Jesus Christ tells us “I am the good shepherd.” Today is good Shepherd Sunday and Christ wants us to trust and follow him. Sometimes we are not sure where he is leading us, however, we have to move to a position in our lives in which our trust in God is complete; knowing that we will always be led to a better life. Trusting takes faith. Faith requires us to listen to the shepherd.
It’s time to start thinking about our upcoming STHY 2018 Parish Spring Festival, which will take place a few short days from this weekend on May 5th and 6th. This year marks sixth time in over 20 years in which we have has a Spring Festival for our parish. It’s no secret that what makes the bazaar such an awesome event for our parish and community is the great number of people who volunteer their time and talent. Your help is especially needed to staff a shift or two in one of our many booths, rides and games. The help and support of everyone in the parish, both young and old, is most needed. It’s a great way to give back to the life of the community. I highly encourage you to make your commitment to helping our parish at the Spring Festival. Booth chairpersons and volunteers are especially needed. Let’s see if we can get all the spots filled early this year. We’ve got more than enough parishioners that if everyone who comes to the Festival were to volunteer for a shift or two; we could easily take care of all our needs. Join us for a great way to be part of STHY biggest and most fun event of the year.
With our new two day Spring Festival 2018 is just around the corner. If you have not picked up your Spring Festival raffle tickets, they are available from members of our Spring Festival Committee members after Mass or pick them up from our parish office. You may return Spring Festival tickets to an ushers at Mass or return them to the parish office. Mark your calendar now for May 5th and 6th. We look forward to seeing you here!
Next Tuesday, April 24th at 7:00 pm we will have our Mass of Confirmation with Danial Cardinal DiNardo. St. Hyacinth has 50 young people being confirmed this year. We congratulate all of our teens, their sponsors and families and pray that the Holy Spirit will always guide them. My Job as Pastor is to encourage you to enter a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Today, for the beginning of Lent until Easter, I will encourage you to use FORMED.org in which we have provided the password to every parishioner.
There are two studies on FORMED.org for Easter, that I am challenging everyone to be a part of: The first study is called: Divine Mercy: The Second Greatest Story Ever Told. Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God’s love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. Featuring the brilliant cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute’s film studio, the vast panorama of God’s work of mercy in the world unfolds as a story to be experienced.
The next offering is called: Can You Trust God? Scripture scholar Dr. Tim Gray takes us on a journey that addresses the pervasive misconceptions that God is quick to anger, that the God of the Old and New Testaments are different, and that God doesn’t have a merciful heart for us. You will see that you can trust God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
STHY is a wonderful parish and has a strong faith community and I assure you that I am very fortunate to be your Pastor. I know that you will do whatever you can to make this Capital campaign a success. We entrust this campaign to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and our patron St Hyacinth. Thanking you in advance for your response in faith. As your pastor, I invite you to discern how best you are able to support this capital campaign to build Family, Faith and Future… our Sanctuary…. Our Home.