O Mary, Mother of God, who amid the tribulations of the world, watch over us and over the Church of your Son.  Be for us and for the Church, truly Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Make haste to help us all in our necessities, that in this fleeting life you may be our succor and obtain for us  ( here ask the particular favor you desire.)
As you have interceded for us in times past, have pity and obtain for us protection from illness and disease.  Be to us truly Our Lady of Perpetual Help now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.
 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!


THE MEMORARE

Oh María, Madre de Dios, que en medio de las tribulaciones del mundo, vela por nosotros y por la Iglesia de tu Hijo. Sé para nosotros y para la Iglesia, verdaderamente Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro. Date prisa para ayudarnos a todos en nuestras necesidades, para que en esta fugaz vida puedas ser nuestro socorro y obtener para nosotros (aquí pide el favor particular que deseas).
Como has intercedido por nosotros en el pasado, ten piedad y obtén protección contra enfermedades y dolencias. Sé para nosotros verdaderamente Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amén.

Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, ¡ruega por nosotros!

 

EL MEMORARE

RECUERDA, VIRGEN MARÍA MÁS GRACIOSA, QUE NUNCA SE SABÍA QUE ALGUIEN QUE HABLÓ A TU PROTECCIÓN, IMPLORÓ TU AYUDA Y SOLICITÓ TU INTERCESIÓN, SE DEJÓ SIN AYUDA. INSPIRADO EN ESTA CONFIANZA, TE ACABO, VIRGEN DE VIRGENES, MI MADRE. A USTEDES VENGO; ANTES DE USTED ESTOY PENDIENTE, PECANTE Y DOLOROSO. O MADRE DE LA PALABRA ENCARNADA, NO DESPIERTAS MI PETICIÓN, PERO EN TU MISERICORDIA ESCUCHA Y RESPONDE. AMÉN

Following the updated guidance from the archdiocese, we are returning to wearing masks at St. Matthew's.  Given the rise in Covid-19 cases and how the Delta variant is more transmissible than previous mutations, we are taking this precaution.   Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we continue to navigate the changing circumstances of life during a pandemic.  

Pentecost is the birthday of the church and a time when we should let the Holy Spirit guide our path. It is an appropriate time to take our next step forward to full reopening of our churches.
                 On May 22, prior to the celebration of the Vigil of Pentecost, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will expire in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Your pastor and I are very excited to welcome you back. I hope you know how much you have been missed at your parish.
                 While the general dispensation will lift, I am putting into place some exceptions for certain circumstances. They are outlined at the end of this letter. We will still require masks and social distancing in our parishes, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. This means that people should maintain a reasonable healthy space between themselves and others who are outside of their families, to be determined at the level of each parish. Parishes can still have outdoor Masses to accommodate more people.
While the general dispensation is removed, there are specific persons for whom the dispensation will, for the time being, still be applicable, as well as persons for whom there is no obligation in the first place according to the norms of canon law. One does not have an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday or a holy day of obligation in the following circumstances:
 
1. You are ill or you have a health condition that would be significantly compromised if you were to contract a communicable illness (i.e., you have underlying conditions or are in a high-risk category). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
2. You are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
3. You have been exposed to someone who has tested positive or you have reason to think you might be asymptomatic of a contagious illness.
4. You care for the sick, homebound, or infirm.
5. You are pregnant. 6. You are 65 years of age or older (per the CDC’s recommendation of high-risk individuals).
7. You cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own (e.g., no Mass is offered, you are infirm, your ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).
8. You have significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

These categories will be reviewed in due course and revised as needed. Persons legitimately dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass are still to observe the Lord’s Day by participating in a broadcast of the Sunday Mass or by spending time in prayer or meditating on Scripture, either individually or as a family. We cannot live without the Eucharist, and the Church is not fully alive without its congregation. We cannot wait to welcome you back this Pentecost.
 

Actualizacion de 16 de mayo - Carta de Arzobispo

Pentecostés es el cumpleaños de la iglesia y un momento en el que debemos dejar que el Espíritu Santo guíe nuestro camino. Es un momento apropiado para dar nuestro próximo paso hacia la reapertura total de nuestras iglesias.
                 El 22 de mayo, antes de la celebración de la Vigilia de Pentecostés, la dispensa general de la obligación de asistir a la misa dominical expirará en la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta. Su pastor y yo estamos muy emocionados de darle la bienvenida nuevamente. Espero que sepas cuánto te han extrañado en tu parroquia.
                 Si bien se levantará la dispensa general, voy a establecer algunas excepciones para determinadas circunstancias. Se describen al final de esta carta. Seguiremos necesitando máscaras y distanciamiento social en nuestras parroquias, de acuerdo con la orientación de los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades. Esto significa que las personas deben mantener un espacio razonable y saludable entre ellos y otros que están fuera de sus familias, que se determinará a nivel de cada parroquia. Las parroquias todavía pueden tener misas al aire libre para acomodar a más personas.
Si bien se elimina la dispensa general, hay personas específicas para las que la dispensa, por el momento, seguirá siendo aplicable, así como personas para las que no existe obligación en primer lugar según las normas del derecho canónico. Uno no tiene la obligación de asistir a misa el domingo o un día santo de obligación en las siguientes circunstancias:
 
1. Está enfermo o tiene una afección de salud que se vería significativamente comprometida si contrajera una enfermedad transmisible (es decir, se encuentra en una categoría de alto riesgo). Utilice la dispensación y no asista a misa.
2. Tiene síntomas similares a los de la gripe.
3. Ha estado expuesto a alguien que dio positivo en la prueba o tiene motivos para pensar que podría ser asintomático de una enfermedad contagiosa.
4. Cuida a los enfermos, confinados en casa o débiles.
5. Está embarazada.
6. Tiene 65 años de edad o más (según la recomendación de los CDC para personas de alto riesgo).
7. No puede asistir a Misa por causas ajenas a su voluntad (por ejemplo, no se ofrece Misa, está enfermo, su transporte no apareció, la iglesia estaba llena).
8. Tiene mucho miedo o ansiedad de enfermarse por estar en misa.

Estas categorías se revisarán a su debido tiempo y se modificarán según sea necesario. Las personas legítimamente dispensadas de la obligación de asistir a Misa todavía deben observar el Día del Señor participando en una transmisión de la Misa dominical o pasando tiempo en oración o meditando en las Escrituras, ya sea individualmente o en familia. No podemos vivir sin la Eucaristía y la Iglesia no está plenamente viva sin su congregación. Estamos ansiosos por recibirlos nuevamente en este Pentecostés.
 
 

The parish office was contacted on Thursday that a parishioner who was at Mass on Tuesday and then spent time in the office tested positive for Covid19 on Thursday.  Following diocesan guidelines, those who were at Mass on Tuesday have been contacted about the exposure.  The office staff need to quarantine for 10 days to insure we did not contract the virus.  Therefore the office will be closed until Monday, December 14th.  Weekend Masses will occur as usual, though there will not be daily Masses next week.  Be assured you are in my prayers as I take this precaution... Stay safe.  Stay blessed!

-Fr. Kevin

 

Actualización del 4 de diciembre

La oficina parroquial fue contactada el jueves que un feligrés que estaba en misa el martes y luego pasó un tiempo en la oficina dio positivo por Covid19 el jueves. Siguiendo las reglas diocesanas, los que asistieron a la misa el martes fueron contactados sobre la exposición. El personal de la oficina debe ponerse en cuarentena durante 10 días para asegurarse de que no contraemos el virus. Por lo tanto, la oficina permanecerá cerrada hasta el lunes 14 de diciembre. Las misas de fin de semana se llevarán a cabo como de costumbre, aunque no habrá misas diarias la próxima semana. Tenga la seguridad de que está en mis oraciones mientras tomo esta precaución ... Manténgase a salvo. ¡Mantente bendecido!

-Padre Kevin

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass through Sunday, August 30. Those who are healthy, willing and able to comply with safety protocols and who wish to attend are encouraged to do so. We are open and the usual Mass schedule is celebrated each weekend.  Those who are at high-risk of complications from COVID-19 or who are caretakers for the vulnerable are encouraged to participate in the Mass online.

Actualización de julio

El arzobispo Gregory J. Hartmayer ha extendido la exención de la obligación de asistir a misa hasta el domingo 30 de agosto. Se alienta a quienes estén sanos, dispuestos y capaces de cumplir con los protocolos de seguridad y que deseen asistir a hacerlo. Estamos abiertos y el horario habitual de misas se celebra cada fin de semana. Se alienta a aquellos que corren un alto riesgo de complicaciones por COVID-19 o que son cuidadores de los vulnerables a participar en la Misa en línea.

Last Friday, Archbishop Hartmayer did extend the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until Sunday, August 2nd for those who are sick, have health conditions or health concerns.  The Archbishop hopes that all use this time of restricted activity to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ through personal prayer, devotions, spiritual reading, and attendance at Mass.  For those who are sick or suspect any threat of illness, please attend Mass virtually.  St. Matthew's will continue to broadcast a Sunday Mass each week on our website.  

 

Actualización de junio

Archbishop Hartmayer has given us permission to open the church and resume celebrating public Mass.  Mass attendance is not required, and the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until at least June 28th.  Anyone who is not feeling well should remain at home, out of concern for others.  Those who are at risk or concerned that they or their family might become sick should stay at home and view the Mass broadcasted on TV or online.  

Daily Mass will resume on May 25th at 9am Monday through Friday.  Sunday Masses will begin again on the weekend of May 30/31.  Everyone who is coming to Mass needs to be wearing a face mask at all times.  Hand sanitizer will be available at the doors of the church and ushers will direct people to use it before entering the church.  Social distancing needs to be maintained throughout the liturgy.  Those who live together at the same address may seat together for Mass.  Ushers will guide parishioners to their seats.  People will be seated on a first come, first served basis.  Only alternate pews will be available for seating and six feet needs to be kept between each family or individual.  

Once the seating capacity of the church is reached, the doors of the church will be closed and no one else will be allowed to enter.  When Mass begins, the doors will be closed.  Ushers will not be able to seat people at an appropriate social distance during the liturgy.  Be on time. We hope to open the doors for Mass 30 minutes before the liturgy begins.

Both at Communion and at the end of Mass, ushers will come to each pew to indicate when it is time to move so that the processions can move in an orderly fashion and social distancing is maintained.  While we will be gathering for Mass, it is not appropriate to gather in the Narthex either before or after Mass.  Please proceed directly out of the church after Mass so that the necessary cleaning can take place before the next Mass. 

The Mass will remain available online on Sundays for the foreseeable future.  Daily Masses will no longer be broadcast.  Confessions will begin in June.  More information will follow about that and the celebration of other sacraments.  
 
Please view this instructional video of the new guidelines for mass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLxpsOmSISyQdkaNlaB73PJXuMGkpypjeA&v=reNE8IkDE6I&feature=emb_title

El Arzobispo Hartmayer nos ha dado permiso para abrir la iglesia y resumir la celebración de la misa pública. No se requiere asistencia a la misa, y la exención de la obligación de asistir a la misa permanece vigente hasta al menos el 28 de junio. Cualquier persona que no se sienta bien debe quedarse en casa, sin preocuparse por los demás. Aquellos que están en riesgo o preocupados de que ellos o sus familiares puedan enfermarse deben quedarse en casa y ver la Misa transmitida por televisión o en línea.

La misa diaria empezara el 25 de mayo y serán a las 9 de la mañana de lunes a viernes. Las misas dominicales comenzarán nuevamente el fin de semana del 30/31 de mayo. Todos los que vienen a misa deben usar una mascarilla en todo momento. El desinfectante de manos estará disponible en las puertas de la iglesia y los ujieres ordenarán a las personas que lo usen antes de ingresar a la iglesia. El distanciamiento social debe mantenerse durante toda la liturgia. Los que viven juntos en la misma dirección pueden sentarse juntos para la misa. Los ujieres guiarán a los feligreses a sus asientos. Las personas se sentarán por orden de llegada. Solo habrá bancos alternativos disponibles para sentarse y seis pies deben mantenerse entre cada familia o individuo.

Una vez que se alcanza la capacidad de asientos de la iglesia, las puertas de la iglesia se cerrarán y nadie más podrá ingresar. Cuando comience la misa, las puertas estarán cerradas. Ya que los ujieres no podrán sentar a las personas a una distancia social adecuada durante la liturgia. Llegue a tiempo. Esperamos abrir las puertas para la misa 30 minutos antes de que comience la liturgia.

Tanto en la comunión como al final de la misa, los ujieres irán a cada banco para indicar cuándo es el momento de moverse para que las procesiones puedan moverse de manera ordenada y se mantenga el distanciamiento social. Si bien nos reuniremos para la misa, no es apropiado reunirse en el Atrio ni antes ni después de la misa. Por favor, salga directamente de la iglesia después de la misa para que se pueda realizar la limpieza necesaria antes de la próxima misa.
Las Misas diarias ya no se transmitirán. Las confesiones comenzarán en junio. Seguirá más información sobre eso y la celebración de otros sacramentos.

Vea este video instructivo de los nuevos procedimientos para la misa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEMzzKKIcE&list=PLxpsOmSISyQdkaNlaB73PJXuMGkpypjeA&index=2

April 23, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

Knowing how much Catholics everywhere are yearning to return to the Eucharist and to gather once again in our churches, we must communicate that, having struggled with our decision, we believe that we must yet maintain the current practice of sheltering in place. With input and support from the priests of both the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah, we are, for the safety of all Georgia residents, not authorizing the return to congregating at churches or making our churches available for devotions. This determination extends through the month of May.  If the sheltering-in-place and social distancing guidelines are altered significantly during this time, we will reexamine the possibility of congregating at churches.

We took many factors into account in coming to this conclusion. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has been updating data daily and providing guidance on when next steps might be safe. Their current report on Georgia indicates that waiting until June to shift social distancing strategies would be the best course of action.

Many of our priests fall into the high-risk category for this virus, as do a good number of the faithful. In addition to that, priests are reluctant to put their congregations at risk. With more than 200 churches and more than one million Catholics in the state of Georgia, in a great variety of circumstances, we are not able to offer a workable strategy that could apply throughout our diverse population.

If one church offers a unique liturgy or devotion, it might be flooded with attendees. Normally that would be a welcome response, but in the current environment this would not respect the need to remain, for safety’s sake, in place. The same is true for drive-through services and devotions. Parishes that could accommodate a drive-through service or reconciliation for their own members would not be able to safely accommodate the additional people from surrounding communities.

We will take the time from now until we do resume regular liturgies and sacraments to carefully plot the conditions--including matters of numerical management, required spacing, and sanitation--under which churches may safely return to offering regular gatherings.  The dispensation from Saturday or Sunday Mass attendance is, of course, still applicable, although Catholics are expected to avail themselves of the virtual Mass each week.

Preserving the bonds of parish life is particularly important, even as we see evidence of the strengthening of family worship and devotion in our homes.  Parishes are reaching out to the elderly and homebound, which we heartily endorse.  Providing encouragement, especially in light of the protracted absence from normal activities, is a proper work of mercy.

Parish catechetical activities such as Parish Schools of Religion or other faith formation opportunities should be offered digitally. Both Arch/Diocesan staff and Parish staff have put together resources for both catechetical leaders and families to use, and they are updating their website resource pages almost daily.

The employees of the Chanceries will continue their working remotely and parishes are strongly encouraged to do likewise.

This is an unprecedented time in history, and we hardly imagined a time when we would have to weigh our Church’s spiritual progress against the brute necessities of general health and survival.  But, we live in the reality of Easter, and even now we rejoice in the goodness of God and the saving grace of the Risen Lord.  May the ever-new and ever-wondrous Paraclete, the Spirit of all truth, sustain us in hope and keep us united in the confession of our Catholic belief.

Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.
Bishop of Savannah/Archbishop-designate of Atlanta
 
Bishop Joel M. Konzen, S.M.
Diocesan Administrator

Bishop Bernard Shlesinger, III
Auxiliary Bishop

April 4, 2020


Another week brings more changes as we continue in this time of pandemic.  Bishop Konzen has asked that we keep the church closed during Governor Kemp's shelter in place order.  The parish will no longer be open for prayer until at least April 13th.  

Masses will still be available daily on our website.  This year, palms will not be blessed or made available.  Healthcare workers have been granted a dispensation from fasting and abstinence on Good Friday, that they may continue their heroic work in the care of patients during this time.  As difficult as this time is for everyone, words will never suffice to share our gratitude for those who serve to keep us well.  

Stay safe... stay blessed... May the Lord ever hold you in the palm of His hand.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!

peace,

Fr. Kevin

 

March 27, 2020

The Archdiocese today extended the suspension of public Masses until at least April 19th.  This will be reviewed again in the days prior to that as to when public Masses will be allowed to resume.  

The wonderful celebration of Holy Week and Easter will be greatly muted this year because of this.  Masses will continue to be celebrated privately here at St. Matthew and posted on our website.  I encourage you to join in and pray with us.  

In a special way please pray for our Elect and Candidates who were scheduled to join the church this Easter.  That wonderful gift to our parish has to be postponed.  But we will receive them once we reopen.  

Each and every day, I am praying for you here at St. Matthew that the Lord is with you.  Stay safe.  Stay blessed!

peace,

Fr. Kevin
 

March 18,  2020

In these early days of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, I want to give you an update on life at St. Matthew's.  There will not be public Mass here until at least April 5th.  All meetings and gatherings are canceled for the time being.  Updates will come from the bishop as to when we reopen.  In the meantime, we are broadcasting a Mass everyday from the chapel on our website.  Stop by www.saintmatthew.us and click on the button 'Masses Online' and join your parish family in prayer.  The sanctuary is open during the day if you would like to drop by and pray.  
We are setting up resources for families and individuals to access through the website to continue their faith formation.  This is an excellent time to grow closer to the Lord and learn more about our faith.  Seize the opportunity!

Without public Masses, there is no offertory basket.  Feel free to send in your donation using the mail in envelope in the packet.  Many people already give to the parish through online giving.  If you don't already do so, please consider it.  Click on the 'Online Giving' button on the website homepage and set up a profile.  Ministry to our parish family continues, and so do the bills.  Whatever you are able to give in thanksgiving to God is appreciated.    

Each and every day we are praying for you here at St. Matthew's, if there are ways we can bless you or strengthen you along the way, let us know.  Don't hesitate to call the office or email me or the staff if you need help.  I know that some people are shy, others are afraid to drop by.  It is certainly difficult to  catch me or one of the deacons in the Narthex after Mass to let us know about one of your issues or concerns.  There are parishioners who have already asked me who they can help and how they may serve.  Especially in these difficult times we look to live out our faith.  Stay safe; Stay blessed!
 
 
Peace and all good things,

Fr. Kevin
 
 

March 16, 2020

This Lent has certainly given us opportunity to embrace sacrifice and consider how we are living out our faith as Christians.  As the CDC and other public health officials continue to make recommendations in light of the spread of Covid-19, so we as Church look to respond with faith and prudence.  The bishops of Atlanta have suspended all public Masses until at least April 5th.  

I will continue to celebrate Mass each day privately and broadcast that Mass on our website.  Look for the link to each day's Mass by clicking on the Daily Mass button on the homepage.  Please join in praying for our parish, our community and our world.  

The church will remain open during the day for private prayer.  Since all Lenten penance services have been canceled, I am developing a schedule to make confession available at the church for those who would like to receive God's mercy.  I will have that posted soon on the website.  

This is certainly a challenging time.  But there is much we can still do.  We can still unite in prayer.  We can still reach out to show care for our neighbors.  We are still the Body of Christ.  It is certainly a sacrifice to have to alter our participation in the Eucharist.  Though we share now in the Cross of Christ, we are sharers as well in His Spirit and life.  May we take up the cross this Lent and continue to follow Jesus.... who is the Resurrection and the Life!

peace,

Fr. Kevin