Parish History

St. Hyacinth has depended upon additional priests from outside areas to assist with Sunday and seasonal Liturgies, including Fr. Guyot, Fr. Thomas Russman, Fr. Fred Chalupa, Fr. Stephen Zigrang and the Missionaries of St. Paul.

The parish has been further blessed with the ordination of Permanent Deacons to assist with the growing ministerial needs of the parish: Deacon Richard F. Camunez, from 1975 until his retirement at the end of 2008, and Deacon Dennis M. Hickey in 1981 until his retirement in 2010. In 2012 Deacon Frank A. Berntsen and Deacon James Bart (retired) joined the St. Hyacinth family as permanent Deacons. In 2019 Deacon Charles Pitman was ordained and assigned to our parish.
 
In addition, Orrin Halepeska served as transitional Deacon for St. Hyacinth parish until his ordination to the priesthood in 2012, and Simon Kipiti served as transitional Deacon until his ordination to the priesthood in 2015.
 
 
Growth years
 
By 1976, the parish size had grown to almost 900 families, with more expected as new industries and new homes were built in the area. Once again, the focus turned to the need for expansion. A new rectory was designed, and construction was completed in 1978. The building has served as home and private office facilities for two resident priests, plus quarters for visiting priests or guests, offices for the parish secretaries, and a large dining room for deanery meetings and dinners. 
 
As the parish continued to expand, a larger facility for the social activities of the parishioners was needed. A 15,000 sq. ft. building was planned with large parish hall, classrooms, commercial kitchen, youth room, and storage facilities. In 1985, construction of the facility was completed, and it was named Guyot Hall in honor of Fr. Guyot, who for years had shared his extensive knowledge of the Scriptures and the personalities of the Bible at Sunday Mass and special study classes. 
 
In 2003, a new Education Building was constructed for the Continuing Christian Education (CCE) Program.  Eight classrooms, meeting room, and library were added to accommodate the religious instruction classes of the parish youth.

Adoration Chapel
 
Our spiritual growth Through the leadership and guidance of the Priests and Deacons, St. Hyacinth parish has grown over the years in spirituality, as well as in size. The parish was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1975 by then-Pastor, Fr. Francis Wearden. Through the continued efforts of Fr. Wearden, along with the help and support of Fr. Martin Lucia, SS.CC. and the parishioners, a small prayer chapel was opened on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 13, 1980.
 
In the “Chapel of Perpetual Adoration” the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration day and night. Visitors come at their selected hours to pray in our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence. With only a couple of exceptions due to inclement weather, the chapel has been operational 24 hours a day since its beginning in 1980. There have been many parish organizations established to promote spirituality: The Legion of Mary, Right to Life, the Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministry, choirs, and Bible study groups, to name only a few. Many opportunities have been provided for parishioners to attend special devotions – retreats and parish missions, the monthly recitation of the Fatima Rosary, the Stations of the Cross and other Lenten devotions.

Our temporal growth 
 
Likewise, there have been many means provided to meet the temporal needs of the parish. St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Knights of Columbus, and The Catholic Daughters of America are examples of the many organizations which have provided not only a way for parishioners to grow spiritually, but to give or receive practical aid, as well. A number of parish social clubs have been formed, including the Men’s Club, the Ladies’ Guild, and the St. Hyacinth Club for those over 50.  Events just for fun and fellowship have always been an important part of parish life; for instance, the annual Christmas party, the celebration of the feast of St. Hyacinth, and coffee and doughnuts after Sunday Masses. Fund-raising events such as bazaars, garage sales, and auctions have not only helped to meet the financial goals of the parish but also have encouraged friendship among the parishioners.
 
Commitment to our youth One of the major commitments of the parish community has been to the religious development of our youth. Programs, committees, and curriculum have been established to meet the challenges associated with this commitment. Faith Formation (formerly known as  Continuing Christian Education or CCE) and the Catholic Youth Ministry have evolved and changed over time, as needs have required. Everyone involved – the clergy, the pastoral committees, the directors and the volunteers of the youth programs – are all focused on the spiritual growth of the young members of the parish.

Change is a constant
 
If there has been a common thread throughout the history of St. Hyacinth parish, it has been “change.” Facilities, liturgies, organizations, and activities have been added and eliminated according to the needs and participation of the parishioners. This unrelenting need for change, while challenging, is an undeniable sign that our parish is alive, dynamic, and responsive to its members. In the late ‘90s, St. Hyacinth grew to more than 2,700 families. The new millennium saw those numbers shrink dramatically,  the result of a combination of demographic factors, falling attendance worldwide, cultural shifts in spiritual priorities and changing lifestyles.
 
However, in recent years, the parish has seen a resurgence in participation, evidenced by the growing numbers of youth enrolled in Faith Formation.  In 2016, there are approximately 1,600 registered families.
 
As we look to the years ahead, we find ourselves faced with many of the same challenges we faced in the beginning. In focusing on the future of our parish, we must be ever-mindful that our faith community is made up not only of church and buildings, but of the people who come together to pray and worship.  Each parishioner effects a vital role as we continue to build the spirit of our parish. Traditional faith teachings blended with the efforts of each of the members will assure that the needs of St. Hyacinth parish will be met for many years to come.