We begin 2021 honoring Mary, the Mother of God, a celebration that closes out the Christmas octave—the eight days following the birth of Christ. It also coincides with the 54th World Day of Peace. Pope Francis in last year's homily on this solemnity said, "On the first day of the year, we celebrate this nuptial union between God and humanity inaugurated in the womb of a woman. ... The rebirth of humanity began from a woman. Women are sources of life." Join us for Mass as we draw close to Mary and find our unity in Christ.

Cardinal Gregory, celebrant

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Thank you to all who attended our Christmas Masses in person or joined us via livestream, to our lectors and EMCs, our guides, and servers, to all who decorated the Cathedral, to our musicians, especially Paul Hardy, our cantors, and to Tom Stehle and Jennifer Goltz, to our priests and deacons, and to my dedicated, hardworking staff.

If you joined us 'live or later,' you were in good company! Our 4pm Vigil Mass has had 3900+ views, our 10pm Vigil Mass with Cardinal Gregory, 19,500+ views, and our 10am Christmas Day Mass, 2200+ views. As noted by Paula Grant, Secretary of Communications for the Archdiocese of Washington, our Christmas Masses were a great evangelization tool! Paula also reports that the Associated Press published over 45 stories about our Christmas Masses.

Thank you to all who have made a Christmas offering – I am so very grateful. There is still time to contribute if you have not yet had the opportunity. These are challenging times for all of us, including your parish.

Finally, I want to thank you for your support, prayers, and encouragement over this past year. As we continue to adapt our ministries and operations in response to the pandemic, I ask for your commitment to St. Matthew's once again. Please continue to share with your parish community your time, talent, and treasure as we enter the New Year, with its new challenges, so we can continue to manifest Christ’s presence in our Nation's capital. On behalf of the Cathedral clergy and staff, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and happy New Year.

 —Msgr. Jameson

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Online Offertory options:

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We are grateful to Gifts for the Homeless, a local nonprofit organization, for their continuous support in donating new warm clothing and winter items, including coats, for our Homeless Ministry. These items have been distributed to our guests throughout the late fall and winter. We also are thankful for the donation of socks, mugs (to be used once we resume indoor service), toiletries, and hand warmers from the American Society for Microbiology.

Your donations to the Adopt-a-Family Christmas Drive totaling $23,875 allowed us to provide gift cards to 71 parish or local families and individuals, and 14 residents of the L’Arche Greater Washington community for Christmas gifts or to meet urgent needs. Parishioner Pam Quinn and a group of donors also provided gift cards totaling $3,300 to 66 youth from DC General family shelter. Thank you to all our donors, to Pam Quinn for coordinating the drive, and to organizers Lilliam and Jeff Collmann and Nancy Lutz!

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. Meetings are on Sundays, January 3 - February 14, from 5 to 6pm.

Registration is open for our Little Rock Scripture Study on The Gospel According to Mark, Part Two. 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.

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.

Children’s Faith Formation does not meet on January 3, and resumes Sunday, January 10. RCIA does not meet December 30, and resumes Wednesday, January 6.

Young Adult Coffeehouse does not meet on January 3, and resumes Sunday, January 10. Click here to download and join the CYA Slack group to check on announcements from our Young Adult leadership in the meantime.

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.

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