The Pastoral Plan implementation process continues to unfold at the diocesan and parish levels. The Pastoral Plan microsite serves as the main tool for pastors and parish leaders to learn about ways to implement the plan’s objectives. Two new resources have been added this week. Twenty-Third Publications offers wonderful booklets for the Lenten season as well as simple, affordable resources to nourish your Catholic faith. A number of their resources are available in Spanish. Another excellent resource is "The Journey/El Camino" from Paulist Evangelization Ministries; it is designed to help Catholics deepen their personal relationship with Christ and encounter Jesus in their lives. Also check out Faith in Action to see what can be done personally to implement the Pastoral Plan in your own life.
Consider using the following meditation for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 19):
The diocesan Office of Canonical and Tribunal Services will host a Marriage Packet workshop Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. This workshop will include the required documentation, Canon Law requirements and diocesan policies affecting the marriage preparation process. This workshop is intended for priests, deacons and parish staff that assist couples with their marriage preparation documents. For more information, contact Gloria Villarreal at (512) 949-2482.
The Diocese of Austin is accepting applications for the Ascend class of 2017. Approximately 30 young adults will be selected to participate in a series of retreats and evening courses between February and April. The Ascend class of 2017 will be empowered to make a lasting contribution by practicing applied leadership skills to exercise their faith in positions of leadership in the church as well as in their homes, communities and careers. Applications are due Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. For complete information about Ascend, including the program calendar, application and FAQs, visit www.austindiocese.org/ascend.
February is Black History Month and Feb. 5 is designated as the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African family. Please see the following link for background on the National Black History Month Theme: The Crisis in Black Education.
Please consider Pope Francis’ prayer request for the month of February:
Please consider Bishop Vásquez’ prayer request for the Seventh Sunday Ordinary Time (Feb. 19):
The fifth annual Austin Catholic Men’s Conference will be held Feb. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin. Speakers include Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers; Gus Lloyd, host of Seize the Day on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Chanel; and Robert Rogers. Tickets include refreshments, lunch and several valuable gifts. Advance registration is $39. Group discounts are available. For tickets or more information, visit www.catholiccallingallmen.eventbrite.com.
Click here to login to your EIM account in order to find the workshop schedule and Sign Up for a Workshop (bottom right of your account page). Instructions are provided in case you do not recall how to login to your EIM account. Please contact your parish or Catholic school EIM site administrator if you need assistance or if you do not have Internet access. For general information about EIM workshops, please click here.
EIM Workshops are scheduled by the EIM Office, coordinating with the EIM site administrator at parishes, schools and other diocesan agencies. Staff of any site wishing to host a workshop should coordinate with their EIM site administrator. If the site administrator has arranged workshop details with a facilitator, then an email to the EIM office with those details is sufficient to request a workshop; otherwise workshop requests should be made by the site administrator using the Workshop Request Table. EIM site administrators may direct inquiries about EIM workshop scheduling to Emily Hurlimann in the EIM Office at (512) 949-2447.