How many times have we heard that we should ‘practice what we preach’? Jesus tells us through the scripture that we are all called to be examples of people that take the faith seriously. Our words and deeds must reveal Jesus Christ to our world and community. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for the way they act. He tells them that they are not practicing what they preach and relishes titles and are not living up to the demands that even place on others. Jesus tells the crowd and the disciples to focus on him and him alone as the true teacher and master.
I want to thank everyone for a phenomenal Trunk or Treat 2017 this past Saturday. It was a wonderful event for our young people in the parish. Special thank to Mrs. Pamela Johnson, our Co – Director of Faith Formation, Mrs. Jessica Casados, the Faith Formation Executive assistant, Steven Sotelo the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, the Knights of Columbus and all the adult volunteers and young people from our Youth Ministry team who made Trunk or Treat Special, thank you all.
National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Beginning November 5th thru 12th, there will be several events to kick off National Vocation Awareness throughout our Archdiocese.
I want to point out that the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston has encouraged all the parishes of the Archdiocese to host a Vocation Chalice Program of prayer for priestly and religious vocations. Our vocations committee has implemented Vocation Chalice program here at STHY. The program consists of the rotation of a chalice, among the families of a parish in order to promote awareness and prayers for priestly and religious vocations. The consecrated Chalice is a tangible reminder of this special intention for the Church. The Second Vatican Council highlights the responsibility of the laity to pray for and support vocations.
Praying for vocations is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those men and women whom He is calling to follow Him in a very special way. We hope that those who bring the cup home will continue to pray daily for vocations. Each week at the end of one of the Masses, an assigned family is called by the priest to come forward to receive the chalice. The family takes the chalice home and puts it in a place of honor. If you want to have the opportunity to have the chalice in your home, please contact the parish office for details.
Now that we have moved into the fall and about to begin the Advent season in a few weeks here at STHY, please find a way to participate in the ministries of our parish. There is literally something for everyone. Not a day goes by that there isn’t something happening somewhere on our campus. Please check the website: www.sthyacinth.org to find the many ministries and activities, plus days and times when they meet. Moreover, go online and register for the varies ministries that we have here at STHY.
Next weekend, November 11th and 12th we will honor our Veterans from all the military branches at each of to the Masses. Thank you for your service to our country.
Finally, thanks to all those who have made their pledges for the capital campaign. Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice. 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.