About St. Matthew · Hallandale Beach, Florida
St. Matthew Catholic Parish is a bilingual Catholic parish in Hallandale Beach, Florida, founded on March 11, 1959, by Miami's first bishop, Coleman F. Carroll, who appointed Father John A. Skehan as its founding pastor. Located at 542 Blue Heron Drive, the parish serves the Golden Isles / southeast Broward community as part of the Archdiocese of Miami's Southeast Broward Deanery, offering weekend Masses in English and Spanish, weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, religious education for grades 1–12, and a strong ministry of outreach to the homeless and needy. In 2024 the parish completed a sanctuary restoration, and in 2019 Archbishop Thomas Wenski consecrated its original altar during the 60th anniversary Mass — a milestone presided over by pastor Father Robert Ayala, one of three Hallandale Beach police chaplains.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle (the tax collector transformed by Jesus, whom Archbishop Wenski described in 2019 as a 'tax collector employed by the hated Romans' who became an apostle and evangelist)
- Rector
- Father Lazarus Govin (current pastor per the parish's 2024 sanctuary restoration coverage; succeeded Father Robert M. Ayala, who served six years before Archbishop Wenski transferred him to Nativity Church in Hollywood effective June 6)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami (Southeast Broward Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Matthew is a small, bilingual parish where everyone has a role — its own 'Serve With Us' appeal lists openings for ushers, sacristans, lectors, and general volunteers, reflecting a 'family of faith' ethos. Founded in 1959 and rooted in Hallandale Beach's Golden Isles neighborhood, it combines traditional Catholic devotions (weekday Mass, Saturday confessions, Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm) with active outreach — parishioners feed and care for the homeless, the parish collects non-perishable food (canned soup, chicken breast, peanut butter & jelly, pasta sauce, unsweetened cereal), and offers religious education for grades 1 through 12 plus sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. With a Sunday Mass schedule in both English and Spanish (1:00 pm), it serves the area's diverse community.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- Saturday 3:00 pm (per directory listing, also by appointment)
- By appointment during the week (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History — From Swamp to Sanctuary
St. Matthew was established on March 11, 1959, in the Golden Isles development of Hallandale Beach — just one year after the Holy See created the Diocese of Miami under Bishop Coleman F. Carroll. The land where the church was built was a swampy field infested with land crabs and Hallandale Beach Boulevard was still a dirt road. The first pastor, Father John A. Skehan, made do with a duplex at 916 NE 2nd Street as rectory and office, with an enclosed carport serving as the chapel for daily Mass; Sunday Masses moved from the Hallandale Recreation Center to the Plantation Restaurant once freight-train noise became unbearable. Bishop Carroll broke ground in 1960, dedicated the L-shaped church on March 11, 1961, and watched it fill — by tourist season, the four classrooms' folding doors opened to handle the overflow crowd. St. Matthew School opened in September 1961 with 85–110 students; grades were added through 1964, and the school ran until June 1984, when declining enrollment forced its closure. The convent became the rectory/parish offices and the school building became the Parish Hall. In 2019, Archbishop Thomas Wenski consecrated the never-before-consecrated altar during the 60th anniversary Mass, and in 2024 (the parish's 65th anniversary) current pastor Father Lazarus Govin completed a sanctuary restoration with a refinished crucifix, amber wood slat wall panel, golden back wall, and white marble flooring.
- Founded March 11, 1959 by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll
- First pastor: Father John A. Skehan
- Church dedicated March 11, 1961; L-shaped, 500-seat
- St. Matthew School 1961–1984 (closed June 1984)
- Altar consecrated by Archbishop Wenski at 60th anniversary Mass, Sept. 25, 2019
- 65th anniversary sanctuary restoration completed 2024
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
St. Matthew's Religious Education program (CCD — Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) assists parents and godparents as the primary teachers of the faith. Continuous faith formation is offered for children in grades 1 through 12. Sacramental preparation is a required two-year process: First Communion begins as early as 1st grade, with the sacrament usually received in Spring of the second year; Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade, with the sacrament conferred in Spring of 8th grade. An intermediate-grade faith formation class is also offered for children who fall between the grade levels of sacramental preparation. The program welcomes older children who have not yet been baptized or received their first sacraments.
- CCD / Religious Education for grades 1–12
- First Communion: two-year program starting 1st grade
- Confirmation: two-year program starting 7th grade
- Intermediate-grade faith formation available
- Director of Religious Education: Barbara Woroniecki ([email protected]) — and Antonella Langone ([email protected])
- Contact: (954) 458-0612
Parish Staff & Clergy
The current pastor is Father Lazarus Govin, who oversaw the 65th anniversary sanctuary restoration in 2024. The parish's 'Our Team' page also lists Father James Arriola as Parochial Administrator and a lay staff supporting liturgy, religious education, music, and parish administration.
- Fr. Lazarus Govin — Pastor
- Fr. James Arriola — Parochial Administrator
- Barbara Woroniecki — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Antonella Langone — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Eduardo Arteche — Music Director ([email protected])
- Angel Magnum — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Olga Heremcia — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
Ministries & 'Serve With Us'
Parishioners are invited to share their time and talent. The parish actively recruits ushers, sacristans, lectors, and general volunteers, and asks those interested to contact Parish Secretary Angel at the parish office. The parish's identity is built on volunteer involvement — reflected in the longstanding choir, lectors and Eucharistic Ministers (since 1964), and the annual Parish Family Festival.
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Lectors
- Volunteers (general)
- Parish Choir (since 1964)
- Annual Parish Family Festival committee
- Contact: Parish Secretary Angel, [email protected], (954) 458-1590
Outreach to the Homeless & Food Drive
The parish's main apostolic thrust is outreach to the homeless and needy. Parishioners feed and care for the homeless, providing food, clothing, psychological and spiritual guidance, and helping pay utilities. An ongoing food drive accepts non-perishable items: canned soup, canned chicken breast, peanut butter & jelly, pasta sauce, and unsweetened cereal.
- Non-perishable food only
- Canned soup
- Canned chicken breast
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Pasta sauce
- Unsweetened cereal
- Outreach to the homeless — food, clothing, counseling, utility assistance
Sacraments & Parish Registration
Parish registration is required for receiving any official document — godparent eligibility certificates, sacramental permits, school verification letters, or legal-purpose correspondence — and at least six months' registration is required before celebrating any sacrament. Mass Intentions may be arranged by contacting Parish Secretary Angel at (954) 458-1590 or [email protected] (Spanish-language requests accepted).
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation (two-year prep programs)
- Marriage — by appointment with the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick by appointment
- Registration required ≥6 months before sacraments
- Mass Intentions: Angel Magnum, (954) 458-1590, [email protected]
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
St. Matthew is located at 542 Blue Heron Drive, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, in the Golden Isles / southeast Broward deanery. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm); the office is closed Mondays and on weekends. Phone (954) 458-1590; fax (954) 458-0612; general email [email protected].
- 542 Blue Heron Drive, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
- Phone: (954) 458-1590
- Fax: (954) 458-0612
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Fri 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (lunch 12:30–1:00 pm)
- Office closed Mon & weekends
- Website: www.smatt.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John A. Skehan1959–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll when the parish was established on March 11, 1959.
- Father Gerald Manning
Second pastor (per Archdiocese of Miami's 60th-anniversary article).
- Father Michael Licari
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father James Keogh
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father Ronald Brohammer
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father Leonard Puisis
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father James A. Quinn
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father Dan Kubala
Listed in succession of pastors.
- Father Robert M. Ayalac. 2018–2024
Shepherded the parish for six years; oversaw 60th anniversary and 2019 altar consecration by Archbishop Wenski; one of three Hallandale Beach police chaplains; transferred by Archbishop Wenski to Nativity Church in Hollywood effective June 6.
- Father Lazarus Govin2024–present
Current pastor; led the 65th-anniversary sanctuary restoration completed in 2024.