MICHAEL’S 5K RUN

October 6th

This fun 5K run or walk benefits the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.  For more information and to register: http://www.hopkintonrespite.com

If there was one word to sum up my experience with Gospel Road it would be rewarding.  It was rewarding in the sense that my faith in God was strengthened and I was able to help so many people in such a short period of time.  Gospel Road is a week devoted to community service and spiritual renewal with God.  The underlying statement of Gospel Road is living simply and giving back.

I have participated in Gospel Road twice.  My first year we went to Hayley House (a soup kitchen), Bethany House (a place for retired nuns), and the Respite Center (a place for people with disabilities).  My second year we went to Hayley House, the Pernet Center (a place for needy children in Worcester), and the Respite Center.  Both years I learned that I can never give too much. There is always a need for volunteers and each volunteer makes a difference.

During Gospel Road, I learned something different from each of the work sites.  At the Hayley House I realized how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and food on the table.  I also learned that it is important to treat everyone equally regardless of how much money they have or if they are homeless.  While there, I washed more dishes than I ever had before!  I organized the trash area, prepared breakfast, and helped setup the clothing shop.

At the Bethany House, I was given a lot of advice.  One of the nuns said to me, “The one thing I have to tell you young people is, don’t hurry your life away!” At the Bethany House we handed out newsletters, sang to the nuns, and just listened to them tell stories.  Being there made me realize how selfless these women are to give up their whole lives to serve God.  They will do anything for Him.

Contact Information:

Newsletter Committee

stmattannenewsletter@yahoo.com

At the Pernet Center, we cleaned the playroom and vacuumed out the Center’s vans. Then we went to the park and played games with all the little kids.  The manager there said to us, “Never underestimate what you have done for these kids. They will carry these memories forever.”  It was so sad to learn that some of the children don’t have a house to go home to, and some don’t even have a mother to take care of them.  The manager also told us that we were the best group of volunteers she’d ever had.

At the Respite Center there were a variety of activities we could participate in.  I have volunteered there many times.  Over the years I have been bowling, walked down to Curves, cleaned out the arts and crafts room, and done yard work.   Most of the time though I have just hung out with clients and learned to appreciate that people with disabilities aren’t any different than people without disabilities.

It is not just physical labor that is community service; it is getting to know people and talking to them. The Respite Center was where the entire Gospel Road group stayed for the week. Whenever we go to the Respite Center, we are always welcomed with open arms.

Two of the goals I had for myself on these trips were to look at God in a new light, and be more grateful for what I have; both of which I have accomplished.  Gospel Road challenges youth  to go out into the world and discover what we can do with our gifts and talents.  All of the little things we each did during Gospel Road had a huge impact on those we helped. 

I also learned that anyone can be like Christ, even if we just do simple service projects.  After my Gospel Road experience, I appreciate what I have and I am more aware of the world around me.  On a spiritual note, I actually see God in people.  Before Gospel Road, that had never happened to me. Now I see God everywhere and he is still doing miracles, simple miracles, and Gospel Road itself is a miracle.

                                                -Katie Campbell

Staff Writer

Senior Spotlight

Volunteers are the backbone of the religious education program at St. Matthew.  We would like to thank the class of 2007 seniors who helped make this program a success.  Our seniors served as teacher aids, managed paperwork, helped with sacrament preparation and served as members of the religious education board.  We are very grateful for their contributions! We would like to recognize:

Angela Bettinelli
Kayla Nader
Kathleen Smart
Lissi Roche
Jackie McHugh
Katy Alea
Melanie Falconi

Through the years Angela Bettinelli has played a major role in the religious education program.  She has volunteered her time countless summers as a teacher and a teacher’s aid.  Angela facilitated the children’s liturgy, helped with sacrament preparation and was a member of the religious education board.  This fall Angela will be attending Westfield State College.  She has always been a visible part of the religious education program and will be missed.

Kayla Nader contributed numerous hours of her time to the religious education program.  She has been a summer aid, teacher, and served on the religious education board.  Kayla partnered with Angela Bettinelli to organize the Easter egg hunt for parish youth for the past two years.  Kayla will be attending Northeastern University this fall. < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">

            We would also like to thank Katy Alea, Melanie Falconi, Jackie McHugh, Kathleen Smart, and Lissi Roche for serving as teachers and teacher aids for the religious education program.

This past year the religious education program had 25 youth volunteers, but is eager for more!  Volunteers who can help out once or twice, or on a monthly basis, are welcomed and appreciated.  If you are interested in volunteering do not hesitate to call Ruth Flynn (508-229-2429) or email her at reled@stmatthews.org

        We wish our St. Anne and St. Matthew Seniors all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives!  We will miss you!

Theresa Logan & Aly Fournier 
Staff Writers

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

-Mahatma Ghandi 

Get Involved…

At the start of summer vacation, members of the St. Matthew and St. Anne Youth Ministry met for a Leadership Team retreat at the YMCA in Hopkinton.  We bonded during spirited team-building games held on a low ropes course in the woods.  Our leadership skills were tested by situations that forced us to problem solve as a team and assess our strengths and weaknesses.  We had several discussions along the way to reflect and apply what we were doing to our work as church leaders.  Although many of us had never met each other, by the end of the day, we witnessed our peers stepping outside their comfort zones to take worthwhile risks.  When we finished the ropes course, our YMCA leaders noted how understanding and encouraging we had become of each other—proof of a very productive Leadership Retreat.< xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">

            Following the YMCA activities, we gathered at St. Matthew to discuss the year ahead.  The main focus of our conversation was defining the new structure for the Youth Ministry Leadership Team.

Beginning this fall the St. Anne and St. Matthew are now combined as one Youth Ministry team!  All members of the Leadership Team will meet together twice a month on Mondays at 7 PM, alternating parishes.  Meetings include opening and closing prayer together, general announcements, individual committee meeting time, and committee reports to the entire Leadership Team.

The Youth Ministry will be committee-based for the first time.  Committees will meet outside of bi-monthly Leadership Team meetings.  Committee members will include high school youth, middle school youth and an adult sponsor.   Committees will be event/program based (i.e. Pancake Breakfast, Six Flags trip, etc.) or category based (i.e. fundraising, volunteering, newsletter, etc.).  Each committee will have core members and a representative(s) to report at the Monday Leadership Meetings.

As we enter this time of coming together to begin a journey of change and great accomplishment, members of both parishes are highly encouraged to become a part of the St. Anne-St. Matthew Youth Ministry Leadership Team!  Our group has a lot of fun, and we serve an important and ever-growing role in our parish community.  Also keep in mind that any and all volunteer work we do counts towards applications for National Honors Society and college.  Middle Schoolers—don’t forget that you are a valued member of our youth parish, because we want to increase your participation and input in our committee meetings and events! 

Members of the Leadership Team and committees are expected to live as followers of Jesus, participate in parish life (in particular, attend Mass on a regular basis), and seek to grow in their relationship with God and their understanding of our Catholic teaching and traditions.  Commitment as a member of our team will specifically mean:

• Commitment until the program or event is completed- if the committee is event/program based.
• Commitment for three months (i.e. one sport season), six months, or a whole year, depending on the committee and its needs- if the committee is category based or responsible for an ongoing program.

We encourage any St. Anne or St. Matthew parish youth who are interested in getting involved in Youth Ministry to attend one of our bi-monthly Leadership Team meetings.  Come experience what we are all about!

                                    -Sarah Kacevich

                                     Staff Writer

For more information about St. Anne /St. Matthew Youth Ministry, please contact Mark Polny:

stannemattym@aol.com