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Father Joseph Hugh Frazer, a Catholic priest for 37 years, died Feb. 9, 2021, in Penney Farms, Florida at the age of 88. He was born on May 1, 1932, in Buffalo, New York to Dr. Joseph H. Frazer and Lenore Leatherbury Frazer. Father Frazer attended St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University, a M.Div. from Yale/Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He was ordained to ministry in the Episcopal Church in June 1956, the same month in which he married Georgia McWhorter of Odessa, Delaware.

Father Paul F. McCallum, a Catholic priest for 58 years, died Oct. 6, 2020 in Georgetown. He was 87. He was born Feb. 14, 1933, in Quincy, Mass. to Daniel J. and Grace M. Landry McCallum. He attended Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth, Mass., Stigmatine Junior Seminary in Wellesley, Mass., and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston.

Father Walter F. Carr, a diocesan priest for 27 years, died in Round Rock on July 21 at the age of 95. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946; he met and married Mary Casilda Snook on May 14, 1947, while serving in Okinawa, Japan. They moved to Austin where Fr. Carr earned a degree in economics at the University of Texas. The couple had three children: Walter Patrick Carr, Robert Francis Carr, and Kathleen Ann Carr. The couple also served as one of the founding families of St. Louis King of France Parish in Austin.

Rev. Peter Joseph McCabe, III, a Catholic priest for 50 years, died on April 23, 2020 in Mexia at the age of 81. He was born on April 25, 1938 in Beacon, New York to Peter Joseph McCabe, Jr. and Julia Alesio McCabe. He attended St. Jerome’s College in Kitchener Ontario, Canada. He also attended St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, New York, Holy Ghost Seminary in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri.

Rev. Gregory Romanski, a Catholic priest for 43 years, died on April 10, 2020 in Austin at the age of 71. He was born on February 10, 1949 in Alma, Michigan to Alex J. and Helen L. Romanski. Rev. Romanski attended Villanova University and Washington Theology University.

Bishop Vásquez letter on pastoral concern for our children who are students in the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and whose Board of Trustees gave final approval to new lessons in the district's Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) curriculum.

Bishop Joe Vásquez protocols for the celebration of the sacraments initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic .

Rev. Angelo Bertini, a Catholic priest for 46 years, died Jan. 13, 2020 in Georgetown at the age of 83. He was born on July 29, 1936, in Galveston, Texas, to Marion and Catherine (Cinelli) Bertini. Father Bertini received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, served in the U. S. Army for seven years, then earned a master’s degree in Theology from the University of St. Mary in San Antonio. He also attended Assumption Seminary in San Antonio.

AUSTIN – Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, issued the following statement on Jan. 10: “I am deeply saddened by Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to block Texas from participating in the federal refugee settlement program. Along with my brother bishops of Texas, I respect the governor. Unfortunately, this decision denies people fleeing religious and political persecution the opportunity to bring their gifts and talents to our state and contribute to the common good.

AUSTIN, Texas – Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, of the Diocese of Austin, issued the following statement on Nov. 15, 2019: “I am grateful to hear that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously voted and recommended to Governor Abbott that he grant a reprieve to Mr. Rodney Reed. If granted, this reprieve will allow time for the full body of evidence to be reviewed and to conduct DNA testing. My hope is that the person responsible for the murder of Stacey Stites is brought to justice. We continue to pray for everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Bishop Joe Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin expressed concern and disappointment over the action taken by the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees to adopt a revised and controversial curricula on human sexuality. Bishop Vásquez submitted written comments to the board prior to the vote asking the board to reject the curricula.

The Diocese of Austin issued the following statement on Oct. 8, 2019: We are sad to report that a minor was allegedly touched inappropriately at a conference held at St. William Parish in Round Rock.

Msgr. Oliver F. Johnson, a Catholic priest for 57 years, died Oct. 7, 2019 in Austin at the age of 82. He was born Jan. 10, 1937 in Carlow, Ireland to Michael and Mary (Malone) Johnson. He received his education from the Irish Christian Brothers at Carlow and completed his studies at St. Patrick’s Seminary.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For Giancarlo Bernini, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, things are not always as they appear and that's a good thing because it is how he plans to make a living. The magician, who has done shows for colleges, corporate events and Catholic parishes and church-sponsored gatherings, recently got some nationwide exposure for his trade when he was featured on the season premiere of "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" on the CW network.

The Diocese of Austin was informed this morning of a fire at the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia. Full details of the fire are unknown at this time, but it appears the church will be a total loss. “I am saddened for the people of Westphalia who have suffered this tremendous loss,” said Bishop Joe S. Vásquez. “I am grateful for all the firefighters and departments that responded to the fire. Please join me in keeping the people of this historic parish in your prayers today as they try to piece together this tragedy.”

The following Transitional Deacons, ordained May 18, 2019, have been appointed to:

On May 9, Pope Francis issued a Motu proprio, a mandate directed to the Universal Church, as a follow up to the meeting held in Rome in February with bishops from around the world, including Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. This Motu proprio, Vos estis lux mundi, which translates, You are the Light of the World, orders a response to the scourge of sexual abuse in the world, and especially in the Church by her clerics.

Within the Diocese of Austin and the other Roman Catholic Dioceses of Texas, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The Thursday prior is now, celebrated as Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter.

Bishop Joe Vásquez has appointed Father James Misko as Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin, effective Jan. 21. Father Misko, 48, will also continue to serve as pastor of St. Louis Parish in Austin, Bishop Vásquez announced in a statement on Jan. 11.

AUSTIN – Today we received great news from Holy Father Pope Francis: he has appointed Austin Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey (California). The announcement was made at 5 a.m. Austin time by the Vatican. Bishop Garcia will hold a press conference at noon (CST) in the Diocese of Monterey. Bishop Garcia will hold a press conference Thursday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m., at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin.