Thirty - Third Week In Ordinary Time - St Hyacinth Catholic Church

November 14, 2023

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are called to have results in our lives. This week’s parable uses metaphors to tell us that we are in a state of work and business, and that we should use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The point of the parable is that we are to invest our lives and to produce results.

In this week’s gospel reading, master entrusts his servants with his property according to their abilities. According to one scripture commentary, a talent is a large unit of money, equivalent to about 20 years wages for a common laborer. The first two servants in the parable, double the master’s money by trading with it, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing.

The master returns and rewards the two faithful servants with praise and more responsibility, but severely punishes the third servant who did nothing with his talent. The master cares about the results.
The parable challenges believers to emulate their Master by using all that God has given them for the sake of the kingdom. We are all call to use our skills, abilities, social positions, education, experiences, and more for the glory of God.

In celebration of our parish 58th anniversary, this year’s parish project, the entire community of St Hyacinth is being asked to provide support for the renovation and restoration of the two main stain glass windows of the Church. To support this project, please go to https://sthyacinth.org/stain-glass-renovation-project to donate. We hope to raise $75,000 for the renovation and restoration of our Holy Spirit Window and Christ the Good Shepherd window. Thank you for your generosity.

For the Month of November, The Book of the Names of the Dead will be in front of 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 our departed love ones with our prayers and holy works.

Next, the 2023 SVDP Angel Tree project will be adjusted to accommodate the limited use of the Church facilities. For this year we are asking everyone to donate $25 gift cards from Walmart, Target or Marshalls only. Once you purchase the gift cards, bring them back to church and place them in the regular collection. Thank you for your generosity towards those in our community that are less fortunate. The Angel Tree gift card collection will end on Sunday December 3^rd.

Finally, we will have a special Mass for Thanksgiving on Thursday November 23^rd at 10:00am. Our parish offices will be closed from November 22^nd - 24^th. The parish offices will reopen on Monday November 27 at 1:00pm. We want to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels