by Jeni Stepanek | Jun 21, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
What:
-
Celebrating Mattie’s birthday and peace legacy with recreation, information, food, and fun — for people of all ages and abilities and aspirations!
-
Peace Day proclamations from the Governor of Maryland, the Montgomery County Council, and the City of Rockville
-
Remarks from Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Cheryl Kagan, and other leaders committed to building community
-
Entertainment & activities, food & fun — that celebrate Mattie’s “pathways and choices for peace”….
When:
- Saturday, July 13
- 1-5 pm — FREE Street Fair “Peace Tent Stations
(elements of Mattie’s peace messages shared through arts & crafts, cake & conversation, entertainment & games, moon bounce & more…)
- 5-8 pm — Happy Hour Dance Party (free entry)
(continuing the celebration inside Botanero Restaurant with music, dancing, conversation, and toasting to life with our neighbors)
- 1-8 pm — Food & Drink Specials
(Botanero Restaurant and Fontina Grille — all day specials, including “Sunrise Sangria & Sunset Cerveza” signature drinks poured by local leadrers, and “Tie Dye Peace Punch” for the kids — with proceeds supporting Mattie’s Foundation.
Where:
- King Farm Village Green area
(the streets outside of Botanero & Fontina are closed for the day to accommodate the street fair peace tents and activities)
- 800 Pleasant Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Who:
- EVERYONE!
- Youth and adults, leaders and families…
- The outdoor street fair is rain or shine, and FREE!
Why:
- Celebrate Mattie’s 29th birthday with peace
- Mattie is the late teen poet and peace activist who penned 7 NY Times bestsellers on hope and peace and who inspired millions around the world — from children to celebrities.
- Mattie was born on July 17, 1990 and died on June 22, 2004 from complications of a rare neuromuscular disease.
- The annual Peace Day event is a local celebration of a National Peace Day Campaign that is growing in strength.
- “Get to know your neighbors…” — Mattie
- with cake and conversation and an afternoon of learning more about
- how to begin peace, and
- how to teach and share peace with our children and neighbors, and
- how to be “okay” with ourselves, our neighbors, and our world, even amid challenges and differences.
- Explore Mattie’s elements of peace
- through hands-on activities and crafts,
- conversations with Peace Guides and local leaders
- fun with family and friends… and more…
- #PeaceMatters #MattieMatters #YouMatter
- #MakePeaceTheNews
by Jeni Stepanek | Jun 17, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
EWTN Interview: Mattie Matters
Tune in
Thursday, June 20
(first airtime 8 pm EST)
to watch Raymond Arroyo’s
EWTN The World Over
interview with
Dr. Jeni Stepanek
(Mattie’s mom)
and Cheryl Kerwin
(Mattie’s Guild).
Video link will be posted when available.
by Jeni Stepanek | Jun 17, 2019 | Blog, Home, News, Uncategorized
WMET Radio Interview: Mattie Matters
Tune in Monday, June 17
in the 1 pm (EST) hour
to listen to an interview
with Mattie’s mom, Jeni Stepanek —
airing on Guadalupe Network’s
WMET 1160AM program,
“Catholicism on the Beltway.”
More about Mattie’s possible
Cause for Sainthood:
www.MattieMatters.org
#MattieMatters #MattiesGuild
by Jeni Stepanek | May 25, 2019 | Blog, News, Uncategorized
Please join us for a
Reception & Information Session
Sunday, June 9, 2019 at 12:30 pm
(following the 11:00 am Mass)
hosted by
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild
Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church
in the St. Joseph’s Center
11704 Duley Station Road
Upper Marlboro, MD
Join members of the Guild,
and Mattie’s Mom, Jeni Stepanek,
to learn more about Mattie’s Cause of Canonization,
and to remember how Holy Rosary was
Mattie’s church and spiritual home.
This is where Mattie received the sacraments of
First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation,
and where he served as a lector and catechist.
Information will be shared about the upcoming
Mattie Stepanek 15 Year Memorial Mass
in Derwood, Maryland
(not far from the
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park & Peace Garden)
and about the
Mattie Stepanek Lecture & Symposium
being planned for September 2019.
Visit Mattie4Sainthood.org to learn more about
Mattie’s Life of Holiness
– a life he celebrated at Holy Rosary,
and about the mission and work of the Guild.
For more information, contact
Mattie4Sainthood@gmail.com
or call/text 240.994.0603
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.
