What’s distinctive about your parish?
St. Matthew Church in Spotsylvania was first established as a mission of St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg before growing to become a parish in 1999. The parish has grown to serve about 700 families.
What is your parish’s charism?
St. Matthew parishioners are generous in reaching out to those in need and have a strong devotion to the corporal works of mercy and ministering to the poor, elderly and sick.
The parish initiated the St. Matthew Thrift Store to support families in need. Shoppers can purchase donated clothing, furniture and other household goods. The volunteer-operated store is located in the Breezewood Shopping Center, about eight miles from the parish.
Along with a food pantry and baby closet located on the parish grounds, these ministries serve hundreds of customers each month in the Spotsylvania community.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Faustina Conference also serves many people in the community who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there?
Thanks to dedicated gardeners, the parish’s beautiful grounds provide a prayerful atmosphere, with prayer gardens that include a display of roses in front of a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In good weather, we pray the rosary there at 4:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month.
What are ministries that you’ve started?
The Good Samaritan Ministry brings together volunteers to serve homebound faithful by making visits, joining them in prayer and attending to their needs. Through prayer and sharing God’s love, the Good Samaritans ministry provides life-giving experiences for both volunteers and homebound parishioners.
Our high school and young adult ministries have taken part in diocesan WorkCamp and have traveled to Costa Rica and Mississippi on mission trips, which are an opportunity for parishioners to grow in faith and community while sharing the Gospel around the world.
Is there a special way your parish encourages faith formation?
Besides the multitude of avenues for parishioners to partake in charitable works, we invite newcomers and parishioners into spiritual growth and community through the sacraments.
In addition to religious education, Vacation Bible School, high school youth ministry, and young adult ministry, the parish offers catechism for adults and adult faith formation, focusing on various topics.
We have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays 9-11 a.m., and 8-9 p.m. on First Fridays.
The parish Women’s Guild and Knights of Columbus (Bishop Keating Council and Fathers Cilinski Assembly) are active in the parish’s spiritual, service, and social activities. Our All Saints party, Christmas Market and St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance provide fun activities for all ages throughout the year.
What’s something we should know about your clergy?
Father Paul M. Eversole was ordained by Arlington Bishop John R. Keating May 20, 1995. He has served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Angels Church in Woodbridge, All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas and St. William of York Church in Stafford. Father Eversole served as associate rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and administrator of Our Lady of Angels where he later became pastor. He was named pastor of St. Matthew in 2010.
Quick facts
St. Matthew Church
8200 Robert E. Lee Dr.
Spotsylvania
540-582-5575
Website: stmatthewspotsylvania.org
Mass times: Sat. (vigil): 5:30 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.; Mon., Tue.: 8 a.m.; Wed.: 11 a.m.; Thurs.: 6:30 a.m. and Fri.: 7:30 p.m.
Confession: Mon., Tue.: after 8 a.m. Mass.; Wed.: after 11 a.m.; Thurs. after 6:30 a.m. Mass; Fri.: 7 p.m.; Sat.: 3 p.m.
Pastor: Fr. Paul M. Eversole
Deacon: Mike Strain
Year established: 1999
Total parishioners: 2,345
