St. Matthew

Our History

On May 6, 1996, Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss and the Archdiocesan Priests' Council formally established St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in Bellevue, naming Fr. Dennis Stolinski as founding pastor. Within months, a Task Force was formed to address Parish Council, Liturgy, Education, Service, and Building and Finance; by October 1996 the first twelve-member Parish Council was seated and began work on an organizational schedule, a Parish Mission Statement, and a long-range master plan. From its inception the parish was closely tied to the local school — originally Cardinal Spellman School (founded 1963 by military families) — which became St. Matthew School and operated under the Archdiocese of Omaha until its closure in May 2025.

Our Staff & Clergy

St. Matthew is led by Pastor Rev. Leo Rigatuso, supported by three deacons — Dcn. Ed Bevan, Dcn. Tim Koziel, and Dcn. Mark White — and a lay staff handling liturgy, religious education, business, communications, and parish reception.

• Rev. Leo Rigatuso — Pastor
• Deacon Ed Bevan
• Deacon Tim Koziel
• Deacon Mark White
• Suzi Brunner — Liturgical Director
• Paula Banks — Business Office
• Carin Crampton — Coordinator of Youth Evangelization / Director of Religious Education (531-263-2369)
• Patsy Hart — Receptionist, Calendar, Mass Intentions
• Angelica McFall — Bulletin Editor, Marquee Editor, Parish Hall Coordinator
• Rebecca Von Osterheldt — Sacrament Information

Faith Formation

Faith formation at St. Matthew spans the entire parish family. The Religious Education program serves baptized students in 1st through 8th grade and supports parents as the primary educators of their children; sacramental preparation for First Communion (typically in 2nd grade) and a two-year Confirmation program for 7th and 8th grade are core offerings. Youth ministry is supported by the Youth Group, Totus Tuus summer program, and a Safe Environment curriculum, and parents are encouraged to attend weekly Mass as part of forming their children in faith.

• Religious Education (1st–8th grade)
• First Communion preparation
• Confirmation (two-year, 7th–8th grade)
• Youth Group
• Totus Tuus
• Safe Environment
• Flocknote Youth Ministry communication channel

Adult Faith Formation

Adults can grow in their faith through several ongoing groups at St. Matthew. The Little Rock Scripture Study meets Wednesday mornings 9:30–11:00 AM in the St. Katharine Drexel Conference Room (downstairs in the parish hall) during the school year, currently engaged in 'The Book of Job' (March 25–May 6, 2026). Other offerings include an Adult Bible Study on 'My Father's Father', the Ponder Study, the Young Adult Group, a parish Library, a Sunday Communal Holy Hour, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those discerning entry into the Church.

• Young Adult Group
• Adult Bible Study — 'My Father's Father'
• Ponder Study
• Holy Hour (Sundays 5:00–6:00 PM)
• OCIA
• Library
• Little Rock Scripture Study (Wed 9:30–11:00 AM, school year)

Outreach & Charity

Outreach is rooted in the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference and the Knights of Columbus Council 11879. SVdP supports local Conferences, the parish Food Pantry, Thrift Store, and Holy Family programs, while the Wednesday drive-thru food pantry (3:45–5:00 PM behind the school) partners with the K of C 'Food for Families' program to distribute thousands of pounds of food each year to about 40 families per week. The Knights sponsor Pancake Breakfasts, fish frys, parish and school fundraisers, and support right-to-life and seminary efforts.

• Knights of Columbus Council 11879 (parish men's fraternal group)
• St. Vincent de Paul Conference & Food Pantry
• St. Matthew Drive-Thru Food Pantry (Wed 3:45–5:00 PM)
• Thrift Store and Holy Family programs
• Food for Families (K of C) collaboration
• Medical equipment lending (toilet seat risers, walkers, grabbers)

Music & Liturgy

Liturgy at St. Matthew is shaped by Liturgical Director Suzi Brunner with an active Music Ministry that welcomes vocalists, instrumentalists, and pianists for weekend Masses. The parish has long supported an ASL interpreter at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community — a distinctive ministry people are encouraged to join by sitting near the front.

• Music Ministry (vocalists, instrumentalists, pianists)
• ASL interpretation at 11:00 AM Sunday Mass

Contact, Office Hours & Directions

Parish office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The parish is located at 12330 S 36th St, Bellevue, NE 68123, and can be reached by phone at (402) 292-7418. Individual staff members can be reached by email via the parish website's staff page.

• Address: 12330 S 36th St, Bellevue, NE 68123
• Phone: (402) 292-7418
• Office Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM