The Baptism of the Lord
Sunday, January 10, 2021
In this edition:
Looking ahead
Masses for the Baptism of the Lord
Sunday organ recital with Paul Hardy
New study & discussion opportunities
Special Masses & Prayers in January
Emmanuel! God is with Us!

A New Day
The violence and chaos that descended on the U. S. Capitol on Wednesday are behind us. On this new day, we pray for peace and unity as never before as we anticipate the Inauguration of a new President and Vice-President on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Msgr. Jameson invites you to pray "A Prayer for Our Country" wherever you may be that day, and as it approaches, to check our website for updates on the Cathedral schedule for January 20. May God continue to bless and protect our nation and our democracy.
From Cardinal Gregory - A Call to Prayer, Peace, Respect for the Human Dignity of All, and Pursuit of the Common Good

While we look to closing the door on one of the darkest moments in our nation's history, we cannot afford to forget entirely the events of January 6, 2021. Cardinal Gregory issued the following statement that evening regarding the protests and violence at the U.S. Capitol. We echo his words and pray for all, including those who lost their lives or were injured as a result of the violence.

“Our United States Capitol is sacred ground and a place where people over the past centuries have rightly demonstrated, representing a wide variety of opinions. We Americans should honor the place where our nation’s laws and policies are debated and decided. We should feel violated when the legacy of freedom enshrined in that building is disrespected and desecrated.

I pray for safety – of our elected officials, staffers, workers, protestors, law enforcement personnel, and neighbors to the United States Capitol. There are injuries and tremendous harm, including reports about the loss of life. Together, we must intentionally pause and pray for peace in this critical moment. The divisive tone that has recently so dominated our national conversations must change. Those who resort to inflammatory rhetoric must accept some responsibility for inciting the increasing violence in our nation.

We are called to be a people of democratic values that respect the opinions of others, even when we disagree with them. As people of faith seeking to bring our Lord into this world by how we live, we must acknowledge the human dignity of those with whom we disagree and seek to work with them to ensure the common good for all.”

Join Us for Sunday Mass

January 10, 2021
7am (English) | 10am (English) 
1pm (Spanish) | *5:30pm (English)
*5:30pm Mass interpreted for the deaf
Masses are open to the public, with maximum capacity of 150 persons.

Livestreamed Masses
10am (English) 
Msgr. Jameson, celebrant
1pm (Spanish)
Fr. John Benson, celebrant
Online Offertory options:
Checking in on Giving

Your gifts are the lifeline for our Cathedral parish. Did you perhaps miss the opportunity to make a Christmas offering, or an end-of-year gift? To contribute online now using PayPal or your credit or debit card, click here. If you haven’t yet enrolled in FaithDirect, our electronic giving program, you may do so at St. Matthew's Faith Direct page (Church code DC284). Thank you for your continued support during this time of critical financial need.
January Special Events
Paul Hardy on the Great Organ this Sunday
Mark the end of the Christmas season with an organ recital by Cathedral Principal Organist Paul Hardy at 3:30pm this Sunday, January 10, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! Come, and bring a friend for this 50-minute program featuring works by J. S. Bach, Herbert Howells, Keith Chapman, Joseph Jongen, and Frank Bridge. Enjoy in person, or watch live or later on the Cathedral YouTube channel. Social distancing will be observed and face masks required in the Cathedral.
New Fratelli Tutti Series via Zoom
St. Matthew's Creation Care Team’s Co-Chairs Simone Seym and Phil Downey kicked off our new Fratelli Tutti Sessions, Series I: Fraternity, Geschwisterlichkeit, and Social Friendship, via Zoom last Sunday. Meetings continue through February 14, each Sunday from 5 to 6pm. Get acquainted with series leader Simone Seym through her blog entry, "Why Are You Passionate about Creation Care?" in our Social Justice blog, "Follow Me."
New Gospel of Mark Study via Zoom
Registration is open for our Little Rock Scripture Study on The Gospel According to Mark, Part Two, which begins in just two weeks. Sign up for either of two groups that meet virtually - one on Sunday afternoons, and one on Monday evenings. This four-part study explores Mark 9:33-16:20, including Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the events of his passion, death, and resurrection.

ADW Events

ADW Livestream of MLK, Jr. Celebration
The Archdiocese of Washington Office of Cultural Diversity invites all to join in the livestream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 16, as Cardinal Gregory celebrates Mass at 5pm at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

ADW Livestream of Rally & Mass for Life from the Cathedral
Join the ADW livestream of the Virtual Youth Rally and Mass for Life from the Cathedral on Friday, January 29, the day of the March for Life. Note that there is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and no 12:10pm Mass that day.
Word of God, Path to Unity

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
“Abide in my love… you shall bear much fruit.” (John 15:1-17) is the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25). Begun in 1908, these days are set aside each year so that Christians the world over may share the prayer of Jesus: “that all may be one... that the world may believe” (John 17:21).
Do you remember the Ecumenical Prayer Service held at St. Matthew's in January 2015, to kick off St. Matthew's 175th Parish Anniversary?

Sunday of the Word of God & the Path to Unity
Last year Pope Francis designated the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (this year, January 24) as Sunday of the Word of God. Deacon Merella in a recent article notes how this action emphasizes the importance of Scripture in our celebration of the Week of Christian Unity, also in January (see above). Pope Francis wrote, "This is more than a temporal coincidence: the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity."
Social Justice News
A Gift from Pamela Quinn
In a new Social Justice blog post, Pamela Quinn shares her journey as a "lay witness to the power of prayer, the glory of God, and the rewards of becoming active in the Cathedral’s ministries," and speaks about surviving cancer and the support she received from her parish friends. Our thanks to Pam, long-time Chair of our Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program, for her inspiring invitation to service.

Remembering Jim Walsh
Norma Canedo, Coordinator for Social Justice, has assembled memories of Jim Walsh contributed by parishioners and volunteers who worked alongside him in St. Matthew’s Homeless Ministry. Thank you to those who shared their memories of Jim, a generous volunteer leader and friend of St. Matthew's.
photo above, Jim Walsh and Pam Quinn
Lunch-makers and Volunteers Needed
Our parish Monday morning ministry to the homeless has continued, with proper precautions, through these months of the pandemic. How can you help?
  • Sign up to prepare 15 lunches at home and donate them once a month
  • Sign up to help distribute lunches and toiletries once a month
  • Donate gently worn men’s clothing items: hooded sweatshirts, jeans, khakis, and backpacks (must schedule drop-off)
To help, please contact Norma Canedo. Lunch-makers and Monday morning volunteers are especially needed. Thank you!
Cathedral Notes

Creativity and Charity from Confirmation Candidates
As Christmas approached, our Confirmation Candidates/Confirmandi made over 40 greeting cards and created a Christmas music DVD for the residents of Thomas House. Thanks to Catechist Kathy Lester for inspiring the card-making, and to Deacon Bob Vince, who regularly ministers to the Thomas House residents, for distributing the cards. Blessings all around!

Ministries Resume after Holiday Breaks
Children’s Faith Formation resumes Sunday, January 10 at 8:45am. Young Adult Coffeehouse resumes Sunday, January 10 at 7:30pm. Click here to download and join the CYA Slack group so you can get meeting announcements and links.

Always God's Children Meeting
Always God's Children, the Cathedral's ministry to gay and lesbian persons and their families and friends, hosts a Zoom session at 3:30pm on Sunday, January 10. To join in, email Eve Tushnet or Steve Yoder for details on how to connect.  

Sacrament of Reconciliation by Appointment
While the Cathedral has reopened for Masses, Confessions continue to be heard by appointment in the North Conference Room. Call the rectory office at 202-347-3215 to make an appointment with a priest, who will provide details. Social distancing will be maintained for Confession. 

Weekday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The Cathedral opens at 11:30am Monday through Friday and the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration on the main altar until Noon, before the 12:10pm Mass. Exceptions are noted below, in January Schedule Notes.

January Schedule Notes
  • On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, Mass is celebrated at 12:10pm. The Cathedral opens at 11:30am and closes immediately after the 12:10pm Mass. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The rectory is not staffed.

  • On Wednesday, January 20, Inauguration Day, the rectory office is not staffed. As the day approaches, please check our website for information on the Cathedral schedule for that day.

  • On Friday, January 29, a Mass for Life is celebrated in the Cathedral by Cardinal Gregory at 10am, preceded by a Rally beginning at 8:30am. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and no 12:10pm Mass.
What's New Online?

The Carrolls and Beyond
The first Catholics who played important roles in our country's first government were members of the Carroll family of Maryland. With the impending inauguration of our second Catholic U. S. president, Deacon Bart Merella takes a moment to note these and other Catholics who have figured in our national political life.

YouTube Highlights
Quick Event Links for the Coming Week
Click here for daily reflections.


See you 'round the Cathedral!
@DCsketcher on Instagram writes that she "loves to paint using watercolor and ink"
and "has been naturally drawn to the iconic houses and unique architecture." We are thrilled that she so beautifully memorialized the exterior of our Cathedral! Follow this artist's work on Instagram!