Dear Friends in the Lord,

Welcome to the St. Matthew parish community. I am very happy that you have chosen to be a part of our faith community. We, the people of St. Matthew’s, have a vision of what we want our parish to be. We hope this parish will be part of your extended family. Being part of a family is a wonderful privilege, but it is also a tremendous responsibility: a privilege because we can grow, love and share our lives together in the joy of being God’s people; a responsibility because this is our parish, and all of us are called to be involved in the life of this parish.

I believe that our parish is a very special gathering of God’s people, called to love and serve one another and to reach out to poor and needy everywhere. We extend our hands and hearts to all who wish to belong to this parish: the young and the old, the married and the single, the divorced and the separated, the lonely and the alienated, the poor and the needy, the rich and the mighty, and the lost and forgotten. Our invitation goes forth to all who will commit themselves to love one another as Jesus has loved them. It is my heartfelt desire that each of you finds a home at St. Matthew's. The parish staff and I are here to serve you and to help lead you to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, but we also call you to serve God's people.

Once again, I would like to welcome you in the name of the people of St. Matthew Parish. May God's spirit anoint you with peace, love and joy. Let us love one another.

Father Flynn