The 2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries is underway, and we ask that you prayerfully consider making a gift to this year’s campaign. Through the Appeal, Catholics across Middle Tennessee come together to support ministries and services that carry forth the mission of the Church while investing in its future. Some of the key ministries supported through the Appeal include vocational discernment and seminarian education, spreading the faith through University Catholic programs, Totus Tuus, and Confirmation preparation, serving more than 37,000 meals annually to those in need, and—new this year—helping make childcare more affordable for working families. This year, the Diocese of Nashville has a diocesan-wide goal of $3.8 million. Commitment Weekend at Saint Matthew will take place May 16–17.

At Saint Matthew, we are blessed to see the impact of these ministries in a very tangible way. In recent years, we have seen growing interest in vocational discernment and pray that this culture of openness to God’s call continues to flourish in our parish community. Saint Matthew has also become a partner parish for the Diocese of Nashville’s Propaedeutic Stage formation program and has now welcomed four seminarians through the program. We have additionally been blessed with seminarians in the Configuration Stage, such as Deacon James Grossheim, whose Presbyteral Ordination is scheduled for June 12, and William Rocha who will be spending time at our parish over the next year. Your support directly helps form future priests and strengthens ministries that lead others to Christ.

Saint Matthew’s 2026 parish goal is $173,000, with a secondary goal of 225 parish families participating in the Appeal. In recent years, approximately 170 parish families have participated in the campaign. Many hands make light work, and every gift—regardless of size—helps us move closer to our goal while investing in the future of our Church.

This year’s theme, “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:14), reminds us of Christ’s faithful care for His people and our shared call to serve one another with generosity and love. Through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries, we unite as one diocesan family to bring hope, healing, and the Gospel to communities across Middle Tennessee.

If you have already made a gift, thank you for your generosity and support. If not, we invite you to prayerfully consider participating in this year’s Appeal. More information and online giving can be found below.