About St. Matthew · Topeka, Kansas
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Topeka, Kansas, in the southeast part of the city at 2700 SE Virginia Avenue. Founded in 1955, the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and serves the faithful of its neighborhood with daily and weekend Masses, a parochial school (St. Matthew Catholic School), a School of Religion, Eucharistic Adoration, the sacraments, and a full range of parish ministries organized around formation, service, hospitality, and prayer. Its mission statement declares that 'the Kingdom of God is attained through following the Word of God, praying to accept God's will as our own, and worshiping God above all things.'
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Matthew (the Apostle and Evangelist)
- Rector
- Father Michael Guastello
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Matthew offers a close-knit parish family in southeast Topeka with Mass seven days a week, daily Eucharistic Adoration (Monday–Wednesday, 9:00am–9:00pm), and a thriving Catholic school and School of Religion. The parish makes it easy to get involved through councils and committees (Pastoral, Finance, Stewardship, Welcoming, Social Justice), service opportunities (Food Pantry, Prison Ministry, Altar Care, Parish Work Days), and a full liturgical ministry program (lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers, choir, cantors, servers, art & environment). With a Welcoming Committee, a Bereavement Ministry, a Rosary Group, and Centering Prayer, newcomers are quickly folded into a community that puts faith, family, and service at the center.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:45–10:15am
- Wednesday 6:00–6:45pm
- Saturday 4:00–4:45pm
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00am–9:00pm
- Tuesday 9:00am–9:00pm
- Wednesday 9:00am–9:00pm
History of St. Matthew Parish
St. Matthew's was officially organized on November 27, 1955. The first Mass was celebrated at Assumption Church with Father Arthur J. Trompeter of Baileyville, Kansas as the first pastor. A duplex at 2936 Indiana was purchased as the rectory and temporary office. The parish school was dedicated on August 24, 1958, by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler with an opening enrollment of 245 students. The parish continues to serve southeast Topeka from its campus at 2700 SE Virginia Avenue.
- Founded November 27, 1955
- First pastor: Father Arthur J. Trompeter
- School dedicated August 24, 1958 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler
- Opening school enrollment: 245 students
Our Staff & Clergy
Father Michael Guastello serves as pastor and can be reached at 785-232-5012 ext. 100. Deacon David Auten is the School of Religion / Religious Formation Coordinator ([email protected], ext. 104). Parish staff includes Iryna Bondar (Accountant) and Jennifer Zeller (Parish Secretary). Sacramental emergencies are handled via ext. 101.
- Father Michael Guastello — Pastor (ext. 100)
- Deacon David Auten — School of Religion / Religious Formation Coordinator (ext. 104)
- Iryna Bondar — Accountant (ext. 105)
- Jennifer Zeller — Parish Secretary (ext. 102)
- Sacramental Emergency Line — ext. 101
Councils & Committees
Parish governance is supported by a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Stewardship Committee, Welcoming Committee, Social Justice Ministry, and Physical Resources Committee. The Pastoral Council serves as a consultative group to the pastor, with at-large members serving rotating three-year terms. The Finance Council oversees parish finances and the annual budget in accordance with Archdiocesan policies.
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Stewardship Committee
- Welcoming Committee
- Social Justice Ministry
- Physical Resources Committee
Service & Outreach
St. Matthew's service ministries reach beyond the parish walls into the Topeka community. The Food Pantry collects, organizes, packs, and distributes food monthly. Prison Ministry ministers to those incarcerated in the Topeka area. Parish Work Days gather volunteers to clean and care for the school, rectory, church, preschool, and grounds.
- Food Pantry
- Prison Ministry
- Parish Work Days
- Altar Care
- Facilities & Grounds
- Count Collection
- Help in Parish Office
- Let's Help Volunteer
Hospitality & Bereavement
Hospitality at St. Matthew includes the Bereavement Ministry, which reaches out to parishioners during a time of loss, plus teams that host funeral lunches and parish receptions after events like the parish mission and Easter Vigil. Events Greeters welcome people at parish functions.
- Bereavement Ministry
- Funeral Lunch
- Help with Parish Receptions
- Events Greeter
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the Mass, the parish sustains a rich prayer life. The Rosary Group gathers weekly to pray the rosary for designated intentions. Centering Prayer offers contemplative practice, and the Prayer Ministry commits parishioners to pray specifically for parish needs. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held Monday through Wednesday throughout the day.
- Rosary Group
- Centering Prayer
- Prayer Ministry
- Eucharistic Adoration (Mon/Tue/Wed)
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical ministers include Lectors/Readers (must be Confirmed), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (must be Confirmed), Cross Bearers (open to grade 8 through adult), Servers (grade 5 and older), and Ushers (high school and older). Music ministries include the Choir, Cantors, Organist/Pianist, and Instrumentalists who enhance Sunday and Holy Day liturgies. The Art & Environment Committee creates the visual art of the church and decorates for each liturgical season.
- Lectors / Readers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Cross Bearers
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Choir
- Cantor
- Organist / Pianist
- Instrumentalists
- Art & Environment Committee
Faith Formation: School of Religion
The School of Religion (SOR) coordinates religious education for parish children, sacramental preparation, and the RCIA/RCIC processes. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade, Confirmation in 8th grade (Confirmation Year 1 and Year 2). The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) meets on weeknights, September through May, for non-Catholics, uncatechized adults, and adults needing sacraments of initiation. RCIC is offered for children ages 7–16 who have not been baptized or received their sacraments at the traditional times. Deacon David Auten (and previously Sonya Sparks) has served as Religious Formation Coordinator.
- School of Religion (SOR)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- RCIC — Rite of Christian Initiation for Children
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation (2nd grade, two-year process)
- Confirmation preparation (8th grade, two-year process)
- Baptism for Older Children (age 7+) preparation
Sacraments
Parishioners should contact the pastor, Father Michael Guastello (785-232-5012), regarding all sacraments. The parish celebrates Baptism (for infants and older children), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (2nd grade), Confirmation (8th grade), Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick by appointment. Sacramental preparation is family-centered, with parents required to attend preparatory sessions and provide documentation of any prior sacraments.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation (First Confession)
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA / RCIC
St. Matthew Catholic School
St. Matthew Catholic School is located on the parish campus at 1000 SE 28th St., Topeka, KS 66605 (phone 785-235-2188; [email protected]). Originally dedicated on August 24, 1958 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler with 245 students, the school continues as part of Topeka Catholic Schools and partners with the parish's School of Religion for sacramental preparation.
- Address: 1000 SE 28th St., Topeka, KS 66605
- Phone: 785-235-2188
- Email: [email protected]
- Member of Topeka Catholic Schools
- Dedicated August 24, 1958, by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler
Contact, Directions & Office Hours
St. Matthew Catholic Church is located at 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka, KS 66605. The parish phone is 785-232-5012 and the office email is [email protected]. Parish Office Hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00am–1:00pm; the office is closed Fridays.
- Address: 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka, KS 66605
- Phone: 785-232-5012
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00am–1:00pm (closed Fri)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Arthur J. Trompeter1955–
First pastor of St. Matthew; celebrated the first Mass at Assumption Church when the parish was organized on November 27, 1955.