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A partir del 23 de mayo de 2021, el Domingo de Pentecostés, se rescindirán los protocolos temporales para la celebración de los sacramentos que fueron iniciados durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y se anulará la temporal dispensación de la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical que otorgue debido a la pandemia. Con alegría, invito a todos los Católicos a que vuelvan a participar en persona en los sacramentos y en la vida de la parroquia.

Effective May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday, the temporary protocols for the celebration of the sacraments initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic will be rescinded and the temporary dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, which I granted because of the pandemic, will be lifted. I joyfully invite all Catholics back to in-person participation in the sacraments and the life of the parish.

As we approach the Sacred Triduum, Bishop Vásquez shares his message to the faithful.

Estoy agradecido por la reciente noticia del Gobernador Abbott de que los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC por sus siglas en inglés) han destinado más de 1.4 millones de dosis de las vacunas contra COVID-19 para el estado de Texas que comenzarán a llegar a mediados de diciembre. Si bien esta es una maravillosa noticia, sabemos que vacunar a todo un país tomará varios meses y que nuestras precauciones para detener la propagación del virus siguen siendo tan importantes como siempre.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, of the Diocese of Austin, issued the following pastoral message to the Catholic faithful on December 4, 2020: I am grateful for the recent news from Governor Abbott that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has earmarked over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the state of Texas to start arriving in mid-December. While this is wonderful news, we know that vaccinating an entire country will take several months and our precautions to stop the spread of the virus remain as important as ever.

Estimados Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo: Esta semana, el gobernador Greg Abbott emitió una nueva orden ejecutiva relacionada con COVID-19, con fecha efectiva el 10 de marzo de 2021, que anula su previo mandato estatal que requería coberturas faciales. Esta orden también permite el 100% de la capacidad en la mayoría de los negocios. Si bien rescindió el mandato estatal de "usar una cobertura facial", el gobernador alienta a todos los tejanos a continuar usando mascarillas “donde no sea posible mantener seis pies de distancia social”.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: This week Governor Greg Abbott issued a new executive order related to COVID-19, effective March 10, 2021, which rescinds his previous statewide mandate requiring face coverings. This order also allows for 100% capacity in most businesses. While rescinding the statewide mandate for the “wearing of a face covering,” the governor encourages all Texans to continue using face masks “wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing.”

To the Faithful of the Diocese of Austin: I join my brother bishops and the many leaders of other religious faiths in opposing the Equality Act (H. R. 5). This legislation further erodes the freedom and rights of people of good will, as well as the rights of faith-based charities and health-care workers with conscience objections.

Dadas las peligrosas condiciones del clima y para conducir vehículos en el Centro de Texas, algunas parroquias se han visto forzadas a cancelar los Servicios y Misas de Miércoles de Ceniza. La Diócesis de Austin ha pedido a los pastores de cada una de las 127 parroquia que decidan juzgando con prudencia de la mejor manera posible respecto a su calendario litúrgico en su comunidad en particular. La seguridad de nuestros parroquianos y miembros del clero es la prioridad más alta. La diócesis se extiende desde Waco a San Marcos y de Mason a Bryan/College Station.

With the dangerous weather and driving conditions in Central Texas, some parishes have been forced to cancel Ash Wednesday Masses and Services. The Diocese of Austin has asked the pastors of each of the 127 parishes to make their best prudential judgment for the liturgy schedule in their particular community. The safety of our parishioners and clergy remains the highest priority.

As our nation continues the transition from one president to another, Bishop Joe Vásquez, through his leadership of the Diocese of Austin, takes seriously the role of the Church to inform the culture. We do this through the faithful celebration of the sacraments and apostolic action in the world. Included in that is working with whomever is in office at the local, state, and federal level for God’s good purposes.

I pray to God that this year, dedicated to St. Joseph, may inspire all fathers, not only those who are biological fathers, but us who are also spiritual fathers, to work to strengthen fatherhood. I encourage all men to read “Patris corde” and to develop a devotion to St. Joseph and seek his guidance to become better fathers.

Ancestral roots run deep for many families at St. Mary Parish, said Father Everardo Cazares, pastor of St. Mary Parish. “Celebrating the 150th dedication of the parish with solemnity is an opportunity to honor our ancestors, recognize their efforts, and at the same time renew our commitment to spiritual wealth, not only in tradition but by inherited witness.”

True healing can only occur when the wound is cleaned completely, and the wound caused when someone hurts us can only be healed by letting go of the “tip of the thorn,” the grudge we continue to bear even after the offender says, “I’m sorry,” and we say, “You are forgiven.”

Father Larry Covington, the pastor of St. Theresa Parish, said the parish was already looking at ways to improve its online presence before the pandemic hit. Then, as COVID-19 cases spread nationwide and hit home in Austin last spring, the parish staff shifted into high gear to offer virtual opportunities to stay connected as a community.

Mike Scarpato serves as the risk manager for the Diocese of Austin. In this role he coordinates the diocesan Risk Insurance Program, which provides coverage to parishes and schools for property, liability, automobile, workers’ compensation and other perils as they occur.

The proceeds from the 2020 Ashes to Easter campaign benefit three area nonprofits and will help them continue their mission work. Educate Haiti Inc., Weavers of Hope and New Hope for Cambodian Children will share in the funds raised through last year’s campaign.