21st Anniversary Weekend: A Time of Hope Continues
Closing this 20th anniversary year of his death, we remember Mattie with two events located on either side of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Mattie spent all of his nearly 14 years of life in the Archdiocese of Washington. He was exceptionally close to God sharing messages of faith, hope and peace with the world. Please join us on his anniversary weekend.
We will hold a short Graveside Prayer Service on Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring (Montgomery County).
Graveside Prayer Service | Saturday, June 21 | 11:00 – 11:30 am
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Section 15-1 (St. Dominic Ave & St. Michael Ave)
13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906
The following day Sunday June 22 – the date of Mattie’s death – we will remember Mattie during the regular 11:30 am Mass at Holy Face Church in Great Mills (St. Mary’s County) with a reception to follow.
Parish Mass | Sunday, June 22 | 11:30 am | Reception to Follow
Holy Face Church
20408 Point Lookout Road
Great Mills, MD 20634
How fitting for Mattie – who treasured the gift, truth and love the Eucharist – that June 22 marks the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). And that we bring to a close Mattie’s 20th anniversary year in this Jubilee Year of Hope.
Prayer Basket for your Intentions
As Mattie wrote, “prayer is powerful;” and the Guild wishes to pray for you and involve you and your prayers beyond our 20th anniversary Mass where nearly 500 prayers were blessed by the priests.
Click here to fill out and submit your intention or email your prayer intention to [email protected].
Please pray for Mattie and the Guild. You and your intentions are in our prayers.
“God gives me hope that there is something greater than us, something better and bigger than the here and now, that can help us live.” ~ Mattie J.T. Stepanek
On Being Thankful
Dear God,
I was going to thank You tonight
for a beautiful sunrise,
That was pink behind the fog down the hill,
And for a wonderful rainbow,
That I ran under pointing to
All my favorite colors,
And for such a great sunset,
That sparkled orange across the water.
I was going to thank You tonight
For all of these special gifts,
Except that none of them happened.
But do You know what?
I still love You, God,
And I have lots of other things
That I can thank You for tonight,
Even if You didn't give those
Very special gifts to me today.
It's okay, God,
Because I'll look for them all again,
When my tomorrow comes.
Amen.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
November 1995 (five years old)
Journey Through Heartsongs (Hyperion, 2002)
Who Is Mattie: Watch our Virtual Conversations Series
Created for the 20th anniversary of Mattie’s death, these four webinars give viewers a sense of who Mattie is and how he inspires people today.
Mattie Matters Virtual Conversations – “Who is Mattie”
March 5, 2024 – Peace / Purpose / Play
April 9, 2024 – Faithful Servant / Hope & Gratitude
May 7, 2024 – Now: Schools Share Mattie & the Virtues
August 20, 2024 – The Mosaic of Mattie
Please contact Kathy Dempsey, President of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild, with any questions or if you would like the Guild to speak at your school, parish or organization. [email protected]
The Passing of Jimmy Carter – Mattie’s Hero
Former President Jimmy Carter has left this world 20 years after Mattie, who surely must be giving his hero a mighty heavenly hug.
They had a rare and treasured relationship. It was not one of a boy and a president. They were two humble peacemakers who more importantly recognized that first they were children of God. They allowed God to work through them. For our world.
Mattie wrote to President Carter in January 2002 (age 11), “I just wanted to tell you that I was thinking about you and that I still love you. Sometimes … I just stop and think and my spirit feels so full, even when things seem so hard. You make me really think about things that matter in life. And I think about them in different ways.
“You know that I want to be a peacemaker and I am doing my best to help people just stop for a minute and think. Think and be for themselves and for others and for the world. …”
Thank you, President Carter, for helping us to be better, do better, love better.
Video – top right: After corresponding through email and talking on the phone, Mattie got to meet his hero in person. All those prayers mentioned in the video gave Mattie three more key years of life. Click on the image to watch this treasured clip.
Video – bottom right: Former President Carter tapes a remembrance of Mattie ten years after Mattie’s death. Click on the image to watch.
20th Anniversary Memorial Mass: A Time for Hope
Mattie modeled all of the Christian virtues throughout his short life. As Fr. Chris Seith said in his post-communion reflection, Mattie “exuded the light of Christ.”
Mattie modeled all of the Christian virtues throughout his short life. As Fr. Chris Seith said in his post-communion reflection, Mattie “exuded the light of Christ.”
Thank you, St. Rose of Lima parish, for welcoming the Guild and those who loved Mattie as we remembered and celebrated Mattie and his virtues. We were honored to have Msgr. John Enzler as Celebrant and Homilist and to be joined by Msgr. Robert Amey, St. Rose of Lima Pastor Agustin Mateo Ayala, Rev. Chris Seith and Deacon Bob Seith.
Please visit St. Rose of Lima parish’s YouTube channel to view the Memorial Mass and the beautiful homily by Msgr. Enzler and reflection by Fr. Seith.
And don’t miss the article by Our Parish Times covering the fundraiser and Mass for some great details and quotes.
“God gives me hope that there is something greater than us, something better and bigger than the here and now, that can help us live.” ~ Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Sit and Pray with Resolution Blessing
Composer Joseph Martin set Mattie’s prayer Resolution Blessing to music in 2016. Here it is beautifully performed by the Hal Leonard and Shawnee Press Church Choral.
Mr. Martin, whose music has been performed at the Vatican, wrote, “From the inspired words of young poet and peacemaker Mattie J.T. Stepanek comes this benediction for peace.”
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