St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park shared an update on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

Rev. Reginald Samuels wrote that Rev. Frank Iacona of Cross Catholic Outreach would be visiting the parish and sharing an update on developing countries that the organization is working in. 

“Cross Catholic Outreach was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and the priests and nuns working in the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America,” Rev. Samuels wrote. 

Rev. Samuels also wrote that the health of the church, financially speaking, was stable after a challenging start to the year. 

“The Church bills are being paid and we are in good standing with all of our Archdiocesan obligations. However, STHY’s finances going forward in 2021 will be challenged by the increase in the cost of ministry obligations and the increase in the cost of the maintaining the aging infrastructures of the main Church and parish facilities,” Rev. Samuels wrote.

With that all in mind, Rev. Samuels expressed wishes that the congregation would still provide financial support at this time. 

The budget for 2021, which is only projected at this point, expects that there will need to be decreases in expenses and costs in order to counter the lowered revenue and collections estimates. 

While many are graciously giving to the church, Rev. Samuels requested that those who give begin to do so with their own envelopes with emphasis on electronic giving to help save funds from the expense of offertory envelopes. 

“We know many of our lives have been turned upside down in the last six months. The STHY has been, too. We need, same as you, to know what's coming in so we can budget what goes out. I'm asking you to give differently,” Rev. Samuels wrote. “Thank you. The time is now and the need is critical.”