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December 20, 2016Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Everyone knows that Christmas is a time of gift-giving. The meaningfulness of a gift is not dependent upon the amount spent but on the heart given. The greatest gift ever given is the greatest heart ever given: God sent the only Son to dwell among us. Jesus came among us as God’s gift of Salvation to us. As a gift of salvation, Jesus is the incarnation of God’s loving presence among us. This gift cost us no money. It does cost us our own life: a heart turned to God.
As we move into the Christmas season please let us continue to pray for our country and our governmental leaders that they may continue to work hard to cherish the gifts of life and liberty and work to safeguard those liberties. We always keep in our prayers those who are serving our country in the military services, especially those far from home at this time of the year. May the Lord protect them and guard them, and bring them home safely and soon.
I want to thank all the wonderful people who were responsible for decorating the Church and the church grounds this Advent and Christmas season. We have had a host of people who have given of their time and talent to come and make sure that the Advent and Christmas season is truly bringing praise to God here at STHY.
As you are “making your list and checking it twice” for those you will remember at Christmas, might I so humbly ask that you please don’t forget your church. The parish relies on your end-of-the-year donations to help us meet our ever-growing financial obligations for our parish. We are happy to assist those who might need or want to make end of the year tax donations of cash or stocks, or if you have a minimum distribution from your IRA that you must take, we can help in that area as well. There are several ways in which you can donate to the parish: Online through Faith Direct, Pay Pal on our website, or simply mail or drop off your donation to the parish office. Please call the parish office for details. Thank you for your generosity and support of STHY.
We have some exciting news, beginning in early January 2017, We will have a new Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Please welcome Lauren Koath as the new Coordinator of Youth Ministry here at St. Hyacinth. Lauren is originally from North Texas, attended Franciscan University where she graduated in 2013 with degrees in Theology and Catechetics. Lauren is excited for the opportunity to join and serve the St. Hyacinth community. Ms. Koath is part of the Adore ministry and missionary team who will be working in our parish to provide a coordinated youth ministry program. We are very excited to have Ms. Koath joining our team.
Just days before the start of the Christmas season we have had of issues with the Church facilities. First, several of the units that provide heat to the buildings were not working properly. Secondly, the main electrical breakers that controls the electricity to the main boiler of the Church stop working as well. We have been working with an electrical contractor along with a heating and air contractor to resolve these issues. By the time you read this, hopefully these issues should be resolved.
I 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. Please consider making a year end 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 collection box, 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. As we enter the Christmas season and the time for giving, 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.
STHY will be celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord by having our annual parish Christmas celebration on Sunday January 8, 2017 at 1:30 pm in Guyot Hall. The dinner is called “The Kings Feast”. We all have to remember that the Christmas season does not end on Christmas day, and the Church continues to celebrate the Christmas season through Baptism of the Lord which is on January 9th. We hope to see you there to celebrate the Christmas season.
The parish office will be closed on December 23rd and 26th in observance of Christmas and December 30th and January 2nd celebration for the New Year. On behalf of the staff here at St. Hyacinth, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a joy filled New Year!
Merry Christmas and God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels
