The Friday E-Pistle| February 5, 2010 | Print this issue |
IN 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
A message from Bishop-elect Mulvey
Permanent diaconate ordinations and official appointments
In order to serve the people of God, Bishop-elect Mulvey has made the following appointments for permanent deacons who will be ordained tomorrow by Archbishop Gregory Aymond:
Deacon William Atkins to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Jesse Casarez to St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Arthur Cavazos to St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs, effective March 1.
Deacon Paul Easterling to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Luling, effective March 1.
Deacon Ronald Fernandes to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station, effective March 1.
Deacon Alvin Frerich to Sacred Heart Parish in Rockne, effective March 1.
Deacon Terry Guilbert to Church of the Resurrection, Emmaus Parish in Lakeway, effective March 1.
Deacon James Hayden to Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove, effective March 1.
Deacon Robert Jasek to St. John the Baptist Parish in Fayetteville, effective March 1.
Deacon Richard Johnson to St. Mary Parish in Mexia, effective March 1.
Deacon Dan Lupo to St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Hoa Mai to Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Jose Mendez to San Jose Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon John Murphy to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park, effective March 1.
Deacon Emmanuel Nwokocha to St. Elizabeth Parish in Pflugerville, effective March 1.
Deacon Jerry Opperman to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Waco, effective March 1.
Deacon Daniel Pearson to St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs, effective March 1.
Deacon David Pustka to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Taylor, effective March 1.
Deacon James Rodgers to St. Joseph Parish in Killeen, effective March 1.
Deacon David Sekel to St. John Neumann Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Manuel Torres to St. John Neumann Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Luis Villa to St. Louis Parish in Austin, effective March 1.
Deacon Kenneth Vochoska to St. Mary, Church of the Assumption Parish in West, effective March 1.
DCYC
We would like to extend a word of gratitude to all those who organized and participated in the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference last weekend. Also, a special word of thanks to all the priests who assisted in hearing the more than 800 confessions.
Bishop-elect Mulveys installation
There have been many inquiries into attending the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Mulvey in Corpus Christi. Please use the link below to submit your contact information, if you would like to attend. This information will be of assistance in planning and preparation as space is limited.
Farewell receptions
We are preparing a few receptions around the diocese so that we can say our goodbyes as I leave to become Bishop of Corpus Christi. All are welcome to attend.
The Masses and/or receptions are as follows:
Feb. 12, Reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. RSVP to Kim Chrisman at the address linked below.
Feb. 15, Mass of Thanksgiving at 6 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station. No RSVP necessary.
Feb. 16, Mass of Thanksgiving at 6 p.m., St. Helen Parish in Georgetown, reception following Mass. Non-parishioners of St. Helen should RSVP to Dick Phillips by using the e-mail linked below.
Feb. 22, Reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. No RSVP necessary.
Special collection Feb. 13-14
Please read the following announcement before all Masses on the weekend of Feb. 13-14:
Catholics in Central Texas are asked to support Catholic higher education in our diocese through a special collection taken up the weekend of Feb. 13-14. This collection directly supports our master's in theology program, which forms individuals who will serve as theology teachers in our diocese. The campus ministry programs at the colleges and universities in our diocese are also supported through this collection. Your generous support of these two worthy programs is greatly appreciated.
Este fin de semana, los católicos en el Centro de Texas son requeridos para apoyar la colecta especial en favor de la educación superior católica. Esta colecta directamente apoya nuestro programa de maestría en teología, el cual forma a los individuos que servirán como profesores en dicha disciplina, así como los programas del ministerio en colegios y universidades en nuestra diócesis. Su generoso apoyo a estos dos dignos programas es altamente apreciado.
Weekly meditation
Reflection questions
Please consider using the following question for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time:
Jesus blesses the poor, the hungry, the weeping and the persecuted. What is something you can do this week to truly help the least among us?
Jesús bendice a los pobres, hambrientos, los que lloran y los perseguidos. ¿Que puedes hacer esta semana para ayudar en verdad al los que carecen entre nosotros?
Please consider using the following question for Ash Wednesday:
Have you prepared an inner room to pray to your Father?
¿Has preparado un cuarto interior para orarle al Padre Celestial?
Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living
40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to abortion through the use of prayer, fasting and constant vigil for 40 Days, at least 12 hours each day, outside of abortion facilities. The next campaign is Feb. 17-March 28.
There will be four prayer vigil locations in the Diocese of Austin. Please choose the location most convenient to you and consider signing up for an hour of prayer each week. If you are too far away to be physically present at the prayer vigil locations, you can participate by having weekly, daily or one-time Holy Hours, rosaries and Masses.
The four locations are:
Austin Womens Health Center, 1902 S. Interstate35, Austin
International Healthcare Solutions, 9805 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin
Planned Parenthood, 4112 E. 29th St., Bryan
Planned Parenthood, 1927 Columbus Ave., Waco
To participate, use the Web sites and e-mail linked below for the appropriate location.
Gabriel Project Life Center
The Gabriel Project Life Center has an urgent need for diapers especially in sizes 4 and 5 and baby wash (monetary donations accepted, open packages are OK). New or gently used baby girl clothes sizes NB-3T are also needed. For more information, contact Pamela Otten at the e-mail address linked below.
Social concerns
Prison ministry
In Texas more than 1.1 million men and women have come into contact with the criminal justice system. The parole rate is now up to 70,000 per year. Six of 10 released offenders return to prison. Upon release these ex-offenders need a support base to help them stabilize and stay free. Pastors are asked to send representatives to a conference hosted by the Texas Catholic Conference, April 30 May 1, which will address these and other criminal justice issues. Criminal Justice, Catholic Charities and Social Justice Ministries have been combined by our bishops to address their issues jointly. These groups are participating in the conference. Please plan now to send someone from your parish to this conference to learn how to offer a supportive ministry at your parish.
For more information, contact Deacon Doots Dufour at (512) 651-6108.
Weekly notes
Television appearance
On Tuesday, "The Oprah Show" will feature a segment on the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Sisters from this congregation are working in our Catholic schools. Please check your local listings for more information.
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.