Liturgical Ministries

Staff Liasion: Kelly Ott, kott@stmatthewtn.org

Altar Servers

info@stmatthewtn.org

Altar servers have the important responsibility of assisting the priest and deacon during Mass and other special liturgical events. Potential servers must be in the 5th grade or higher and willing to attend training sessions.

Art & Environment

Leslie Van Kerkhove

art@stmatthewtn.org

This ministry’s objective is to plan a liturgically correct and attractive environment for prayerful liturgies. Members meet monthly to determine needs and set plans to improve the church environment.

Children’s Choirs

Joel Bolen

jbolen@stmatthewtn.org

The Children’s Choirs including Kids Choir (Grades 1-2), Liturgy Choir (Grades 3-8), and the Liturgy Choir Cantors & Psalmists (Grades 5-8).

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)

info@stmatthewtn.org

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) are commissioned ministers appointed by the Pastor to distribute the Blessed Sacrament during Mass liturgies. To become an EMHC, one must be a Catholic in good standing.

First Friday Adoration

info@stmatthewtn.org

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be holding First Friday Adoration until further notice. During normal operations, the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place the first Friday of every month after the 8:00 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction on Saturday morning. Participants may sign up for desired time slots.

Funeral Ministry

info@stmatthewtn.org

The Funeral Ministry assists in planning or pre-planning funeral arrangements.

Homebound Ministry

info@stmatthewtn.org

Homebound Ministers are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who have been further trained and instituted to bring Holy Communion to the homebound in residential or healthcare facilities and individual homes.

Hospitality Ministers

Barney Schulte

hospitality@stmatthewtn.org

Hospitality Ministers greet those attending Mass with the objective of instilling a sense of belonging. Duties include participating in the offertory, distributing bulletins and straightening the Sanctuary after Mass. Eligible volunteers include men, women and young adults with a warm, welcoming personality.

Lectors

Patricia M. Smith

Lectors proclaim the Word of God during Mass. New lectors complete a training period and workshops, and other training may be required as liturgical needs merit.

Liturgy Guild

info@stmatthewtn.org

Weddings and Funerals are ministries of the parish, and the Liturgy Guild ministry provides assistance by helping the priest and deacons with weddings, funerals, and other liturgies.  We need volunteers to meet with the clergy, the wedding party, and their families for the Nuptial Mass/Wedding Service and rehearsal.  For funerals, volunteers are needed to greet the families at the visitation and at the funeral itself and providing logistical support during the funerals.

Martha Ministry

Gina Marsden
Sandi Simpson
info@stmatthewtn.org

This group cares for the altar linens in the sanctuary and chapel. Volunteers are needed for a one-month rotation.

Music Ministries

Rebecca Harding

rharding@stmatthewtn.org

Music is an important part of Saint Matthew Church! Our music ministry comprises many people who love God, love to make music and seek to give God glory and praise through contributing music to our parish Masses in a beautiful and liturgical way. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or ring a handbell, there are many opportunities for involvement in our parish.

Our Saturday 5 p.m. Vigil Mass is accompanied by the piano, guitar and bass and features a contemporary (yet still authentically Catholic) sound, and is joined by a group of singers. The Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass is our most classical, with the organ and several violins as our main instrumentation, and with the addition of a choir. Our 11 a.m. Sunday Mass is rather diverse in style but focuses on many Catholic “standards” from post-Vatican II. The choir for that Mass is accompanied by the piano, guitar and an upright bass.

God is doing great things through our music ministry here at Saint Matthew. If you feel you are being called to check us out, please do so!

Sacristan Ministry

info@stmatthewtn.org

Sacristans are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who have been appointed by the Pastor to assist by preparing the church and chapel for all liturgies.

Family Life

Staff Liasion: Martin Strobel, mstrobel@stmatthewtn.org

Boy Scouts

troop226@stmatthewtn.org

Boy Scout Troop 226, located in Franklin, TN, has been chartered with Saint Matthew Catholic Church since 2010. We meet in the Cohan-Hansom Building each Sunday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Boy Scouts focuses on being a boy-led organization, which participates in activities of their choosing, from Boy Scout Camp at Boxwell, backpacking in the backcountry, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and more! Over the years, our troop has successfully assisted several young men attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. The national average of Boy Scouts attaining this rank is less than 6%.

College Outreach

Leslie Holt

collegeoutreach@stmatthewtn.org

This program maintains contact with parishioners who are away at college. Cards and care packages are sent to help encourage and strengthen our college students. Volunteers are needed to write letters and assemble care packages.

Community Sunday

Community Weekend is held once a month August -May following the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses. This event gives parishioners an opportunity for fellowship over coffee and pastries. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, preparing coffee, serving and clean-up.

Cub Scouts

Doug Kennedy

pack287@stmatthewtn.org

Pack 287 proudly serves Saint Matthew Catholic Church and the broader community, offering an enriching experience for children and their family members. Our vibrant, parent-led program emphasizes growth, achievement, and family involvement with high-quality activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, cooking, safety skills, whittling, pinewood derby races, rain gutter regatta boat races, community service projects, excursions, and more. We welcome you to join our dedicated volunteer leadership team and partake in our meetings. We typically hold one pack meeting or event monthly in addition to monthly den activities (pack activities are for all scouts; den activities are for scouts in your child’s grade only).  To register for Pack 287, click here: bit.ly/pack287

Family Service Ministry

Theresa Chau

theresa.a.chau@gmail.com

Our mission is for families to prayerfully serve our parish and community guided by the Holy Spirit.

Family Weekend

George Adams

This ministry coordinates a fun weekend at Tims Ford Lake for families to gather and enjoy.

Girl Scouts

Kelly Anne Jensen

kellyannejensen1@gmail.com

Colleen Tran

mcolleen.tran@gmail.com

Lunch Bunch

Ellen Wade

lunchbunch@stmatthewtn.org

The Lunch Bunch meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 12:00 p.m. in the church narthex for lunch and bingo. A small fee is charged for lunch and white elephant prizes

Men’s Club

Jon Sowa

mensclub@stmatthewtn.org

All male parishioners over the age of eighteen, both Catholic and non-Catholic are eligible to become active members. In addition to providing a social forum for the men of the parish, the Club sponsors many activities and events. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month.

Natural Family Planning

Matt & Franchelle Jaeger

This ministry teaches a class and assists couple in practicing Natural Family Planning, which is the general title for the scientific, natural, and moral methods of family planning.

Prayer Chain

info@stmatthewtn.org

This group prays for the needs and special intentions of parish members. Volunteers may sign-up to be on the prayer chain list by e-mailing us at info@stmatthewtn.org.

St. Gianna Circle

Elizabeth Abaray

elizabeth.abaray@live.com

St. Gianna Circle is designed to support and affirm women in the many roles they have as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends. Our ministry is focused on women bonding through their shared vocations and Catholic faith. Moms of all ages and stages are welcome to participate in our ministry.

Join us on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. in the Cohan-Hansom Building.

Click here to register for St. Gianna Circle.

Troops of Saint George

Eric Ruppaner

tsg@stmatthewtn.org

The Troops of Saint George is a national fraternal Catholic apostolate for young men (ages 6-18) looking for a life of adventure coupled with virtue. The Troops of Saint George apostolate aims to use the outdoors as a canvas and the sacraments as a path to light the way for the formation of holy Catholic men and boys. Whether called to the vocation of the priesthood, the religious life, or that of holy fatherhood, fathers and sons will take a prayerful pilgrimage together to fulfill Christ’s desire to grow in virtue and their holy Catholic faith as they journey toward heaven.

Women’s Club

Connie Vargas

cvargaspnp@gmail.com

Cynthia Myers

cmyers@stmatthewtn.org

As women of Saint Matthew Catholic Church, our mission is to serve our parish, community and God through fellowship, service, and faith formation.

2023-2024 Agenda

  • To be added

Youth Ministries

Tommy Killackey

tkillackey@stmatthewtn.org

The Life Teen Youth Ministry is open to youth in the parish (regardless of school attended) and is divided into two groups; Junior High and Life Teen. The Junior High Youth Group called Ignite is for youth in 7th-8th grade. The Life Teen is for all high school teens in grades 9th-12th. Various activities are offered throughout the year for both groups.  Activities are spiritual, social, and service oriented.

Parish Life

Staff Liasion: Kelly Ott, kott@stmatthewtn.org

Bereavement Ministry

Gina Bonn

Ellen Wade

bereavement@stmatthewtn.org

The Bereavement Ministry at Saint Matthew seeks to provide solace and consolation for loved ones who have experienced loss. This is done through Mass intentions, phone calls, email, and personal visitation. GriefShare is another ministry available to help loved ones grieve. Contact us at any time.

Bulk Mail

info@stmatthewtn.org

This group assists office staff with folding, stuffing and sorting parish mailings. Volunteers are needed several times during the year.

Cursillo

Gina & Stephen Scott

If you are seeking a way to make Christ the center of your everyday life, you are invited to experience Cursillo. It is a life-changing experience for adults, married or single people, which begins with a three-day weekend. It is an encounter with yourself and an encounter with God. Cursillo weekends are announced in the bulletin and are held twice during the year.

Funeral Luncheons

Mary Starr

info@stmatthewtn.org

Members of this committee prepare and serve food at the luncheon following the funeral Mass for parishioners who have lost a loved one. Volunteers are needed to prepare a salad or dessert when called upon, and to provide assistance for the luncheons.

Library Helper

Margaret Cook

mcook@stmatthewtn.org

The parish library is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Masses, when Religious Education is in session. Volunteers are needed to enter data into the library computer, assemble cards and pockets in new books and help with the annual inventory.

Office Assistance

Margaret Cook

mcook@stmatthewtn.org

Volunteers are needed throughout the year for filing, computer work, and other general office tasks.

Religious Education & Formation

Staff Liasion: Tony Jesse, DRE 615-550-5100, tjesse@stmatthewtn.org

Adult Faith Formation

This committee provides educational opportunities throughout the year to help our adult community grow in faith.

Book Clubs

Joan McGranaghan (Daytime)

Molly Wuller (Evening)

A variety of books are discussed at the St. Matthew Book Club. A daytime group meets at 9:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. The evening group meets the first Monday of each month.

Catechists (Religious Education Teachers)

Catechists are ministers of the Word who require sound orientation, preparation, and dedication. Because of their love of the Catholic faith, these volunteers must be enthusiastic about sharing their faith with their students. Classes are held Sunday mornings during the school year.

Religious Education

The Religious Education program of Saint Matthew Parish seeks to provide our children, youth, and adults with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to become faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Tony Jesse, DRE

tjesse@stmatthewtn.org

RCIA is a process for those who would like to learn more about the Catholic Church, and who are considering the possibility of joining. It is open to all non-Catholics who would like to learn more.

Vacation Bible School

Tony Jesse, DRE
tjesse@stmatthewtn.org

Vacation Bible School is held for one week during the summer for children ages 4 through 10. Volunteers are needed to teach classes and provide administrative support.

Social Action & Outreach

Staff Liasion: Martin Strobel, mstrobel@stmatthewtn.org

Environmental Stewardship

Brian Perrone

environment@stmatthewtn.org

This ministry is dedicated to faith-based inspiration, awareness, and participation in environmental responsibility towards God’s creation.

Habitat for Humanity

Patricia M. Smith

This Ministry assists the Habitat for Humanity organization to help people in our community improve a place they can call home. Volunteers are needed to help build, provide meals, and coordinate efforts.

Haiti Ministry

Valerie Canning

haiti@stmatthewtn.org

The Haiti Ministry supports our sister parish, Our Lady of Miracles in Gobert, Haiti. The group provides support through prayer, funding, education, medical support, and other general needs.

Ladies of Charity – Nashville

Arlene Smith

The Ladies of Charity organization began with the mission “To Serve Rather Than Be Served.” We strive to serve all residents of Davidson County with food, or financial help if they are experiencing a hardship in their life. We provide help in those times of crisis.

Loaves and Fishes

Bill Thomson

Loaves and Fishes – Brownie Makers

This group prepares and serves lunch to the homeless on the first Wednesday of every month at Holy Name Church.

Respect for Life

Elizabeth Abaray

elizabeth.abaray@live.com

This ministry is dedicated to a respect for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Through education and a public information effort, the ministry works to identify and address sanctity of life issues and needs of the parish and community.

Room in the Inn

Rhea Forte

Chris Holt

Thomas Langdon

This group provides a warm, safe place to sleep for a small group of homeless men during the winter months. Volunteers are needed to drive, prepare dinner, prepare bag lunches and spend the night in the Cohan-Hansom Building.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Paul Stigamier      svdpfranklintn@gmail.com

https://www.svdpfranklintn.org

This ministry serves the needs of those in the community with financial help in paying a bill as well as delivering food and household items such as dishes, clothes, and furniture. Their goal in this ministry is to grow in spirituality as they assist others, providing a hand up as opposed to a handout. They meet on the first and third Mondays of every month at 7:00 p.m.