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Pope Francis in 2019 designated the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (this year, January 24) as Sunday of the Word of God. Deacon Merella in a recent website article notes how this action emphasizes the importance of Scripture in our celebration of the Week of Christian Unity, observed over the past week and ending on Monday, January 25. 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."

Mass of Thanksgiving in Commemoration of the Inauguration. On January 20, Inauguration Day, Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ, president of Santa Clara University, was Presider and Homilist, and Msgr. Jameson was Concelebrant, at a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral for President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, their families and Congressional leaders before Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. Read the text of Fr. O’ Brien’s homily.

Thomas Stehle, St. Matthew's Pastoral Associate for Liturgy and Director of Music Ministries, gives an insider's view of the music, prayers, and readings selections for the Mass in "An act of faith: the prayers and music of Biden's Inauguration Day Mass" for National Catholic Reporter. He begins, "If the liturgy is a more potent form of evangelization, then we might consider how those who attended the Inauguration Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle were evangelized Wednesday morning, Jan. 20."

Msgr. Jameson notes that Wednesday's Mass honoring the inauguration of our nation's second Catholic president was "an outstanding liturgy," and a reminder of the major role the Cathedral historically has played in the Catholic life of our nation's capital.

Popes, Presidents and Saints at the Cathedral. Twice we have been honored with a visit from the Chief Shepherd of the Church Universal―in 1979 when Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass, and in 2015, our 175th Parish Anniversary year, when Pope Francis came to pray with our nation's bishops. President John F. Kennedy's funeral mass was celebrated here on November 25, 1963. Requiems have been held here for several heads of state. St. Teresa of Calcutta visited the Cathedral in 1974, when Msgr. Jameson―then an Associate Pastor―moderated a press conference given by Mother Teresa. The Red Mass celebrated each fall is attended by U. S. Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, the cabinet diplomatic corps and other government departments. Among the U. S. presidents who attended while in office were John F. Kennedy (our first Catholic President), Lyndon Johnson, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

If you're interested in the origins and history of the Cathedral parish, you will enjoy St. Matthew's of Washington: The Parish at 175 Years, published during our 175th Anniversary Year. It features historical narratives, fascinating stories, and images from our first 175 years. This volume is the work of the 175th Anniversary Publications Committee, chaired by Mary Moran, with members Suzanne Bechamps, Daniel Evans, Stephanie A.T. Jacobe, Andre Mander, and Elizabeth Sullivan, and Joseph Carey as editorial and production manager. To order a copy ($20), call the rectory office at 202-347-3215.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Click above for a video message from our own Fr. Jack Hurley and Fr. James Gardiner, S.A. on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated January 18 - 25. Join your prayers with the prayer of Jesus: “that all may be one... that the world may believe” (John 17:21).

New Gospel of Mark Study via Zoom. Registration remains open for our Little Rock Scripture Study on The Gospel According to Mark, Part Two - meetings begin this weekend! 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.

Did you know? The Sunday cycle of Gospel readings for Mass is divided into three years, labeled A, B, and C. 2021 is Year B, when we read the Gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. Read more about Scripture readings used for the Mass.

Mass Readings for the Week Ahead. Click here for links to the coming week's daily Mass readings and reflections.

Virtual Rosary for Life. Join the Respect Life Ministry on Saturday, January 23 at 12:30pm for our monthly Rosary for Life and litanies to Our Lady and Saint Joseph. We will pray for the upholding of the dignity of all human life, from conception through natural death. Call in by phone at +1 469-965-2556 (Conference ID: 690 592 656#) Questions? Email Justin Silvers or Norma Canedo.

Virtual Youth Rally & Mass for Life. 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. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and no 12:10pm Mass that day.

Join the March for Life Virtually. Last Friday March for Life announced that participation in the January 29, 2021 March for Life will be virtual only. St. Matthew's Respect Life Ministry therefore has canceled plans to gather a group and take part in this year's March. Sign up to watch the livestream of the March for Life beginning at 11am.

Fratelli Tutti Series via Zoom. St. Matthew's Creation Care Team’s Co-Chairs Simone Seym and Phil Downey cordially invite you to join in the Fratelli Tutti Sessions, Series I: Fraternity, Geschwisterlichkeit, and Social Friendship, via Zoom. Meetings are on Sundays, through February 14, from 5 to 6pm. Find more information.

MLK, Jr. Day Message. Watch Fr. Benson's Facebook video message for MLK, Jr. Day, including an invitation on behalf of the Social Justice & Community Service Committee to join in the work of serving the needy and the poor in our midst. To find out more, visit www.stmatthewscathedral.org/outreach.

Rain or Shine, We're There! Our parish Monday morning ministry to the homeless has continued, with proper precautions, through these months of the pandemic. How can you help?

To help, please contact Norma Canedo. Lunch-makers and Monday morning volunteers are especially needed. Thank you!

Winter & Spring Recitals. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for our full series of Winter & Spring recitals recently announced by St. Matthew's Office of Music Ministries. All events are free and open to the public, and will be livestreamed on the Cathedral YouTube channel.

Contact Thomas Stehle, Pastoral Associate for Liturgy and Director of Music Ministries, for more information.

Homilies from our Cathedral Clergy. Watch the homilies by Msgr. Jameson and Fr. Benson from last Sunday, January 17. Thanks to Fr. John for arranging to livestream the 1pm Mass without the usual assistance from Tom Stehle, when access to the Cathedral was blocked due to Inaugural security arrangements. Fr. John also is cantor and reader!

The 2021 Annual Appeal is here! This year’s theme is Seeking Christ to remind us in this time of hardship and need that Christ is the one, true source of the healing, unity, and love that we all seek. Through our collective support of the Annual Appeal, we strengthen the Body of Christ that is our local Church, and we sustain her many charitable works that serve the spiritual and other needs of all those within and beyond our parish boundaries. Parishioners will be asked to make a commitment to the 2021 Annual Appeal next Sunday, January 31. Your gift will also be credited towards our parish goal. Learn more about the Annual Appeal at appeal.adw.org.

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