Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time

September 11, 2018

by Fr. Reginald Samuels

D ear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We as Christians may not witness the dramatic deeds as the deaf hearing or the sick being cured by Jesus, but we witness God’s activity in the world on a daily basis. We can participate in the activity of Jesus by bringing all those who are excluded by illness, or on the margins, by empathizing with them and bringing them to a closer relationship with the Church. Today through our gospel we are giving a model by Jesus on how to evangelize and bring more people to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

This Sunday starts the new Religious Education year here at STHY. Please keep our Catechists, Teacher Aides, and Volunteers in your prayers as we move into a new year as our young people of the parish prepare to learn more about their own relationship with God and His Church. I want to say a special thanks to Mrs. Pamela Johnson, the Director of Faith Formation, and Faith Formation Assistant Mrs. Christina Reilly; who have been working hard over the last few months in preparation for new Religious Education year.
Speaking of Catechists and teachers, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 16^th. The 2018 theme is "Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ." Those who the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. Please continue to pray for our catechists and teachers.

Next weekend, September 15^th and 16^th we will have our annual Ministry Fair and Stewardship weekend in the parish. This year’s theme is the STHY “Tailgate Party”. The ministry fair will give everyone here at STHY a way to see and sign up for the various ministries of our parish and to have fun in the process. Please come out and support the various ministries of our parish next weekend. Please check the website: www.sthyacinth.org to find the many ministries and activities, plus days and times when they meet. Moreover, you can go online and register for the various ministries that we have here at STHY.

I want to address and issue that affects the Sunday Weekend Mass in the Church. I completely understand that there are many reasons for people and families to be late for Mass. However, over the last few months, people have been walking into Mass and seating themselves while the readings and Psalm response are taking place. This action is extremely distracting for those proclaiming the word and for those already seated. I ask, please; if you are late for Mass, please wait and be seated after the readings for the Mass are completed. We will give you enough time to find a seat. We ask you to honor the signs posted outside in the Narthex and the Church entrance in regards to not being seated during the readings.

FORMED is the revolutionary digital online platform that gives STHY parishioners unprecedented access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks from the Church’s foremost presenters. With your free access to FORMED, 24/7 on your television, smart phone, laptop, I-pad, or Kindle, you can: Prepare for Mass, study the scriptures, watch religious movies and programs as a family, Enrich your marriage with the award winning video programs, and help your children grow in faith and character with engaging children’s materials. Our parish Password to FORMED.org is 77GVZ3.

Finally, I send out my sincere thanks to all who made a pledge for our Building Faith, Family and Future… our Sanctuary… our Home… Capital Campaign. I truly appreciate your generosity and support. Blue 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 donation envelope, drop it in the collection box, offertory basket, or mail it or bring it by the office at any time. We will continuingly ask every family to consider an equal sacrifice, not an equal size gift. We all need to do our part 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.

God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels