Saint Matthew Parish

Rev. James B. Flynn, Ph.D., Pastor
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   Join Fr. Flynn as he celebrates Mass
via Livestream on his Facebook account: James B. Flynn

   Daily Mass is at 8:00AM and Sunday Mass is at 10:00AM

   Father Flynn will also be offering Holy Week Services
as listed below, via Livestream:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Mass at 8:00am
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord's Supper 5:00pm
Good Friday, Stations of the Cross at 3:00pm
Liturgy of the Passion at 7:00pm
Easter Sunday, Mass of Resurrection at 10:00am.
 

Tune into Spectrum (Charter) and livestream from worcesterdiocese.org
(following each Mass they can be viewed at worcesterdiocese.org on our Vimeo channel)
 
Palm Sunday Mass at 10 am (English) with Bishop McManus and at 11 am in Spanish
 
Chrism Mass, Tuesday, 10:30 am
 
Holy Thursday, 7:30 pm (Bilingual)
 
Good Friday Liturgy at 3 pm in English and 4 pm in Spanish 
 
Easter Vigil Mass (Holy Saturday) at 7:30 pm (Bilingual)
 
Easter Sunday Mass at 10 am English and 11 am in Spanish
 

Dear Friends:
    This is such a strange time for all of us. We are confronted with many challenges that tend to bring realities like fear, isolation, and financial worry. Let's try to put our lives in God's hands and use God's gift, especially grace, to stay safe. I want you know how much I miss worshiping with you. And I pray for each of you every day at Mass and in my private prayer. Lent this year has been different in its particulars from what we had planned. We had so many great parish activities planned. Yet, we can still use the classical disciplines of lent to grow in love of God and neighbor, prayer, sacrifice, and generosity.
    I write to share some things we are doing at St. Matthew. Each morning at 8:00am, I celebrate Mass privately and live-stream it to all of you so that you may join in from home. On this Sunday, Palm Sunday, Mass will be at 10:00am and will be live-streamed as well. I will bless our Palms, and put them at the exits of the church. You are welcome to come by later and take a blessed Palm home. Services next week will be:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Mass at 8:00am
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord's Supper 5:00pm
Good Friday, Stations of the Cross at 3:00pm
Liturgy of the Passion at 7:00pm
Easter Sunday, Mass of Resurrection at 10:00am.

   The Masses and services above will all be live-streamed online using my personal Facebook page (James B Flynn). In addition, you can find the diocesan services on the webpage of the cathedral (St. Paul Worcester) or watch Pope Francis' celebration of Holy Week on the Catholic channel from Boston, or EWTN. Unfortunately, this year's annual United Parish sunrise service has been cancelled.
    I want to thank all of you who have been attentive to sending in parish gifts either online, or by mail. This makes my life easier, and as you know our bills remain. Likewise, I am happy to announce our Partners in Charity is at $40,390 towards our goal of $70,300. You can donate or pledge online also. I am happy to announce that we are presenting a check to Anne Comcowich for $10,000. Anne is home, and doing well. She still has a long way to go. We will be continuing the collection for a few more weeks.
 If anyone needs help with groceries or medicine, we have some folks ready to help. Feel free to contact me for help or if you have any concerns jflynn@stmatthews.org
    Let us pray for one another during this unusual time. I hope to keep reaching out to you from time to time.
   Wishing you God's blessing,
   Fr. Jim Flynn
 

WORCESTER, MA -- In cooperation with Governor Baker's announcements yesterday, the Diocese of Worcester has issued the following statement by Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester:
 "After carefully reviewing the sound advice of medical professionals and the recent order by Governor Baker to limit gatherings to 25 participants, I have decided to suspend all public celebrations of Mass until further notice in the hope of slowing and, God willing, halting the spread of this disease. The obligation to take part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is thereby lifted."
In the meantime, the Bishop is encouraging all Catholics to continue to pray with the local Catholic community by virtual attendance at the Sunday Mass and Daily Mass which is carried on Spectrum (Charter) Channel 193 each weekday morning at 9 am and Sundays at 6 pm, and also streaming on worcesterdiocese.org and on many parish websites.

Regarding Confessions, the same concerns apply therefore the Sacrament of Penance will not be available until further notice.  
"What do I do if I can't go to Confession?"  Click here:  Act of Contrition

St. Matthew Church building will remain open for private prayer until 7:00pm each evening.  Not more than 25 parishioners may gather at any given time.  

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Join fellow parishioners on Thursday, April 9th as we pray together while apart, on this day, for an end to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 
Day of Prayer Letter from Fr. Flynn 
Suggested Prayers: 
Prayer in a Time of Pandemic.  

O God, whose Only Begotten Son
bore the weight of human suffering
for our salvation,
hear the prayers of your Church
for our sick brothers and sisters
and deliver us from this time of trial.

Open our ears and our hearts
to the voice of your Son:
Be not afraid, for I am with you always.

Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants;
give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour,
that we might gather once again
to praise your name
in the heart of your Church,
delivered from all distress
and confident in your mercy.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Saint Matthew, Mary Aikens, Murphy Family Scholarship is open only to registered parishioners of the Parish, who have participated in Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs.  Click here for applciation.