Summertime often includes time off from work, plans for vacation, attendance at baseball games, and time with family enjoying picnics and swimming. Summer means relaxation and a break from normal routine. The summer months can also be the perfect opportunity for spiritual growth. Here are a few suggestions to encourage your spiritual relationship with Christ, shared ways to get involved to deepen your faith, and keep God close throughout the summer: - Invite a friend or family member to join you at Mass. - Consider reading the Gospel of Mark. Start with a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to be with you. Try and read for 5 minutes each day. - Next time someone asks you to pray for them, don't wait to leave to begin the prayer at another time. Pray right there with them. It could be as simple as an Our Father or a Hail Mary or you can pray spontaneously. - Go for a hike in nature and take pictures, write a poem or draw a picture. While you hike, thank God for everything that you see. You could even go stargazing one night. - Take a pilgrimage this summer. A pilgrimage is a journey a pilgrim makes to a sacred place for the purpose of venerating it or to ask for heavenly aid, and ultimately to come to know God better. Here are some places in Iowa you could visit this summer: Cathedral of St. Raphael - Dubuque Basilica of St. Francis Xavier - Dyerville Smallest Church in Iowa - Fort Atkinson - Pictures are from here New Melleray Abbey - Peosta Trinity Heights - Sioux City Outdoor Way of the Cross - St. Donatus West Bend Grotto - West Bend Grotto at Mount Mercy University or Prairiewoods are right here in town - When driving in the car, turn on Christian Music or pray. If it is a long road trip, consider praying the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Here is a Catholic Radio Station KMMK at 88.7fm. Here are a couple Christian Radio Stations Air 1 at 89.1fm or Life 101.9fm. - Read a faith-based book. Stop by our Parish Library in Kearn Hall to grab a book to read. Check out one of the 3 books below: - FORMED.ORG is a great place to go to learn more about our Catholic faith and to strengthen your relationship with God. Here is our Parish Code C98696 to access free Catholic Resources including ebooks, audio books, movies, audio talks and programs: ~ Watch a movie on the lives of St. Joan of Arc, St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Rita, St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Bosco, St. Philip Neri, St. Maria Goretti and so many more Saints. There are also movies just for kids like Brother Francis, The Jesus Stories and more. ~ Check out the Symbolon Series to learn more about what we believe as Catholics and why. ~ Listen to an audio talk while doing the dishes. ~ Watch and discuss the Beloved Series with your spouse. ~ The best way to find out what is on FORMED.ORG is to sign up today and search around the website. You can download the app on your smart phone or go on from your computer. "Whether we eat or sleep,
Whether we work or play, May it all be for the honor & glory of God."
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I really enjoy the St. Matt's Mingle because you're able to socialize with people you normally wouldn't have an opportunity to meet. You get to know a variety of affable St. Matthew's parishioners and share good food, drink, and great conversation! With the daycare option provided, it's nice to mingle and get somewhat of a night out, while still knowing your children are safe and secure in the church. I would highly recommend others join us at the St. Matt's Mingle on April 22nd after the 6 p.m. Mass for the opportunity to make new friends and strengthen a sense of community with our St. Matt's family!
- Emily Moses - Parishioner - "As Christian Stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord." - United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - Our Parish Stewardship Committee has decided to monthly highlight those from our parish who are good stewards of the gifts God has given to them. The first of two ways you will see this information shared is through a bulletin insert on the 4th weekend of every month. Each bulletin insert will include details about stewardship. We will showcase reflections written by parishioners exemplifying their acts of stewardship within our parish and/or larger faith community. The second way is through our parish blog. Bulletins are a great way to spread information but so is the internet! All are welcome to share a short reflection (300 words or less). Please include how you live stewardship within your life, how you give back to God for the gifts He has given you, and why it is important for you to be a good steward. I'm sure some of you are thinking that you are not a good steward or that you don't do enough to write a reflection but the truth is, you only needed to say yes to one thing in order to be considered a good steward. For example, I said yes to a friend who asked me five times to get involved in youth ministry at my parish as a teenager. From that yes, I was asked to attend a retreat that winter. Because of that yes, I was asked to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference that summer which then led me to say yes to serve on the Student Ministry Team, go on a service trip, attend World Youth Day in Germany and....well I could go on for days about how each simple yes led me to the next thing which eventually led me to becoming the Pastoral Associate here at St. Matthew's but my point is that saying yes once is all it takes to be a good steward. Have you said yes to being a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server or Hospitality Minister? Have you said yes to helping with an activity at the School, Faith Formation Classes or in the Parish? Have you said yes to attending Mass at St. Matthew's? Have you said yes to attending a program promoted by our parish? If you said yes to any of those questions, then you would be considered a good steward and we want to hear your story. Your reflection and a photo can be emailed to me at [email protected] Two times each month, we will share a reflection right here on our Parish Blog. Can't wait to share with you soon about what all of you are doing within our parish. St. Matthew's Catholic Parish is blessed to have so many wonderfully gifted human beings as a part of our family. Thank you for your willingness to share your gifts with the parish as well as for helping share your example of stewardship. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - I am constanly amazed by the people of our parish. You are all so generous.
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