New Parishioner Registration

Visiting a new church can be intimidating: What should I wear? Where do I park? Where do my kids go?

Here at St. Matthew's we understand the many thoughts that can come from visiting a new church, so we want you to feel completely comfortable when you visit. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or talk with an usher when you visit.

When are services?
Daily Masses:

• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

Saturday Masses

• 8:30 am - 9:30 am
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday Masses

• 8:30 am - 9:30 am
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

When is confession available?
Reconciliation is held every Saturday from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm, or you can schedule an appointment by calling the church office at (904) 388-8698.

How do I get to St. Matthew’s?
St. Matthew's is located on Blanding Blvd., near the FSCJ Kent Campus. Visit our Contact page to view our location on Google Maps.

Where do my children go?
Your children are welcome to join you for mass, and we have a crying room in the back of the church as well. 

I’m not Catholic ... is it okay for me to participate in communion?

• For our fellow Christians
  We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).
• For those not receiving Holy Communion
  All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
• For non-Christians
  We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

Am I expected to put money in the offering?
As good Catholics, we are blessed and encouraged to share our blessings and give back to God in whatever ways we can. 

I have a disability Is there any special assistance?
St. Matthew's is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and wheelchair seating. We also have a loop system for anyone who may be hearing impaired.