As members of the body of Christ, our goals are to grow in full maturity of Faith, hope and love for God. The study of scripture is an excellent tool for us to use in developing a deeper relationship with God. Come join us and grow more intimate with God who is the creator and sustains all life.

Some of us would say, “Why is the study of Scripture so important in our lives?” Let us examine what our church leaders have said concerning the study of Scripture:

St. Jerome, perhaps the greatest scholar of the Roman Catholic Church wrote in the 4th century: “That knowledge of the Scriptures is the knowledge of Christ.” In his mind, the Scriptures are the main source of an intimate and growing relationship with Christ. Indeed, true knowledge and true understanding of the teachings of Christ are seeds which lead us to true wisdom which comes from God. Just as good food gives us strength and nourishment, so does the word of God strengthen and nourish our spirits and souls.

Vatican II said this concerning the study of Scripture: “In the sacred books the Father who is in heaven meets his children with great love and speaks intimately with them. The force and power in the word of God is so great that it remains the support and energy of the Church, and the source of spiritual food for His sons and daughters.

Contact: Anthony Albano 1-631-586-4827

The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) is a yearly fundraising initiative conducted by many dioceses within the Catholic Church. The purpose of the CMA is to support various ministries, programs, and services provided by the diocese to its local community and beyond. These ministries can include education, social services, outreach to the poor and vulnerable, pastoral care, evangelization, and more. The CMA encourages parishioners and Catholics to contribute financially to ensure the continuation and expansion of these vital services. By pooling resources through the CMA, the diocese can collectively address a wide range of needs and serve both its own members and the broader society, reflecting the Church's commitment to charity and social justice.

Please email Patti Di Tomaso at [email protected] or Joanne Winter at [email protected] at the Office for the Protection of Children/Young People to let them know you are registering to become a volunteer at St. Matthew. They will send you the information you need.

Virtus Sessions

The ministry of Compassionate Care offers visits to the homebound who wish to receive the Eucharist and also to hospitals. This can be done on a weekly basis.

If you are unable to attend Mass and wish to receive at home, please contact the parish office to make arrangements.

If you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound or to those at Huntington Hills, please contact the parish office for further information.

As always, we are looking to add bakers and greeters to the Ministry of Consolation. To be a greeter one must take the VIRTUS training session and fill out a background check. This particular ministry brings great consolation to the bereaved family on the day of the funeral. Perhaps you’d think about joining this ministry.

The ministry of Consolation offers ongoing support for those from the time of death of a loved one. Companions contact families of the deceased to express love, concern and support in helping to plan the Funeral Rites and if needed, referrals for group counseling.

Contact: Parish Office

The Legion of Mary is an association of Catholics, worldwide who with the sanction of the church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all graces-(who is fair as the moon, bright as the sun, and to Satan and his legionaries-terrible as an army set in battle array) have formed themselves into a legion for service in the warfare which is perpetually waged by the church against the world and its evil powers.

The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active cooperation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary’s and the church work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the region of Christ.

The Queen of Peace, Presidium, meets every Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Blessed Mother room at the Parish Center. (If the Parish Center is closed, it switches to Tuesdays at 2:30 pm.) The rosary is prayed at the beginning of the meeting. Be an active member and work for and build the kingdom of God through Mary, our mother, or an auxiliary member (your rosary and magnificent prayers give spiritual reinforcement to the active members to do their work.) Come and be one of Mother Mary’s legion. Active works include evangelization, conversion, visiting home bound and nursing homes, C.C.D. teaching, praying the rosary at places of abortion, encouraging and bringing people back to the sacraments and Mass, and teaching people to pray the rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Contact St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church-Legion of Mary at 1-631-499-8520 if interested.

Please contact: Bea Hermosura 631-242-0681

For more  info about our New Men's Group, "Fishers of Men," please email Vincent Beauman at [email protected] or 631-889-4393.

Parish Outreach

Our hope is that our Outreach is a welcoming environment where all people who reside within our Parish Boundaries and who are in need, are welcomed with open non-judgmental hearts, understanding and compassion so that they can experience God’s abundant love and eventually become self-sufficient.

We hold what they share in sacred trust.

Our Volunteers assist with the food pantry, food and clothing distribution, delivering meals to the elderly and/or homebound and in assessing the needs of
those who come to us. Often people are in desperate need for money for rent, utilities, etc and supermarket gift cards to buy perishable food .

We are always very grateful for your prayers and for your donations. If you are able and would like to assist us, donations for Outreach can be made to St. Matthew’s Parish Outreach 

We also work in collaboration with our St. Vincent de Paul Society who coordinate our Thanksgiving Food and Christmas Gift collections.

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, who have attended the Diocesan training, share in the beautiful ministry of bringing the Eucharist each week to those who are  homebound. In addition, Extraordinary Ministers bring the Eucharist each Wednesday to those in Huntington Hills Nursing Home.

All volunteers need to complete a background check and must attend the required Virtus training required by the Diocese.

For more information on St. Matthew's Respect Life efforts, please call our parish's Respect Life Coordinator, Tonie Shannon @ 631-586-3807

MISSION

Dedicated to preserving life from conception to the time of natural death. Members are involved in prayer, political action, education and support of life affirming ministries.

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM

What is the Spiritual Adoption Program?

The Spiritual Adoption Program is a program for the entire parish community to prayerfully support unborn babies at risk for being aborted and their distressed parents. Individuals and/or families spiritually adopt one unborn baby and make a commitment for nine months to pray daily that this baby will be carried to term and experience the fullness of God’s gift of life.

Why do we need a Spiritual Adoption Program?

Since abortion was legalized in 1973, almost 50 million abortions are reported to have taken place in the U.S. Now, increased access to and use of non-surgical abortion methods (RU-486) intensifies the threat to life for the unborn.

This quiet assault on the youngest and most vulnerable human beings is robust in our own communities. In New York State, in 2007

• About 1 in 3 pregnancies ended by abortion.
• More than 50% of abortions were performed on women who had had a previous abortion.
• About 90% of abortions were performed on babies who were alive in their mothers’ wombs less than 12 weeks.

How do I get involved?

You can spiritually adopt an unborn child by completing a pledge card for the Spiritual Adoption Program. Pledge cards will be available the Respect Life Month (each October). Respect Life volunteers will collect these after all Masses. If you make a pledge later, you can leave the cards in the Parish Center or weekly collection. You can also do Spiritual Adoption on your own anytime during the year by making a solemn commitment to prayer for nine months for an unborn baby.

What is my responsibility?

Your responsibility in the Spiritual Adoption Program is to recite a short prayer daily for your adopted unborn child and the parents. The prayer is on the pledge card portion that you keep. Although not required, you may also offer additional prayers or sacrifices for the intent of the baby and parents.

What if I forget to pray?

If you forget to pray for a short period, resume daily prayer and extend the nine month period by the number of days missed. If your commitment is interrupted for a long time (e.g. a month), then you should renew your pledge by beginning a new nine month commitment and try to keep it.

Can I spiritually adopt more than one child?

One child should be spiritually adopted at a time. Additional children may be adopted, one at a time, when the current commitment is completed.

*Statistics from National Right to Life, The Guttmacher Institute and New York State Department of Health.

FATHER'S DAY BABY SHOWER FOR THE LIFE CENTER

We will collect donations for the Life Center (baby articles, gift cards, and monetary donations) on Father's Day Weekend after all of the Masses (at the doors of St. Matthew's Church).

The "Young Energetic Seniors" group is an organization or community specifically designed for older individuals who are enthusiastic about staying active, engaged, and vibrant during their senior years. This type of group aims to foster social connections, physical activity, mental stimulation, and a positive outlook on aging.

The group meets as follows:

In Goggin Hall (the Hall under the Church) after the 9:00 Mass on the 1st Thursday of every month, except January and February and July and August.  No formal registration is necessary - just come to one of our meetings to begin your involvement