PARISH MINISTRIES
Experience community, grow deeper in faith, serve the poor, or engage in recreation. Our parish community has a ministry opportunity for everyone.
Liturgical Ministries
Altar Serving
Altar Servers are responsible for assisting the priest in a reverent and respectful manner during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Responsibilities include: preparation for the Mass, assisting during Mass and closure after Mass. Altar Servers are selected and trained by the Pastor.
Lectors
The Lector Ministry calls for volunteers to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture, which is the living Word of God. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical services. They are encouraged to read scripture in a clear and meaningful way so that everyone can hear and understand what is being said.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
These people are appointed by the parish priest and are commissioned to perform the holy tasks assigned to them. Besides serving at Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Ministers are sometimes asked to bring the Eucharist to the homes of the sick. If this is something that you would like to be considered for, talk to Father Tran.
Choirs
The choirs of our parish enhances the liturgical celebrations by leading the music ministry at Sunday Masses through hymns and songs that will ensure the “full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgical celebration” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14). The whole church community benefits from participating in the Eucharist through prayerful music
Ushers
Our ushers, both men and women, provide a valuable service in this large and growing parish. Many are needed at each of the weekend Masses to help with seating, take up the collections and be watchful to tend to the needs of the large assembly of people at each of the Masses. New volunteers are always welcome.
Faith and Formation Ministries
Religious Education for Children (PREP)
The goal of PREP is to assist parents in the religious education of children attending public schools or Home school in Kindergarten to Grade 7 and to prepare them to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist in Level 2 and Confirmation in Level 7. We offer classes from Pre-school to Level 7. We have a Vanspec center for special needs children that offer one-to-one catechism classes.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a program for people interested in the Catholic faith, whether they are non-Catholics thinking about becoming Catholic, or Catholics who wish to learn more and/or embrace the Catholic faith. The program starts with a period of instruction and progresses into a more in-depth experience of Catholicism and then invites participants into a process of initiation. Often this includes the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism (for those not yet baptized, or baptized in another denomination), Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.
Youth Ministry
Youth are an integral part of the life and growth of the Church. At our parish, we put priority on the formation & spiritual journey of young people. We seek to provide a space where they can have fun, make lifelong friends, ask deep questions, and most importantly, come to know and love the Lord.
PREP 7 Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation of the Catholic Church, along with Baptism and the Eucharist. It bestows the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens the faithful to be a powerful witness to God’s love and might in word and deed.
Prayer Group
The St. Matthew’s Prayer Group which started in April 1997, is one of the prayer groups among the different parishes in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. It is open to all who are interested in strengthening their Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Liturgy of the Word with Children
The Liturgy of the Word with Children takes place during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. It is a proclamation of the Word of God shared in a way that children can understand.Usually held in a separate room, not far from the main sanctuary, the children are invited to participate and respond to the Good News of the Sunday Gospels.
Discover Discipleship
Discovery leads you through a simple but personally challenging look at the Gospel message. It will allow you to strengthen your relationship with Jesus, grow in fellowship with other parishioners and learn ho w to share your faith with others. It is a 6-week series, usually 1-1.5 hours in length led by a facilitator and includes lively discussion with fellow group members. Discovery is the first of a series of five faith studies developed by Catholic Christian Outreach.
Bible Study
We all have good intentions to stick with Bible study plans at home, yet distractions provide one reason after another to postpone. Participating in a Bible study within a small group has a dynamic you cannot reproduce on your own. As you participate in discussion and share ideas, you take advantage of interaction.Service Ministries
Hospitality
The Hospitality Ministry helps to provide a welcoming atmosphere at our parish. In addition to being greeters at each Sunday Mass, the Hospitality groups provides refreshments after Mass and for funeral receptions.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization whose mission is: “To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.” Vincentians see Christ in anyone who suffers; come together as a family; have personal contact with the poor; help in all possible ways. Often these visitations happen weekly at homes of the poor and marginalized or at different community facilities.
Prayer Group
The St. Matthew’s Prayer Group which started in April 1997, is one of the prayer groups among the different parishes in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. It is open to all who are interested in strengthening their Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Altar and Flower Society
This group of hard working ladies collects and arranges the flowers for the altar, cleans the sanctuary, washes the sacred vessels and linens and helps with the set up for Sunday Masses and Saturday weddings. They meet Friday afternoon. Newcomers welcome!
Elizabeth Ministry
We are a group of men and women who support families at all stages of life. In particular, we specialize in reaching out to bereaved families of the unborn (miscarriage, still birth, regretted abortion) and babies who have died of SIDS. Masses and receptions lead by the Pastor are held annually in remembrance of such loved ones.
Soup Kitchen
This group works diligently and cheerfully every Wednesday morning from 9:00 am -11:00 am in the Jubilee Hall preparing lunch for low income seniors and Surrey street people. The ingredients are always a surprise but every week a tasty lunch is provided. Volunteers are always welcome.
Tech Ministry
We operate the cameras, mix the audio, and live-stream Mass and special events so our parishioners can view a professional quality livestream. We're always looking for volunteers to join our dedicated team. No experience necessary, we can teach you everything you need to know.
Community Ministries
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus are Catholic men of faith and men of charitable action. Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides an association with brotherly companions. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those of the same belief who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbour, and who stand with those who share those beliefs. Programs are organized to appeal to the individual interests of the members and to enable them to render service to their church, their country, and their fellow men. Regularly-scheduled times of prayer and devotion are also part of the Knights’ charism, helping brothers to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
Catholic Women's League
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through services to the people of God. CWL members contribute to the life and vitality of the church, family and community, both at home and abroad. They also support the efforts of League members across Canada who diligently work to promote the teachings of the Catholic church. Our motto “For God and Canada” guides us in our cause. Members often support the work of the parish and her ministries through organized bake sales and other fundraising initiatives.
Couples for Christ
Couples for Christ is a united global charismatic community of family evangelizers that sets the world on fire with the fullness of God’s transforming love. Husbands and wives commit to work tirelessly for the renewal of families that will serve God and build generations of Christian leaders and pursue total Christian liberation through social justice, respect for life, and work with the poor.
Singles for Christ
Singles for Christ is the next generation of Couples for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to journey and witness with single men and women in their discovery and pursuit of vocations and the fullness of the mission towards building a Christ-centered society.
Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary usually holds a weekly meeting, where prayer and community-building are prioritized. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
Vietnamese Community
The Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Community is a community within St. Matthew’s Parish with regular Friday and Sunday Masses in Vietnamese. In addition, this active community offers a variety of groups and ministires all in the Vietnamese language: catechism, youth group, and Vietnamese language classes.
African Community
The African Community exists to provide an interactive platform where members can fellowship together, grow in love, faith and in their walk with our Lord.
Fifty Plus Group
This group meets every Tuesday afternoon in the Jubilee Hall for fun and fellowship. After a brief meeting they play cards and other games and have lots of time for socializing. This group also provides valuable service to the parish. Anyone over the age of 50 is welcome to join this active and friendly group.
Sports
If your spiritual needs are looked after, perhaps you also need your physical needs to be looked after.