St. Matthews Church

Cheryl, Joseph, Be Mills, Kendra Saucier, David and Betty Montgomery, Dianna Lablanc, Ann Stoddard, Roy, Christine Dyson, Rick & Katie Smith and family, My Doan, Robert Beams, Kevin Champagne, Jo Beard.

In the military: Jason Nagy, Aaron Doyle, Samuel Crumbaugh, Peter Gemma, Herbie Morris, Elizabeth Black, Derek Piscitelli, Nathan Chenarak, Stephen Hassink, Andrew Moisan, Angela, Brian Schelin, Nick Beinar, Jonas Sinacola, Justin Donahue, Alexander Smith, Anthony Tremblay, Gregory Tolmoff, Steven Wilson.

Those who are shut-in: Doris Flannery, Murry Cooper, Mary Camosse Barbara Brunelle, Lena Furey.

For those seeking employment: Scott Albinson, Andrew Piscitelli, Bryan Cardinal, Matthew Piscitelli, Jonathan Hight

For those recently united in Holy Matrimony: Megan Buonomo& Paul Blanchard, Crystal Wilson & Gregory Natalucci, Erin Dube & James Buonomo

For the Blessing of Marriages: Bryan and Cheryl Cardinal, Anthony and Elizabeth Tremblay

We continue praying for peace, stability and justice in Liberia. For peace in the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, the Sudan and Somalia, Burma, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. We pray for all those affected by the earthquake in Haiti and for the relief workers sent to help. We pray for the continuing efforts to end the enslavement of our fellow human beings around the world. We pray for outreach programs in our neighborhood, especially at the Village at Cambridge Street, Salvation Army, Jeremiah's Inn, and the South Worcester Neighborhood Center. We pray for groups meeting in our Parish House.

If you wish to bring a child for the Sacrament of Baptism, please speak with the Rector as soon as possible. Minimum requirements for parents bringing infants and very young children for Baptism are regular attendance at worship, and consultation with the Rector. For older children and adults, a period of preparation is required. For more information, please see Mother Strong.

The next occasion for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be on Saturday, April 3rd at 7 Pm at the Great Vigil of Easter.

Confirmation at St. Matthew's took place on Sunday, November 9th. Confirmed in faith were Evans Nimely Doe and Alec Westley MacGregor. Received into the Episcopal Church, Jennifer Jean Martocci. "Strengthen, O Lord, your servants..."

Baptized into New Life in Christ:

Olivia Jean Martocci, Daniel Antonio Perez, Justine Marie Perez, Adrianna Marie Perez & Jason Manuel Perez, Zachary Aaron Scott, Timothy Louis Scott ....“We receive you into the Household of God…”

Confirmations:

Evans Nimely Doe and Alec Westley MacGregor

Reception:

Jennifer Jean (Socha) Martocci

United in Holy Matrimony:

Paul R. Blanchard & Megan J. Buonomo on August 15, 2009

Gregory P. Natalucci & Crystal M. Wilson on August 29, 2009

"Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder."

The Blessing of a Civil Marriage:

Lonna Carter and Jonathan Mankus on December 6, 2008

....we are gathered to witness and bless..."

Buried with the prayers of the Church:

Doris Carr Flannery, January 8, 2010

Norman Leach, August 5, 2009

Benjamin Cooper, Jr., July 11, 2009

Philip Carpenter

Ann Marie (Holmberg) Keenan Wintzel, February 22, 2008

Orall Eugene Peabody, March 7, 2008

Joseph Circo, April 12, 2008

Florence Leach Johnson

James Troutner on May 30, 2008

Elsie Kay on June 23, 2008

“Let light perpetual shine upon them…”

Those who serve in this ministry include Ken Berg, Paul Bryand, Millie Cummings, Evans Doe, Alec MacGregor, Steve MacGregor, David Saydee and Withfield Felix. Children serve as ushers during the monthly Children's Service collecting change (and some bills too) for Rachel's Table.

Chair: Karen Beaudoin. Judy Chilton, Dartulah Gailor, Musu Konneh, Kelly MacGregor, Kim Rossi, Charlotte Townsend, Betsy Weatherbee, Pam Wilson, Patricia Borja and Barbara Forzley.

The annual meeting of the Altar guild was held on Sunday, October 11th and welcomed two new members - Patricia Borja and Barbara Forzley. The Advent Bible Markers given in memory of Ethel Rainsford will be used for the first time during the coming Advent season. There is one last set of Bible markers needed to complete our sets: a red set that will cost approximately $250.

The altar guild would also like to purchase a "summer weight" priest's stole and chasuble to match the light green Altar hangings that we have used in some previous summers. Our beautiful dark green set is simply too hot and heavy to be worn in the warm summer months. Estimated cost is $600-$700. Please speak to the Rector if you are interested in purchasing or donating towards either of these requests.

Are YOU willing?

“A delightful white-haired lady once enjoyed teasing people who asked her age by saying, “My dear, I won’t tell you how old I am, but I was a waitress at the Last Supper.” Well, whether true or not, someone had to clean and prepare the room and meal for Jesus and his disciples; and someone had to clean up the room and do the dishes after the whole group departed for the Garden of Gethsemane.” The founder of Altar Guilds perhaps?

Once again St. Matthew’s Altar Guild is looking for volunteers to join our ministry. Are YOU willing to help? Our duty is to prepare all the things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist or any of the other sacraments and offices of the church. “The preparations are done in a manner so that any service may be conducted in decency, order and beauty for the worship of Almighty God and his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” However, please know that no particular talent is required – “on the job” training is provided by Karen Beaudoin and yours truly.

Karen and I appreciate that people have many responsibilities outside the church, their home and work (we do too!) and we will be considerate of that. If you are interested in this opportunity and privilege to serve God as a member of The Altar Guild, please speak to Karen Beaudoin, Mother Nancy Strong or myself.

Peace, love & serenity, Charlotte Townsend

Anyone interested in learning about the Altar Guild's essential ministry at St. Matthew's, please contact either Karen Beaudoin or Charlotte Townsend for more information. Members meet four times a year. Two of these days are used for cleaning for Christmas and Easter. One Saturday in January is used as a Quiet Day with time for prayer, reflection and sharing a meal. Our evening meeting is in late August and includes bible study, prayers and a light evening meal. Our ministry involves preparing the church for weekly services and special occasions.

This year's Quiet Day was on Saturday, January 11th and was led by the Reverend Meredyth Wessman Ward, Rector of Christ Church, Rochdale.

A group of 13 enjoyed a quiet retreat October 2-4 at St. Margaret's Retreat House in Roxbury. Ask the Rector about joining the group next year.

“Come away for a space…and refresh yourselves…” (Jesus, to his disciples, in the Gospels).

If you would like to have flowers placed on the altar on Easter in memory of loved ones who have died or in thanksgiving for blessings received, please complete the yellow donation available in the office. thank you!

Contact the church office if you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for our many blessings towards altar flowers.

Flowers are generally placed on the Altar at Saint Matthew’s every Sunday of the year with the EXCEPTION of most of the Sundays in Lent. You may not have given much thought to how they get there, or how to offer to sponsor the flowers on a particular Sunday, especially if you are relatively new to Saint Matthew’s. Here’s what you need to know:

The total cost for flowers each Sunday is $ 25.00 (two arrangements). The cost may be divided between two persons wishing to place flowers on a given Sunday, or may be paid in full by one person making a flower offering.

In order to place flowers, either in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving, please call Pamela Wilson (508-987-0396). She can tell you what dates are available to place flowers.

To sponsor the Aumbry Light, please call Pamela Wilson. The cost per candle is $3.50. Each Aumbry Light burns for 7 days before requiring replacement.

The Vestry has decided that there will not be flowers placed on the Altar in June, July and August UNLESS they are sponsored by parishioners. In the past, we have absorbed the cost, but there is no budget line for Altar Flowers, and therefore, this represents an “unfunded” item, unless people give designated gifts. The Altar Guild has indicated that it is willing to accept cut flowers from home gardens if there are members of Saint Matthew’s who would like to bring bouquets to church during the summer. Please speak with Karen Beaudoin if you would like to do this.

Choir rehearses every Sunday morning at 9 am. Add your voice in songs of praise! See Don for more information.

If you would like to help with the special readings for either Palm Sunday or the Easter Vigil this year, please see the Rector. A meeting of all interested will be held on Sunday, March 7th after the 10 am service. We hope to make this year's presentations of the Passion Gospel according to Mark and the Easter Vigil Lessons extra special.