Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

August 9, 2017

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

In the Gospels this weekend, Jesus tells the disciples to “take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” What are the areas in our lives that Jesus is telling us to take courage? The real challenge in this gospel is to see the many ways in which Jesus comes to us and calls us in our everyday lives to take courage. We are called to step out on faith. Take courage this week and step out of the boat.

This weekend is the Archdiocese annual Infirm Priests’ Collection. This collection is a major source of revenue through which the Archdiocese is able to provide much needed medical and emergency support for our retired and infirm priests. This collection invites Archdiocesan faithful to provide our ill or retired priests with the best care and support in this time of escalating medical costs. With over a third of our priests in our Archdiocese over age 65, the Archdiocese is facing more responsibilities as priests age or face serious illness. Thank you for your generous support of our retired and infirmed priests who have dedicated their active ministry years to the tireless care of the Archdiocese.

Religious Education classes will be starting in September, and now is the time to start thinking about the upcoming religious Education school year. With more than 600 children in some level of Religious education this year at STHY, we need to have a head start in preparing for this fall’s Religious Education classes. Registration is ongoing. (please check the bulletin and parish website for more information).

Remember as well that when you are registering your child for Religious Education classes you can also sign-up yourself to be a catechist or aide. We are in great need of a number of catechists to teach our children, from the littlest ones in the early grades on through middle school and high school. It’s a wonderful way to get involved in the life of the parish and to live out the call of Stewardship of your time and talent. We’ll train you and give you all the support you need. There is no greater gift than to pass on the faith to a child, so please consider joining this important ministry of STHY. The Faith Formation staff is happy to answer questions and get you involved.

Thanks to all those who have made their pledges for the capital campaign. Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice. As you know by now, we have reached a major milestone at the $1 Million pledge level; however we still have a ways to go. There is still time for you to make your pledge. Envelopes are in the Narthex along with our collection box specifically designed for our Capital campaign or you can do so online through the parish website. When you complete your pledge envelope, drop it in the Capital Campaign collection box in the Narthex, offertory basket, or mail it or bring it by the office at any time. We entrust this campaign to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and our patron St Hyacinth. As your pastor, I invite you all to discern how best you are able to support our capital campaign to build Family, Faith and Future… our Sanctuary…. Our Home.

Next, there will be three Masses for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; which is a Holy day of Obligation. The Vigil Mass will be on Monday evening August 14th 7:00 p.m., and August 15th Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am and 7:00pm.

Next weekend at all masses we will offer a blessing for all our school children, youth and young adults, as well as teachers, who will soon be heading back to school over the next few weeks. We’ve been blessed to have many of our college students home over the summer and we wish them God’s blessing as they go off to their respective schools.

Finally the countdown has begun for the 52^nd anniversary celebrations for our parish. Next Sunday August 20^th, we will celebrate our Parish Feast Day following the noon Mass with a reception with food and fun will be in Guyot Hall. Please take this week to invite any of our past parishioners and families who have moved to come and celebrate the anniversary and life of our STHY.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels