All High School Teens are invited to youth group this Wednesday, January 15th from 7pm-9pm! We will start discussing the Nicene Creed! Join us for prayer, fun and fellowship! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SMP Youth Ministry is now on Instagram: Follow us at: www.instagram.comstmatthewpgh_ariseym/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are starting a Junior Ladies of Charity! If you want to get more involved with service in the community and in the Parish this is the group to join! It is for Young Women in grades 7th thru 12th! If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Morgan Hall at: [email protected] or ext. 415

A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. This candymaker incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promise of God. The Candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lamb’s who like all sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as the Candy Cane a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas. But the meaning remains for those who “have eyes to see and ears to hear.” May this symbol again be used to witness to the Wonder of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

The Holiday rush is over therefore it is time for you to take that step and join SMP choir. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays, from 7-8:30 PM, in the music room at Holy Spirit School. New members aged 16 and up are invited to come and see if praising God through music ministry is right for you! Please contact any of the parish music ministers with any questions.

Altar servers assist the clergy in celebrating the Sacred Liturgy, especially the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. The various tasks of altar servers include leading liturgical processions, assisting with the Missal and the book of prayers, helping set the altar and attending to sacred vessels after communion. Altar servers also help with the candles, incense, and processional cross. In addition to liturgical service, altar serving is a wonderful way to advance in spiritual life that is centered on the Eucharist. Unlike other ministries in our Parish, altar servers are usually children. However, adolescents and young adults are strongly encouraged to participate in this ministry. Ideally, altar servers would be available to serve at two (2) Masses each month. However, if you are only able to commit to one Mass per month, don’t let that deter you from volunteering. Scheduling is flexible depending on the servers’ availability. There are additional opportunities to serve at weddings and funerals. Servers for these special occasions may be paid for their time. You attend Mass each week, why not make a difference for the Parish and offer to serve? Could God be calling you to assist with our Liturgical celebrations? If you are thinking about serving, please call Fr. Gretz or speak with one of the Altar Servers after Mass. Training and support will be provided.

St. Matthew Parish has available low-gluten hosts for those who have difficulties with Celiac Disease and other similar disorders. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, products containing less than 20 ppm (parts per million) may be labeled as "gluten free." An article in the magazine Gluten-Free Living states that the equivalent of 27,000 ppm (10 milligrams) per day is usually safe, though this number may well vary from person to person. The low-gluten hosts from our provider are 100ppm and are approved for use by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. If you are in need of a low-gluten host, please come to the sacristy (where the Priest and Deacon vest). There the Priest will discuss with you how you will be able to receive safely.