St. Matthias presently has 733 registered household. We have
an average of 350 weekly givers (those are people that give
through envelops, checks or electronic giving.) The average
donation is about $15.00 per week. Would St. Matthias like to
have people give more? Of course, but even greater is St. Matthias’
need to recruit more members. To sustain the parish, to
continue to offer and grow programs and services and to make
the necessary repairs that are needed St. Matthias needs more
members.
Census Drive 2010
Beginning in March 2010 the Parish Council is committed to
spearheading a membership drive to increase our numbers
and generate at least 225 new parishioners. Yes, that’s a big
number, but we think most of them are in the pews already.
The census drive will begin at Church on Sundays throughout
Lent as well as in the school and continue through out the year.
Who should join?
Well any one who supports our mission and the mission of our
school, including folks of a different faith who have found a
home at St. Matthias. School parents that have not been invited
to join, please consider this your invitation. People who belong
to other churches but find themselves interested in our
programs and services. Alumni that don’t live close but want
to financially and prayerfully support us and continue to keep
in contact with many of your friends from the old neighborhood.
New Parishioner Process
Starting in March a process to invite and initiate a new member to St. Matthias
will begin on Sundays through out Lent. Upon signing up, the new member will
receive a letter from the Pastor/ Administrator welcoming them to our community
and an invitation to a Monthly New Parishioner Dinner that will begin in April.
The new member will also be given a packet of information in the form of a parish
handbook as well as electronic giving information. Also included in the packet
will be a survey of interests of the new member and how the parish might facilitate
their future involvement. School information and upcoming events will also be
included in the packets. During this time we will also be collecting all parishioners
email information. This will become a major, low cost form of communication
for our parishioners in the future.
Goal
We hope to have 950 registered parishioners who are well informed about the
activities and the needs of the community and the school by December 2010. (We
would also like to see an increase in weekly giving increase by an additional
$3000.- more about that later)
How you can help?
Sign up as a parishioner, if you haven’t. Encourage your neighbors to become
members. If you see new people moving into the neighborhood invite them to St.
Matthias, especially on Hospitality Sunday. Volunteer for the New Welcome Dinners
and sign up for our new electronic giving (see forms in the pews). If you have
questions please call the Development Office at 773-506-2191.
You are invited to a Special Celebration of Holy Thursday Liturgy on April
1, 2010. The Parish Hall is transformed into a community worship space in the
round with the cantor, choir and instrumentalist creating a beautiful setting
to celebrate the Holy Thursday Liturgy. The service also includes a Community
Lamb Dinner and is followed with a Night Watch Service in the Church.
It is recommended that you RSVP to this liturgy so enough food can be prepared.
Please call 773-506- 2191 to make your reservations.
March 20 from 6 pm to 11 pm, celebrate St. Patrick’s
Day with music, food and drink in the gym.
Tickets will be on sale in the upcoming weekends
after Mass.
