Parish Administrator’s Notes

Phil Grant, Pastoral Administrator and Safe Environment Coordinator

June 21, 2026

Family Camp – June 22-26

I’ll be out of the office this week*, attending Danebod Family Camp in Tyler, Minnesota. I’ve enjoyed this camp for many years, as it features many of my favorite elements of community: hospitality, friends, food, conversation, singing, dancing, games and crafts. 

I’ve been attending Danebod since 1981, and I can’t help but compare my experience there with life at St. Matt’s. What do they have in common? To start with, community. We live in community at Danebod; we’re in a faith community here at St. Matt’s. 

Both Danebod and St. Matt’s are very intergenerational. That’s different from many places in our society. In the larger world, people are often sorted by age. At camp and here at St. Matt’s, we include infants to seniors—in the same place, at the same time. 

Another commonality: extensive volunteerism. Danebod’s not a resort. Everyone’s a volunteer. Danebod guards against a “consumer mentality”, where you pay for services or goods. 

And just as Danebod is a volunteer community, St. Matt’s is a volunteer parish community. We expect people to engage with each other and with the parish at large. A consumer mentality? Not for us.

 • We are one of the few parishes in the Archdiocese that relies almost entirely on volunteers. What’s your interest? Where might the Lord be leading you?

 • The Archdiocese currently has over 180 parishes. We’re on the small side. We do have challenges—who doesn’t? Overall, I think we’re fortunate. (Oh, the stories I hear from colleagues!)

 • Community refers to people who know each other, share stories, and break bread together. That happens at worship, social events, and in service to our members and the larger world. 

* For assistance during the week, please email or call Angela in the office. 

Blessings on you and yours. Have a great week!

Phil Grant, Administrator
Safe Environment Coordinator
pgrant@st-matts.org
651-224-9793