081708 New

August 17, 2008

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Readings for Mass August 17, 2008

August 24, 2008

1st Reading

Is 56:1, 6-7

Is 22:19-23

2nd Reading

Rom 11:13-15, 29-32

Rom 11:33-36

Mt 15:21-28

Mt 16:13-20

Gospel

Two Opportunities to Help Those in Need New Orleans Trip Planned for October St. Matthew will be sending members of the parish family to New Orleans in October, to help the Archdiocese of New Orleans provide assistance to poor homeowners rebuilding after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Both skilled craftsmen and those who can handle a paintbrush, shovel, or hammer are wanted. We will be leaving on Tuesday, October 14 and returning on Saturday, October 18. If you would like to take part in this third trip by our parish, or would like more information about the project, please come to the next planning meeting to be held in the Day Chapel on Sunday, August 17, at 9:45 a.m. For more information please contact Randy Jones at [email protected] or telephone 678-817-9149.

Help Metro Atlanta Senior Citizen Homeowners St Matthew Parish is looking for volunteers who want to provide assistance periodically on Saturdays for needy senior homeowners (age 60 or over) living in Metro Atlanta. The work would include help with home maintenance and minor repairs and enhancements such as painting, yard work, gutter cleaning, drywall, minor carpentry, plumbing and electrical repair (inside & out), plus helping with household chores. The parish would work as a group. Volunteers need to be 15 and older while those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. An information meeting will be held in the Day Chapel Sunday August 17 at 10:15 AM. All who are interested are cordially invited to attend. Contact Randy Jones for information at [email protected] or call 678-817-9149.

We welcome the following new parishioners to our Parish Family Bill, Meiling, Randall & Rebecca Familo

There are numerous items in the Lost and Found. If you think you may have lost one of your treasures at the church please come by and see what we have. Anything not claimed by the end of August will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Mass Intentions Tuesday 9AM Wednesday 6PM Thursday 9AM Saturday 5PM Sunday 8:30AM Sunday 11AM

This is it! Now is the time! Fun at the Falcon begins with a “kick off meeting” on August 19 at 6:30 pm at the Dixie Wing Hanger at Falcon Field in PTC. You too can be part of this fun and worthwhile ministry, just join us for the meeting. You can work along side your fellow Catholics from Holy Trinity and St. Mary Magdalene to raise funds for our St. Vincent DePaul Societies. There is a place for YOU in this ministry. Questions? Call Kathy Hampton @770.703.7023. See you there!

St. Matthew Jail & Prison Ministry St. Matthew Coffee After Mass Ministry Shiji Joseph St. Matthew Parish Family Sally & Bob Youll Joan Ellen Starr

Pancake Breakfast next Sunday, August 24, 2008 between the 8:30 & 11:00 am Masses in the cafeteria at our Lady of Victory. The Knights of Columbus do an excellent job preparing & serving one of our all time favorite meals. All are welcome—come hungry!

Knights of Columbus Retreat October 31 - November 2, 2008

It is also time to start collecting items for our auction. If you are willing to help on this please call Jesse or Debbie Nasiancero at 770-964-7820.

Archdiocesan St. Vincent de Paul Collection The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Atlanta provides financial, material, educational and spiritual support to those in need regardless of background or faith and collaborates with other organizations to empower people to achieve self-sufficiency. We are part of an international organization founded in Paris, France in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam. The Society has operated in North and Middle Georgia since 1903 and is presently comprised of 67 local Conferences, 9 Thrift stores, 33 Food Pantries and the Conference Support Center in Chamblee, Georgia. The Society’s commitment to aiding the poor is demonstrated in its stewardship of 94% of the money going directly to client services. In 2007, 135,000 people were served throughout N. Georgia.

Calendar of Upcoming Events August 19 9:30AM August YAM Calendar

Church Cleaning

Ignatius House Retreat Center Please call 404-255-0503 to register You may register online: www.ignatiushouse.org

Mark your calendar for Lector Training! Plan to attend whichever lector training that applies to you. Returning Lector

New Lector

Saturday, Aug. 23 8:30-10:30 am

Tuesday, Aug. 19 7-9 pm

You must attend one of the training sessions that pertain to you in order to participate and to be placed on the schedule. For more information contact Marianne Menke at 678.817.5749. Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training will be held at St. Matthew this coming Sunday, August 24th at 12:30 pm. To assure continued participation in this ministry at St. Matthew one annual training session is necessary.

Religious Education News

See Bulletin Board

Adult Choir Is Starting Again! Attention existing and new adult choir members: Please mark the following dates on your calendar as it’s time to start adult choir. Please email Sheri Dillon at Sharon. [email protected] if you have questions or cannot attend one of these dates! Thursday, August 21, 2008—7:00 to 9:00 pm: Rehearsal Thursday, August 28, 2008 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Rehearsal

Visit Fr. Vic’s blog at http://padrevic.blogspot.com/

Ministry Highlight Jail & Prison Ministries

Lost & Found

Get your appetites ready!!! There will be a

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jail Visitation—This ministry provides a communion service to the prisoners of the Fulton county jail in Union City approximately twice a month. A team of Catholic volunteers deliver the service in a classroom type setting inside the facility. A guard accompanies the volunteers while they are in the secured area. This ministry is open to men and women and the prisoners are very appreciative of your presence. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but is by no means required. For information about this ministry contact Randy Jones at 770.631.9663. Prison Ministry—In conjunction with the Archdiocesan Prison Ministry Director, we correspond with death row and long term prisoners. Some members visit prisoners. All are encouraged to participate at their own comfort level. We meet 3-4 times a year to plan gifting projects. You’re invited to join this ministry and help shape its future. For information about this ministry contact Nancy Wood at 678.817.9149.

Welcome Back! Religious Education & Faith Formation programs begin August 17th. The Parish School of Religion will begin classes for 116 three-year-olds through 8th grade next Sunday, August 17, at Our Lady of Victory school, between the Masses. Classes will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will conclude at 10:45 a.m. Space is still available in most classes for families who have not yet registered their children. PRISM, the Confirmation program at St. Matthew, will have its first meeting Sunday, August 17, in the Conference Room beginning at 12:30 p.m. and concluding at 2:00 p.m. We look forward to a full, energetic and exciting year for those teens in the parish who will be preparing for Confirmation in 2009 and 2010.

PSR Late Registration Late registration for St Matthew's Parish School of Religion for the 2008-9 school year began July 26 and continued through August 3, 2008. PSR Registration Packets can be found in the narthex or in Deacon Gayle's office. There is a late registration fee of $15 per child unless you are a new member of the parish.

Tending Our Gardens Stewardship In Everyday Life “What have you done with the garden entrusted to you?” — Machado Many are familiar with the phrase “time, talent, and treasure” as a description of Christian stewardship, and these are indeed important aspects of it. However, stewardship is much more. It entails accepting all aspects of our lives as gift, and inviting God into each. I believe God cares deeply about how we take care of our bodies, emotions, and relationships. God wants us to use everything we have to bring about the kingdom in our lives and the world around us. In March of 2004, Bishop Robert Morneau gave a presentation on “The Spirituality of Stewardship” at the annual Regional Stewardship Conference in Atlanta. He presented this idea of stewardship as different gardens that we are called to tend in our lives. We will cover the difference gardens over the next few weeks, as a guide for discernment. It is important to realize that this is simply a starting point: a tool to help you start asking your own questions. Only you can ultimately determine how God is calling you in your life. It is important to note that this process should not necessarily be seen as a way of adding more tasks to your life, but as a call to balance and openness. Stewardship addresses what we do in our lives, but more importantly how we do them. As you read through the questions, check off areas in which you would like to be more attentive or spend more energy. Feel free to star questions related to areas where you are doing well. When you are done, go back and circle one to three areas you want to work on.

Garden of the globe While ecology, concern for the environment, and responsible use of our natural resources are well-known concerns in our society at large, we should not forget the connection between them and our faith. The first book of the Bible reminds us how God entrusted the earth to us, so that we might be good caretakers. St. Francis was particularly aware of the presence of God in the world around us. Do you reuse and recycle the items that you use? Do you allow concern for the world to influence your purchasing decisions? Do you educate yourself about environmental issues? Is there a simple step you could take to reduce the impact you are having on the environment? Buying reusable grocery bags? Lowering your thermostat a little? Paying a little more for something recycled? Have you considered supporting organizations that protect land, animals, other wildlife, or the rest of the environment? Do you have friends or family who have left the Church? If so, check out www.CatholicsComeHome.org. This website has proven very effective in bringing Catholics back to practicing their Faith and a return to a vibrant life in the local parish.

Financial Giving in our Parish Family

Women’s Faith Formation Women’s Faith Formation is back from a summer break! We will meet Monday night, August 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm in conference room 3. This is an especially important meeting as we will be choosing the next book we will explore. Please come join us for some socializing and planning for the coming year. We will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 7:00-8:00 pm except in September when we will meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. All women of the parish are welcome.

Bible Study Daytime Bible study will begin Tuesday, September 16th from 10:15 to 11:30 am in room 3. All are invited. No previous experience is necessary. Please join us as we explore God's word together! For more information contact Rose Herold at 770.306.1214 or Linda Spencer at 770.632.8880.

August 10, 2008 Offertory

$14,938.00

Given in checks & envelopes (229)

$13,910.00

Parish Debt Reduction St. Vincent de Paul Society

$170.00 $3,927.00

Upcoming Second Collections August 17—No second collection August 24—Archdiocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society