A message from Bishop Vásquez
Official appointment
Rev. Juan Jesús Guerrero, OSA, as parochial vicar at Church of the Resurrection, Emmaus, in Lakeway, effective Jan. 24, 2014.
Pastoral Plan: We want to hear from you
The Diocese of Austin is in the process of developing a new Pastoral Plan. The plan will guide the mission and direction of our diocese for the next five years. We need your input to better respond to the pastoral needs of the people in our diocese. The planning team is hosting three more English listening sessions and two Spanish sessions in February. During the listening sessions, participants reflect on where we are now, what could the future hold, and everyone shares ideas about how we can become a Church of joy, compassion, mercy – a Church of vibrant faith, nurturing worship and strong witness. Make certain your parish is represented at one of the sessions. These listening sessions are open to everyone.
English Listening Sessions are:
Feb. 5: 7-9 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Austin
Feb. 6: 7-9 p.m., St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco, Reicher campus at St. Joseph Hall
Feb. 11: 7-9 p.m., Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda in the sanctuary
Spanish Listening Session are:
Feb. 11: 7-9 p.m., Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda at Deane Hall
Feb. 12: 7-9 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Austin at the cafeteria.
This flier, in English and Spanish, can be reproduced in your parish bulletin.
Pastoral Plan: Pulpit Announcements for Feb. 2 and 9
Please add the following to the parish's weekend pulpit announcements:
The Diocese of Austin is beginning the process of developing a new Pastoral Plan. This important document will guide the mission and direction of our diocese for the next five years. With your help it will respond to the pastoral needs of the people in our diocese. To better understand those pastoral needs, the planning team is hosting a series of listening sessions throughout the diocese. These listening sessions are open to everyone and the planning team hopes you can take part in this important process. English listening sessions are February 5 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin, Feb. 6 at St. Louis Parish in Austin and Feb. 11 at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. Spanish listening sessions are Feb. 11 at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda and Feb. 12 at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin. Please see the diocesan website for more information and the opportunity to RSVP.
La Diócesis de Austin está comenzando el proceso de desarrollar un nuevo Plan Pastoral. Este importante documento guiará la misión y dirección de nuestra Diócesis por los próximos cinco años. Con su ayuda, responderá a las necesidades pastorales de la gente en nuestra diócesis. Para entender mejor esas necesidades pastorales, el equipo de planeación será anfitrión de una serie de sesiones para escuchar a través de la diócesis. Estas sesiones para escuchar están abiertas a todo el público y el equipo planeador espera que usted pueda participar en este importante proceso. Las sesiones para escuchar en inglés se llevarán a cabo el 5 de febrero en la parroquia de St. Vincent de Paul en Austin, el 6 de febrero en la parroquia de St. Louis en Austin y el 11 de febrero en la parroquia de Santa Cruz en Buda. Las sesiones para escuchar en español serán el 11 de febrero en la parroquia de Santa Cruz en Buda y el 12 de febrero en la parroquia del Sagrado Corazón en Austin. Por favor vaya al sitio web diocesano para mayor información y la oportunidad de confirmar su asistencia.
Special Collection: Feb. 8-9
On the weekend of Feb. 8-9 all parishes in the Diocese of Austin are to take up a special collection for Catholic Higher Education. The following announcement should be read before all Masses:
A special collection will be taken up in this Mass to support Campus Ministries in the Diocese of Austin. These include communities at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor University, Texas State University, Mary Hardin-Baylor and other college campuses. The goals of Catholic campus ministry are to build a faith community, bring the message of Christ to the academic world and prepare future leaders of society and our Church. Please be generous in your support of this most worthy cause.
Una colecta especial será realizada durante esta Misa para apoyar Ministerios Universitarios en la Diócesis de Austin. Estos incluyen comunidades en la Universidad de Texas, Texas A&M, la Universidad de Baylor, Texas State University, Mary Hardin-Baylor y otros campus universitarios. Las metas del ministerio universitario Católico, son construir una comunidad de fe, llevar el mensaje de Cristo al mundo académico y preparar a futuros líderes de la sociedad y de nuestra Iglesia. Por favor sean generosos al apoyar esta valiosa causa.
White Mass will be celebrated Feb. 11
I will preside at the 13th annual White Mass on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at St. Theresa Parish in Austin. Mass will include the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The Mass, sponsored by the Austin Diocese and the Catholic Healthcare Guild, is intended for all Catholics working in health care as well as those in need of healing and anointing. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick will be administered for those who are seriously ill. RSVP here (to receive the anointing of the sick or to attend as a health care worker). A reception will follow the Mass.
Reflection question
Gospel Meditation
Please consider using the following meditation for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 9):
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls each one of us personally to be a light for the world and salt for the earth. How are you living up to Jesus request? How can you strive to fulfill his request?
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos llama a cada uno personalmente a ser una luz para el mundo y sal para la Tierra ¿Cómo está usted viviendo de acuerdo a esta petición de Jesús? ¿Cómo puede usted esforzarse para cumplir con su petición?
Stewardship and Development Office
Catholic Services Appeal
Thank you to the many generous donors who have made a gift to the Catholic Services Appeal. To date, we have received pledges of more than $4.4 million. We are only $300,000 away from meeting our pledge goal of $4.7 million! So far, 57 parishes have surpassed their goal and more than 17,800 families have pledged.
In mid-January, a follow-up letter was mailed to those families who have not yet returned their pledges. Another follow-up letter will be mailed in early February. Please continue to encourage your parishioners to generously support the CSA.
Weekly notes
Bishop Vásquez’ prayer intention
Please consider Bishop Vásquez’ prayer intention for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 9):
For our country and its athletes participating in the Winter Olympic Games, that they be models of good sportsmanship and be protected from all harm …
Por nuestro país y sus atletas participando en los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno, para que sean modelos del buen deporte y sean protegidos de todo daño…
Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM)
Upcoming EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops
EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops are scheduled on a quarterly basis by the EIM Office, coordinating with the EIM site administrator at parishes, schools and other diocesan agencies. Staff of any site wishing to host a workshop must coordinate with their EIM site administrator. The EIM site administrator should make all workshop requests on the Workshop Request Table. Additional workshops will not be added to the EIM workshop calendar unless the EIM Office determines a particular need. EIM site administrators may direct inquiries about EIM workshop scheduling to Emily Hurlimann or Colleen Schiller in the EIM Office at (512) 949-2400.
For general information about EIM Basic or Refresher workshops, please click here.
Anyone needing an EIM workshop will sign up online through their EIM account. The sign-up process is explained once you access your EIM account; please contact your parish or Catholic school EIM site administrator if you need assistance or if you do not have Internet access.
Click here to login to your EIM account in order to find the schedule of EIM workshops and to sign up. Instructions are provided in case you do not recall how to login to your EIM account.
Department Categorization:
Communications Office