Christian Outreach

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH COMMISSION enables St. Matthew Parish membership to respond to their call to full discipleship with Jesus Christ through participation in our ministries that provide spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial support to those in need. Opportunities exist to serve in all ministries. Bob Kowal, Chair, 317-476-1929

Blood Drive volunteers coordinate parish blood drives through the Indiana Blood Center. Tracy Meckauskas

Cameroon Mission has provided financial aid to the work of parishioner Dr. Ellen Einterz for the promotion of health and education development in Kolofata, Cameroon, since 1990. Principal ongoing projects include continuing support for the 120-bed district hospital built largely thanks to St. Matthew; support for local healthcare staff, schools, and teachers; provision of water and food for prisoners; funding of university scholarships; and reforestation. In recent years, a particular emphasis has been placed on enabling qualified girls of impoverished families to continue their studies beyond elementary school, some as far as university.

Catholic Prison Ministry. Volunteers of the parish bring the message of hope and the unconditional love of God to Catholic inmates and those seeking to learn about the Catholic faith at the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility. Volunteers share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the ministry of presence, celebration of Mass, Communion services, and discussion sessions centered around our Catholic faith and Holy Scripture. Kevin Janowicz or Dan White.

Christmas Giving Project provides clothing, toys, and household items to needy families in our community via the Catholic Charities Christmas Store. Christine Moore

Haiti Parish Twinning provides a support relationship between Saint Matthew (in conjunction with Christ the King) and parishes in the village of Bois de Lance, Haiti. We focus on funding educational needs for children of Bois de Lance through our School Friendship Program; we provide food for students via partnership with Christ the King; we help establish new programs in the village such as gardening, sewing, and raising animals; and we raise funds for the needs of the people and priest of the village. We organize mission trips of service to the area. Learn more. Robert Kowal, 317-476-1929; David Siler, 317-431-3635; Jan Baele, 317-405-7306; or Dan White, 317-439-5916.

Harvest for the Hungry Garden volunteers plant, pick, and deliver fresh vegetables to food pantries that feed the hungry and homeless. More than 12,000 pounds were harvested and donated in a year. Tim Jerger, 317-478-6981; David Schisla, 859-991-5229; Rick Gale, 317-626-8103; Gene O’Donnell.

Peace Meal Committee provides meals for bereaved family and friends after funeral services. Volunteers bring a dish or help serve and clean up. Sandi Patel or Jo Ann Schisla

Prayer Shawl Ministry. St. Matthew Prayer Shawl Ministry has combined with the St. Pius Church Prayer Shawl Ministry. The joint Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at St. Pius, 7200 Sarto Dr. If you love working with soft fibers or want to learn to crochet or knit, this group is the place for you. Donations of yarn are welcome. For information about meeting days/times, please contact Ruth Ranalletta. Prayer shawls made by the ministry will continue to be available at St. Matthew to comfort people who are ill, grieving, or alone and need to know the Lord is near. All shawls have been blessed by Fr. Bill. Please stop by our parish office for a shawl. Shawls are provided at no charge.

Respect for Life Committee. In a response to the gospel of life, we recognize the dignity of each individual given by God who told us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you” (Jeremiah 1:5). We work to protect the sanctity of all God’s children from the moment of conception to natural death through prayer, dedication to the rosary, promotion of pro-life activities, events, and public action/outreach. If you are interested in being on the committee email list, please contact Margaret Stempky, 317-775-5080.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides material assistance to those in need in Central Indiana via special works programs, as follows.(1) Pre-packaged food and fresh milk, eggs, and some meat, vegetables, and fruit are distributed from the Client Choice Food Pantry at no cost to people whose household incomes fall within the guidelines for food pantries established by the federal government and state of Indiana. (2) Non-food household items (e.g., used but usable furniture, appliances, new mattresses [used mattresses not accepted], clothing, and other household essentials) are distributed at no cost from its Distribution Center following a home visit made by St. Matthew Conference volunteers. (3) The “Changing Lives Forever” program seeks to lift people out of poverty on a long-term basis through an 18-week educational program that educates clients on the rules of work and skills needed to become economically self-sufficient. (4) Mission 27 Resale Stores (132 Leota St. and 1618 Shelby St.) provide an exceptional shopping experience for bargain and treasure hunters. Clothing, furniture, books, kitchen items, and miscellaneous items are sold, with the proceeds used to buy nutritional food for the Food Pantry and to expand the “Changing Lives Forever” program. Volunteers are needed for hundreds of different jobs at the Food Pantry (3001 E. 30th St.), at the Distribution Center (1201 E. Maryland St.), at the Mission 27 Resale Stores, or working from home. Active members of the St. Matthew Conference meet on the third Sunday of each month at 10:30 AM (after 9:30 Mass). Jean Gause Rawlinson, 317-254-0854.

–St. Matthew Support of the SVdP Client Choice Food Pantry: Provides volunteers for a variety of shifts.

–SVdP Food/Clothing Collection Bins are conveniently located in the narthex. Donations of food, used but clean clothing, and personal items are always welcome. You may also fill and return the blue SVdP bags found in the narthex with food staples. Everything will be delivered to the Distribution Center or Food Pantry.

–SVdP Home Visits: Volunteers are needed to help with home visits with an average of 1-2 visits a month (always with two people). Volunteers meet the third Sunday at 10:30 AM. Kathy O’Brian, 317-251-9930.

–SVdP Parking Lot Drop Box: Drop off bagged clothing and shoes for those in need.