by Jeni Stepanek | May 21, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
For Immediate Release:
15th Anniversary Memorial Mass of Mattie Stepanek –
famous and faith-filled young poet
from the Archdiocese of Washington
All are invited to the 15th Anniversary Memorial Mass for Mattie J.T. Stepanek on Saturday, June 22 at 11 am.
Mattie’s brief life had many challenges, yet he accomplished a great deal in 13 years, writing six bestselling books of poetry and one bestselling book on peacemaking.
Mattie inspired tens of thousands around the world with his message that life is worthy, hope is real, and that peace is possible.
At an early age, he developed a profound relationship with God, and these spiritual conversations shaped his poems and other writings.
The Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi (6701 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, Maryland).
Please join members of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild after the Mass to learn more about the cause for Mattie’s sainthood and how Mattie’s life of holiness and heroic virtue continue to inspire young people today.
For more information,
contact info@MattieMatters.org
or call 240.994.0603.
View or download the PDF version of
this Press Release HERE…
View or download the JPG version of
this Press Release HERE…
#MattieMatters #MattiesGuild #PackTheChurch
by Jeni Stepanek | May 15, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
Sharing your “Mattie Reflections”
and Statements of Support
A cause for sainthood
in the Catholic Church
rests on the idea
that the individual has
lived a life of heroic virtue,
namely pursuing or
choosing the good
in difficult circumstances.
All are Welcome to Share
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild welcomes
“Mattie Reflections” and Statements of Support from
people of all ages, abilities, nationalities, and faiths.
- Those who directly knew Mattie J.T. Stepanek
are asked to share their specific remembrances of how he lived a holy life. - Those who knew or know of Mattie through
his media appearances, writings, or public ministry
are invited to share their experience of his holiness. - ALL are nvited to share reflections and statements on
how knowing Mattie or knowing about him has inspired them to live as a better person and led them to a closer relationship with God.
Simply follow the three steps below and share how
knowing Mattie, or knowing about him,
has inspired you to live as a better person,
and/or led you to a closer relationship with God.
Reflect
- How did/do you know Mattie?
Is there a quote or a conversation, an experience or appearance that is memorable and meaningful? - Prayerfully and carefully reflecton your remembrance and share the most important facts.
Respond
- A statement does not need to be long, but it does need to specific.
Statements may be hand-written or typed, but they must be signed by person sharing information. - A reflection or statementis most effective when
specific dates, locations, conversations, and other details are shared. - Offering specific information about something Mattie said or did
– and how that has inspired or impacted or changed you – is most helpful to the Guild. - It is suggested that you number each paragraph or line so that it is more easily cited by the Guild.
Reach Out
- Please end/close your statement with this phrase:
‘I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true.’ - IMPORTANT: Sign your name AND write your name AND date the document, AND please give us a way to contact you (address / phone / email).
- Please mail paper/print copies of reflections and statements to
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild
PO Box 674, Kensington, MD 20895
DOWNLOAD a PDF VERSION of these
“Sharing Mattie Reflections / Statements” Guidelines
by CLICKING HERE…
Thank you for lifting up Mattie’s Cause for Sainthood
with your reflection and testimony statement.
by Jeni Stepanek | May 13, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
Memorial Mass & Reception
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild invites people of all faiths to join in a celebration of Mattie’s life and spiritual legacy as we commemorate the late poet and peacemaker’s 15 year anniversary.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 22 (11 am) at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (6701 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD 20855). Msgr. Charles Pope will be the homilist.
Immediately following the Mass, the Guild will host a reception. All are invited to attend, and meet the Guild directors and also share reflections of Mattie’s life and legacy, and how he continues to touch lives and our world.
During September 2019, Mattie’s Guild will also host a Mattie Symposium, with the 1st Annual Mattie Lecture, keynote speaker, VIP guests, and sessions for sharing and recording “Mattie Reflections” to support his Cause of Canonization (view information on sharing Statements of Support here…)
Matthew “Mattie” Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek was born on July 17, 1990, and died just weeks before his 14th birthday on June 22, 2004.
Mattie lived with a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease, and relied on a ventilator, oxygen, wheelchair, and numerous medicines and procedures for medical support. He spent much of his early and later life in intensive care units.
The condition also impacted his three siblings (Katie, Stevie, and Jamie — who died during early childhood) and later impacted his mother, Jeni (who did not know she carried the genetic condition until after giving birth to all four children). Jeni, who now also relies on a ventilator and wheelchair, carries on Mattie’s peace mission as a director for the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild (#Mattie4Sainthood organization) and as the CEO of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation (#MakePeaceTheNews organization).
During his brief life, he penned seven New York Times bestselling books of Heartsongs poetry and Just Peace essays, and he share messages of hope for our world as a frequent guest on shows like Oprah, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live. He also served as an ambassador for peace and disability organizations, and as a lecture and CCD (Sunday School) teacher in his church parish.
He wanted to be remembered as “a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.”
Mattie has been gone from this world longer than he was here, but the depth of his living and essence continues to be a powerful source of inspiration and hope for children and adults around the world. During May 2019, Chris Cuomo selected Mattie as his “Champion of Change” for CNN’s special feature by that name.
Mattie’s Guild exists to gather and organize information that may further Mattie’s Cause of Canonization (sainthood) in the Catholic Church. The directors believe that Mattie lived a lived a live exemplifying virtues — including faith, hope, love, and peace.
The Guild directors invite and encourage people of all faiths to share their “Mattie reflections” to support this effort and to celebrate the truth that “Mattie still matters” — because faith adn hope and love and peace will always matter.
Reflections can be personal stories and memories from Mattie’s time on earth. Or, they can be about how children and adults are just now learning about Mattie, and the difference his is making today.
The 15 year anniversary Mass and reception events are free.
All are welcome to attend.
View or download the Press Release PDF HERE…
View or download the Press Release JPG HERE…
#Mattie4Sainthood #PackTheChurch
Donations are encouraged
to support the Guild in their mission
of gathering and organizing information
for Mattie’s possible Cause of Canonization.
Click here to visit our Support page…
Click here to contact the Guild,
or to share your Mattie reflections…
by Jeni Stepanek | May 13, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
Mattie Selected as “Champion of Change”
by Chris Cuomo for CNN Special
CNN invited 12 correspondents to share a story on their “Champion of Change” – someone they have interviewed or reported on across their years of working in journalism.
Chris Cuomo (who won an Emmy for one of his Mattie features back in 2001, and who is a member of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild) selected Mattie J.T. Stepanek as his Champion.
Thank you, Chris, for choosing to #MakePeaceTheNews!
Information from the CNN producer:
- CNN’s feature on Mattie Stepanek’s legacy is scheduled to air
— Tuesday, May 14 in the 9pm hour, and
— Thursday, May 16 in the 10pm hour — barring breaking news.
- The Champions for Change one-hour special airs on Saturday, May 18 at 8pm.
The story producers are not told in advance if a particular piece will make it to the final show, since it’s considered a week-long event.
- You can see the promo at the link below.
–> https://www.cnn.com/specials/living/champions-for-change
- Mattie’s video story will be uploaded to that digital page once the show airs on the network.
- Additional media – including more from Chris Cuomo and an essay penned by Jeni Stepanek (Mattie’s mom / Mama Peace) – will also be posted to the page once the video airs.
#PeaceIsPossible
#HopeIsReal
#LifeIsWorthy
#MakePeaceTheNews
#MattieMatters
