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The Friday E-Pistle
Dec. 11, 2020
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Bishop Joe Vásquez led the diocesan celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
on Dec. 5 at San José Parish in Austin. May Our Lady of Guadalupe hear the cries
of those who are lonely or sick, vulnerable or afraid and shelter us in the mantle of her protection. (Photo by Gabriel Lujan)
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A message from Bishop Vásquez
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- Rev. John Calgaro, OFM Conv., as administrator of Cristo Rey Parish in Austin, effective Dec. 5, 2020.
- Rev. Jared Cooke as associate chaplain of the University Catholic Center in Austin, effective Jan. 4, 2021.
- Rev. Barry Cuba as administrator of St. Monica Parish in Cameron and St. Matthew Mission in Rogers, effective Jan. 4, 2021.
- Rev. Amado Ramos as administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Temple, effective Jan. 18, 2021.
- Rev. Jeffrey Roedel, ISP, as parochial vicar at St. Paul Parish in Austin, effective Dec. 4, 2020.
- Rev. Francisco Rodriguez III as pastor of St. William Parish in Round Rock, effective Jan. 18, 2021.
- Rev. Dean Wilhelm as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Austin, effective Jan. 18, 2021.
The following priests have been granted retirement as of Jan. 4, 2021:
- Rev. Dimitrij Colankin
- Very Rev. Bud Roland
Presbyteral Council elections and appointments
The voting process has been completed for the elected members of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Austin whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2020. The following priests have been elected by their peers to serve as Deanery Members of the Presbyteral Council for the next three years:
- Bryan/College Station Deanery – Rev. Melvin Dornak (re-elected)
- Lampasas/Marble Falls Deanery – Rev. Paul Hudson
- San Marcos Deanery – Rev. Brion Zarsky (re-elected)
- Waco Deanery – Rev. Boniface Onjefu
Additionally, I have appointed the following priests to serve on the council, representing the priests within the indicated category for the same three-year period:
- Religious Member – Friar Florencio Rodriguez, TOR
- At-Large Member – Rev. James Robertson
- At-Large Member – Rev. Joseph Daheim
I remain grateful for all the Presbyteral Council members, those who will continue to serve and those who have served, for their valuable collaboration in my ministry.
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Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC)
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DCYC is fast approaching! In 2021, we are excited to celebrate 63 years of faith and the vitality our young people bring to the diocese. Join us Jan. 30 for this exciting opportunity to deepen your faith and feel God’s love SURROUND you! For more information, contact your parish youth ministry representative. Parishes may find event information at this link.
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Catholic Schools Talent Showcase
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Since 2009, Catholic school communities throughout the diocese have gathered in January for the Saints and Scholars Gala to celebrate National Catholic Schools week. This year, while we cannot be physically together, we invite you join us in celebrating Catholic education at the first-ever FREE Catholic Schools Virtual Talent Showcase on Jan. 23, 2021. All are invited to join from the comfort of their own homes – just RSVP online to reserve your ticket today! Attendees will enjoy an evening of entertainment, as well as an inspirational keynote by Bishop Bill Wack, from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, and former pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish and School in Austin.
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Catholic Services Appeal (CSA)
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Update
The direct mail effort has led to a strong start of the CSA. The appeal is at $3.4 million pledged, with $1.2 million paid. The second letter from the pastors has been mailed to those donors who did not respond to the first request. Please note that there may be a cross over in receiving the letter prior to the donor’s gift being entered. Thank you for your generosity!
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 or by making a secure gift on the diocesan website.
Congratulations to the following parishes leading in gifts:
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St. William Parish in Round Rock: 390
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St. Thomas More Parish in Austin: 340
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St. Paul Chong Hasang Parish in Harker Heights: 240
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St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock: 237
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St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin: 234
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St. Joseph Parish in Bryan: 234
Congratulations to the following deaneries leading in percentage of goal:
Please take the time to complete the CSA Media Survey. Along with letting us know if your parish showed/shared the video (for a parish incentive program ticket), we have included other questions to learn more about how your parish engaged your parishioners during this year’s appeal. There is also a section for you to share feedback of any kind. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.
Please share the Pew-In-Home video on your social media and/or parish website in English and Spanish.
Return instructions
Parishes should have sent the first two 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 questions, please contact Lauryn Filip by email or at (512) 949-2440.
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The Retired Clergy and Religious Special Collection will be taken up this weekend, Dec. 12-13. In addition to many of their daily needs, your support for this collection helps provide prescription medications, nursing care and more for retired priests, sisters and brothers. Please give to those who have given a lifetime of service to the people of God. Click here for more information.
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Assembly of Catholic Professionals (ACP)
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The Assembly of Catholic Professionals provides a unique formation opportunity for Catholic lay professionals to grow in wisdom and holiness. The next virtual gathering is Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Robert Tunmire, a leadership advisor. Click here to enter the webinar, which is entitled “What is your God task? Why has He blessed you with the time, talent and treasure that you have?”
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Thank you! We are so grateful for your participation in the 2020 #iGiveCatholic! Because of your commitment and our donors’ faith and generosity, we had the most successful giving day ever: $78,026 raised by 360 donors for 24 ministries. Click here for leaderboard results. Checks will be issued to ministries once the donations have been received.
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Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center
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The third annual Biblical Institute will be held virtually Jan. 8-9, 2021. The topic will be “St. Paul before the Gospel Narratives.” How does St. Paul’s theology and message stand alone from the four Gospels? The presenter will be Father Seán Charles Martin, a priest for the Diocese of Dallas. Father Martin served as the president of Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis for five years; he is now pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Rockwall. There will be one conference on Friday evening and two conferences on Saturday morning. The sessions will be recorded. The cost is $55. Register at the Cedarbrake website.
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Misa Interparroquial (Bilingual)
Pastoral Juvenil Hispana will come together for the monthly Interparochial Mass Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Young adults are invited to celebrate the Eucharist as a community of faith. This Mass will be celebrated in Spanish and English. For details visit this link or call (512) 949-2466.
La Pastoral Juvenil Hispana se reunirá para la Misa mensual interparroquial el 18 de diciembre a las 7:30 p.m. en St. Mary Cathedral en Austin. Jóvenes adultos están invitados a celebrar la Eucaristía como una comunidad de fe. Esta Misa será celebrada en español e inglés. Para obtener detalles, visite este enlace o llame al (512) 949-2466.
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Ethics & Integrity in Ministry
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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.
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