Thirty - First Week In Ordinary Time - St Hyacinth Catholic Church

October 31, 2023

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In our Gospel this week, Jesus denounces the hypocrisy and pride of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus warns his disciples and the crowds not to follow their example, as they do not practice what they preach. Jesus also goes to criticizes the scribes and pharisees’ showy display of religious symbols and their desire for honor and titles. Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility and service, and that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

One of the principal goals of 2023 is to increase the number of people that are contributing to the Church through our electronic giving platform. We have over 1100 registered families here at STHY that maybe giving to our parish in the Sunday collection; however, we don’t have a record of them using their envelopes or electronic giving. You can enroll for online giving through https://www.sthyacinth.org/online-giving .

In celebration of our parish 58th anniversary, this year’s parish project, the entire community of St Hyacinth is being asked to provide support for the renovation and restoration of the two main stain glass windows of the Church. To support this project, please go to https://sthyacinth.org/stain-glass-renovation-project to donate. We hope to raise $75,000 for the renovation and restoration of our Holy Spirit Window and Christ the Good Shepherd window. Thank you for your generosity.

For 2023, Cardinal DiNardo has assessed our parish DSF goal at $85,000. Go to:https://www.archgh.org/ways-to-give/diocesan-services-fund-dsf/donate-to-dsf/ and give to DSF 2023. Thank you for your generosity. Our parish will receive a 75% rebate on every dollar raised over goal. Please remember that our parish is required to meet our goal, whether paid by us individually or paid from our general funds at the end of the year.

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, we will honor our Veterans from all the military branches at each of to the Masses with a special blessing. Thank you for your service to our country.

For the Month of November, The Book of the Names of the Dead will be in the Baptistery area of the Church for those who want to write the names of deceased loved ones whom we can pray for. Through prayer, fasting and good works we offer on behalf of the deceased, we pray that God’s purification will be granted to all of the faithful departed so that they can obtain their soul’s desire, eternal life in heaven. In communion with the faithful departed as members of the Church, it is our responsibility and privilege to assist them with our prayers and holy works.

Finally, the 2023 SVDP Angel Tree project will be adjusted to accommodate the limited use of the Church plants. For this year we are asking everyone to donate $25 gift cards from Walmart, Target or Marshalls. Once you purchase the gift cards, bring them back to church and place them in the regular collection. Thank you for your generosity towards those in our community that are less fortunate. The Angel Tree gift card collection will start next weekend and end on Sunday December 3^rd.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels