A note of thanks from Deacon Salomon, Tending Our Gardens

July 27, 2008 ny 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for Mass
July 27, 2008 August 3, 2008
1st Reading 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 Is 55:1-3
2nd Reading Rom 8:28-30 Rom 8:35, 37-39
Gospel Mt 13:44-52 Mt 14:13-21
Religious Education News
PSR
Late registration for St Matthew's Parish School of Religion for the
2008-9 school year begins July 26 and continues through August 3,
2008. PSR Registration Packets can be found in the narthex or in Dea-
con Gayle's office. There is a late registration fee of $15 per child
unless you are a new member of the parish. PSR classes begin on Au-
gust 17, 2008. A Parents' Orientation Meeting will be held at 9:45 am
on August 3, 2008.
PSR Teacher's Meeting July 30, 2008
We will be having a Teacher's meeting on July 30 after the 6 pm Mass
at church for all PSR Teachers for 2008-9. Please join us for a potluck
dinner before the meeting. We will be discussing instructions, plans
and issues for the new year and will be passing out materials for class.
PSR Teachers please plan to attend.
Meeting to Discuss Junior Youth Group Activities for 2008-9, August
5 at 7 pm
Parents, PSR Teachers and Volunteers for the Junior Youth Group
( St. Matthew's Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Graders) are invited to at-
tend a meeting on August 5 at 7 pm to plan activities for the coming
year and review a tentative schedule. We would like to have your sug-
gestions and feedback. on the coming year. Any ideas and support you
can provide would be appreciated. We will look forward to seeing you
on August 5th.
Attention Confirmed Teens and their Parents—On July 31, we are
holding a planning meeting for Confirmed Saint Matthew Parish teens,
16-18 years old, and their parents. We will be planning future activities
and events for this group, and listening to ideas for developing the
group in the future. The night will be a combination of socializing with
light food and drinks, and an informal meeting of the adults. There will
be time for billiards, video games, other entertainment, and an informal
discussion for the teens in the basement. The meeting will be held July
31, at 7 PM, at the home of John and Janet LeBlanc.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you can attend. Contact Todd
Wilmore at twilmore@numail.org or 678-850-6552 for direction.
Providing space for teens in this age group to stay connected to other
Catholic teens is very important. We hope you will join us.
Mass Intentions
I thank God for the gift of the transitional diaconate on May 24,
It’s a Parish Outing
See “Wicked the Musical”
At the fabulous Fox Theatre
We will go on either October 16, 17, 23 or 24, 2008.
If you are interested in going please email Fr. Vic at
frvic@saintmatthew.us.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
July 29 9:30AM Church Cleaning
August YAM Calendar See Bulletin Board
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School is currently seeking
qualified teachers for the 2008-2009 school year in the areas of
Math, Science, and P.E. Coaching experience is desired. Please
contact Principal Daniel S. Dorsel at 770.461.2202. Resumes
may be sent to Our Lady of Mercy, 861 Highway 279, Fairburn,
GA 30213.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in Tyrone is continuing to
accept applications for the 2008-09 school year. A limited num-
ber of openings remain in 2nd grade, as well as a few select open-
ings in other grades. If you are interested in a faith-based Catho-
lic education for your child, please contact Stephanie Johnston
with our Admission Department at 770-306-9026 ext. 303.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School is currently accepting ap-
plications for Substitute Teachers. All applicants must have a
4 year college degree (education degree not required). If you are
interested in substitute teaching, please send a cover letter and
resume to Jennifer Bigham, Assistant Principal, Our Lady of
Victory Catholic School, 211 Kirkley Road, Tyrone, Georgia
30290. You may also fax your resume to 770-306-0323 or email
it to jbigham@olvpatriots.org. Please note, you must be avail-
able for substitute training on August 28, 2008.
Visit Fr. Vic’s blog at
http://padrevic.blogspot.com/
Ministry Highlight
Youth Choir
Children in grades 2-8 are encouraged to join this fun and en-
tertaining music group. Earlier ages will be considered if your
child can read. We rehearse after the 11:00 Sunday Mass for
one hour 3-4 times per month depending on our singing
2008. I want to also thank the St. Matthew Parish Family for their
warm welcome. I had a good time at this parish exercising my di-
aconal duties. Thanks to Fr. Vic for allowing me to work with the
wonderful St. Matthew families. A special thanks to MarySue and
John Goza for letting me use their car—what a treat!
Nothing lasts forever under the sun, as time flies and passes very
quickly. It is time for me to go on and leave St. Matthew, with all
their joys and happy moments, as I let God’s plan to be accom-
plished with what he has begun on each one of us.
Thank you all who are part of St. Matthew Parish, may God bless
you!!! Deacon Salomon Garcia Cortes
Do you have friends or family who have left the Church? If
so, check out www.CatholicsComeHome.org. This website
has proven very effective in bringing Catholics back to
practicing their Faith and a return to a vibrant life in the
local parish.
Looking for a seamstress or someone who
sews well to lend a hand in the St. Matthew
Church Nursery. We are hoping to have
drapes made for the nursery windows. The
church will provide all of the material and
necessary supplies - we just need someone
with a bit of time and talent. If you are able
to help - please call Gail Routon (770) 487-
2502.
Adult ♫ Choir Rehearsals ♫ Youth
Tuesdays from 7:00-9:30PM Sundays from 12:00-1:30PM
St. Matthew’s Stewardship Journey continues…
In a few short months, the Gallup Organization will
be conducting a survey to help us determine the level
of our parish engagement. You will each be invited to
participate in that survey in November and in mid De-
cember, we’ll all learn the results together. Currently,
members of the Stewardship Committee are preparing
a program to help each of us explore our God-given
strengths and talents.
Ken Groover, Kathy Hampton, Lisa Lowther and
Mike Walsh are attending a two-day coaches training
in Indianapolis this week. Please keep them in your
prayers as they travel and learn. You will be hearing
Stewardship In Everyday Life
“What have you done with the garden entrusted to you?” — Machado
Many are familiar with the phrase “time, talent, and treasure” as a
description of Christian stewardship, and these are indeed important
aspects of it. However, stewardship is much more. It entails accept-
ing all aspects of our lives as gift, and inviting God into each.
I believe God cares deeply about how we take care of our bodies,
emotions, and relationships. God wants us to use everything we have
to bring about the kingdom in our lives and the world around us.
In March of 2004, Bishop Robert Morneau gave a presentation on
“The Spirituality of Stewardship” at the annual Regional Stewardship
Conference in Atlanta.
He presented this idea of stewardship as different gardens that we
are called to tend in our lives. We will cover the difference gardens
over the next few weeks, as a guide for discernment.
It is important to realize that this is simply a starting point: a tool to
help you start asking your own questions. Only you can ultimately
determine how God is calling you in your life.
It is important to note that this process should not necessarily be
seen as a way of adding more tasks to your life, but as a call to bal-
ance and openness. Stewardship addresses what we do in our lives,
but more importantly how we do them.
As you read through the questions, check off areas in which you
would like to be more attentive or spend more energy. Feel free to
also star questions related to areas where you are doing well. When
you are done, go back and circle one to three areas you want to work
on.
Garden of the Soul
How do you answer when you are asked if you have a “personal rela-
tionship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”? All relationships
take commitment, effort, time, and communication to be healthy and
grow.
Does God miss you? Do you regularly spend the time you want to
with God?
Do you make retreats?
Do you take advantage of liturgies, workshops, and other opportuni-
ties to grow in your spirituality?
Do you pray regularly? As much as you would like?
Do you use prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to cultivate your relation-
ship with God?
Do you spend time just listening to God?
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Financial Giving in our Parish Family
July 20, 2008
Offertory $13,571.00

Tuesday 9AM Lena Guarnaccia schedule. The children will sing approximately 6 times per much more about Strengths and Gallup in the weeks Given in checks & envelopes (220) $12,997.00
year, including First Communion and Christmas. Each child and months to come.
Wednesday 6PM PSR Teachers Parish Debt Reduction $76.00
is required to be present at 75% of the rehearsals. At the end
Thursday 9AM PRISM Leaders of the year all children who have attended re- Rosary Group Invitation and Prayers Second Collection $1,564.39
hearsals and performances will enjoy a day of I would like to invite everyone to join the Rosary Group to Upcoming Second Collections
Saturday 5PM St. Matthew Parish Family
fun at Six Flags or Lake Lanier Island Water pray the rosary with us Thursday mornings after the 9:00
Sunday 8:30AM David A. Matthews Park. For information about this ministry Mass. If you want us to pray for someone, please call Helen July 27—Rev. Mr. Salomon Garcia Cortes
Sunday 11AM Ronald Magolda please call Sheri Dillon at 404.944.0177. Martin 770.463.3697. August 3—The Georgia Bulletin