We cannot accomplish anything in this life without the help of God. In this Sunday’s Gospel we have an invitation of Jesus to lay our burdens down upon him. The burden is easy and light because Jesus shares the burden of carrying it with us who are yoked to him. We do not shoulder the yoke or carry the burden of life alone. All we need to do is to come to Jesus to grow in our knowledge of him and through him grow in our relationship with God the Father.
Open our Hearts: a Pastoral letter on racism was released in 2018 by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. The USCCB describes this letter as “But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now.” I am challenges every one of our parish to go download this letter and review it. You can go to Sthyacinth.org and click directly on the banner/ tile named “Open our Hearts” and it will take you to the pastoral letter. One of our major goals for our parish is to increase the number of people using our electronic formats for the dissemination of information from our parish. We have our website: Sthyaicnth.org, which is updated almost daily with information about the activities that go on in the parish. There is Flocknotes, which is our information delivery service for the parish, in which we email and or text information about the activities of the parish. Go to Flocknote.com/sthyhouston and join the group “Parishioners”. We are on Facebook, go and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StHyacinthchurch With the Coronavirus affected every aspect of the Church I want to challenge everyone to continue to support the Church during this time. I ask the faithful to continue to support the St Hyacinth community through on-line giving or by mail. This will ensure that our parish will be able to meet payrolls and pay monthly bills. Go to online giving tab at Sthyacinth.org and either enroll online at www.faithdirect.net and our Church Code is TX526, or give online through PayPal, Text to Give, or simply mail in your contribution into the Church with the address being 2921 Center Street. Thank you for your support.
The celebration of the sacraments, with a congregation, has resumed. Weekend Masses times: Saturday 5:00pm, Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am and 12:00 Noon. In keeping with the directives issued by Cardinal DiNardo, and in accordance with national, state and local mandates, St. Hyacinth has resumed liturgical celebrations in the following manner:
Dispensation from Sunday obligation to attend in person is extended until further notice, especially with respect to people who may be considered physically well to attend yet believe it best to stay at home.
The at-risk populations are encouraged to continue participating by tuning in to the YouTube livestreamed Mass on our parish website Sthyacinth.org, from their homes and avoid attending Mass in person. At-risk population is defined as those who are 65 years or older, those with chronic lung disease; moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; or weakened immune system.
Parishioners are asked to take their temperatures before coming to Mass and should not attend, if exhibiting any signs of illness or an elevated body temperature.
In order to accommodate social distancing protocols, and to abide by Phase One state regulations, no more than 25% of the mandated fire code seating capacity of the building is allowed. Therefore, each Mass at St. Hyacinth will be limited to no more than 125 people.
Church doors will be open for 15 minutes before Mass is to begin. Church doors will open Saturday 4:45 pm, Sunday 7:45 am, 9:45 am and 11:45 am. Please stay in your cars until the doors are open for the Church.
The Church Narthex will serve as the ONLY entrance to the Church. Enter Narthex doors from either the Center Street parking lot or the P street parking lot.
Parishioners are required to wear masks, upon entering the church and throughout the celebration of the Mass.
For the safety of all, the Holy Water fonts and Holy Water tank will remain empty, the exchange of the Sign of Peace, the distribution of the Precious Blood and the offertory procession will be omitted and missalettes and hymnals will not be available.
Parishioners should be careful not to gather too closely when entering or leaving the church.
Hand sanitizers will be available and easily visible at the church entrances.
Social distancing will be practiced and enforced.
Parishioners will be seated in every other pew.
Those of the same household can be seated in the same pew.
Priests and Deacons will wear masks during the distribution of Holy Communion.
The congregation will remain in their pews for the distribution of Holy Communion, which prevents the formation of a Communion line.
For health and safety reasons, parishioners are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand.
The church will be closed for sanitation between Masses. Pews and bathrooms will be sanitized thoroughly between Masses.