Ministry to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

St. Matthias is home to a number of deaf and hard of hearing people. We celebrate Mass in sign language every week. St. Matthias is also the site of the Archdiocesan Religious Education program for deaf children. The International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA) meets here monthly, and there is also a signed Bible study for deaf adults. Members of the deaf community reach out to the broader parish by offering sign language classes, performing in a signing choir, and helping hearing parishioners to be more aware of deaf culture and language.

Outreach to Our Parishioners in Nursing Homes, Hospitals & Homebound

St. Matthias has a group of specially trained lay volunteers who visit, pray with, and bring communion to our shut-ins.  If you know of someone who would appreciate this kind of outreach of if you are hospitalized and would like a visit, please call the Parish Office at 414-321-0893.

Interfaith Program for Older Adults

A volunteer ecumenical endeavor involving 19 area churches to provide companionship support services to older adults enabling them to remain in their own homes. Contact West Central Interfaith at 414-774-1747.

S.H.A.R.E. (Self Help And Resource Exchange)

A unique co-op program helping to stretch the family food budget. For a modest fee (and two hours of service within the church or community), participants receive food packages including frozen meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other staples of approximately 30 pounds with a retail value that is double to triple the initial investment. Income level is not a consideration.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Members are part of an international organization of lay persons dedicated to help those who are in need, providing friendship and informed help so that individuals and families may fully realize their human dignity and potential.

Meal Program

Once every other month volunteers cook and serve the meal for neighbors of St. Francis Parish. Time commitment usually runs from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., which includes time for clean-up.

Life Chain

Volunteers participate in a silent respect-life demonstration in the form of a large human cross stretching the length of Bluemound Road (east and west) and Highway 100/Mayfair Road (north and south). People gather in a prayerful, interfaith, non-violent fashion. This event usually takes place the first Sunday of October (Respect Life Sunday) for about 1-1/2 hours in the afternoon. Sponsored through the Human Concerns Committee.

Giving Tree

During the Advent Season, all parishioners are invited to select a card and purchase specifically requested gifts for individuals in need. Gifts in the past have gone to various shelters throughout Milwaukee, Central City parishes, inmates at the House of Correction and those in need in foreign countries to name a few.

C.R.O.P. Walk (Congregations Reaching Out to People)

Volunteers join in an interfaith effort that involves some 3.3 million people annually. The pledges earned by walkers provide relief supplies and development in 70 countries, as well as local food pantries and hunger programs. This event usually takes place the second Sunday of October, in the afternoon beginning at the McKinley Marina.

Prison Ministry

Volunteers are part of a four Catholic parish consortium who assist at Mass (offered 1-2 times per month on Sunday with about one dozen inmates) at the Milwaukee County House of Correction located in Franklin. Volunteers also conduct prayer services in the absence of Mass. Other activities include bringing gifts from the parish at Christmastime and the possibility of tutoring.

Bread for the World

An advocacy program to raise money and awareness to change national and world-wide food policies through legislative action. Volunteers help to organize the collection and sale of homemade baked goods at one weekend in Fall.

Shelter Weekends

A parish-wide activity involving the collection of needed articles for area shelters. Volunteers help to organize and collect personal hygiene items on one weekend toward the end of January and more durable household goods at another weekend during the middle of May.

Blood Bank

Those who donate blood at any location can credit their donation to the St. Matthias Group #4890. All parishioners are highly encouraged, if possible, to regularly "give the gift of life" throughout the year. Help keep supplies adequate.

Wisconsin AIDS Walk

Volunteers participate in raising monies once a year at the end of September through pledges and walking several miles along the Lakefront beginning close to the Art Center. St. Matthias participates as a team effort. Recent donations have gone to support 16,000 people currently infected with the HIV virus in Wisconsin, a number that is growing by more than 30% annually.

Employment Networks

St. Matthias is joined to a job service located at St. Alphonsus Parish, Greendale. It is devoted to finding employment to those who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking a change of employment.

Help includes: review of resumes, job advice, networking suggestions, etc. Additionally, they have a current ongoing list of both potential job candidates, as well as potential employers offering jobs at minimum wage or above. Please call the Parish Office or St. Alphonsus Parish.

St. Matthias also invites all unemployed or underemployed to contact Job Hunting Network located at St. Mary Parish, Hales Corners. Meetings are intended to provide support, encouragement, leads and other assistance.

St Matthias Elizabeth Ministry

Elizabeth Ministry is an outreach to women in special times of motherhood. It is based on Jesus' vision of the radical goodness, beauty, and truth of human life. The Elizabeth Minister offers support, resources, prayers, and understanding during the joys and sorrows of the childbearing years. Women become mentors based on personal experience, formal knowledge, the acquired skills of the participants, and the mutual love of God. Areas of Elizabeth Ministry involvement are; pregnancy support, (first time, complications), celebration of birth, special birth outcomes (multiple births), adoption, miscarriage, infant/child loss, fertility and infertility, and infant/child crisis. To be contacted by an Elizabeth Minister or refer a relative or friend, call the parish office at 414-321-0893.