The ‘great responsibilities’ of a Christian is to be faithful disciples make in present the kingdom of God in the daily lives of others. Responsibility means to use what God has given us to spread goodness and joy throughout our community and the world. Jesus invests his love in us in order for us to make that investment in others.
Due to the recent tragic events in our state and country over the last few months, there has been a rise in the concern for safety in our area Churches. We here at STHY want you all to know that safety is a priority. We have been working diligently with the Deer Park police department ans our secruity company on the various ways to improve and update the security of our facilities. However, there are several things that each and every one of us can do to improve the safety of our surroundings. First, please do not prop open locked doors. Propped open doors tend to stay propped open for a period of time and this allows people to enter into our buildings unnoticed. Secondly, make it a point to greet all the people that you encounter. If there is someone who needs help or directions on the campus, simply find one of the STHY employees to refer him or her to. Finally, if there is someone who simply does not belong on campus, make a partner with another person and contact the proper authorities and the STHY staff. Safety should be everyone’s concern.
This holiday season will present many ways in which our community can show its generosity. The Angel tree is going up in the narthex of the Church starting Saturday November 25th. This activity will give us all the opportunity to purchase items that are desperately needed by the less fortunate of our community. This Sunday at the 10:00 am Mass we will celebrate The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (Rite of Acceptance) for Children. This is the first of the “threshold rites” of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC), and the first public ritual. In the Rite of Acceptance, a change of identity takes place: those previously known as inquirers become catechumens. They are officially welcomed by the Church as disciples, members of the household of faith. The text calls this rite “the first consecration by the Church” of those seeking Christian initiation. They are literally marked with the cross of Christ as God’s own.
This weekend the Archdiocese is having a special second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The CCHD is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
Founded in 1969, CCHD's pastoral strategy is empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, leading toward solidarity between poor and non-poor as impelled by the Church's biblical tradition, modern Catholic social teaching, and the pervasive presence of poverty in the United States. This ministry for justice is rooted in our baptism and faith commitment. CCHD's primary source of support is a once-a-year collection held in parishes across the United States. Thank you for your generosity.
As the Advent season starts in a few short weeks here at STHY, please find a way to participate in the ministries of our parish. There is literally something for everyone. Not a day goes by that there isn’t something happening somewhere on our campus. Please check the website: www.sthyacinth.org to find the many ministries and activities, plus days and times when they meet. Moreover, go online and register for the varies ministries that we have here at STHY, and a special thanks to all the people who have donated their time to the various ministries of our parish.
Next, I want to 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. For those who have not made their pledges yet, Please take the time to make your pledge. The special blue envelopes are in the Narthex along with our collection box which was 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 Capital Campaign collection box in the Narthex, offertory basket, or mail it or bring it by the office at any time. We have asked that every family to make an equal sacrifice, not an equal size gift. 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 to build Family, Faith and Future… our sanctuary… our home.
Thanksgiving is upon us once again, and this Thanksgiving season is a yearly reminder that all we have and are is a gift from God; for this reason alone we should all be thankful to God. As we travel to be with family over the holiday week, please pray for all of those in need this holiday season. Mass on Thanksgiving Day Thursday November 24th will be at 10:00 am in the Church.
On behalf of the staff here at St. Hyacinth we wish you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Our parish offices will be closed Wednesday November 22nd and will re-open on Monday, November 27th at 1:00 pm. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving! Be blessed and give thanks to God. “Let the Church say AMEN!”