Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish

This Week at St. Matthew’s

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:40:07 +0000

Lent Happenings and Information

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:14:11 +0000

There is much to learn. Want to know what’s happening at St. Matthew’s and our community for Lent? Click here to find out.

Haiti Update

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:41:21 +0000

Parishioners of St Matthews,

The Haiti relief container shipped last Monday is on its way to the Missionaries of the Poor in Cap-Haitian Haiti. The churches, clubs, schools and individuals who donated were all very generous. A total of 59,000 lbs of food, water and bedding which are desperately needs, are now on there way. We hope and pray that the container reaches Cap-Haitian in the next 3- 4 weeks.

This mission in Haiti has taken on a whole new role since the devastating earthquake hit this poor Caribbean island back in January. The Brothers who run this mission are now transporting food to a refugee camp outside of Port –Au Prince, an 80 mile 8 hour drive. They are feeding 600 people 1 meal each Monday, Wednesday and Friday and distributing food packs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Brothers have opened their doors to 25-30 families (150 people total) – from Port-Au-Prince. These refugees will be relocated to a piece of land donated to MOP back in December of last year. A building that is currently on this property is now being renovated to house these men, women and children. The Brothers have committed to feed and clothe these families until such time that they can become self-sufficient. Needless to say, that with all these new mouths to feed, the responsibilities on these young missionaries is overwhelming; our container couldn’t have shipped at a more opportune time.

Thank you for all your care and concern for these young missionaries and the people of Haiti. They appreciate all the support from St Matthews during these difficult times. They hope and pray that we keep them in our prayers and that we continue to support them as they begin to resurrect their impoverished country.

Steve Gebhardt

Lenten Prayer

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:01:19 +0000

How We Pray
Prayer is one of the three pillars of Lenten practice. Through prayer, we raise our hearts and minds to God in thanksgiving and praise. Prayer is our “vital and personal relationship with the true and living God.” During Lent, we place special emphasis on prayer and contemplation on the Passion and Death of our Lord through expressions of popular piety such as the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) and veneration of the Crucified Christ. Find a variety of resources here for Lenten prayer and contemplation. Read More

Haiti Relief Update

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:10:16 +0000

A camp has been established in the town of Fond Parisien, West Department along the Haiti–Dominican Republic border, to accommodate the repatriation of an estimated 14,000 Haitians who crossed the border following the earthquake. WHO notes the need for additional humanitarian services at the site.
On January 30, the Government of Haiti’s National Direction for Potable Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) communicated a plan for transitioning from water tankering to increased on-site water access, including through utilization of boreholes in low-lying to areas and support for water storage and disinfection. DINEPA also recommended that the WASH Cluster provide funding to re-establish water distribution by local vendors, with a conversion to market prices over time.
Relief agencies recently commenced food distributions in Port-au-Prince under the new fixed distribution point system. As a part of the new Government of Haiti-led effort, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) provided commodities, non-governmental organizations managed distributions, and the U.S. Military and U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) provided security escorts. On January 31, food distributions were successfully implemented in nine of the 16 sites [one of which CRS completed; see below], with additional distributions planned in the coming days.
The large downtown rice distribution began on Jan. 31 in one of the three CRS-designated camps (Palace/Champ de Mars). This site is the most problematic in terms of security but the distribution went well and was relatively orderly. To date, CRS/Caritas Haiti has provided food to 113,978 people, and nonfood items to more than 20,000 people.
On Jan 31, the CRS/Caritas Haiti medical team hired a public health specialist who will work closely with the water and sanitation team at the St. Francois de la Sale Hospital. Key objectives include implementing a one-month plan for health messaging (signs), managing the solid waste and medical waste, dealing with the sewage water that is backing up, and clearing debris from the drainage, etc.
Water and sanitation materials for thousands of people arrived over the weekend, and include large water bladders, water treatment packs, building materials, tools, and other sanitation and construction supplies.
Major water and sanitation efforts are underway at the St. Francois de la Sale Hospital, where CRS/Caritas Haiti is carrying out a full sanitation plan. The CRS/Caritas Haiti team delivered cleaning supplies and buckets on Jan. 31 and started putting up screens around the operating room to protect patients from the flies. The full package of water and sanitation activities will take place at the hospital, including the construction of more latrines and showers, hand washing stations, clearing of drainage, management of waste, etc. The CRS/Caritas Haiti team also selected camps downtown where today the team will start installing latrines. CRS/Caritas Haiti is identifying a local NGO with which to partner on participatory camp planning for water and sanitation in camps. The local NGO will help CRS/Caritas Haiti work with the camp committees to identify the locations for latrines, hand washing stations, showers, etc. In areas where digging is possible, latrines can be built within two days. For many of the urban camps set on concrete, CRS/Caritas Haiti is contracting companies that rent portable latrines, and then will de-sludge the port-a-potties on a regular basis to maintain sanitation.
The CRS team has started recruitment for technical engineers and field technical staff.
The last of the materials for shelter kits for 180,000 people were due to arrive on February 1.
The distribution of shelter kits at Pétionville Club and in other camps is set to start this week.

For more information about CRS’s efforts in Haiti go to http://crs.org/.

New Singles Ministry – Solo

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:07:47 +0000

St Matthew’s Solo Ministry is a faith based singles group. The ministry is open to adult singles, unmarried, separated, divorced or widowed. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month starting at 7:30 PM. Our next meeting is scheduled for February 23^rd. Be assured that this ministry is not a dating or counseling service. The meetings and activities provide a way to meet new friends that are just like us and opportunities to share in social and church activities in a relaxed and meaningful way. Upcoming events are announced at each meeting along with activities such as guest speakers and social outings. New members are most welcome.

Exciting News: We recently started working with St. Therese’s Adult Singles Ministry which was founded approximately ten years ago. They have an energetic membership and offer a wide variety of opportunities for us to engage in. We look forward to partnering with them on various future events. If you would like more information or have any questions, please call or e-mail Shirley Kraft 973-252-7393 kraconcept [a-t] aol [dot] com.

SUNDAY EVENING 5 PM MASS BEGINS JANUARY 24

lisag — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:53:00 +0000

St. Matthew’s has added a 5 PM mass on Sunday evenings to our weekend schedule. We invite you to celebrate Eucharist with us on Sunday evening from now until Memorial Day, at which time we will suspend this Mass and resume it after Labor Day in September. It is our hope that offering this additional Mass will avail more of our parish families to celebrate Mass as a family. Also, it is our intent to offer this Mass as a weekend option for our teenage parishioners who come to church for faith formation classes on Sunday nights.

Lenten Series Part II

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:03:49 +0000

Set aside Wednesday, March 24! The final session of Seeing With New Eyes: Moment of Encounter will highlight the art of one of the best know German painters, Father Sieger Köder. The evening of discussion and reflection will center on two of his transformative paintings, “The Woman at the Well” and “The Last Supper.” Köder’s life has greatly influenced his extraordinary works. During World War II, he was captured and held prisoner in France. When freed from captivity at the war’s end, he began the study of art which led to twelve years as an art teacher. Realizing that he was called to the priesthood, he began studies culminating in his ordination in 1971. The next thirty years were spent in parish ministry. (He is now living in retirement in Germany.) Our gathering will be facilitated by parish members and begin at 7:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend. For further information, Karen Loveys, jbloveys [a-t] aol [dot] com, 973-543-4191.

Lenten Spiritual Enricvhment Day for Women

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:57:23 +0000

Sponsored by the Diocese of Paterson Council of Catholic Women, all women and their friends are invited to attend. The event will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9:00am-2:00pm at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Rt 46 and Baldwin Road, Parsippany. The Spiritual Director, Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., will be talking about finding inspiration for discipleship as he shares on the theme, “The Spirit of Lent—our personal relationship with God.” Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00am. To reserve your place or if you need more information please call Kathy Levendusky at 973-772-5918. Please bring a brown bag lunch; beverages and dessert will be served. There is a $5.00 fee.

Lent & Easter Schedule 2010

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:48:36 +0000

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Welcome Home to Healing

You are invited every Monday evening from 7:00-8:30 pm beginning February 22-March 22nd to celebrate the gift of forgiveness also

Saturday 4:15 to 4:45 pm

TRIDUUM

HOLY THURSDAY

Mass of the Lord’s Supper

April 1, 2010

Time: 8:00 pm

Following Mass, there will be

adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

until 12 midnight

GOOD FRIDAY

April 2, 2010

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

3:00 pm

Living Stations: 12 noon & 8:00 pm

HOLY SATURDAY

April 3, 2010

Blessing of food: 12 noon

Vigil Mass: 8:00 pm

EASTER SUNDAY

April 4, 2010

8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:00 am