St. Matthew

"Know that I am with you always."
Matthew 28:20

Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida
Saint Matthew Roman Catholic Church
9111 90th Ave. N.
Largo, FL 33777

Directions

phone 727-393-1288  

Our Celebration Schedule

Saturday Vigil 4:00 pm
Sunday 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am
Holy Days 8:30 am & 7:00 pm
Daily Mass 8:30 am, Monday - Saturday
Miraculous Medal Novena - prayed each Tuesday following the 8:30 am Mass
Divine Mercy Chaplet - prayed each Friday following the 8:30 am Mass
First Friday Adoration - immediately following the 8:30 am Mass with Benediction at 10:00 am
Sacrament of Penance - Saturday 3:00 to 3:45 pm, or by appointment

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Our Mission Statement

With the word of God as our foundation, the people of Saint Matthew Catholic Parish strive to be the presence of God in our community.  We do so through joyful worship, fellowship with our members, a welcoming spirit to visitors and seekers, an increasing willingness to give of our time, talent and treasure to serve God's people and a desire to spread our faith through ongoing spiritual sharing. 

Safe Haven Sunday: Keeping Families Safe Online

Our Diocese is partnering with CleanHeart Online to support your family in staying safe online. Parents will find the tools to assist them in protecting the home, educating themselves and their children while at the same time assuring the home is a safe haven for all at CleanHeart Online. Get the tools and knowledge you need to form, protect and guide your children in using technology responsibly with The Safe Digital Family Challenge! 

Ash Wednesday Schedule

 Mass is at 8:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm.
Ashes are distributed at all Masses and will also be distributed
at our 7:00 am and Noon Liturgy of the Word Prayer Services

 Empty Bowl Supper

Share a simple meal of spaghetti and salad with us on Ash Wednesday from 5:15-6:45 pm at our Empty Bowl Supper. 
The meal is free and you will select and take home a unique, one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl! Use it for your Lenten meals or bring with you to our Friday Night Soup Suppers.

Fasting and Abstinence Reminders

♦ Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics between the ages of 18 to 59 years (inclusive). On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. 

 ♦ Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence. 

 The dual disciplines of fasting and abstinence have a long history in the Catholic Church. Going back to the early Church, the purpose behind the custom of self-denial is not punishment; it is to simplify our lifestyles so that we create a certain emptiness. In this way, freed from all distractions, we are able to hear and respond to God’s continued call to conversion and holiness.

 Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition. 

Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or the renewal of baptism at Easter.

Light of the World Retreat: Register NOW for March Retreat

Want to deepen your journey of faith? Come experience a living encounter with Jesus Christ, learn more about God's love for us, surrender your life to the Holy Spirit, and find more purpose and meaning in your faith at our Light of the World Retreat March 13th through 16th. Light of the World is a parish-based retreat presented by parishioners and clergy of St. Matthew Parish. This experience brings the Gospel alive through a living encounter with Jesus Christ. Attending the retreat is a wonderful opportunity to enrich your faith with those you see at Mass or have yet to meet. Come and learn how you can deepen your journey of faith. Learn how to give more purpose, meaning, and direction to your life. 

• The retreat begins the evening of Friday, March 13th, includes all-day Saturday and Sunday, and ends with a final Monday evening event, March 16th. 
• There is no cost, this wonderful opportunity is made available by the parish for those with a desire to deepen their relationship with God.
• The retreat is held right here at St. Matthew and you return to your own home each night.
• It is intended for men and women, individuals and couples, over the age of 18
• Register this weekend after all Masses or register online here.
• Want more information before you register? Email

Stations of the Cross: Every Friday of Lent 6:00 pm

Stations of the Cross are every Friday at 6 pm outside in our St. James Prayer Pavillion, weather permitting. Those unable to stand are welcome to bring a chair. 

Friday Night Lenten Soup Suppers

A Simple Soup Supper follows our weekly Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent, starting at about 6:30 pm in our Bethany Hall. There is no cost for this Supper however, a free-will donation to Operation Rice Bowl is appreciated.
Operation Rice Bowl is a collection for Catholic Relief Services to aid in combating hunger around the world. Bring a friend or neighbor to share this special meal hosted by our ministries! 

*March 6th: St. Vincent de Paul Society  *March 13th: Children's Faith Formation & Youth Ministry *March 20th: Women's Ministry  *March 27th: SEASONS  *April 3rd: Knights of Columbus 

 Eucharistic Adoration: March 6th-8th

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 pm and will continue until Sunday, March 8th at Noon. Sign up sheets are available in the church vestibule. All hours around the clock are available for you to spend time with Christ in this special way. Can't commit? Drop-in anytime and spend as much time as you like. Follow the signs to the library, located through the entrance at the south side of the building.

Enjoy a Pancake Breakfast on the 2nd Sunday of the Month!

Join us each month on the 2nd Sunday to feast on pancakes cooked by our Knights of Columbus! This is a delicious fundraiser and a great opportunity to meet new friends.
We're cooking for you the 2nd Sunday of each month through March. Don't miss our last Pancake Feast on March 8th!
Tickets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Children  

Your 40-Day Journey of Amazing Possibilities

It's easy, just click the link here and enter your email and then you'll get an email every day with a link to a new short video from Matthew Kelly and Dynamic Catholic. 

Click here to have the BEST LENT EVER!!!

Who will you become this Lent?

 Young at Heart: March 3rd

Save the date! We're kicking off a new opportunity for our 55 and older parishioners - our Young at Heart group! Join us at our first meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd at noon in our Bethany Hall. Come enjoy a light lunch, a few games of BINGO, and a chance to meet new friends! This is a free event and you're welcome to bring a friend! Questions? Want to help? Contact or leave him a message at (727) 393-1288 ext 203.

Healing Family & Friends Affected by Suicide: March 10th
 

"Thank You" from Our Women's Ministry

Our Baby Shower was a great success! A huge thank you to our St. Matt’s parish family from the Women’s Ministry for your overwhelming generosity in donating items for our annual baby shower, this year in support of Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center. New Acting Manager, Sister Christa was deeply touched by the “shower of gifts” & so very grateful! We filled her mini-van up to the brim! Looking for friendship, fun, and service opportunities? All women of the parish are invited to join us the third Tuesday of the month, from August through April. Our next meeting is March 17th at 7 pm back in Trinity Hall. Want more information? Contact Pam Dodson through the church office.

St. Joseph Altar & Meal March 22nd

It's coming soon! We will have our annual St. Joseph's Altar and meal March 22nd after the 11:00 am Mass. The meal is free and everyone is invited! Your service and donations are always appreciated. This is a wonderful, family-fun event with great food and wonderful company to socialize! If you'd like to be on the "Friend's of St. Joseph" Altar Committee, please contact  or leave him a message at (727)393-1288 ext. 203. You can also make a donation to help defray the cost of this festival by placing your gift in a clearly labeled envelope and placing it in the weekly offertory or delivering it or mailing it to the office. St. Joseph, please pray for us and for all families!

April 6th Lenten Penance Service

Priests will be available to hear your individual confession after the Lenten Penance Service. Not sure what to confess? Here's an Examination of Conscience based on the 10 Commandments. 

 The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available every Saturday at 3:00 - 3:45 pm or by private appointment with Fr. Tom by calling the office.

Bring Your Little Ones to Church!

It Hurts to Lose Someone. Find Help at GriefShare.

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare is a faith-based program to provide education, support, and hope after the loss of a spouse, family member or friend. No cost, no commitment; just come and see! Do you have a friend or family member whom you believe would benefit from GriefShare? Please invite them to come - and come with them, at least for the first time! 

When we meet:  Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30. We wrap up at 11:30 sharp. GriefShare is a 13-week program. Our next Meet-and-Greet is Ash Wednesday, February 26th at 9:30 am. We will meet the following dates for Spring 2020: March 4th, March 11th, March 18th, March 25th, April 1st, April 8th, April 15th, April 22nd, April 29th, May 6th, May 13th, May 20th, May 27th.

Where we meet:  In the Trinity Room at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Follow the smell of coffee; we're in one of the meeting rooms off the social hall.

Is it too late to start?  GriefShare is a 13-Session program but you can join anytime! Even if you have to miss a few meetings, you can still join us and benefit from the program when you're available.

How do I sign up?  Please contact Dr. Lori Puterbaugh at or 727-559-0863. 

View a short video about GriefShare by clicking the button below -

What Is GriefShare video

Keep in Touch With Us in 2020!

Just text "STMAT" to 84576 or sign up here

Our parish has adopted a new and improved way of communicating that makes it much simpler for you to get the information you want from us! It’s powered by a service called Flocknote. Like sending a "note" to your"flock". Flocknote. 

• This is all totally free for you to use, you don’t have to download anything or create a password in order to participate.
• You can unsubscribe at any time from any Groups if you change your mind.
• Your contact information is kept privately only for St. Matthew Church, it's not shared with outside companies.
• It's just a couple of minutes to sign up and you'll receive email or text messages from the groups and ministries that you choose. It even allows you to reply directly back to those messages so we can hear from you and get feedback!

In addition to regular group and ministry communication, we’ll also use this to send you important updates about special events coming up, inclement weather Mass cancellation announcements, and Holy Day schedules. Once you sign up, you can select Groups and Ministries that you'd like to learn more about or receive their updates and reminders. 

Text "STMAT" to 84576 or sign up here

Click the confirmation link to complete your registration & select the groups you're interested in learning more about!  

Be Alert! Text Message, Email, and Social Media Scams

From the Office of Communications, Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL

It has come to the attention of the Diocese of St. Petersburg that parishioners have been receiving text messages and emails asking for money and gift cards from people pretending to be our priests. Our priests and staff do not contact individuals via text message or social media to ask for money or personal information. Do not reply to such text or social media messages and report them to your parish and the Diocese.

Click here for tips on how to protect yourself from such scams.