During this Christmas season, encounters with Jesus move us from contemplation to action. The love that we encounter with Jesus is made know when we share this love with others. Just as Mary pondered in her heart the mysteries unfolding before her in this Sundays readings, We must ponder, contemplate and take action in these mysteries as well. Mary our Mother teaches us not only how to love her Son, but how to love others as the mother of the Church. I want to thank our entire ministry team who help bring to St. Hyacinth a wonderful Christmas liturgy. Without the Sacristans, Ushers, Greeters, Altar servers, Readers, Acolytes, Musicians, and Choirs; we could not have a Christmas celebration in the Church. Thank you all and your efforts are appreciated by everyone. I want to thank all the wonderful people who were responsible for decorating the church, Guyot Hall, the Religious Education building and the church grounds this Christmas season. There is a whole host of people who have given of their time and talent to come and make sure that our Christmas environment would glorify God here at STHY. I want to say a special thank you to Margie Gulledge, the Liturgical Environment Team, Floral Ministry team, and volunteers who worked on a wonderful vision of Christmas for our parish. On behalf of us all here at St. Hyacinth, Thank you soo very much. As we enter a new year, let us all think of ways in which we can make life easier for ourselves and the parish. Recall that our electronic payment system, Faith Direct, is an easy and secure way to see that your offertory contributions to the church are made on a timely basis. It is an easy and wonderful way to contribute to the church. You can register in less than five minutes by logging on to www.faithdirect.net and entering our parish code of TX526. From there a few short steps will have you set up as you wish: weekly, monthly, special collections, etc. You can pay by credit card or bank draft. It’s convenient, fast and secure. Writing checks has become almost obsolete for so many of us, so please add the church to your list of those you contribute to online. It helps us tremendously with less bank fees on our end, too. Thank you for your generosity and support of STHY. Next, I send out my sincere thanks to all who made a pledge for our Building Faith, Family and Future Capital Campaign for 2016. 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. For 2017, we ask every family to consider an equal sacrifice, not an equal size gift. 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 dinner celebration on next Sunday January 8th immediately after the Noon Mass in Guyot Hall. The dinner is called “The Kings Feast.” We hope to see you there to conclude the celebration of the Christmas season. 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. 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. The parish office will be closed on and January 2nd for celebration 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 a Blessed New Year! God Bless, Fr. Reginald Samuels