All Saints

October 27, 2020

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

          We are blessed this year to be able to celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday. The Feast of All Saints' is the day in the Church to focus on known saints --that is those recognized in the canon of the saints by the Catholic Church. All Saints Day is an opportunity for us to thank God for the life and witness of those holy people and it also is an opportunity to implore the saints for their intercession that we may imitate their holiness in our own lives. In communion with us as members of the Church, the saints are actively concerned for our growth in holiness and we benefit from their intercession before God.

          The history of All Saints Day is very fascinating. All Saints' Day was formally started by Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Parthenon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD. The holy day was eventually established on November 1 by Pope Gregory III in the mid-eighth century as a day dedicated to the saints and their relics.

          You may be asked by non-Catholic friends and family why the Church puts such an emphasis on saints. My own protestant family has asked me many questions about this practice. Some question why we “pray to the saints.” I’ve heard some people who like to say we pray “with the saints,” and not to the saints. I’m not sure if there is any one perfect answer. Of course our worship is ALWAYS directed to God and God alone. We don’t worship the saints (only God), but we do venerate and honor the saints and call upon them to model for us a right way of living. Most importantly, we ask their intercession in our life. We ask our family and friends all the time, “Please pray for me.” Or we tell others, “I’ll be praying for you.” Why would we then not want to ask the saints, those whose lives were so heroic and virtuous that they merit the everlasting life of heaven, to pray for us as well? I don’t know about you but I want as many of those men and women on my side as much as possible! It’s important to be clear why we hold the saints in such high esteem.

    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.

          For 2020, Cardinal DiNardo has assessed our parish DSF goal at $84,000. This year, our parish has collected $60,233 towards our goal. We have until the end of the year to collect our goal. DSF supports more than 60 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 (who pass on their faith to our children), 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. There is only two months left until the end of the year to cover the $24,404 deficit in DSF. It’s truly our baptism calling for generosity as the Cardinal tells us “Bring Your Greatest Gifts To The Lord” Thank you for your continued generosity towards DSF.


We are living in constantly changing times, but two things that are not changing are our devotion to our parish and it's needs. We know many of our lives have been turned upside down in the last 8 months. The STHY has been too. We need, same as you, to know what's coming in so we can budget what goes out. I'm asking you to give DIFFERENTLY. By going to the website and signing up for RECURRING online giving, you let the parish know we can count on your support weekly. Register for Online giving at https://membership.faithdirect.net/TX526.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels