Dear Parishioners,
It’s hard to believe that St. Matthew will celebrate its 40th anniversary next month. With roots in Sunday Masses celebrated in a movie theater and Daily Mass celebrated in the living room of the rectory, our parish has grown to more than 11,000 families, with our satellite campus preparing to become a separate parish within the year. This incredible growth could not have been achieved without the help of so many dedicated volunteers who selflessly give their time, talent and treasure. Please accept my sincere gratitude for your generosity and sacrifice.
As we continue to grow and evolve, it is imperative that we protect not only those we serve, but ourselves as well. Whether we serve our brothers and sisters by assisting them in finding a seat at Sunday Mass, providing support on the day of a funeral, sorting furnishings for an individual or family coming out of homelessness, or helping to feed the hungry in our local and global communities, we must comply with the directives established by our diocese.
As you may already know, the Diocese of Charlotte now uses CMG Connect for its Safe Environment training and compliance process. The process is relatively simple. Volunteers complete a training module that helps identify behaviors and conversations that may place children and vulnerable adults at risk, along with the necessary documentation for their volunteer profile and background check. Unlike programs of the past, there is no longer a monthly training component.
If you need to become compliant, renew your compliance or have questions about the process, please contact Sharon Dalvi, our Safe Environment Coordinator, at sharond@stmatthewcatholic.org. She is happy to assist you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
I look forward to being part of the continued growth of our beautiful parish. With so many opportunities ahead of us, we must share the Gospel with all we encounter and continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our local and global communities. Everyone deserves the love and mercy of Almighty God!
Yours in Christ,
Father Patrick Cahill
Pastor
It’s hard to believe that St. Matthew will celebrate its 40th anniversary next month. With roots in Sunday Masses celebrated in a movie theater and Daily Mass celebrated in the living room of the rectory, our parish has grown to more than 11,000 families, with our satellite campus preparing to become a separate parish within the year. This incredible growth could not have been achieved without the help of so many dedicated volunteers who selflessly give their time, talent and treasure. Please accept my sincere gratitude for your generosity and sacrifice.
As we continue to grow and evolve, it is imperative that we protect not only those we serve, but ourselves as well. Whether we serve our brothers and sisters by assisting them in finding a seat at Sunday Mass, providing support on the day of a funeral, sorting furnishings for an individual or family coming out of homelessness, or helping to feed the hungry in our local and global communities, we must comply with the directives established by our diocese.
As you may already know, the Diocese of Charlotte now uses CMG Connect for its Safe Environment training and compliance process. The process is relatively simple. Volunteers complete a training module that helps identify behaviors and conversations that may place children and vulnerable adults at risk, along with the necessary documentation for their volunteer profile and background check. Unlike programs of the past, there is no longer a monthly training component.
If you need to become compliant, renew your compliance or have questions about the process, please contact Sharon Dalvi, our Safe Environment Coordinator, at sharond@stmatthewcatholic.org. She is happy to assist you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
I look forward to being part of the continued growth of our beautiful parish. With so many opportunities ahead of us, we must share the Gospel with all we encounter and continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our local and global communities. Everyone deserves the love and mercy of Almighty God!
Yours in Christ,
Father Patrick Cahill
Pastor
Friday, Aug. 21 at 5:30 pm
Parish Center Gym
Looking for an easy way to invite someone to St. Matthew? Bring a family member, friend or neighbor to our Parish Pasta Palooza for an evening of food, fellowship and fun.
Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner, karaoke and the opportunity to tour the church with your guests. Parish staff, clergy and ministry volunteers will be available to answer questions and welcome those who are interested in learning more about our parish community.
If you or your guests have questions about the Catholic faith or parish life, you’re welcome to submit them in advance to communications@stmatthewcatholic.org.
This is a simple, welcoming and meaningful way to share your faith and introduce others to the St. Matthew community. We hope you’ll join us!
Parish Center Gym
Looking for an easy way to invite someone to St. Matthew? Bring a family member, friend or neighbor to our Parish Pasta Palooza for an evening of food, fellowship and fun.
Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner, karaoke and the opportunity to tour the church with your guests. Parish staff, clergy and ministry volunteers will be available to answer questions and welcome those who are interested in learning more about our parish community.
If you or your guests have questions about the Catholic faith or parish life, you’re welcome to submit them in advance to communications@stmatthewcatholic.org.
This is a simple, welcoming and meaningful way to share your faith and introduce others to the St. Matthew community. We hope you’ll join us!
This September, we will come together as a parish family to celebrate 40 years of St. Matthew Catholic Church and give thanks for all that God has accomplished through our parish community.
Our anniversary celebration will begin with 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration, a beautiful opportunity to pause and give thanks to Our Lord for the blessings of these past four decades and to pray for the years ahead.
40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, Sept. 18, at 8 pm through Sunday, Sept. 20, at noon
We invite you to spend an hour in quiet prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Adorers are needed throughout the 40-hour period, including overnight hours. Whether you come during the day or late at night, your presence will be a beautiful witness of faith as we begin this special anniversary celebration.
Please prayerfully consider signing up for an hour with Jesus.
Our anniversary celebration will begin with 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration, a beautiful opportunity to pause and give thanks to Our Lord for the blessings of these past four decades and to pray for the years ahead.
40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, Sept. 18, at 8 pm through Sunday, Sept. 20, at noon
We invite you to spend an hour in quiet prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Adorers are needed throughout the 40-hour period, including overnight hours. Whether you come during the day or late at night, your presence will be a beautiful witness of faith as we begin this special anniversary celebration.
Please prayerfully consider signing up for an hour with Jesus.
Then, on Sunday, Sept. 20, we will gather as a parish family for a special 40th Anniversary Festival following the 10:45 am Mass and Eucharistic Procession.
The afternoon will be filled with opportunities to celebrate our parish community and the many ways God has blessed St. Matthew over the past 40 years, including:
The afternoon will be filled with opportunities to celebrate our parish community and the many ways God has blessed St. Matthew over the past 40 years, including:
- Outdoor games and activities for all ages
- Live music and entertainment
- A dunk tank
- Delicious food prepared by the Knights of Columbus
- Local food trucks
- Displays highlighting the rich history of our parish
Our St. Matthew honey bees have been hard at work, and the second annual harvest of Heavenly Honey is complete, jarred and ready to be enjoyed by our parish community!
Heavenly Honey will be available for purchase after all Masses at both campuses the weekend of Aug. 22–23. Jars are $15 each, cash only, with a limit of two jars per family.
Best of all, your purchase helps make a difference! Proceeds from Heavenly Honey sales will benefit our feeding ministries, helping provide food and support to those in need in our community.
Thank you for supporting this sweet St. Matthew tradition!
Heavenly Honey will be available for purchase after all Masses at both campuses the weekend of Aug. 22–23. Jars are $15 each, cash only, with a limit of two jars per family.
Best of all, your purchase helps make a difference! Proceeds from Heavenly Honey sales will benefit our feeding ministries, helping provide food and support to those in need in our community.
Thank you for supporting this sweet St. Matthew tradition!
As the new school year begins, we invite children, teens and their families to get involved in the life of our parish!
Children's Mass and Family Sunday, Sunday, Aug. 23
Join us for our first Children's Mass of the school year at 10:45 am at the Main Campus. Wear your Rainforest VBS shirt and help us praise the Lord! Children in third through fifth grade are invited to serve as lectors, greeters and gift bearers, and children in third grade and older are welcome to sing in the Children's Choir.
Family Sunday: Blessing of the Backpacks
Following the 10:45 am Mass, bring the backpack you'll use for school or daycare to receive a special blessing. Then stay for back-to-school activities and fellowship as we celebrate the start of a new school year together!
Interested in the Children's Choir? Contact Dani Jones at djones@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Want to receive the monthly signup emails to participate? Contact Michelle Lyberg at mlyberg@stmatthewcatholic.org.
LTE (Life Teen & Edge) Mass & Youth Choir, Sunday, Aug. 30
Middle and high school students are invited to participate in our first LTE Mass of the school year at 5:30 pm at the Main Campus. Students in sixth grade and above are invited to take an active role in the liturgy or join the LTE Youth Choir.
Interested in serving at the LTE Mass? Contact Bri Bernosky at bbernosky@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Interested in the LTE Youth Choir? Contact Ken Boyce at kboyce@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Children's Mass and Family Sunday, Sunday, Aug. 23
Join us for our first Children's Mass of the school year at 10:45 am at the Main Campus. Wear your Rainforest VBS shirt and help us praise the Lord! Children in third through fifth grade are invited to serve as lectors, greeters and gift bearers, and children in third grade and older are welcome to sing in the Children's Choir.
Family Sunday: Blessing of the Backpacks
Following the 10:45 am Mass, bring the backpack you'll use for school or daycare to receive a special blessing. Then stay for back-to-school activities and fellowship as we celebrate the start of a new school year together!
Interested in the Children's Choir? Contact Dani Jones at djones@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Want to receive the monthly signup emails to participate? Contact Michelle Lyberg at mlyberg@stmatthewcatholic.org.
LTE (Life Teen & Edge) Mass & Youth Choir, Sunday, Aug. 30
Middle and high school students are invited to participate in our first LTE Mass of the school year at 5:30 pm at the Main Campus. Students in sixth grade and above are invited to take an active role in the liturgy or join the LTE Youth Choir.
Interested in serving at the LTE Mass? Contact Bri Bernosky at bbernosky@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Interested in the LTE Youth Choir? Contact Ken Boyce at kboyce@stmatthewcatholic.org.
Please note the following schedule changes for the Catholic Community of Waxhaw:
Weekly Adoration
Weekly Adoration will no longer be held on Tuesdays after Tuesday, Aug. 11. Beginning Saturday, Aug. 22, weekly Adoration will be held following the 8 am Saturday Mass until 9:45 am.
New Sunday Mass Time
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 6, a new 7 am Sunday Mass will be added to the schedule.
Weekly Adoration
Weekly Adoration will no longer be held on Tuesdays after Tuesday, Aug. 11. Beginning Saturday, Aug. 22, weekly Adoration will be held following the 8 am Saturday Mass until 9:45 am.
New Sunday Mass Time
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 6, a new 7 am Sunday Mass will be added to the schedule.
Stay Connected with the Catholic Community of Waxhaw
Would you like to stay informed about what’s happening at Catholic Community of Waxhaw? We are creating an opt-in email group specifically for this campus. Click the button below to join the list and receive news, updates and information about the Catholic Community of Waxhaw.
Would you like to stay informed about what’s happening at Catholic Community of Waxhaw? We are creating an opt-in email group specifically for this campus. Click the button below to join the list and receive news, updates and information about the Catholic Community of Waxhaw.
Altar Server Training for the Catholic Community of Waxhaw
Serving at the altar is a wonderful opportunity for young people to take an active role in the celebration of Mass, grow in their faith and serve our parish community. Children in 5th through 12th grade who have received their First Holy Communion are eligible to become altar servers.
Training is open to new altar servers as well as existing altar servers who would like a refresher. Each training session will be approximately one hour and will take place in the Narthex. This training is for the Catholic Community of Waxhaw only.
Choose one training session:
Option 1: Thursday, Aug. 13, 6–7 pm
Option 2: Saturday, Aug. 15, approximately 8:30–9:30 am (training following daily Mass)
Registration is requested. Register below.
Questions or interested but unable to attend either training session? Contact:
Kasie: kasie.mcnamara@protonmail.com or Warren: miller.r.warren@gmail.com
Serving at the altar is a wonderful opportunity for young people to take an active role in the celebration of Mass, grow in their faith and serve our parish community. Children in 5th through 12th grade who have received their First Holy Communion are eligible to become altar servers.
Training is open to new altar servers as well as existing altar servers who would like a refresher. Each training session will be approximately one hour and will take place in the Narthex. This training is for the Catholic Community of Waxhaw only.
Choose one training session:
Option 1: Thursday, Aug. 13, 6–7 pm
Option 2: Saturday, Aug. 15, approximately 8:30–9:30 am (training following daily Mass)
Registration is requested. Register below.
Questions or interested but unable to attend either training session? Contact:
Kasie: kasie.mcnamara@protonmail.com or Warren: miller.r.warren@gmail.com
Professor Judith Paparozzi of UNC Pembroke, a national expert on human trafficking, will speak about the pervasiveness of human trafficking locally and nationally and discuss how it affects victims and all of us. Learn how we can safeguard ourselves and our loved ones, including on social media, and how we can fight this exploitative social ill.
Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 am to noon
New Life Center Banquet Room
Please RSVP by Aug. 26 using the button below.
This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities and the Sisters of Mercy in partnership with our parish. This event is not recommended for children under the age of 16.
Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 am to noon
New Life Center Banquet Room
Please RSVP by Aug. 26 using the button below.
This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities and the Sisters of Mercy in partnership with our parish. This event is not recommended for children under the age of 16.
Don’t Miss the 2026 Eucharistic Congress
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, at the Charlotte Convention Center as we come together with Catholics from across the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond! Be inspired by talented Catholic speakers and uplifting music, experience one of the largest Eucharistic processions in the U.S., and renew your relationship with Jesus. Drop in for an hour or come both days – it’s completely free and flexible!
Details at www.GoEucharist.com.
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, at the Charlotte Convention Center as we come together with Catholics from across the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond! Be inspired by talented Catholic speakers and uplifting music, experience one of the largest Eucharistic processions in the U.S., and renew your relationship with Jesus. Drop in for an hour or come both days – it’s completely free and flexible!
Details at www.GoEucharist.com.
