Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

November 9, 2016

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the Gospel, we are challenged to think beyond the present to what really is critical for us: the end of time and the life we secure for ourselves. Our whole life is a choice about eternity. This Sunday is a reminder that we secure life at the end of time through our fidelity to Jesus Christ in our present time, meaning now. Through our perseverance, we can discover that Jesus’s saving mission is to save all his faithful and bring all to a share of eternity with him.
This holiday season will present many ways in which our community can show its generosity. Next Weekend, the St. Hyacinth Angel tree goes up in the narthex of the Church. Thanks to the coordinators of the Angel Tree project, Pat and Sue Boyle, our parish will have the great opportunity to purchase items desperately needed by the less fortunate of our community. Please take, and pick up a list of items on the tree which will be located in the narthex of the Church.
Not only are we called to be generous to others, we have to be generous to ourselves. Going on a retreat to explore our relationship with God is a great way to be generous to ourselves.
ACTS retreats have enriched the lives of thousands of people; men women and teens throughout our Archdiocese. It has reinvigorated the spiritual lives of individuals, of families, of entire parishes. ACTS missions spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ among Catholic communities by promoting, consulting in, facilitating and coordinating ACTS retreats. According to the accounts of people who have experienced ACTS retreats, attendees have credited ACTS with saving their lives, saving their marriages, or leading them to the religious life, simply by opening their eyes and their hearts to God's word.
The next Women’s’ ACTS retreat November 17^th-20^th I want to encourage all the Women of STHY to think about attending this ACTS retreat and be renewed in your relationship with God.

I want to thank the STHY Catholic Daughters for all for their hard work in bringing back the craft fair to our parish this past weekend. I hope everyone used this chance to buy gifts for the Holiday season. Thank you to the Catholic Daughters for their support of the craft fair.
Next weekend the Archdiocese is having a special second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The CCHD is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
Founded in 1969, CCHD's pastoral strategy is empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, leading toward solidarity between poor and non-poor as impelled by the Church's biblical tradition, modern Catholic social teaching, and the pervasive presence of poverty in the United States. This ministry for justice is rooted in our baptism and faith commitment. CCHD's primary source of support is a once-a-year collection held in parishes across the United States. Thank you for your generosity.
I want to send out my sincere thanks to all who made a pledge for our Building Faith, Family and Future Capital Campaign. I truly appreciate your generosity and support. 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. Remember, we ask every family to consider an equal sacrifice, not an equal size gift. We can all do our part, and every pledge, of every size, is most needed and welcomed. Thank you for doing your part to help us reach our goal.
Finally, please welcome Deer Park Chief of Police, Gregory Grigg to STHY as the guest speaker for our Monthly Potluck Supper. Chief Grigg will provide a short presentation on the Deer Park public safety.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels