Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

          Written last of all the gospels, St. John’s word could be considered the longest reflection on the person and mission of Jesus Christ. From the very beginning of the gospel, the evangelist tells us who Jesus is: “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”  

          In today’s gospel John the Baptist tells his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So John the Baptist testifies that Jesus entire purpose in the world is for our salvation. Now we are invited to view our lives as a way in which we can bring Christ to others in order for them to share in the salvation that only God can give.  

          The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25) invites the whole Christian community throughout the world to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” (John 17:21).  Pope Benedict XV made this practice, first observed in 1908 by a small group of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians, a universal observance in the Roman Catholic Church in 1916. Since then the church has encouraged Christians and in the Catholic Church around the world to observe this week in prayer for visible unity among all Christians. 

          

          Next, I need to let everyone know that our Church boiler is not working and there is no heat to the Church. We did have small progress last week the contractor made some repairs and replaced several rods to the boiler. However, the boiler is not working and we are currently working with contractors to assess the best way to address of our aging boiler system to the Church and facilities. Soo far over the last two years we have paid over  $16,657. in repairs and maintenance for the boiler. 

          

          One of our goals for 2020 is to increase the number of people using our electronic formats for the dissemination of information from our parish. We have our website: Sthyaicnth.org, which is updated almost daily with information about the activities that go on in the parish. There is Flocknotes, which is our information delivery service for the parish, in which we email and or text information about the activities of the parish.   Go to Flocknote.com/sthyhouston and join the group “Parishioners”.  We are on Facebook, go and ‘like’ our Facebook page at   https://www.facebook.com/StHyacinthchurch .

          FORMED.org is a digital online platform that gives STHY 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:

 Soo I am asking every family to register for your free access to all the amazing content on FORMED. Go to FORMED.org to register and enter Code:77GVZ3. 

          Beginning January 22nd through March 4th, FORMED.org will be introducing an new webinar series called “ Teaching the Gospel through the Church's Sacraments.” Each weekly webinar will explain how we all  can use the different resources on FORMED to educate the entire family and community on the sacraments! Check the parish website for more details. 

         

           On the weekend of January 25th - 26th there will be a special second Collection for Bishops fund for the Church in Latin America. This collection supports pastoral projects that enrich the lives of believers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Collection for the Church in Latin America empowers the faithful of Latin America to deepen their faith and share it with each other and the world. For more information on the Church in Latin America and the projects funded by the collection, please visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections.  Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

          Please keep in prayer our high school youth who will be having their Confirmation Retreat next weekend. Our Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Mr. Steven Sotelo along with our Director of Faith Formation, Mrs. Pamella Johnson and the Confirmation team, have all been working very hard over the past few months to make sure that all the details for the retreat ready for our Confirmandi. Auxiliary Bishop George Sheltz will be the Celebrant for the Confirmation Mass which is scheduled for Spring 2020.

          The parish offices will be closed Monday January 20th as we celebrate the National observance of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. 

God Bless,

Fr. Reginald Samuels