A message from Bishop Vásquez
Pastoral Plan update
Thank you to everyone who completed an online or paper copy of the Pastoral Plan survey. We received more than 3,500 survey responses in both English and Spanish. This large response will provide the analyzing team with a remarkable amount of data that will then be presented to the Steering Committee at their May meeting. If you would like to receive updates about the plan, please sign up on the diocesan website for regular messages.
Please pray for the Pastoral Plan during these crucial days as the analyzing process begins.
Prayers requested
Please remember, in prayer, Deacon Roger Collins, 84, who died April 24. He was ordained in 1988 and most recently served at St. Patrick Parish in Hutto. The funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday.
Reflection question
Gospel Meditation
Please consider using the following meditation for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 18):
Jesus tells the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” In this season of Easter joy, is there something weighing heavily on your heart? Offer it up to Jesus.
Jesús les dice a los discípulos, “No se inquieten.” En esta temporada de alegría Pascual, ¿hay algo que pesa mucho en tu corazón? Ofréceselo en sacrificio a Jesus.
Vocation Office
Discernment dinner for high school-age young men
High school men are invited to a discernment dinner geared especially to their age group at the St. William Parish Rectory in Round Rock on May 7 at 7 p.m. The dinner is for any young man of high school-age open to discerning God’s will in his life and desiring to know more about the priesthood, discernment, prayer and virtue. For more information, please contact Father Alex Caudillo at (512) 255-4473.
Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center
June 6-11: Desert Solitude
Desert Solitude, a silent retreat with Centering Prayer as the focus, will be held June 6-11 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Daily Mass and spiritual direction will be available. Cost varies as based on to how long the participant stays. For more information or to register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.
June 18: Back to Ordinary (Time) - Now What?
How can we grow in our Catholic faith during ordinary time, the longest season of the liturgical year? What are some steps we can take to deepen our spirituality? How can our faith be more at the center of our lives? These are a few of the questions Holy Cross Father Bill Wack, pastor at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin will tackle. This privileged time can be a type of “continuing education for Catholics.” Cost is $35 and includes lunch. For more information or to register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.
June 28: Meditación sobre la Santísima Trinidad
(Please note: this retreat is offered only in Spanish.) Redescubran a la Santísima Trinidad como una comunión de amor, y nuestro llamado a entrar y vivir en esta comunión. Le invitamos a este retiro donde meditaremos las maneras de cómo podemos atraer a la gente a esta comunión y cómo mantener la unidad en nuestras comunidades. A través de la eucaristía podemos llegar a ser la imagen de Dios en el mundo, esa imagen que Jesus anhelaba cuando dijo: "Permite, oh Padre, que alcancen la perfección En la unidad, y así el mundo reconozca que tú me enviaste y que los has amado a ellos tal como me has amado a mí." El costo es $25. Haga clic aquí para registrarse.
Weekly notes
Pope Francis’ prayer intentions
Please consider Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for the month of May:
That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace …
Que los medios de comunicación puedan ser instrumentos al servicio de la verdad y la paz …
That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations …
Que María, Estrella de la Evangelización, guíe a la Iglesia en la proclamación de Cristo a todas las naciones …
Bishop Vásquez’ prayer intention
Please consider Bishop Vásquez’ prayer intention for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 18):
For all those who serve in our nation's armed forces …
Por todos aquellos que sirven en las fuerzas armadas de nuestra nación …
Website tip
The E-Pistle includes a Gospel Meditation. This is meant for placement in the parish bulletin. The E-Pistle also includes a prayer intention from Bishop Vásquez that is meant to be included in the general intercessions at each weekend Mass. Both items run two weeks in advance to give parishes the opportunity to include them in their bulletins and intercessions. For example, the meditation and intercession in today’s (May 2) E-Pistle are for the weekend of May 18. For your convenience, both items are always offered in English and Spanish,
Blessings and congratulations to …
The following priest on the anniversary of his ordination during the month of May: Rev. D. Bruce Nieli, CSP, May 5, 1973.
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