This week’s reading from Matthew brings us to a crucial turning point in the gospel, where Jesus reveals his true mission as the Messiah and the cost of discipleship for his followers. Jesus begins to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer, die, and rise again. In the Gospel, Peter reacts strongly to Jesus’ announcement and rebukes him, saying "God forbid it, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you!". Peter’s response shows that he has a different understanding of what it means to be the Messiah, one that is based on human expectations and desires rather than divine realities. Peter wants a Messiah who will triumph over his enemies, not one who will suffer at their hands. Peter could not see that God’s plan was different and far greater than he could imagine. He was seeing from the human perspective rather than God’s. We find it hard to break out of our human mental state to see our life from God’s perspective. We are surrounded by a culture that is focused on itself which often denies God’s purpose completely. Like Peter, we are always hoping that Jesus will avoid the cross this time. We need to learn to die to our plans and ambitions, our dreams, and visions. We need to do this without trying to impose my agenda on Him.
Religious Education classes will be starting on September 10th and now is the time to start thinking about the upcoming religious Education school year. Registration is currently in progress. To register online for Faith Formation classes, go to: https://sthyacinth.org/faith-formation-registration-form.
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 1000 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 .
For 2023, Cardinal DiNardo has assessed our parish DSF goal at $85,000. As of the writing for this bulletin we have collected $48,109. DSF supports more than 64 ministries and programs that serve the faithful of the Archdiocese and us here at St. Hyacinth. From Catholic chaplains at the hospitals and the Port of Houston, to religious education training for our teachers, to outreach to seniors, to youth ministry, to soup kitchens, to Catholic Charities ministry to the poor and disenfranchised, and to training for seminarians, deacons, and priests, the DSF provides funding for people and program that serve us all. 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.
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. As of my writing for the bulletin, we have collected over $15,584 for the restoration of the stain glass window project. Thank you for your generosity.
Parish Update: This week are continuing to lay plumbing and electrical for the new building and pouring concrete. The permitting process continues for the reconstruction of the religious education building. Construction should start on the new building in the next few weeks.