Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Happy Open Word Wednesday!

"When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick."

─ Matthew 14:13-14

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

─ Romans 8:38-39

"They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over—
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children."

─ Matthew 14:20-21

Readings for Sunday, August 2nd, 2026:

First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3
Second Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm

Faith Formation Registration is open, and we can't wait for another great year! PSR is a great way to give your kids not only access to learn about their faith, but also an opportunity to build community and friendships with other Catholic kids in their parish.

- K-8th graders are welcome.
- Our 7th/8th grade class will be doing Confirmation Prep this year.
- Classes will take place Sunday mornings at 9:45am, beginning August 30th.
- The morning of August 30th is also a Mandatory Meeting for all parents!
- Cost of registration: $25/child, with a max family cost of $75

You can find a registration form on our website here: htscatholic.com/faith-formation

Interested in being a Catechist this year? Click the link above, and find a Catechist interest form at the bottom of the page!

Any questions? Contact Emily Knoppe at the Parish Office.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure hidden in a field and to a pearl of great price. In both stories, those who discover the treasure joyfully give up everything to possess it. Why? Because they have found something infinitely more valuable than anything they already own.

The question for us is simple: What is the greatest treasure in my life? Our answer is revealed not by what we say, but by how we spend our time, our energy, and our hearts.

The Kingdom of God is not something we stumble upon only once; it is a gift we are invited to choose every day. Choosing Christ may require letting go of habits, resentments, distractions, or priorities that keep us from Him. Yet whatever we surrender for the Lord is never a loss—it is always a gain.

This week, take a moment to examine your heart. Is your relationship with Christ truly your greatest treasure? If someone were to look at your daily life, would they see that Jesus comes first in your choices, your priorities, and your relationships? Make time each day for personal prayer and reflection on God's Word. Participate in the Holy Eucharist with renewed devotion, recognizing it as the priceless gift in which Christ gives Himself completely to us. If you have been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, return with confidence and experience the healing mercy of God. Reach out to someone who is lonely, forgive someone who has hurt you, encourage a person who is struggling, or offer your time in service to those in need. Let your faith be visible not only in what you believe but also in how you live.

Every small act of love, every sacrifice made for the sake of the Gospel, and every faithful response to God's grace is an investment in the treasure that lasts forever. When Christ becomes the center of our lives, our hearts are filled with a joy that no earthly possession can ever provide, and we become living witnesses to the Kingdom of God in our families, our parish, and our community.

When Christ becomes our greatest treasure, everything else finds its proper place. And that is the joy of living in the Kingdom of God.

God bless you and remain Blessed!!

─ Fr. Shoby Mathew

We had an incredible time at VBS this week!! The kids learned all about the story of Creation, the Fall, vocations, and serving others. They had so much fun with different events each day, participating in a water relay and other games, having snacks and ice cream, and even having a visit from some of our firemen on Wednesday (easily the highlight of Fr. Shoby's week).

Thank you all SO much to everyone who joined us this year, and stay tuned for more pictures next week!

Several teens from our parish went on week one of the Steubenville St. Louis Mid America Youth Conference this summer! We're so fortunate to have such an incredible opportunity like this right here in Springfield.

Thank you so much to everyone who was praying for them over the weekend, and please remember to pray for our youth often!

Happy Open Word Wednesday!

"Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches,
nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you."

─ 1 Kings 3:11-12

"Jesus said to his disciples:
'The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

─ Matthew 13:44

Readings for Sunday, July 26th, 2026:

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-52

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072626.cfm

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Growing Together in God's Field

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the parable of the weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24–43), Jesus teaches us one of the most important lessons for Christian living: patience. In every parish, every family, and even within our own hearts, there will always be both wheat and weeds—moments of faith and moments of weakness, generosity and selfishness, holiness and sin. Yet Jesus does not tell us to become judges of one another. Instead, He invites us to trust in God's wisdom, mercy, and timing.

As a parish family, we are called to focus less on the faults of others and more on our own growth in holiness. Gossip, criticism, and division only allow the weeds to spread. Encouragement, forgiveness, prayer, and acts of charity help the wheat to flourish. Every kind word, every welcoming smile, every hour of service, every generous gift, and every prayer offered for another person becomes a seed that strengthens the life of our parish.

This week, let each of us ask: Am I helping the wheat to grow, or am I allowing the weeds to take root? May we choose to be disciples who build up rather than tear down, who encourage rather than criticize, and who trust that God is continually at work in every heart. Together, let us make Holy Trinity a parish where faith grows, hope is renewed, and Christ's love is visible in all we do.

God bless you and remain Blessed!!

─ Fr. Shoby Mathew

VBS starts this coming Monday!! We are so excited for a great week. Please remember to keep all of the kids and volunteers in your prayers throughout this next week.

Here are some important reminders:

- If you have not already done so, remember to submit the registration fee ($20 per child) before the start of VBS. The more families who pay before Monday, the quicker our check-in process will be.

- Drop-off will take place from 7:45-8am each morning outside of Reidy Hall in the Parish Center. A parent or guardian MUST walk their child into the building and sign them in each morning.
- VBS will begin promptly at 8am. If your child will be arriving late, please notify the parish office ASAP, especially since VBS will be attending the 8:30am Mass each morning.
- Remember to have your child bring a packed lunch each day!
- VBS runs from 8am-2pm Monday through Thursday. On Friday, VBS runs 8am-12pm.
- Families of VBS kids are invited to join us for our closing program on Friday from 11:30am-12pm, when the children will share some of the songs they have learned as well as highlights from the week.

Parents, please check your emails for more important details!!

Happy Open Word Wednesday!

"But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,
and with much lenience you govern us;
for power, whenever you will, attends you.
And you taught your people, by these deeds,
that those who are just must be kind;
and you gave your children good ground for hope
that you would permit repentance for their sins."

─ Wisdom 12:18-19

"Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings."

─ Romans 8:26

"Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

─ Matthew 13:30

Readings for Sunday, July 19th, 2026:

First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:24-43

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071926.cfm