Ministries

This ministry team welcomes parishioners, visitors, and guests to our weekend Masses by offering a word of welcome, a smile, and information to those entering the church. Volunteers should plan to arrive early and be alert to anyone who needs help finding bathrooms, the nursery or cry room, or information. 

Contact: Lorraine Orozco at 912-515-6552 or

liturgicalministries@stmatthewstatesboro.org

The Hispanic Event Ministry celebrates and strengthens Hispanic culture through community-focused events and activities. It hosts cultural festivals and religious celebrations. It fosters unity, honors heritage, and supports community needs.

Contact: Saraid Rodriguez at 912-601-9922 or

Mitzy Salgado at 912--216-9204

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization. We honor the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The Knights were founded by the catholic priest Michael McGivney for catholic men. The Knights provides men with an opportunity for building up the parish community and family life by emphasizing the value of family, youth, church, council, and community activities. 

Contact: Grand Knight Patrick White at 912-390-7500

We warmly invite all women of the parish to become a part of our vibrant Council of Catholic Women. Join us on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 PM for an enriching evening of fellowship, prayer, and engaging programs. Together, we plan and participate in meaningful service opportunities within our parish and the broader community. Come be a part of our supportive and spirited group!

Contact: Amanda Locke at thankful4ourfamily@gmail.com

The Parish Life Team is dedicated to organizing and coordinating parish events. Our responsibilities vary by event and can include setting up and decorating the venue, preparing or arranging for food and beverages, serving during the event, and ensuring thorough clean-up afterward. We aim to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for all parishioners to come together and share in fellowship.

Contact: Mitzy Salgado at 912-681-6726 or office@stmatthewstatesboro.org 

Volunteers on the Welcome Ministry warmly greet new parishioners with a welcome gift and provide valuable information about parish life. They assist new families in connecting with the pastor, staff, and fellow parishioners, fostering a sense of community. 

Contact: Justin Randall at jrand3@gmail.com or Donna Randall at donna.b.randall@gmail.com

The Catholic Eagles is a vibrant, faith-driven student organization at GSU, welcoming all who wish to deepen their spiritual journey. Join us for our weekly prayer sessions, dynamic outreach activities, and engaging social events that foster community and friendship. We offer Bible studies for those seeking deeper learning and reflection on Scripture. Once a month, we gather for a special Adoration with Praise and Worship in the Church, creating a powerful experience of prayer and connection with God. Embrace faith, fellowship, and personal growth with us!

If you are a parishioner interested in supporting the work of the Catholic Eagles whether through financial contributions, material support, or volunteering please reach out to FOCUS Team Director John Bradley. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!

Contact: John Bradley at john.bradley@focus.org

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) are a group of students and missionaries who are dedicated to putting Jesus at the center of their lives and making His presence known at Georgia Southern University. The full-time missionaries and student leaders do this by forming authentic friendships with students, teaching them how to live in a personal relationship with Jesus, and sending them out to do the same for others. If you are a student interested in being involved or a parishioner looking to hear more about what we do and how you can support our efforts, don't hesitate to reach out!

Contact: John Bradley at john.bradley@focus.org

Backpack Buddies is dedicated to supporting school-age children and their families enrolled in the free lunch program at local schools, addressing the challenges of food insecurity. St. Matthew Parish provides weekly food bags to 29 families at Mill Creek Elementary during the school year, ensuring they receive nutritious items like protein, fruit, snacks, and milk for their weekend meals. We rely on volunteers to help pack and transport these bags to Mill Creek. Your support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these families. Join us in creating a brighter future for our community’s children!

Contact: Pattie Beblowski at pattieb@georgiasouthern.edu

Our ministry team offers compassionate support to parishioners during times of loss. We send heartfelt condolence notes to families grieving the death of a loved one. Each October, we organize a Rosary for America, and in November, we host a Mass of Remembrance on All Souls Day. Additionally, we offer educational resources on grief, domestic abuse prevention, and suicide prevention. Our team also takes care of the Marian Grotto, including the prayer ribbon wreath where intentions can be submitted. 

Contact: Joyce Bergin at bergjoy@yahoo.com

Volunteers in this ministry must be adults (18 and up), Catholics in good standing, and possess a deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. Approval from the pastor is required. Once trained, these ministers assist in distributing Communion to the sick or homebound, arranging visits at times convenient for both the minister and the recipient. This role requires a compassionate and dedicated approach to serving the spiritual needs of the community. In addition to the Eucharistic Minister, the homebound Ministry needs volunteers to widen the St. Matthew community by visiting and calling parishioners.

EMC to the Sick or Homebound: Beth Kadlec at eekadlec@gmail.com

Each Christmas, the parish sponsors 125 children and teens to provide Christmas gifts for those whose parents cannot afford them. Parishioners take a tag from the tree and return the wrapped gifts for distribution. Volunteers are needed to prepare the tags for the tree, sort gifts as they are returned, and place reminder phone calls for gifts that haven't been returned by the deadline. Help is also needed to deliver gifts to the schools. 

Contact: Chris Thompson at 912-425-9341

At St. Matthew’s, our sewing group adapts yearly to meet the needs of both local and international communities. While much of the sewing is done at home, we hold periodic workdays at the church to create a variety of items, including layette bags, infant burial garments, fidget mats, blankets for homebound parishioners and shelters, and gift bags for local expectant mothers and holiday boxes. These workdays foster creativity, camaraderie, and faith among participants. Generous donations of materials and funds support our efforts, including aiding mission trips like those to the Dominican Republic. Our prayer is that our lovingly made items convey Christ’s love and inspire faith in those who receive them.

Contact: Lue Healy at healysj1@gmail.com; Susan Babot at susan.babot@gmail.com or Tammie Nichols at tamara.nichol53@yahoo.com