This Sunday is a special day in which we honor the Most Holy Trinity. The Church teaches that the Holy Trinity is the community of divine persons who loves and saves us all. The mystery of the Trinity calls us to move beyond ourselves and into a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Trinitarian grace that we receive of grace, love and fellowship allows us to move beyond our own lives to think of the lives of others. When God shares his divine life with us, then he is calling us to spread the good news of the Gospel in order for others to know this life as well.
Next weekend June 13th and 14th there will be the Archdiocese annual Corpus Christi collection for the support of the men studying for the Priesthood for our Archdiocese. I will encourage everyone to please be generous in supporting our seminarians. Our Archdiocesan seminarians study not only at St. Mary’s seminary here in Houston, but also in seminaries in Dallas and San Antonio Texas, St. Benedict Louisiana, and Rome. This Sunday’s ENTIRE church collection this day goes towards the costs associated with the operating of St. Mary’s Seminary as well as the expenses of the education of seminarians, the continuing education of priests and the training of permanent deacons and laity. Thank you for your generosity.
The celebration of the sacraments, with a congregation, has now resumed. 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 through May, 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.
Priest 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.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated Tuesday thru Friday after the 8:00 am morning Mass. Saturday between 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Penitents are asked to wear masks and utilize the screen, in order to avoid face-to-face confessions. While in the confession line, penitents are asked to practice social distancing.
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.
Finally, We want to congratulate all of the recent high school and college graduates of our parish and community, and a speical congrats to the Newly ordained Preists of the Archdiocse of Galveston Houston.