.

The next class will be on May 7, 2026.

Learn more about baptism classes here.

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 is on Saturday, May 9, from 9am to 2pm, in the North Conference Room.

Now studying The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross. For more information, email L.J. Milone here.

Meditation Group

Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? Come to the Meditation Group. You will discover a centuries-old prayer method that 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.

If you are new, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer, a Christian contemplative practice first described in The Cloud of Unknowing, written in the latter half of the 14th Century. It calls one to abandon all thinking and to surrender to God within.

It is a very personal prayer practice but is often practiced in groups. It opens one to God's infinite love and power to heal, and opens the door to other related prayer practices around forgiveness, and dealing with painful situations and emotions.

Meeting Times:

Sundays, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM on Zoom

See the cathedral website for the Zoom link HERE, or email L.J. Milone here for the link.

Save the Date for the Annual Cathedral Weekend Retreat!

Register by clicking here.

Mystical Word

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 HERE.

Film Screening of The Sultan and The Saint

You are warmly invited to a special Film Screening Night Friday, May 1, at 6pm in the Cathedral North Conference Room. The evening will include a screening of the acclaimed documentary, The Sultan and The Saint, followed by a thoughtful conversation. Light refreshments will be served. This event is co-organized by the St. Matthew's SJC, Rumi Forum, and the St. Anthony of Nagasaki Secular Franciscan Fraternity. 

Please RSVP from the attached invite or by visiting this link.

About the Film: The Sultan and The Saint tells the inspiring story of an extraordinary encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil during the Crusades—a powerful example of dialogue, mutual respect, and peace across faiths.

You can learn more about the film here.

Catholic Social Thought in the News

Washington's peacemaker: Cardinal Robert McElroy

"Examined in the light of Catholic teaching, therefore, 'our entry into this war was not morally legitimate,' McElroy says, adding that it is even more important to draw it to a close as soon as possible."

"The contemptuous casting aside of traditional Catholic principles of restraint in war, often by supposedly Christian leaders, has exposed how unapologetically pagan the powers of this world have become."

–Austen Ivereigh, The Tablet, March 25, 2026

Summer ESL Classes

St. Matthew’s will continue our English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes for a 9 week Summer Semester. Classes will begin on Tuesday, June 2 through Wednesday, July 29. All classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the St. Matthew’s Education Building at 1726 N St. NW, 20036. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 (Beginner) through Level 4 (Advanced).

If you would like to register, fill out our online registration form HERE!

You can also register in-person on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30pm.

Interested in volunteering as a teacher, substitute, or tutor? Fill out our interest form HERE.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Anthony Arreaga.

San Mateo continuará ofreciendo nuestras clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) durante un semestre de verano de 9 semanas. Las clases comenzarán el martes 2 de junio y continuarán hasta el miércoles 29 de julio. Todas las clases se llevarán a cabo todos los martes y miércoles de 6:30pm a 8:30pm en el Edificio de Educación de San Mateo, ubicado en 1726 N St. NW, 20036. La instrucción del idioma se ofrecerá desde el Nivel 1 (Principiante) hasta el Nivel 4 (Avanzado).

Si desea inscribirse, complete nuestro formulario de inscripción en línea AQUÍ.

También puede inscribirse en persona el miércoles 27 de mayo a las 6:30pm.

¿Le interesa ser voluntario como maestro, suplente o tutor? Complete nuestro formulario de interés AQUÍ.

 Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con el Sr. Anthony Arreaga.

Annual Earth Day Clean-up Recap

On April 25, folks from the St. Matthew's Green Team once again volunteered at the Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Cleanup. We plucked a multitude of plastic bottles, carry-out food containers, McDonald's bags and a myriad of assorted trash from a swath of grassland at Kingman Island. We rejoiced in leaving a patch of Mother Earth cleaner than it was before.

Earth Day Lessons & Carols Recap

Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the Earth Day Lessons & Carols last Sunday, there was a wonderful turnout!

Here are some reactions from those who attended:

“Another stellar event. The music was sublime. We all left feeling inspired and invigorated. Thank you!”

“Wonderful program!”

“What a beautiful service yesterday! I came away uplifted and inspired!”

“The Lessons and Carols was so thoughtfully planned and beautifully done!”

“I wanted to be sure to let you know how powerful and beautiful yesterday's service of lessons and carols was. Such exquisitely chosen and sung music. Such powerful readings, presented with clarity and conviction by the lectors.

And such a timely and urgent message. May St. Matthew's continue to reach the DMV community and all those beyond it with the call to care for the Earth.”

“Thanks for the beautiful celebration last Sunday. It was truly an artful work of prayer. I particularly like the hymn For the Fruits of All Creation, the Welsh tune. It somehow really hit home to me.”

Schola Cantorum

The principal choir of the Cathedral , the Schola Cantorum sings regularly at the 11am Mass and for Archdiocesan liturgies. The choir also present concerts and special events throughout the year. There are limited openings in most voice sections at the moment for singers with considerable adult choral experience. For more information, please contact the Director of Music Ministries, Tom Stehle. If you would like to support the Music Ministry, you may use the pink envelopes found in the pews or use the QR codes and specify that you would like to support the music ministry in your donation. 

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, May 3, after the 5:30pm Mass, join us in the North Conference Room. This Sunday will be a theology chat with Paulist Andrew Ouma about Paulist spirituality.

Women’s Group Bible Study

Join the CYA Women's Group for Bible Study on Wednesday, May 6, at 6pm in the Great Hall.

CYA Happy Hour

CYA will be having its bi-weekly happy hour on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30pm (location TBD but will be announced on our Instagram page).

CYA Book Club

Join the CYA Book Club to discuss The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, Tuesday, May 19 from 7pm to 8:30pm 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!