Parishioners filled St. Matthew Church Nov. 24 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their parish’s founding, which coincided with the feast of Christ the King.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass and afterward joined parishioners at a reception in the parish hall. He welcomed the faithful to the liturgy by reminding them that their parish is committed to serving others, just as Christ came “not to be served, but to serve.”
The bishop was joined on the altar by Father Paul M. Eversole, pastor; Deacon Mike Strain; and Father Robert Renner, parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg, who served as master of ceremonies. Knights of Columbus from the Fathers Cilinski Assembly 3568, which serves both St. Matthew and St. Jude parishes, were also in attendance.
In his homily, Father Eversole, who has been pastor since 2010, said that the “Feast of Christ the King gives us the chance to reflect upon St. Matthew’s parish (and) the role of our parish as part of the kingdom of Christ.”
He connected the Gospel for the solemnity, in which Christ tells Pontius Pilate that his “kingdom does not belong to this world,” with the mission of the parish by pointing out that St. Matthew’s charitable work exemplifies how Christians “are waiting in joyful hope to enter into (heaven’s) fullness.”
“Think of all those who have come to St. Matthew’s seeking help and consolation and have found it, either in the sacraments, the good works of our thrift store, food pantry and baby closet, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,” Father Eversole said. “Think of all who have been instructed in the faith, children and adults, finding hope and freedom in the message of the Gospel.”
The pastor went on to describe how he has heard many times from new parishioners and visitors that St. Matthew is “the friendliest, most welcoming parish they have ever encountered.” Similar reviews of the parish resounded among parishioners who attended the anniversary Mass and reception.
Fred Bishop, who has attended St. Matthew with his family for the past four years, also cited the “smaller, more intimate congregation” and the friendliness of the parish as the main reason he appreciates the church. His daughter, Lucy, echoed her father’s words, adding that the church “has a very great community.”
“I was baptized here,” said 17-year-old Daniel Bolas, adding that people at his childhood parish “have always stepped (in and) helped us when we needed it; we help each other.”
“It’s just a big family atmosphere, which is a great thing,” Daniel’s father, Steven Bolas, said. Having been parishioners for more than 20 years, Bolas also spoke to the expansion of the church’s outreach as being “the biggest thing” to have developed over the years.
“When we first got here, we didn’t have the food pantry, we didn’t have the baby closet that we have now. And right now, we actually provide a lot of the food and everything to other local food pantries in the area because of the generosity of our parish.”
Steven’s wife Melanie, who serves as the music director at St. Matthew, described the parish as home and the choir she leads as family.
Originally a mission church of the neighboring St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg, St. Matthew became its own parish in 1999. It has since become the spiritual home for about 700 families.
The Spotsylvania parish offers religious education for children and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults for grownups looking to learn more about Catholicism, enter the church or receive sacraments.
It also runs several ministries, including a food pantry, a resource closet for babies and the Knights of Columbus. St. Matthew also launched a thrift store that sells donated goods to families in need. While St. Matthew’s Thrift Store is located in the Breezewood Shopping Center, about 10 minutes from the church, the food pantry and baby closet operate on parish grounds.
St. Matthew and St. Patrick parishes serve those in need within the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg areas through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s St. Faustina Conference. This ministry assists struggling families by providing financial assistance for expenses such as medical bills, rent, utilities and groceries.
The charitable work of St. Matthew was commended by Bishop Burbidge who said the parish is “known for its deep faith,” being a “welcoming community” and its service to others.
“I’m proud of this parish for their great outreach and service to the poor, to those who are hungry and to those in most need,” Bishop Burbidge told the Catholic Herald. “This is a hallmark of the parish, and I thank them for their service and congratulate them on their anniversary.”
Mondoro is a freelancer in Spotsylvania.
