LETTER FROM FR. PETER
(MARCH 25TH 2020)

• [NEW] Message from Father Peter (April 1st)
• Perputal Adoration has ben canceld.
• Wednesday Confessions are canceled. 
• All public masses are canceled until further notice.

Mass Intentions
The Mass Intentions that are already scheduled are still being offered during Fr. Peter's daily private Mass.  However, we are not accepting any new Mass Intentions at the present time.
 

• All formation programs (CCD, YOUTH MINISTRY, Adult Formation) Canceled until further notice.

• Reconciliation Saturday 3:30pm*

• Main Church will be open from 9am-7pm for private prayer.

• All non essential meeting are Canceled until further notice (i.g. choir practices, trainings, etc).

• Stations of the Cross is canceled

 “[Those who trust in the Lord] are like a tree planted beside the water…
In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:8
 
Dear St. Matthew’s Parishioners,
 
May the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones!
 
Preparations being put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community present us with both challenges and opportunities. The priority of St. Matthew is to care for our families and minister to them in every way we can.
 
As you know, the Diocese of Richmond has suspended all public Masses until further notice. Bishop Knestout will be updating us regularly. You can check the diocesan website for these updates at https://richmonddiocese.org/coronavirus/.
 
Through all of this, St. Matthew will remain a community of faith that trusts in the Lord and shares His blessings with each other. We are moving forward with new ways to minister to our parish families, including:
 

1. Utilizing our parish’s presence on Facebook: Please visit us there for the latest parish news, photos and other resources we are providing. This is also the best place to check in with each other, share prayer requests and continue to live as a community.

2. Celebrating a recorded Masses: Updates and links will be available on our parish website at www.saintmatts.net

1. Pray. Remember God does not abandon his children. Please join me in praying for the following: 

• All the sick and suffering around the world, and families affected by the coronavirus 
• Those who are struggling financially because of this crisis
• First responders, medical personal and all government leaders
• Our parish, your pastor, bishop and the Holy Father in Rome 

2. Follow us on Facebook. Click here: Facebook. “Follow” us and “like” our page. You will be connected to posts and information about recorded Masses online and be able to interact with our community.

3. Continue to support our parish - online. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the continued financial stewardship of parishioners and friends during this difficult time. With public Masses suspended, I am asking every family to move their financial support online:
   1. You can find giving options online  CLICK HERE TO START TODAY or Text 2 Give option that can be done directly from your smartphone. Simply text REGISTER to  (757) 500-5303.
   2. please consider setting up a recurring gift to help our parish for the future.

 
If you need assistance with online giving, please contact Bobbi Lane, blane@saintmatts.net.  Your gifts will help us maintain our campus, offer recorded masses and pay staff salaries. God bless you for your generosity!
 
I will continue to provide updates, primarily through our parish website and on our Facebook Page. 
 
Please know that you are in my prayers. Have faith! Let us rally together behind what is most important in our lives – God, family, and our St. Matthew community.
 
 
Rev. Peter Naah
Saint Matthew Catholic Church
3314 Sandra Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
757-420-6310 

Bishop Knestout has also directed the following to take effect:

• All Confirmation liturgies are suspended until further notice.
• All weddings and funerals should continue with the attendance limited to immediate family members. The numbers should not exceed 10 people.
• Pastoral care by priests for the sick remains of the utmost importance during this time and will continue.
• Churches should remain open for individual private prayer, but gatherings of multiple individuals for prayer are discouraged.
• Non-essential meetings are cancelled. If an essential meeting is needed, it should not exceed 10 people.
• Priests will continue to celebrate their own private Masses daily to pray for their parishioners and the diocese.
• Bishop Knestout will livestream private celebration of Sunday Masses for the foreseeable future.
• Parishes with similar livestream capabilities are encouraged to do the same for their parishioners.

The diocese has created a webpage with information, helpful resources and communications within the diocese. You can find the information at https://richmonddiocese.org/coronavirus

Resources for Catholics at Home During COVID-19

Many Dioceses, parishes, and Catholics begin to feel the effects of remaining at home due to the coronavirus. Below is a list of websites for Mass, prayers, and daily reflections to help us all during this trying time. Please note, this list will be updated as more resources become available.

Online Mass

• Vatican News Live Stream of Pope Francis’ Masses
• Catholic TV Mass. . .
• EWTN Daily Mass. . .
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. . .
• Catholic Faith Network Masses. . .

Prayers

• Pope Francis’ Prayer with Mary for COVID-19
• Archbishop Gomez Prayer for COVID-19
• Spiritual Communion. . .
• COVID-19: A Prayer of Solidarity
• Light a Candle Online (from the National Shrine of St. John Neumann). . .

The following publishers have generously made their resources available to support prayer during these difficult days. We thank them for their generosity and pastoral concern.

• Liturgical Press: Give Us This Day. . .
• Magnificat: English. . . | Spanish. . .
• Bayard: Living with Christ. . .
• The Word Among Us: English. . . | Spanish. . .

USCCB

• Daily Readings: English | Spanish
• Daily Readings Audio
• Video Reflection