St. Matthew Parish, Fredericksburg

By Mary McCarthy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/27/03)

St. Matthew Parish was formed in 1999 after serving as a mission of St. Patrick Parish in Fredericksburg for 11 years. When it was formed, it consisted of less than 500 families, but in the last four years has grown to almost 800. Father David Meng, pastor, said, "All we had to do was grow, and we grew beautifully."

The St. Matthew Mission Chapel was dedicated Feb. 6, 1988, by the late Bishop John R. Keating.

The church was built under the direction of Msgr. Roy Cosby and the mission became a parish the same year Msgr. Cosby announced his retirement.

Father Meng was appointed administrator of the parish when it was established was named pastor in June 2000.

Just as Father Meng’s first pastoral assignment was an hour and a half from the Chancery offices in Arlington, so was his diaconate assignment.

Father Meng was the first transitional deacon assigned to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester. He served there, at the old church on Loudoun Street, under the direction of Fathers James Muldowney and Lee Gross.

Father Meng was ordained by Bishop Keating on May 20, 1989. He served four years as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield before he was appointed as chaplain at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington in 1993. He resided at St. John Parish in McLean for the three years he was chaplain. He became parochial vicar at St. Theresa Parish in Ashburn in 1996.

When Father Meng was assigned to St. Matthew Parish in "this small corner of God’s green acre," one of his fellow priests said, "Hey, fella, you sure fell into a bucket of butter." Father Meng said he didn’t realize at first how right the other priest was.

Father Meng said he has always had great assignments, but enjoys St. Matthew because of the "foresight and goodness of Msgr. Cosby, and the presence of so many good priests in Spotsylvania. County."

Father Meng will not take credit for the accomplishments of the parish, but he insists that the transformation from a mission church to a parish was so successful because of the "incredibly talented staff and wonderful volunteers", including Sister Patricia Endres; Michael March; Mel Allen; Evelyn Hockady, parish secretary; Ric Garrett, director of religious education; Yvonne Nicholas, director of outreach; Rocco Edivan, plant manager; and Mike O’Connor, "our money guy."

Father Meng speaks very fondly of the parishioners at St. Matthew. He said they are "really special people that love their Faith, their church and their priests. They are just so good in every way."

Even though Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde declared a dispensation from Mass during the President’s Day weekend snow storm, Father Meng said a number of parishioners still attended Mass.

Not only are they willing to trudge through snow to fulfill their Sunday obligation, but Father Meng said the parishioners are "willing to do anything that needs doing." He said the parishioners have made St. Matthew Parish a name recognized in the Spotsylvania community.

The parish is located in a rural area and parishioners are from all walks of life. There are many retired members, but also a growing number of young families. Father Meng said the average age of the parish is getting younger and younger.

This year, 28 students received the sacrament of confirmation. Father Meng said that the number of baptisms has also been rising.

Family and fellowship are valued among the members of St. Matthew Parish, and a number of groups promote these values. The Knights of Columbus serve the church and community, as does the Women’s Guild. Couples meet in "Tables of Eight," and mothers can gather at "Moms 2 Moms" meetings. For the parishioners who have experienced more of life, the over-50 club, or as Father Meng calls them, the "49ers, since their worth more than gold," gather regularly and are very active.

St. Matthew Church seats about 300 and serves Catholics in the southern half of Spotsylvania County. After St. Francis de Sales Parish in Kilmarnock, St. Matthew is the second-most southern parish in the diocese.

Father Meng is now focusing on the future of St. Matthew Parish and is planning the construction for a parish center. Along with a church hall to provide a place for church dinners "or anything involving food," Father Meng would like to see classrooms and an auditorium built.

Father Meng feels blessed to have been chosen to be a part of the St. Matthew Parish family. "I just love to be among them and watch the young people grow. This is one of the greatest opportunities, and I am honored to share in their lives."

Rectory:

8200 Robert E. Lee Dr.

Pastor: Father David P. Meng

Parochial Vicar: Father Ronald S. Escalante

Deacons: John A. Hubbarth, Edward F. Whelan

Mass Schedule:

Weekdays: 8 a.m.

Saturday: 5:30 p.m. (vigil)

Sunday: 8, 9:30, 11 a.m.

Confessions: Saturday: 4:30 p.m.

DRE: Ric Garrett

540/582-8469

Parishioners: 2,471

Boundaries: Beginning at Orange County Line, east on south side of Catharpin Rd. (Rt. 608) to Shady Grove Corner (Rt. 612), east on Catharpin Rd. (Rt. 612) to Todd’s Corner (Rts. 612 and 613), south on Brock Road (Rt. 613) to Goshen Road (Rt. 627), north on Gordon Rd. (Rt. 627) to Smith Station Rd. (Rt. 628), south on Smith Station Rd., to Courthouse Rd. (Rt. 208), east to Leavells Rd. (Rt. 639), south on Leavells Rd. to Smith Station Rd. (Rt. 628), south to Church Rd. (Rt. 608), east to Rt. 95 — South on 95 to Caroline County Line, west to Louisa County line, west to Orange county line, north on Rt. 608 — west to West Catharpin Rd.

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