Spotlight on ministry: Luisa de Poo

Luisa de Poo serves as the diocesan director of Life, Marriage and Family. She began working for the Diocese of Austin in 2016. In her role, de Poo is responsible for directing and implementing the USCCB Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities; coordinating the education and instruction of Catholics and the general public on life issues; and overseeing diocesan programs, initiatives and resources related to the ongoing catechesis and spiritual formation for sacramental marriage and Christian family living.
“I work with parishes to provide the tools they need for sharing the Gospel of Life with their parish community,” she said. “This position gives me the opportunity to connect parishes and lay ecclesial movements with resources that can help them in forming families to become stronger domestic churches.”
One of de Poo’s greatest joys is sharing the beauty and truth of the dignity of life with the general public. She often works with women experiencing crisis pregnancies, and she helps men and women find forgivensess and healing after abortion. She also enjoys working with engaged couples and helping them understand the beauty of the sacrament of matrimony.
She holds a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and she is a licensed clinical psychologist.
De Poo was appointed a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities in light of her pro-life/pro-family work and efforts increasing participation and commitment of Hispanics in issues that affect life and human dignity in the diocese.
De Poo and her husband, as well as their two daughters, are parishioners of St. Louis King of France Parish in Austin.