Bishop's Message: Conclusion of the 75th Anniversary

English | Espanol

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

My heart is filled with profound gratitude to serve as your shepherd. God has poured out his goodness in our 127 parishes, missions, and chapels, in our Catholic schools, through Catholic Charities, and by the many apostolates. We are united through our faith and blessed in our diversity with people of different ethnicities, cultures and traditions.

Throughout this year, I have reflected on God’s generosity to the people of Central Texas. The overwhelming success of the Encountering Christ Capital Campaign made it possible to build and dedicate three new churches in parishes that would not have been able to fulfill their dream without the partnership of the diocese. A renewed vision of vocation ministry across the diocese is bearing good fruit as God continues to call young people to the priesthood and religious life. This year we welcomed twelve new seminarians into the diocese, the largest class in over a decade. Our university campus ministry centers continue to form young people to grow in wisdom and holiness.

As we close a year of celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Austin, I call each of us to rekindle our love for Jesus Christ and his Church. Please join me in giving thanks to God for his abundant blessings and providential care during our seventy-five years as a diocese. May God send us forth filled with hope and holiness for generations to come!

Entrusting the Diocese to the loving embrace of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, I am