Matt Larson

Youth Minister, Director of Confirmation, and Safe Environment Coordinator

Dear Parish families of Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Thomas the Apostle,

I wanted to take the time to formally introduce myself to those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting already. My name is Matt Larson, and I am the new Youth Minister and Confirmation Coordinator for the parish cluster! I graduated from Orono high school in 2017 and entered St. John Vianney (SJV) college seminary at the University of St. Thomas. After one year, I felt that the diocesan priesthood was not my calling, and I decided to leave the seminary and just be a ‘normal’ student at St. Thomas.

Upon leaving the seminary I began to study Catholic studies and Environmental Studies, and I just graduated this past spring 2021. At the University of St. Thomas, I was involved with Saint Paul’s outreach (SPO), I served as a sacristan at the University chapel, and I played for the men’s rugby team. I also have a strong devotion to our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and I was gifted with the opportunity to coordinate the Perpetual Adoration Chapel last year at the University of St. Thomas. Likewise, I have an intense filially devotion to our Lady, the Rosary, and the message She revealed at Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

I am so excited for this new opportunity to lead souls, especially those young souls of our parish cluster, to Christ Jesus in everyday life. My passion and philosophy for youth ministry draws directly from the mission of the Catholic Studies department at St. Thomas. Unlike theology, Catholic Studies focuses on incorporating the vast treasury of wealth that is our faith, into our everyday lives. The department focuses on literature, history, philosophy, business, and social justice all from an orthodox Catholic perspective.

As I move forward to meeting all the youth from our parish cluster, I desire all of them, and all of our parishioners, to look for ways to bring their faith into everyday tasks and trials. Please feel free to email, text, call, or come visit me in my office at Ss. Peter and Paul whenever. I would love to answer your questions and hear your input! During this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, may the divine and all loving Heart of Jesus grant us a great increase in charity!

St. John Bosco, patron of Youth Ministry, Pray for us! Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary, Pray for us!

In Christ Jesus,
Matt Larson