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shieldThe Friday E-pistle
November 9, 2007 Print this issue

Address changes

Please send changes in staff and volunteer leaders to Shelley Metcalf or fax to (512) 949-2523 . This enables staff and volunteers to receive the Friday e-pistle and other diocesan communications.

Contact Us

The Friday e-pistle is sent to parishes and those serving the Catholic Church in Central Texas every Friday at mid-day. If you have information that you would like to have included in the Friday e-pistle, please send it by Tuesday noon to Christian González, director of Communications. This newsletter may be forwarded to all members of parish staffs and others who minister in the church, either in volunteer or paid positions.

Catholic Diocese of Austin
P.O. Box 15405
Austin, TX 78761-5405
512.949.2400

www.austindiocese.org

A message from Bishop Aymond

Diocesan anniversary

On Nov. 15, 1947, the Diocese of Austin was created by Pope Pius XII. This year we celebrate our 60th anniversary as a diocese. Please see the current edition of the Catholic Spirit for more information on this historic occasion.

Bishops’ conference

I will be out of the office Nov. 12-15 for a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops conference in Baltimore. Please pray for all bishops that our deliberations will strengthen the church and her mission. In case of emergency, please contact my assistant, Rick Bologna, at (512) 697-2015 or Msgr. Michael Mulvey, Vicar General, at (512) 697-2003.

Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference

The annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference will be Jan. 18-20 at the Waco Convention Center. The theme is “Drink and Never Thirst.”

I look forward to this gathering because nearly a thousand young people from our diocese gather to share faith, pray, reflect on the life of discipleship and to have a good time. It is always energizing for me to see our young people on fire with their love of Christ and his church. In 2008, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of DCYC in our diocese. I encourage other adults and clergy to be present for this great event that celebrates our young church.

My hope and prayer is that each of our parishes will be represented at the conference.

Statement on 'The Golden Compass’

The upcoming movie version of “The Golden Compass” has led to questions about the trilogy of books by Philip Pullman. Catholic schools and religious education programs should not encourage children to read any of these books and they should not be held in their libraries. "The Golden Compass” attempts to devalue religion, especially Christianity. Our children deserve better education than what is in these books and movie.

Staff Advent Day of Prayer

Father Leon Strieder will lead an Advent Day of Prayer for diocesan, Cedarbrake and Catholic Charities staff on Dec. 21 at San José Parish. A reception will follow at the Blessed John XXIII House. Diocesan offices will be closed so that all staff can spend the day in reflection and collaboration.

Catholic Services Appeal

Thank you all for your financial and prayerful support of the Catholic Services Appeal. Your stewardship and generosity are greatly appreciated.

So far, nearly $1 million has been pledged by more than 3,000 families. This is a tremendous response.

Congratulations to these two parishes for going over their goal in the first week:

• Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Sunrise Beach at 132 percent
• Sacred Heart Parish, Rockne at 109 percent

November 10-11, is Follow-up Weekend for the CSA. Parishes are encouraged to use the bulletin announcements or inserts, pulpit announcements and to continue displaying the poster. Parishioners should be given another opportunity to complete the pledge envelope. Please thank those who have already returned a pledge card. Returning a pledge card, even if the parishioner is unable to make a pledge, will save the diocese additional postage costs in follow-up efforts.

As you count and record your CSA pledges, please remember to affix the address labels provided to each completed pledge envelope and deliver or mail the check, pledge envelopes and CSA forms to the Stewardship and Development Office.

If you have questions about this process, contact Deborah Garza at (512) 697-2050 or review page 59 in the CSA manual.

Unity Rosary

Thanks to all those who coordinated the Unity Rosary last Saturday. Special thanks to Gil Leija and those who worked on the committee with him including Father Bud Roland, Lupita C. Bodony, Sr. Rose Moreno, Sr. Celia Ann Cavazos, Father John Korscmar, Sr. Helen Raycraft, Father Ralph Rogawski, Filadelfia Maloney, Debbie White, Alaina Zachmann, Johnnie Dorsey, Sr. Ann Nguyen and many more too numerous to mention here. There was a very good turnout for the celebration and it was a tangible way to celebrate our unity in light of our diverse cultures and languages. Thanks to all those who made this an enjoyable and prayerful event.

Enculturation workshop canceled

Session II of the Enculturation Workshop for International Priests, scheduled for Nov. 15, is canceled. An e-mail notice was sent to all priests earlier this week.

Year of the Word presentations

The final Year of the Word presentations are Dec. 4 and 5 at Reicher High School in Waco. The lecture starts at 7 p.m. I will present on the first day. Cheryl Maxwell and Patricia Stankus will present on the second day. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be offered.

Please invite your parishioners to attend.

Volunteer opportunity

The Rotary Club of Austin is planning a day of service for Nov. 17. Volunteers are needed to help people requesting assistance from Service Austin. To volunteer your organization or your personal help, call the Rotary Club at (512) 462-1333 or e-mail them at the address below.

Thanksgiving Day

November 22 is Thanksgiving Day. All Catholics are invited to add attending Mass on this national holiday to their annual traditions.

Priests please save these dates in 2008

Priests are encouraged to make note of the following dates and events for the 2008 calendar year:

• Jan. 14-18: Priests Retreat, Week 1, Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Belton
• Jan. 21-25: Priests Retreat, Week 2, Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Belton
• Feb. 14: Lenten Day of Prayer for Priests, Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Belton
• June 2-4: Salado Days, priests gathering, Stagecoach Inn, Salado
• Oct. 6-8: Priests Convocation, Fishers of Men, Austin Marriot North, Round Rock
• Dec. 2: Advent Day of Prayer for priests, Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Belton

Year of the Word

Reflection question


Please consider using the following reflection question for the Gospel reading of Nov. 18, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time:

• Think about a time when you were in pain or felt “your world” was ending. Who brought you to the realization that all was not lost?

Other resources for the Year of the Word, including a prayer and how to have a Scripture reflection at the beginning of meetings, are available in English and Spanish at the link below.

Office of Black Catholics

Newsletter and upcoming events

• The Acacia, a newsletter from the Office of Black Catholics is available for download from the link below.

• A Mass and program commemorating Black Catholic History Month will be celebrated Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Killeen.

• On Nov. 19, there will be a Presentation on Racism at 7 p.m. at St. Austin Parish in Austin.

• Dec. 1 is World AIDS day. A World AIDS Day Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2 at Holy Cross Parish in Austin.

• On Dec. 10, there will be a Presentation on Racism at 7 p.m. at St. Ignatius Parish in Austin.

Resource Documents

HIV/AIDS speaker from Zambia

Presentation is Nov. 15

The Office of Black Catholics, the Parish Social Ministry Office and Holy Cross Parish in Austin, will co-sponsor a talk by Bridget Chisenga, a Catholic Relief Services representative from Zambia. She will share her own story and her professional commitment to restoring hope to those affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The presentation, open to all, is Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Parish, 1610 E. 11th St. in Austin.

Worship Office

2008 Liturgical calendar

The 2008 liturgical calendar begins Dec 2, 2007, the first Sunday in Advent. The Sunday Lectionary Cycle is Year A, (Matthew). The Weekday Cycle is Year II.

The Holy Days of Obligation for the 2008 liturgical calendar are:

• Dec. 8, 2007, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Dec. 25, Christmas
• Jan. 1, Mary Mother of God
• May 4, Ascension, now moved to Sunday, is the Sunday obligation.
• Aug. 15, The Assumption of Mary

The following is not a day of obligation because it falls on a Monday or Saturday:

• Nov. 1, All Saints Day

Holy Days of Obligation Norms

• Jan. 1, Aug. 15 and Nov. 1 are days of obligation only when they fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday.
• Dec. 8 is always a day of obligation except when it falls on Sunday and is transferred to Monday (the obligation cannot be transferred).

This decree of the Conference of Bishops was approved and confirmed by the Apostolic See by a decree of the Congregation for Bishops (Prot. N. 296/84), signed by Bernardin Cardinal Gantin, prefect of the Congregation, and dated July 4, 1992.

Southwest Liturgical Conference

The Southwest Liturgical Conference will host the 46th annual Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week, Jan. 16-19, in Tucson, Ariz. The topic of the study week is "Eucharist and Justice: Walking in Charity and Peace" (Eucaristía y Justicia: Caminando en Caridad y Paz). Workshops will be presented in English and Spanish. Registration information can be found at the SWLC Web site linked below. Scholarships request forms are available through the Office of Worship, call Holly Bologna at (512) 697-2029 for more information.

Upcoming Episcopal liturgies

Bishop Gregory Aymond will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation for baptized Catholic adults on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin.

If your parish has baptized and prepared Catholic adults for Confirmation who wish to be included in the celebration of the sacrament, contact Holly Bologna at (512) 697-2029 or e-mail her at the address below.

Please make note of the following Episcopal liturgies:

• Feb. 10, Rite of Election, 4:30 p.m., San José Parish, Austin
• Feb. 12, Rite of Election, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, Bryan
• Feb. 13, Rite of Election, 7 p.m., Christ the King Parish, Belton

Young Adult and Campus Ministry

Lone Star Awakening returns

The Lone Star Awakening Retreat is being revived. The retreat is intended for college-age students, ages 18 to 25, and is designed to create a Catholic bond among participants. The date for the 2008 Lone Star Awakening is March 28-30 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The first planning meeting is Nov. 28 at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Contact Josie Canales at (512) 726-0415 or e-mail her at the address below for more information.

Pro-Life activities

Gabriel Angel training

Training for all those interested in being a Gabriel Angel or volunteering for the Gabriel Project is scheduled for Nov. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock. The Gabriel Project ministers to women in crisis pregnancies. To attend, call the diocesan Pro-Life Activities Office at (512) 238-1756 or Amy Chestnut at (512) 990-9234.

Prayer Vigil

The monthly prayer vigil is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17 at St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish in Austin. Father Joseph Tomei, CSC, will celebrate Mass at 7:30 am. Adoration will follow. A caravan will travel to Austin Women’s Health Center at 1902 South Interstate 35 (between Woodland and South Oltorf) in Austin where the rosary will be prayed. Benediction follows at St. Ignatius. For more information, call the Offce of Pro-Life Activities at (512) 238-1756.

Sidewalk Angel Training is scheduled immediately after the November Prayer Vigil from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Ignatius Annex Chapel. Sidewalk Angels offer life-giving alternatives, hope and assistance to those going into abortion facilities. For more information, contact Ann Marie Hansen at (512) 423-0822.

Weekly notes

Prayers of the Faithful

Please consider using the following prayers of the faithful for the weekend of Nov. 18:

• For our enemies …
• For those who suffer for spreading the Gospel …
• That our hearts will be opened to reconcile with those we have hurt and those who have hurt us …
• For all those in despair and for those who have lost all hope, that they may find peace …

Blessings and congratulations …

To the following priest on the anniversary of his priestly ordination:
Rev. Anthony Odiong, Nov. 13, 1993.

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM)

Upcoming EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

EIM Basic or 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 these sites 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 which is sent to parishes/schools a few months prior to each new schedule block. Additional workshops will not be not 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.

A schedule of 1½ hour EIM Refresher Workshops can be found on the EIM homepage linked below:

3-hour EIM Basic Workshops currently scheduled and open to the public are listed here:

Date Time Location Phone
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, College Station 512-693-6994
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Emmaus Parish, Lakeway 512-261-8500
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 6 to 9 p.m. St. John Parish, Marble Falls - En Español 830-693-5134
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. St. Paul Parish, Smithville - En Español 512-237-3299
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 6 to 9 p.m. St. William Parish, Round Rock - En Español 512-255-4473
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Austin 512-476-6182
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Mary, Church of the Assumption, Waco 254-753-0146
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Joseph Parish, Killeen 254-634-7878
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Mary Catholic School, West, West 254-826-5991
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. John the Evangelist Parish, San Marcos 512-353-8969
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Patrick Parish, Hutto 512-759-3712
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon Holy Family Parish, Copperas Cove 254-547-3735
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Edward's University, Main Bldg, Maloney Rm, 3rd flr 512-448-8548
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 9 a.m. to noon St. Joseph Parish, Bryan 979-822-2721
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 9 a.m. to noon Sacred Heart Parish, La Grange 979-968-3430
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 9 a.m. to noon Our Lady's Maronite, Austin, Austin 512-458-3693
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. St. Mary, San Saba - En Español 325-372-3679
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. St. Mary Parish, Brenham 979-836-4441
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 1 to 4 p.m. St. Luke Parish, Temple 254-773-1561
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. University Catholic Center, Austin 512-476-7351
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 6 to 9 p.m. St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Austin 512-892-2420
Thu, Oct 14, 2010 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. St. Louis Parish, Austin 512-454-0384

Click here to view sample bulletin announcements to let parishioners know of these workshops.