Masses for Christmas &
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 24/25 and 27, 2020
In this edition:
Masses for Christmas and the Holy Family
Adopt-a-Family Christmas Drive thank you
Light a Candle for Christmas
Holiday schedule notes
January 2021 Highlights
Christmas Masses and Reservations

Join us in person or via livestream to welcome Our Savior! Christmas Masses at the Cathedral are open to all by advance reservation up to our maximum capacity of 150 persons. Reservations close at 12 Noon on Wednesday, December 23. You may request seating for yourself and up to four additional members of your household by clicking on one of the links below and completing the reservation form.

Please pray for the sick of our parish, including Gloria Harrington, Mary Latka, Suzanne Charlick, and all who are ill with COVID-19 or caring for them.
Christmas Offering

During Advent we reflect upon the many blessings of the Lord, including those graces experienced at St. Matthew’s. Sacrificial giving is about giving back to God what he has given to us. It’s not the size of the gift that’s important, but rather giving of our substance—giving back in proportion to what we have received, giving even when it’s not easy to give. You may place your Christmas offering in one of the collection baskets at the exits on Sundays, use one of the online donation options below, or mail your donation to the rectory office. Thank you for your critically needed support.

Online Offertory options:
Christmas Mass Livestreams
"A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth." (Gospel Acclamation)
4pm Christmas Eve, December 24
Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, celebrant
10pm Christmas Eve, December 24
Cardinal Gregory, celebrant
10am Christmas Day, December 25
Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, celebrant
1pm Christmas Day, December 25 (Spanish)
Fr. John Benson, celebrant
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sunday, December 27
"The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Lk 2:33-35)
Masses
7am (English) | 10am (English) 
1pm (Spanish) | *5:30pm (English)
*5:30pm Mass interpreted for the deaf
Masses are open to the public, with new maximum capacity of 150 persons.

Livestreamed Masses
10am (English) 
Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, celebrant
1pm (Spanish)
Fr. John Benson, celebrant
Online Offertory options:
Cathedral Notes
Adopt-a-Family Thank you!
Grace met need once again in this year's Adopt-a-Family Christmas Drive. Your donations allowed us to provide gift cards totaling $23,875 to 71 parish or local families and individuals, and 14 residents of the L’Arche Greater Washington community for their purchase of Christmas gifts or to meet urgent needs. In addition, parishioner Pam Quinn and a small group of donors provided gift cards totaling $3,300 to 66 youth from DC General family shelter. Thank you to all our donors for your generosity, to Pam Quinn for coordinating the drive, and to Lilliam and Jeff Collmann and Nancy Lutz for their volunteer efforts in organizing the program!

Advent Confessions Conclude Wednesday
On Wednesday, December 23, the last day of Advent Confessions, the Cathedral opens at 11am, and Confessions in English and Spanish are available until Noon, before the 12:10pm Mass. There will be no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament as the Cathedral will be decorated for Christmas at that time. After Christmas, Confessions by appointment will continue to be available by calling the rectory at 202-347-3215.

Light a Candle for Christmas
During the Christmas season we invite you to share your prayer intentions for the living and the deceased and allow us to light a votive candle on your behalf. Remember, the liturgical season of Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - this year celebrated on January 10. This season is a time for reflecting both on Jesus' birth and his saving death, and for remembering our own deceased loved ones.

Penn Parking Garage Holiday Schedule
Penn Parking has confirmed the following holiday hours for the garage next to the Cathedral:
Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve:
7am - Midnight
Friday, December 25, Christmas Day:
Closed

Holiday Schedule Notes
  • On Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, the 12:10pm daily Mass is celebrated. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The rectory office is not staffed after 2pm.
  • On Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, the rectory office is not staffed.
  • On Monday, December 28, the Cathedral opens at 11:30am and closes after the 12:10pm Mass. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The rectory office is not staffed as it is a rectory office holiday.
  • On New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, Masses for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God are celebrated at 10am (Cardinal Gregory, celebrant) & 1pm (Spanish). There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The rectory office is not staffed on this Federal holiday.

Ministry Holiday Breaks
Children’s Faith Formation does not meet on December 27 or January 3, reconvening on Sunday, January 10. RCIA does not meet on December 23 or December 30, reconvening Wednesday, January 6.
Young Adult Coffeehouse does not meet on December 27 or January 3, reconvening on January 10. Click here to download and join the CYA Slack group to check on announcements from our Young Adult leadership in the meantime.

Weekday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (post-Christmas)
On Tuesday, December 29, the regular schedule for weekday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament resumes. Beginning on that date, the Cathedral opens at 11:30am Monday through Friday (except on holidays, including January 1), and the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration on the main altar until Noon, before the 12:10pm Mass.

New Fratelli Tutti Series via Zoom
St. Matthew's Creation Care Team’s Co-Chairs Simone Seym and Phil Downey cordially invite you to our new Fratelli Tutti Sessions, Series I: Fraternity, Geschwisterlichkeit, and Social Friendship, via Zoom. They will meet on Sundays, January 3 - February 14, from 5 to 6pm, via Zoom.

January Organ Recital by Paul Hardy
Mark the end of the Christmas season with an organ recital by Cathedral Principal Organist Paul Hardy at 3:30pm on 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 it in person, or watch live or later on the Cathedral YouTube channel. Social distancing will be observed and face masks will be required in the Cathedral.
Quick Event Links for Next Week
Click here for daily reflections.

January 2021 Highlights
(from Evening Prayer, Wednesday, December 23)

Msgr. Jameson and the Cathedral clergy and staff wish you and your families a merry and blessed Christmas, with much hope for a peace-filled and prosperous new year!