Good afternoon.

My name is Melissa and I stand here before you as a fellow parishioner to kindly ask that you consider offering your time, talent, or treasure to a place that has meant so much to so many.

We have been parishioners of St. Matthews for 15 years.

My son Liam was baptized here in 2010, received First Holy Communion during Covid, and just last month received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

I am currently involved with the Adult Formation Committee, the Middle School Youth Group, and the High School Youth Group.

Liam has been alter serving, participated in the youth groups, and is now helping in the sacristy.

One can say I am "no stranger" to service. I served in the Army Reserves for 11 years. First as a medic, then as a nurse. I then spent over 15 years at the bedside as an emergency department nurse helping to care for the sick or injured.

But helping to serve here at St. Matthews has brought a different kind of joy and sense of purpose to my life. A chance to connect with other parishioners, build bonds and friendships, and grow in faith.

Like many of you, I look forward to the day when I hear my Heavingly Father say, "well done my good and faithful servant."

We are blessed and fortunate here at St. Matthews to have an active parish. There is something for everyone here at St. Matthews. From children, to you adults, to older adults. As you can see in the weekly bulletin, there are always multiple events for our parishioners. But none of this is possible without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Generosity is time, talent, and treasure.

You should have received a letter from Father Don with a commitment card, asking to review and renew our commitment to sharing our time, talent, and treasure as part of the "Forming Disciples, Sharing Gifts" stewardship initiative that began last year. We need to prayerfully reflect on the gifts given to us by God and the gifts that can be shared to enhance our parish mission.

You can go to the St. Matthews website to review ministry options that you are welcomed to be a part of. If for some reason you did not get a letter, there are commitment cards and ministry booklets in the back of the church. Please bring the card next week and place in the collection basket. 

We also invite you to join us for coffee and donuts after all masses next weekend. This will provide an opportunity for you to meet other parishioners and gain information about various ministry options that are needed at this time.

I leave you with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

"Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve.  You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve...You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

Thank you for your time and God bless!