St. Matthew Church Celebrates Feast Day With Joy

By MARY ANNE CASTRANIO, Staff Writer

Published: October 2, 2003

TYRONE—On Sunday, Sept. 21, Father Victor Galier started the liturgy on St. Matthew’s feast day by asking everyone to remove their watches. He told the assembly that they didn’t want to be in a rush today. “If you’re in a hurry and you wound up down here for (a regular) Mass, Holy Trinity is just down the road and they have a ‘10:30.’”

The liturgy that followed, although over two hours long, encompassed many sacraments of the church and was a joyful celebration of the community of St. Matthew’s Church.

The church had celebrated a nine-day novena of Masses during the days prior to the feast day.

Father Galier had promised that the final liturgy would include almost everything, and he came through on his promise.

In addition to the customary Eucharist, the feast day Mass included liturgical dance, a “duet” homily by Father Galier and Deacon Bill Hampton, a baptism, marriage convalidation, anointing of the sick, and blessing of those who minister in the parish.

In the homily, Father Galier described four calls from the U.S. bishops outlined in the document “Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium”: that Catholics are called to holiness, to community, to mission and ministry, and to Christian maturity.

He emphasized ministry, continual education and a transforming of the spirit.

St. Matthew’s feast day, which began with a nourishing of the spirit, ended with a feast to nourish the body, as the parishioners ended their celebration with a barbecue lunch and family fun activities on the church grounds.

The church is located at 215 Kirkley Road, Tyrone, and is adjacent to Our Lady of Victory School.