The Gospel on this Fourth week of Advent tells us “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” over two thousand years ago. Our manner of living tells the world “This is how the birth of Christ” comes about today. In today’s gospel an angel visits Joseph in a dream and tells him not to fear taking Mary into his home as his wife. As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of the liturgy, we are called to reflect on how God directs our lives. With Christmas day 2016 on December 25th falling on a Sunday it’s going to be a busy time for us in the Church as we transition from our Advent season environment to the Christmas season. Make Plans for your family to attend the 5th annual Deck the Halls to end the fourth week of Advent and purple and decorate the Church for Christmas. Deck the Halls will be held on Sunday December 18st starting at 1:30 pm. Festivities will be available for all ages. The liturgical Environment team along with various parish organizations, and a collection of families from the parish, could use a hand in decorating the church, Guyot Hall, the Religious Education building and the parish grounds. Call the parish office for details on how to help. Let’s take a look ahead to the Christmas schedule. Our Christmas Mass schedule is as follows: Saturday, December. 24th, Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm (with an overflow Mass in Guyot Hall), 8:00 pm and 12 midnight; Sunday, December. 25th, Christmas Day: 8:00 am and 10:00 am. With all those masses we will be stretched thin on ministers to help cover the many needs of the Christmas Liturgy. In particular I am asking our Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to please sign up to assist at one (or two) masses if at all possible. Same goes for our Sacristans, Acolytes, Altar Servers, Ushers and Greeters. We will have a lot of visitors with us this Christmas season and we need your presence, please. 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. According to her bio Lauren “has a heart for sharing the joy of the Gospel with the young Church” and has been involved in youth ministry for several years in both Texas and Ohio. Lauren is a hockey lover and coffee enthusiast. 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. Next, I want to congratulate and offer my gratitude to everyone here at St. Hyacinth who participated in the 2016 DSF campaign. We have reached our assessed commitment goal of $84,000 for DSF 2016. Cardinal DiNardo has sent his congratulations and appreciation for our efforts with completing this goal. Thank you all for your generosity in completing our goal!! The Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) is the annual appeal that provides funding for essential ministries and programs that serve the religious, spiritual and human needs of thousands of people from every parish in our Archdiocese. Catechetical programs, hospital and prison ministries, programs for the aging and youth and many more are made possible by the annual DSF. Thank you all for your commitment and generosity. Finally, 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 an 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.