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The Friday E-Pistle

Nov. 20, 2020
A Message from Bishop Vásquez
  Official appointments
  • Rev. Keith Koehl has been appointed dean of the Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery, effective Nov. 16, 2020.
  • Rev. Rito Davila has been appointed chaplain of the diocesan Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, effective Nov. 16, 2020.
  • Friar Enrique Hernandez Montoya, OFM Conv., has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Louis Parish in Austin, effective Nov. 14, 2020.
  • Deacon Roberto Martinez has been appointed spiritual advisor for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin, effective Nov. 3, 2020.
Happy Thanksgiving
   I give thanks to God for the people of our diocese and all the gifts they share with the church. In a special way, this Thanksgiving we remember all those who have died because of COVID-19. May they rest in peace. Let us remember to give thanks and praise to our God who gives us love, life and dignity. I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Offices closed
   The Friday E-Pistle will not be published on Friday, Nov. 27. Diocesan offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

Attention priests and liturgical coordinators
   The 2020 Advent Overview for Liturgical Considerations is now available on the diocesan website at this link.

Special collection
   The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will be taken up this weekend (Nov. 21-22). Your support for this collection supports communities across the country and empowers those living in poverty to draw the places where they live into the Kingdom of God. Click here for more information.
Young adults

MEGA Posada Juvenil
   Atención jóvenes adultos solteros y mayores de 18 años, ¿cómo se prepararán para recibir al Niño Jesús esta Navidad? Una MEGA Posada Juvenil se llevará a cabo el 5 de diciembre de 6 a 9 p.m. en Santa Cruz Parish en Buda. Todos están invitados a celebrar mientras oramos el rosario y celebramos con una posada, compañerismo y piñatas. El programa será primariamente en español. Para obtener detalles, visite la página de la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana o llame al (512) 949-2466.
  
Attention young adults who are single and over the age of 18, how will you prepare to receive the Christ child this Christmas? A MEGA Posada Juvenil will be held on Dec. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. All are invited to celebrate as we pray the rosary, and celebrate with a posada, fellowship and piñatas. The program will be primarily in Spanish.  For more information visit the Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Facebook page or call (512) 949-2466.

Catholic Services Appeal

   Thank you to the priests of the diocese who did an outstanding job in the launch of the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) on commitment weekend. For those pastors who sent out the emails to parishioners, your online gifts are up. The appeal is at $1.9 million pledged, which is a 27% increase from 17-18 and 109% from last year. On the paid side, the CSA is at $1.3 million, which is a 35% increase from 17-18 and 174% from last year. The number of participating families is at 5,158, an increase of 12% from 17-18 and 106% from last year. 
   Congratulations to the following parishes leading in gifts: St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, 182; St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, 182; St. William Parish in Round Rock, 171; Sacred Heart Parish in Austin, 169; and St. John Neumann Parish in Austin, 151.
   Ways to give to the CSA include cash, check, money order, credit or debit card, electronic fund transfer from bank accounts, stock, IRA distribution or by texting a dollar amount to (512) 829-3826. Thank you for your generosity!
Return instructions
   Parishes should send the first two CSA parish batches in their Return Mailer to the processing center in Connecticut. The remaining smaller batches should be returned to the Stewardship and Development Office for processing. If you have any questions, contact Lauryn Filip at (512) 949-2440.
Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM)
   The pandemic in no way lessens the sacred obligation of those who serve in ministry, both virtual and in-person, to make the Church safe for all. The EIM Office reminds all persons who are due to update their EIM compliance to complete the Temporary Online EIM Training [En Español]. New employees and new volunteers currently active in ministry should submit an EIM Application and check with their parish/school EIM site administrator regarding the availability of an EIM Workshop.
Catholic Schools
   The Office of Catholic Schools will present a Virtual Talent Showcase Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a free evening of talent, inspiration and celebration in honor of Catholic education in the Diocese of Austin and the "unsung heroes" of our school communities. Bishop Bill Wack of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee will give the keynote address. Visit CSDATX.org to reserve a spot, to become a sponsor or to donate online. Proceeds from this event are returned to schools for tuition assistance. Your support of Catholic school students and families during this unprecedented time is deeply appreciated.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

Advent reflection
   Cedarbrake will host a virtual afternoon reflection entitled “Advent, A Time of Hope” with Franciscan Father Albert Haase on Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. Father Haase will host a panel of three diocesan priests: Father Brian Eilers, Father Charlie Garza and Father Sang Quan. They will share their perspectives of Advent as a time to enter more fully into this season of hope. This will be recorded for those who wish to view it later. Cost is $10. Register online or call the office at (254) 780-2436.
Advent Silent Retreat
   Enter into the silence of the Advent season by setting aside the weekend of Dec. 4-6 to come and pray at Cedarbrake. While the majority of the time will be spent in quiet with God, this retreat will also include opportunity for group prayer and celebration of the Eucharist to prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas. The cost with meals for a shared room is $200, a private room is $250 with an option to stay an extra night(s) before or after the weekend. Register online or call the office at (254) 780-2436.

Vocations Office
   Seminarian and religious life posters along with the Seminarian Prayer Calendars have arrived. Thanks to several volunteers from the Catholic Vocations Advocates and the Pastoral Center, the posters and prayer calendars have been delivered to Austin parishes and to designated hub parishes within outlying deaneries:
  • Bastrop/Lockhart: St. Paul Parish in Smithville
  • Brenham/La Grange: St. Margaret Parish in Giddings
  • Bryan/College Station: St. Anthony Parish in Bryan
  • Georgetown/Round Rock: St. Helen Parish in Georgetown
  • Killeen/Temple: St. Luke Parish in Temple
  • Lampasas/Marble Falls: St. John Parish in Marble Falls
  • San Marcos: St. John Parish in San Marcos
  • Waco: St. Joseph Parish in Bellmead/Waco
   Thank you for promoting a culture of vocations in the diocese! Please contact Julie Gray in the Vocations Office via email if you need additional prayer calendars or have any questions.
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