Spotlight Ministry

- Every two weeks, we will be featuring two ministries from our parish in a Ministry Spotlight. This will allow parishioners to explore different ministry opportunities in the parish and find the right activities to use their time, talents, and treasures. We hope this will show parishioners that St. Matthew is an active parish, thriving in our faith lives, and helping our community. If you have questions about the ministry opporunities, please visit their ministry pages, where available or email bwarren@stmatthew.net.
- Week 14 - April 18, 2021
  
  Parish School of Religion (PSR)
  PSR is our religious education program for students in grades 1-8 who do not attend a Catholic school. Our goal is to help the whole family grow in faith and to build their domestic churches. In addition to sacrament preparation, we work with families to help parents be the first educators of their children in the Catholic faith through lesson, activities, games, and service projects.
- Week 11- March 7, 2021
  
  Lectors
  
  Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings at weekend Masses and other special liturgies. Lectors prepare by meditating on the readings prior to their assignment by use of a workbook provided by the parish. The workbook contains the readings, tips on proclaiming the message, and a pronunciation guide for difficult biblical words. Contact Max Maksimoski at rmaksimoski@stmatthew.net if you are interested.
  
  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
  
  EMHC assist the priests of the parish in the distribution of Communion, and some ministers also take Communion to our homebound parishioners. Extraordinary Ministers typically serve once a month at Sunday Mass or Holy Days of Obligation. Ministers to the homebound take Holy Communion to a designated group, usually 3 to 5 people, about once a month. Contact Max Maksimoski at rmaksimoski@stmatthew.net if you are interested.
- Week 10- February 21, 2021
  
  Youth Ministry
  
  Covid has made youth ministry look different this year, but this is what we've been able to do this year! Our Youth Ministry program includes middle school youth ministry and high school youth ministry. Middle school youth group meets on Friday once a month 6-7:30pm in the PAC gym. High school youth group meets every Sunday night from 6-8pm in the PAC gym. At youth group we hang out, eat food, hear a talk, have time for prayer, and have time for small group. Before covid put a pause on youth group in December, we had 80 different high schoolers come to high school youth group at some point from September to November. All middle schoolers and high schoolers are welcome to join us for youth group as we are able to start back up very soon! Middle school youth group will meet on March 12th from 6-7:30pm in the PAC gym. High school youth group will meet every Sunday starting March 7th from 6-8pm in the PAC gym.
  
  Young Adult Ministry
  
  Our Young Adult Ministry program is still in the process of being fleshed out. This was our first year starting up an intentional ministry for young adults, and covid put a damper on the plans. At the beginning of the year we had Young Adult Nights outdoors where we watched an episode of "The Wild Goose" on formed.org, had drinks together, and talked. The nights went really well and we are excited to jump back in to expanding and developing our Young Adult Ministry program as soon as the weather warms up!
- Week 9- February 7, 2021
  
  Bereavement
  
  The Bereavement Committee reaches out to anyone in our parish family who has experienced the death of a loved one. Volunteers may provide a food item for a funeral luncheon, set-up, or serve the luncheon. Other volunteers contact the family after the funeral to determine if the family is in need of other parish services and to provide a compassionate outreach to those who are grieving. For more information, contact Linda Strapp or momlakes@aol.com.
  
  Stone Soup
  
  Stone Soup ministry provides dinner to families experiencing a crisis or death in the family. A volunteer with Stone Soup would be scheduled, at their convenience, to provide dinner to a family in need. A volunteer is usually not asked more than several times a year. For more information, contact Linda Strapp.
- Week 8- January 17, 2021
  
  Knights of Columbus
  
  St. Jude Council 5801 Knights are active in charitable work within St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish, in Gahanna, and in the Greater Columbus community. We help provide funds for various projects, and our members are active participants in parish life. For more information visit their website, https://www.kofc5801.org/.
  
  Ladies of St. Jude
  
  The Ladies of St. Jude was established in late 2015 to unite the women of the St. Matthew parish. We are a group of Catholic women (18 and over) from every corner of the parish – church, school, PSR – who like to have lots of fun while raising funds for pro-life causes and promoting family events in our parish. We work with other ministries to support their goals. We look for needs in the community and support where we are able. Our main purpose, however, is to be a casual and comfortable environment for Catholic women to meet, be in fellowship, and share life all the while bolstering community support and the inclusion of all families. Visit our monthly meeting – ALL are welcome – or contact an officer at ladiesofst.jude@gmail.com!
- Week 7- January 3, 2021
  
  Visiting Ministry
  
  Saint Matthew Parish has numerous care facilities for the elderly within its boundaries. In these care centers as well as in private homes, there are numerous parishioners who could enjoy a visitor every once in a while. Please consider becoming a part of our Visiting Ministry and sharing a half hour of your time each week or every other week with someone who is lonely. This is an excellent way for a whole family to volunteer together. If you are interested, please contact Carol Ann Lombardi.
  
  Compassionate Prayer Ministry
  
  Prayer is where we profess our need for Christ and His solution to our problems. It is also a place where we learn to worship Him and grow spiritually in His loving presence. As we spend time with Him, God lovingly teaches us how to pray and how to listen for His still voice replying to our humble requests. Our “Prayer Warriors” receive a monthly email or mail list of individuals requesting our daily devotional prayers. For more information or to request prayers, contact Jeannine Kern.
- Week 6- December 20, 2020
  
  Come Home
  
  Do you feel yourself drifting away for the Church? Have you already been away for a while? Are you hurt or angry at the Church? Do you want to come back, but don't know how?
  We can help!
  Please let us listen to you. You are welcome here, and we invite you to come back to Church. Even if you are angry, even if you are unsure, even if you feel like there isn't a place for you, we want you here.
  If you would like someone to contact you to talk about how to return to the Church, please let us know. We promise not to pressure you or ask you to commit to anything. You can email us at comehome@stmatthew.net or fill out the form below.
  God is calling you to come home. We can help you answer that call.
  
  Music Ministry
  
  We are blessed to have a variety of music groups to assist in our worship. For information about any of our choirs, please contact Dawn Shininger, Director of Music at dshininger@stmatthew.net or (614) 532-0627.
  
  Adult Choir - Rehearsals are held on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays of the month, with additional rehearsal time on Sunday mornings, beginning at 9:20 am until the start of 10:00 Mass. The Adult Choir is a traditional, 4-part choir that sings at every 10:00 Mass during the school year, plus occasional special liturgies, on Christmas, and during Holy Week.
  
  Youth Choir - The Youth Choir is comprised of students from 2nd grade through 5th grade. The choir practices on Tuesday evenings from October to Christmas and from February to Easter. They sing at one Sunday Mass a month, occasional special liturgies, Christmas Eve, and Good Friday.
  
  Teen Choir - The Teen Choir (6th grade and older) sings on the 4th Sunday of each month at the 12:00 pm Mass. All interested middle school and high school students are welcome.
  
  Funeral Choir - The Funeral Choir is a perfect fit for any parishioners interested in singing who are retired or who have a flexible schedule during the day. The time commitment includes the day of the funeral only, and we simply ask that you attend as many funerals as your schedule allows.
  
  Praise and Worship Choir - Exult!, our praise and worship choir, sings contemporary praise and worship music at Mass once a month and at Eucharistic Adoration (Expostion and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament) on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
  
  Handbell Choir - Our Handbell Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings and plays at occasional Sunday Mass and other special liturgies.
- Week 5- December 6, 2020
  
  Knitting and Crotcheting Ministry
  
  The Knitting/Crocheting Ministry makes baby blankets, hats, scarves and lap robes for the homeless and needy of central Ohio. The ministry consists of volunteers of all age groups and skills, and instructions are given to those who want to learn. For more information, contact Glenda Neely.
  
  Rosary Guild
  
  The Rosary Guild meets regularly to make rosaries and to pray together. Even if you do not know how to make a rosary, please join us and learn how. We donate our rosaries to anyone who needs one in the parish. Contact Judy Sater for more information.
- Week 4- November 22, 2020
  
  Golden Mustangs
  
  Adults age 55 and older are invited to join the Golden Mustangs for prayer and activities. Contact JoEllen Vickers for more information.
  
  Book Club
  
  The Book Club provides an opportunity to read and discuss non-fiction, fiction, or spiritual literature at a monthly gathering. Members may come to one, all, or selective meetings as they choose. For more information, contact Mary Lager, mary0613@hotmail.com.
- Week 3- November 8, 2020
  
  Military Affinity Group
  
  Do you have a passion to support our parish military service members of all branches and periods of service past and present? The hope is to have this group be comprised of Veterans, Military Retirees, Reserve and nation Guard members, and family members of loves ones serving. Parish volunteers who want to show support to our military members and their families are welcome to join. For more information, please contact Mark Mauri.
  
  EXULT! Praise and Worship
  
  Our Exult holy hours seek to support parishioners in encountering Jesus in Eucharist. We lead praise and worship music for communal Adoration and Benediction each 2nd Saturday of the month. Families are welcome! Feel free to come and go as fits your schedule. If you are interested in join the music group or receiving monthly reminders please contact Julie Ratliff at jratliff@stmatthew.net.
- Week 2- October 25, 2020
  
  Bible Study
  
  Bible studies are a great way to be involved in the parish, meet new people, and deepen your faith. Currently, we have numerous bible studies going on, some in person and some virtual. Visit the bible study page for more information about current and upcoming studies. Contact Lorraine Curtin at lorraine.curtin@icloud.com or 614-946-7585 with questions.
  
  Gardening Ministry
  
  The Garden Ministry gives the parish grounds a little extra care to make God’s beauty shine through and shares in fellowship at the same time. We have many opportunities for volunteers: participate in one of our work days; “adopt-a-bed” with your family or group to plant and maintain on your own time; volunteer with your group (class, team, bible study, etc.) for a work day; or supervise young volunteers during a work day. We also always need people to pray for our volunteers and to thank God for the bounty of his beauty. We accept donations of perennials from your garden (contact us first, please!), monetary donations, and tools. For more information, contact Denise Maksimoski.
- Week 1- October 10, 2020
  
  Men's Group
  
  The Men's Ministry meets each Saturday morning at 7am to build fellowship and faith with other Catholic Men. The group is beginning a new session of That Man is You! on October 17. This ministry is also organizing outreach to our parishioners to keep them involved and encourage them to return to Mass in whatever capacity they feel safe. If you are interested in joining the Men's Group, please contact Brian Gatch at bgatch@hotmail.com.
  
  Charitable Works Ministry
  
  Charitable Work Ministry provides food to members of Gahanna and the surrounding communities. They had to temporarily shut down during the pandemic, but have since resumed operations and are helping people with both food and financial assistance. They have also opened up new volunteer opportunities on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm and one Saturday morning each month. If you are interested in getting involved with Charitable Works Ministry, please visit their website. You can also email them at cwm@stmatthew.net or visit the sign up genius page to volunteer.