Red Mass

Bishop Vásquez celebrated the Red Mass at St. Mary Cathedral on Sept. 30. This Mass is celebrated annually for members of the legal profession: judges, lawyers, law school professors, law students and government officials and marks the opening of the judicial year. Father Doug Jeffers, associate pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Austin, gave the homily at this year's Red Mass. (Photo by Shelley Metcalf)

As we enter October, enjoying the changing of the season and cooler temperatures, we pause and reflect on an important time on the Catholic calendar - Respect Life Month.

From conception through childhood, adulthood to natural death, we see the precious gift with which we are imbued each time we look into the eyes of a child, as we experience the wisdom of an older person, and as we accompany one another through our lived experiences as adults.

We are called to see the world through the lens of the Gospel of Life, protecting the vulnerable, treating the other with charity, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and respecting all our brothers and sisters. Now, as Congress considers the passage of the deceptively named, Women's Health Protection Act H.R. 3755, which has now moved to the Senate as S.1975, I ask all people of good will to join me in prayer for the unborn along with the women and families who are forever impacted by this tragedy.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops asks that we send a message regarding our opposition to H.R.3755.and S.1975. These bills will allow abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy, ban pro-life laws in every state and local government and ultimately force Americans to support abortions with their tax dollars.

Join me today in making our voices heard and sharing our message of life with our congressional leaders by clicking here and adding your name in support of life. 

Through the intercession of our Mother Mary, let us be true witnesses to the Gospel of Life.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

~Jeremiah 1:5

Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men (CTFCM): Day at Round Rock Express
Did you miss it? Father James Misko, vicar general, threw out the first pitch last Saturday at the Round Rock Express game. Fun and fellowship were had at the ballpark -- learn more about the CTFCM here!

Noche de Tema Virtual
¡Los jóvenes adultos están invitados a Conectarse! Noche de Tema Virtual a las 8 p.m. cada segundo miércoles del mes (13 de octubre), usando su teléfono, computadora o tableta. El contenido será en español. Únanse a nosotros mientras compartimos nuestra fe católica entre amigos/as. El evento será transmitido en vivo por Facebook en este enlace.

Young Adults are invited to "Noche de Tema Virtual" at 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month (Oct. 13) via their phone, computer or tablet. The talk will be in Spanish. Join us as we share our Catholic faith with friends. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook at this link.

Fall in Love Again
Spend a “Fall” day at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Temple being renewed in the Spirit by reflecting on God’s love for us through the beauty and silence of nature, plus his Word and Holy Eucharist. Brian Egan, director at Cedarbrake, will lead the reflections and Mass will be celebrated. The day of reflection will be held Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m; cost is $40 which includes lunch. Learn about this and other days of reflection here.

Time to register for adult confirmation
Adult Confirmation will be celebrated Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock. The deadline for parishes to register is Oct. 15. The registration form is available at this link on the diocesan website.

Please email the Worship Office if you have any questions about the celebration or registration or call (512) 949-2429.

Administrative Staff Retreat
The annual diocesan Administrative Staff Retreat will be held Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill. Registration will open at 8 a.m. followed by Mass with Bishop Vásquez at 9 a.m. All parishes are invited to send their administrative staff members to this day of formation and communication, which will feature presentations by Father James Misko, vicar general of the Diocese of Austin; Camille Garcia, director of Communications for the Diocese of Austin; and Paulist Father Bruce Nieli, Missionary of Mercy of Pope Francis. The new 2021-2022 diocesan directory will also be distributed to parishes at this meeting. Please register before Oct. 13 using this form. For more information, e-mail St. Luke Parish or call (254) 773-1561.

Catholic Services Appeal Trainings
Have you picked up your Catholic Services Appeal materials? Learn more about this year’s CSA, “Christ makes all things new.” Training and material pick-up dates for this year’s CSA are scheduled at the Pastoral Center and locations throughout the diocese. Priests and parish representatives are strongly encouraged to attend one of the training sessions. Register here for training dates and material pickup.

CSA Reception
A total of $150,000 in grants will be awarded at the parish CSA reception, which will be held Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. William Parish in Round Rock. A parish representative must be present to win. Please register here. 

Congratulations to the following parishes who have met the six CSA measurements to qualify for the $10,000 grant: St. Thomas More Parish, Austin; St. Joseph Parish, Mason; Holy Trinity Parish, Llano; St. Patrick Parish, Hutto; St. Joseph Parish, Bryan; St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, College Station, St. John Vianney Parish, Round Rock; Sts. Cryril & Methodius Parish, Granger, St. William Parish, Round Rock, St. John the Baptist Parish, Fayetteville; St. Mary Parish, San Saba; St. Mary Mission, Ellinger; and Sacred Heart Parish, Waco. Each of these parishes will be awarded $5,000 at the reception!

CSA Priest Luncheon
The Catholic Services Appeal Priest Luncheon is Oct.13 from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center. Priests may register here for the lunch. By attending the lunch, priests will also earn one ticket for the Parish Incentive Program for next year’s appeal. Bring your smart phones to the luncheon for an interactive competition for prizes.

Ethics & Integrity in Ministry Compliance
Those who serve in ministry have a sacred obligation to make the church safe for all. Anyone who is new to ministry in the Diocese of Austin must complete the EIM Application for Ministry and attend an in-person EIM Workshop. Online EIM Training is available for existing applicants who have previously attended a workshop and are due to update/renew their EIM compliance. [En Español]

The solution to a woman in a crisis pregnancy is not violence but love. Bishop calls for prayer and fasting as the newly passed House Bill 3755 establishes the legal right to abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy in all 50 states under federal law. Read more here.

Father Emil Kapaun, a candidate for sainthood, conformed his life to Christ. The priest of the Diocese of Wichita, a World War II and Korean War U.S. Army chaplain, was captured with many other soldiers Nov. 1, 1950. He died at age 35 on May 23, 1951, after being forcibly taken to a North Korean prisoner of war hut to die. Read more about his funeral Mass at this link.