Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Where Are the Conference Rooms?
North and East Conference Rooms
From inside the Cathedral, use the door to the right of the organ and take the stairs down (or take the elevator). From the bottom of the stairs, the North Conference Room is straight ahead, on your left. If you make a U-turn at the bottom of the stairs and walk down the hall, you will reach the East Conference Room, also on your left.
Both conference rooms also are accessible from Rhode Island Avenue. Use the Conference Center door at the bottom of the driveway to the parking garage (ring the buzzer). Upon entering, turn right to reach the North Conference Room and left to reach the East.
West Conference Room
From inside the Cathedral, enter the Baptistry (to the left as you come through the main doors) and take the stairs down. At the bottom, the West Conference Room is on your left. You also may access it using the stairwell and door in the alley along the Cathedral’s west side.
When is the Rectory Office Open?
The rectory office is open to visitors from 9am to 4pm (closed 1 to 1:30pm), 7 days a week.
Is the Cathedral Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes. For access, use the driveway to the Penn Parking garage located next to the Cathedral. At the bottom of the driveway is the door to the Conference Center. Use the buzzer and the door then will be unlocked. To your right as you enter is an elevator to the Cathedral level. As you exit the elevator, the door ahead of you leads to the Cathedral.
Does the Cathedral Make Provisions for the Hearing Impaired?
Yes. We employ sign language interpreters at the 5:30pm Sunday Mass and at special liturgies as announced.
How Do I Arrange a Mass Intention?
To arrange a Mass intention, call the rectory office at 202-347-3215. The rectory office hours are 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week (closed 1 to 1:30pm).
There is no fee but an offering of $5 – $10 is customary for each intention. You may receive a Mass card for each intention in which you can write the date and time of the Mass.
At St. Matthew’s, it is not our policy to announce at Mass the name of the person who is being remembered with a particular Mass intention. Occasionally we receive requests to have the name mentioned, for example, if members of the family will be in attendance. If a request is made, we will do our best to arrange this for weekday and Saturday daytime Masses; however, names will not be announced at Saturday Vigil or Sunday Masses.
How and When Do I Contact St. Matthew’s About Scheduling My Wedding?
The first step is to call the rectory at 202-347-3215 and ask for the priest of your choice or the priest on duty, who can speak to you about marriage preparation and the possibility of scheduling your wedding ceremony at the Cathedral. Voice mail messages are monitored daily. Beginning Monday, September 28, 2020, the rectory office phone will be answered between the hours of 10am and 3pm, Monday through Friday. If you call outside those hours and leave a voice mail message, your call will be returned.
Couples are expected to contact us at least nine (9) months in advance of the date on which they hope to celebrate their wedding. The purpose of this period is to actively involve the couple in the process through which they can judge not only their own readiness to marry, but also their ability to communicate on vital issues. Only the clergy of St. Matthew’s may book the date for the celebration of a wedding. Dates will be booked only after there has been a sufficient opportunity to meet with the couple, to take care of the necessary paperwork and to arrange for their participation in a marriage preparation program. It is the responsibility of the engaged couple to secure the date with the Cathedral before making commitments with caterers, reception halls, etc.
How and When Do I Contact St. Matthew’s About Getting My Child Baptized?
Parents who wish to have their child baptized at the Cathedral should email the Baptism Coordinator or call the rectory office at 202-347-3215. Parents are encouraged to contact the rectory office at least six months in advance of a desired baptismal date, and may ask for the priest or deacon of their choice to perform the Baptism. This early contact enables parents to be scheduled for the necessary baptism preparation. It also allows time for godparents to obtain letters from their parish pastor.