Roman and Gloria Clark

In 1989 when Fr. Funk was pastor, Roman and Gloria Clark were searching for a church home for their family. At the time, their children attended St. Pius X School, so naturally the family had been attending that church. “We didn’t really feel comfortable there, so we began visiting other churches in the area,” stated Gloria. Fortunately, found out about a church called St. Matthew, just 10 minutes away, that Gloria insisted they visit. Little did they know that 30 years later, they would continue to remain a part of the St. Matthew faith family.

Roman reflects, “It was the warm feeling that we felt. Being young people we looked around seeing many older parishioners …we felt they were accepting us as possibly the new faces of St. Matthew.”

The diversity they experienced after attending only one service was like no other– a diversity not only in the people of St. Matthew but in the ideas that revolved around the community. They love how, unlike other churches, during the sign of peace at St. Matthew, everyone walks around, and not just speaks to the person next to them. This, along with Fr. Joe’s messages, instilled in Roman and Gloria a passion for prayer and action that they never experienced before.

From an amazing priest to the vibrant church atmosphere where “all are welcome,” St. Matthew offered the Clark family something that no other church did. To the future St. Matthew community, especially the youth, Gloria and Roman “hope for greater involvement in the church itself, especially in the choir and folk group.” This way St. Matthew will be able to offer others the same thing that it did them –  that is, a home.

“Fr. Joe’s tremendous drive throughout that entire tragedy of losing such a young life [McKenzie Elliott]…he was amazing continuously kept her memory alive at the parish and with others,” recalls Roman. This, Roman says, is why you want to stay at St. Matthew.

Myrtle Stanley

As one of our more seasoned church members, Myrtle Stanley’s faith life didn’t start at St. Matthew. Born a Lutheran, Myrtle Stanley attended St. Ann with her husband, Theodore, after they enrolled their son at the school. She felt joy in that church so she attended RCIA to convert. “It was a glorious time!”

Myrtle and Theodore attended St. Ann when Fr. Joe was pastor. She first met him at the Women’s Ministry retreat. When he left St. Ann for St. Matthew, she says, “the church changed after he left.” She tried other churches but didn’t feel as if, “when two or three are gathered, I [God] am there.” So she came to St. Matthew. She says that the Catholic Church isn’t as narrow as people think; it’s how people interpret it and she clearly loved the way it was interpreted at St. Matthew.

She led RCIA for a time and described those who were new to the Catholic faith as bringing their “gifts,” and that “a new person brings new light to the church.”

The faith journey she has traveled is long. She turned 90 this year, and through it all she continues to love teaching about our Lord and does so to other seniors through an online bible study program. “Our world would change overnight if everyone would see God. Our problems today are man-made.”

Pete McIver

(This is an expanded version of the story in our anniversary book.)

Pete McIver first came to St. Matthew as Fr. Pete in the summer of 1991. Ordained a priest in 1986, he served as associate pastor with Fr. Joe for three years before deciding to step back from active ministry and married Debbie; they just celebrated 23 years of marriage. “My marriage to Debbie added a whole new dimension to my life and enhanced my ability to understand the joys and struggles of family life,” he says. He hopes one day to return to the active priesthood as a married man.

Pete’s work within the St. Matthew community reflects his commitment to the Catholic Church. He became a member and president of the Pastoral Council in 2001 – 2004, and then again from 2011-2013  ̶  exciting years to serve on the council. During his first tenure, he played a key role in bringing about the renovations of the church to include the elevator, bathrooms and kitchen. Pete and the other members of the Council welcomed the initial organization of Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC), since it reflected the growing diversity of the St. Matthew Community. Pete is currently a member of the Finance committee.

The Pastoral Council itself was also becoming more diverse; many women stepped up to serve. “Jean-Marie Holloway was leading the effort to organize IOSC, yet another demonstration that women at St. Matthew were willing to step forward and lead.” Other Council leaders such as Steve Rubio and Ed Sommerfeldt joined Fr. Joe in encouraging these transitions within the St. Matthew community.

Pete also looked outside the walls of St. Matthew to find ways to bring his ministry to others. In 1999, he began working at Marian House, where he now serves as deputy director. “We were founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Mercy in the Waverly neighborhood. Marian House provides supportive housing for homeless women,” says Pete. Many of these women are coming from incarceration or treatment and Marian House provides the supportive services to help them get back up on their feet again.

“Nearly 1,500 women and their children have received direct support and many more of their extended family members benefit indirectly from this program,” Pete states. Over 70 percent of the women who enter the program will successfully complete – meaning they are employed and have a place to live when they leave Marian House.

Pete has shared other talents with the St. Matthew community. Pete greatly enjoys the opportunity to use artistic expression to share love for God’s messages and for God’s gifts to us. As a priest, he co-authored a dramatic presentation of the Stations of the Cross entitled Stations Revisited. A few years ago, he partnered with Lynn Dorsey and other believers from neighboring churches to present it on Good Friday.

Most of all, Pete is grateful for the blessing of participating in such a diverse community. “It is said that America is most segregated on Sunday mornings; I love the fact that our community is the exception — bringing together so many people of different races, languages, and preferences… because Fr. Joe provides a welcoming environment where everyone can feel at home.”

Seder Meal

“A group of St Matthew’s parishioners asked my wife, Ruth Crystal, if she would provide the ritual for a Seder as practiced in Jewish homes during the Passover season, which generally overlaps with our Easter season. It has grown every year from a handful to up to 90 participants over the last 25 years reflecting changes in the parish, in our institutions, and in our own growth in faith as a couple.”  —  David Cramer