Sesay Family

I first heard of St. Matthew’s from a colleague at work. I had told this colleague that I wanted a change of parish because my parish at the time was not meeting my spiritual needs.  When I came to St. Matthew, the warm reception I received on the first day from the parishioners and the pastor was unbelievable. I was initially a bit uneasy when asked to introduce myself to the entire congregation that day. After my introduction, I received a thunderous applause. This warm reception reminded me of my vibrant parish back home in Sierra Leone. This was what I had been missing since I moved to the United States.

I also like St. Mathew because of its diversity. I always feel at home when I am here. Both the parishioners and the pastor are nice and welcoming. My kids and wife love it too. We feel a sense of belongingness at St. Matthew. My son Emmanuel, 12, says he enjoys the fun part of the Gospel, loves religious education, and enjoys the pizza during family nights. Solanie, 7, loves Fr. Joe and enjoys family night too.

Zeb and Sarah Lohnes

I moved to Baltimore in 2006 and spent many years trying to find a church that “fit.” I had joined another Catholic church, but I was disappointed when the homilies felt full of judgment, not acceptance. I was tired of leaving church feeling guilty or angry instead of fulfilled. I mentioned to my friend one day that I really wanted to find a church that was inviting to the LGBTQ community because many of my friends are gay and didn’t feel like they could set foot in a Catholic Church. She did a quick Google search and found a homily by Fr. Joe on embracing the gay community. She sent it to me and told me how she grew up playing soccer with his niece and that he always brought so much love and energy to the game. I loved his message, so I went to mass and introduced myself to Fr. Joe in 2014, and I’ve been a member ever since. 

There are many reasons my now husband and I have continued to worship and participate at St. Matthew. First, the church aligns so perfectly with our values. We love the social justice mission and message that “we” are the changemakers. We love the diversity of the parishioners. We love the truly authentic sense of community — the long sign of peace at each Mass, the way we learn about, celebrate and pray for each other together. The way the whole church prays over people and blesses babies at their Baptisms. We have both enjoyed participating in Parents’ Day Out and the Fair Trade sales and made new friends that way. I also really value my time with the Contemporary Music Group. Neither Zeb nor I have family nearby, so we like to think of St. Matthew as our extended family. We know that we would be taken care of if we ever needed anything at all. Now, with our first baby on the way, it’s even more important to have a home for our faith that will model love and community for our son.

Faith Donerson

The reason I attend St. Matthew is because I can go to the Altar and take communion and lay my burdens right here. I feel the love of most parishioners and I love this because I have very little family left. I was raised Southern Methodist and I always felt I was being judged. At St. Matthew I feel as though I am being accepted for me as God accepts me. And, I love the way Fr. Joe delivers the Word of God!

Ted Miles

So grateful after months of searching to have found a parish, St. Francis Xavier in NYC, that feels like home having a similar hospitality and commitment to justice as St. Matthew.

Kristi Szczepanski

The reason I love it here at St Matthew is because as a single woman, I am still treated like I belong. I enjoy attending mass amongst the many cultures that come to worship our God. Everyone who walks in can see how welcoming the community makes him or her feel.

Jordan Differding and Pat Cassidy

We decided to come to St. Matthew because of its welcoming and inclusive community! The diversity and culture of St. Matthew church is a rare find and a place where we encounter comfort and a great deal of hospitality, especially as a gay couple of faith. We also appreciate how the gospel message is deeply rooted in a social justice lens that brings the message to a relatable and current day perspective. For St. Matthew this not only shines through during the mass but also through the various ministries, events and members of the church, both young and old.

Diane McCray and Tyrese

Attending St. Matthew allows my granddaughter, Tyrese, to be part of an extremely diversified church community where ALL are truly welcomed! The early learnings provided in the Children’s Liturgy about the teachings of Jesus assist in the establishment of a Christian-based foundation. Hopefully, in time this will lead to the beginning of her spiritual journey.

Sir Austin and Lady Dominica Ejelonu and Family

We have many reasons to come to St. Matthew. We are here to praise our Creator, and to worship and thank God for his mercies and kindness. The children say it is fun and we come to celebrate His goodness, plus they are altar servers.

Drew and Colleen Conkey

I searched “LGBTQ friendly churches in Baltimore” and found St. Matthew. We could not actively be part of a church that openly discriminates against anyone or any group. Additionally, Drew had a disheartening experience with his family’s church, so it was even more urgent we found a community that was welcoming to everyone.

Our first visit with Fr. Joe was in March but we still talk about how welcome he made us feel. He told us about all of the inclusive actions this church takes to make Baltimore, and the world, better. What I remember most was how he talked about this church community as a group of true supporters of each other. I have always wanted to be a part of a church that was based more in what its parishioners do to supports others, instead of whether or not they kneel to pray. Since then, we have been very excited to be parishioners of St. Matthew.

After the trash talk on Baltimore, Fr. Mike helped me to feel empowered to support people even more, instead of retaliating against them for their hateful comments. I felt like a kinder person after we left Mass that day. Fr. Joe has been the most supportive person as we came to him for advice about getting married, becoming parishioners, and getting involved in the church.

Kathleen Muth

I have been a single person all my life. I come to St. Matthew’s Church because of Fr. Joe Muth. He has a “welcome ” door policy for all people, just like our parents did at our home, “all were welcome”. That continues there at St. Matthew’s. I have met so many amazing people from all over the world that I consider my friends. We have been with each other in good times and bad. We celebrate with each other and pray with each other. That is what St. Matthew’s Church is all about. It’s about seeing the soul of a person, not the color of their skin or their gender, it’s about the person, just as Jesus taught us.

Joe Koubek

In the 1960s we actually banded together through NECO to go after the realtors. One bad actor had For Sale signs on 11 out of 13 houses on one block. We picketed his office. When we found out our neighborhood was a “protected area” (state legislation to stop block busting and panic peddling) Judy Chamberlain and I would drive around on Sunday afternoons collecting [illegal] For Sale signs. I remember we had a closet full of those signs at the Northwood Appold United Methodist Church.

Linda and Jack Murphy

We invite each of you to become a closer member of the family of St. Matthew. How do you do that? Get involved. Find some way to share your gifts and talents with this family and you will feel more and more what we have felt over the past 52 years of membership here.