This is a video of the homily by Bishop Joe S. Vásquez at the 2015 Chrism Mass on March 31, 2015 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin will host a Vocation Awareness Evening April 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center. High school students are invitied to attend this evening, which will include Mass, dinner, talks by priests, religious sisters and a seminarian. There is no cost to attend. To register or for more information, contact Rita Vaglica at (512) 219-5825.

The second annual Catholic Congress of Families: "Love is Our Mission" will be held IN SPANISH June 27 at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. There will be workshops for children (ages 5 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 17). Catechesis will be focused on the World Meeting of Families of 2015. For more information, call 512-745-0574 or visit www.carismaenmisionestx.org.

II Congreso Católico de Familias: “El Amor es Nuestra Misión”

Se llevará a cabo en ESPAÑOL el día sábado, 27 de junio del 2015 en la Parroquia de Santa Cruz en Buda ¡Día para unir a su familia y renovar su fe y amor en Dios! Habrá talleres para niños de 5-12 años y para adolescentes de 13-17 años. El congreso se enfocará en la catequesis del Encuentro Mundial de familias del 2015. Para más información o para obtener sus boletos llame al 512-745-0574 o visite el sitio web www.carismaenmisionestx.org.

A message from Bishop Vásquez

Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in which 1.5 million people perished and millions more were displaced and subjected to deportation, torture, starvation and massacre. In remembrance of this atrocity, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 12. Likewise, in the Diocese of Austin, Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin on Sunday, April 12.

On this day, the bishop asks that all parishes join him in prayer remembering the innocent who died in the Armenian Genocide and all those who continue to suffer from religious persecution around the world.  Please use this petition/prayer at the general intercessions at Mass:

• In remembrance of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, let us pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who continue to suffer from religious persecution, that we may all share in the joy and lasting peace of Christ’s resurrection.”
• En la conmemoración del 100 aniversario del Genocidio Armenio, oremos por nuestros hermanos y hermanas de alrededor del mundo que continúan sufriendo de persecución religiosa, que todos podamos compartir en la alegría y paz duradera de la resurrección de Cristo.

Links to news stories and information on the Armenian Genocide:

• http://www.usccb.org/news/2015/15-040.cfm
• http://www.armenian-genocide.org/genocidefaq.html

Special Collection: April 11-12

All parishes in the Diocese of Austin are to take up a special collection the weekend of April 11-12 for Seminarians and Priest Education and Formation. The following announcement should be read before all Masses that weekend:

• To minister to a rapidly growing population, the Diocese of Austin must ensure it has an ample number of priests to celebrate the sacraments, preach God’s word and guide us on our journey with Christ. To ensure our priests are well-prepared, a man in formation will pursue a quality education in philosophy, theology and pastoral care. Seminarian education and formation in the Diocese of Austin can take up to nine years. Financial impediments should never prevent men from responding to God’s call to the priesthood. Most financial support for priests and seminarians is made available from the Catholic Services Appeal and a Seminarian Endowment in the Catholic Foundation, but the needs are far greater than our annual appeal can support. This special collection provides additional support for this very important effort. Please be generous in your support of this most worthy cause.
• Para atender a una población en rápido crecimiento, la Diócesis de Austin debe asegurarse de que cuenta con un amplio número de sacerdotes para celebrar los sacramentos, predicar la palabra de Dios y nos guíe en nuestro camino con Cristo. Para asegurar que nuestros sacerdotes están bien preparados, un hombre en la formación llevará a cabo una educación de calidad en la filosofía, la teología y la pastoral. La educación y la formación de seminaristas en la Diócesis de Austin puede tardar hasta nueve años. Impedimentos financieros no debe impedir que los hombres responden al llamado de Dios al sacerdocio. La mayoría de la ayuda financiera para los sacerdotes y seminaristas, con cargo a la Apelación de Servicios católica y una dotación seminarista en la Fundación Católica, pero las necesidades son mucho mayores que nuestro llamamiento anual puede soportar. Esta colección especial proporciona apoyo adicional a este esfuerzo muy importante. Por favor, sean generosos en su apoyo a esta causa más digna.

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 26):

• Have you ever thought or uttered the phrase, “I’d give my life for that”? Maybe you meant it or maybe it was just an expression. After today’s Gospel, prayerfully consider what you would really give your life for.
• ¿Ha usted alguna vez pensado o dicho la frase, "daría mi vida por tal cosa"? Tal vez usted lo decía en serio o tal vez era sólo una expresión. Después del Evangelio de hoy, considere en oración por qué daría usted su vida realmente.

EIM Office

Facilitator Training for EIM Basic and Refresher workshops

On May 2 the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Office will train new facilitators for the EIM workshops for adults (Basic and Refresher). The day-long facilitator training (9 a.m. to 4  p.m.) equips facilitators to present the Basic and Refresher workshops at their own parish/Catholic school and/or at other locations – the frequency and location of workshops that facilitators choose to do is up to the individual facilitator. Facilitators attending the training receive a manual and DVDs that covers the logistics and details of the programs and information about the topic of sexual abuse. Those interested in facilitating EIM workshops should submit this application, along with the requested information, to the EIM office by April 22. Please contact Emily Hurlimann at (512) 949-2447 with questions. Once the application is received and reviewed by the EIM office, applicants will be contacted with details of the training session.

Weekly notes

Pope Francis’ prayer intentions

Please consider Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for the month of April:

• That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God …
• Para que las personas aprendan a respetar la creación y a cuidarla como don de Dios ...
• That persecuted Christians may feel the consoling presence of the Risen Lord and the solidarity of all the Church …
• Para que los cristianos perseguidos sientan la presencia reconfortante del Señor Resucitado y la solidaridad de toda la Iglesia ...

Bishop Vasquez’ prayer intention

Please consider Bishop Vásquez’ prayer intention for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 26):

• For those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and for their families …
• Por aquellos que han sacrificado sus vidas en el cumplimiento del deber y por sus familias ...

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.

St. John the Evangelist Parish in Marble Falls invites everyone to the dedication of their new church on May 3 at 3 p.m. Bishop Joe Vásquez will bless the new church, which more than doubles the seating capacity of the former church (now the daily chapel) and features mosaics by Father Jairo Lopez.

This is a three-day retreat that focuses on The Teachings of Saint Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

All youth who are incoming 9-12th graders are invited to attend!

St. Thomas More Parish in Austin will host The Called and Gifted Workshop presented by Catherine of Siena Institute on June 12-13. Everyone is invited to discover how the Holy Spirit is calling them to minister to others. Registration deadline is June 8. For more information or to register, visit www.stmaustin.org/called-gifted.

A message from Bishop Vásquez

Official appointment

Rev. Christian Sanchez, LC, as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Temple, effective April 7, 2015.

The Pastoral Plan is available online

The Pastoral Plan is available online. The Plan has three sections: Part I is the Overview; Part II is the Operational Plan; and Part III will be the Implementation Plan. We hosted parish and staff gatherings to explore, discuss and pray through the Pastoral Plan in order to obtain ideas and recommendations about its implementation. There will also be a dedicated survey for the priests to respond and offer suggestions for the plan’s implementation. The document has been translated into Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean. Please take a moment to read through this plan and be sure to share any of your thoughts, questions or concerns by emailing us.

Read the plan: English ♦ Korean ♦ Spanish ♦ Vietnamese

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 3):

• For the vine to produce good fruit, it must be pruned and trimmed. What needs to be pruned from your life in order to produce more good fruit?
• Para que la viña produzca buen fruto debe ser podada ¿Qué necesita ser podado de su vida para producir más y mejor fruto?

Stewardship and Development

PDS update

We have converted 66 parishes to PDS. All parishes will be contacted by a diocesan database team member prior to their conversion date with information to prepare for the conversion. Three to four parishes are converted each week. The parish will have two weeks to review their data after their conversion. Please see the website at http://www.austindiocese.org/pds for the schedule as well as training sessions. The conversions this week are Holy Family in Lexington, St. Joseph in Dime Box, St. Mary in Pin Oak and St. John the Baptist in Waco.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

Upcoming retreats

• Franciscan Father Albert Haase will lead a retreat for spiritual directors April 24-25 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend will include two presentations, two case studies, role playing, Mass and a Q&A session. The cost is $120 for a private room, $105 for a shared room, and $65 for commuters. To register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.
• Beverly Collin will lead "Seasons of our Lives and What They Teach Us," based on the book by Sisters Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr on April 27 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Collin is the assistant director of Cedarbrake. The retreat will explore the relationship between the seasons of the earth and the seasons of our lives to help us discover the stepping stones of our spiritual growth and the awareness of God’s presence in and around us. The cost is $35. To register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.

Weekly notes

Bishop Vásquez' prayer intention

Please consider using the following prayer intention for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 3):

• For our older parishioners as we begin Older Americans month, that they will always be recognized and honored for their wisdom, faithful witness and generous contributions to our parishes.  Let us pray to the Lord…
• For nuestros parroquianos adultos mayores mientras comenzamos el mes de los Adultos Mayores Americanos, para que siempre sean reconocidos y honrados por su visión, su testimonio fiel y sus generosas contribuciones a nuestras parroquias. Oremos al Señor....

Blessings and congratulations to …

The following priests on the anniversary of their ordination during the month of May: Rev. Sushil Ekka, IMS, May 4, 1996; Rev. Bruce Nieli, CSP, May 5, 1973; Very Rev. Kirby Garner, May 7, 1977; Rev. Don Loftin, May 7, 1994; Rev. Gonzalo Ferrer, May 9, 1981; Rev. John Calgaro, OFM Conv., May 11, 1974; Rev. Angelo Bertini, May 12, 1973; Rev. Jayaraju Polishetty, May 12, 2009; Rev. Charles Kullmann, CSP, May 13, 1978; Rev. Edward Nowak, CSP, May 13, 1989; Rev. Walter Dhanwar, IMS, May 13, 1991; Msgr. Joe Van Anh Nguyen, May 14, 1968; Rev. James E. Robertson, May 14, 1977; Rev. Greg Romanski, May 14, 1977; Rev. Vincent Romuald, SRC, May 15, 1999; Msgr. Isidore Rozycki, May 18, 1968; Rev. Albert Ruiz, May 19, 1973; Very Rev. Ruben Patino, CSP, May 19, 1979; Rev. Robert M. Cary, CSP, May 19, 1984; Rev. Ranjan Cletus, May 19, 1984; Rev. René Constanza, CSP, May 19, 2012; Rev. Fred Chalupa, May 20, 1973; Rev. Rakshaganathan Selvaraj, May 20, 1994; Rev. Jamie Baca, CSP, May 20, 2006; Rev. James Evans, May 21, 1994; Rev. Edward C. Koharchik, May 21, 2005; Msgr. Louis Pavlicek, May 22, 1971; Rev. Everett Trebtoske, May 23, 1959; Msgr. Boli Zientek, May 23, 1959; Rev. Thomas Chamberlain, May 23, 1970; Rev. David Williams, JD, JCL, May 23, 1998; Msgr. Benedict Zientek, May 24, 1958; Rev. Keith Koehl, May 24, 1997; Rev. Ray Dowling, May 25, 1961; Msgr. John Malinowski, May 25, 1963; Msgr. Louis Wozniak, May 26, 1951; Bishop John McCarthy, May 26, 1956; Msgr. Lonnie Urban, May 27, 1967; Rev. J.C. Cain, OMI, May 27, 1989; Rev. Hilario Guajardo, May 27, 1989; Msgr. Joseph Schmitt, May 28, 1955; Rev. Thomas Hanus, May 28, 1966; Rev. Edwin Kagoo, May 28, 1980; Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, May 28, 1988; Rev. Dariusz Ziebowicz, SDS, May 28, 1988; Msgr. Frank S. Miller, May 29, 1954; Rev. Justin Udomah, May 29, 1993; Rev. Adrian Chishimba, May 29, 2010; Rev. Charlie Garza, May 29, 2010; Rev. Mark Hamlet, May 29, 2010; Rev. Jungtack John Kim, May 29, 2010; Rev. Matthew Kinney, May 29, 2010; Rev. Wade Russell, May 29, 2010; Rev. Steve Sauser, May 29, 2010; Msgr. Elmer Holtman, May 30, 1964; Rev. Peter McCabe, May 30, 1970; Rev. John Boiko, May 30, 1987; Rev. Edward Karasek, May 30, 1987; Rev. Sang Yil Lee, May 30, 1992; Msgr. Victor Goertz, May 31, 1952; Rev. Leonard Leddy, May 31, 1959; Very Rev. Juan Carlos Lopez, May 31, 2003; Rev. Rafael Padilla Valdes, May 31, 2003; Rev. Bradford Hernandez, May 31, 2008; Rev. Nock Russell, May 31, 2008; and Very Rev. Daniel Liu, May 31, 2008.

Lecture and book signing

The French Legation Museum in Austin is hosting a free event on April 26 at 2 p.m. with talks by Patrick Foley and Jeffrey Kerr. Foley recently published his book “Missionary Bishop: Jean Odin in Galveston and New Orleans.” Odin was the first Bishop of Galveston and was later appointed Archbishop of New Orleans. He was also the owner of what is now the French Legation Museum. Kerr will speak about the world Odin lived and worked in while in Austin. Kerr’s latest book is “Seat of Empire: The Embattled Birth of Austin.” For more information, visit the French Legation Museum online.

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.

Join us for Theology on Tap on Thursday, May 7^th at Ten Thousand Villages (4803 Burnet Road, Austin TX 78756) where Leti Bueno, High School Youth Minister at St. Catherine of Sienna will talk about fair trade. Please note that due to this location, food will not be available. However, you are encouraged to bring your dinner with you if you would like to eat. Fellowship begins at 6:00pm and her presentation begins at 7:00pm.

A message from Bishop Vásquez

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter or Good Shepherd Sunday, is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In his message for this celebration, our Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us: “To offer one’s life in mission is possible only if we are able to leave ourselves behind.” Please continue to pray for more men and women to answer the Lord’s call to offer their lives joyfully to him in the priesthood or consecrated life. In addition, think about men and women in your parish whom you can invite to consider this call. In a recent USCCB study of the 2015 priestly ordination class, the men reported that they were encouraged to consider a priestly vocation by an average of four people. Think of the effect you could have in fostering vocations in your parish and your own family — not only by your prayers, but also by your invitation.

Adult Confirmation

The spring 2015 Diocesan Adult Confirmation will take place at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park on May 16 at 10:30 a.m. If you are the RCIA director of your parish, you may register your candidate(s) by visiting www.austindiocese.org/dac15. The deadline to register is May 5 at 5 p.m. Please note that the Q&A/Guidelines have changed — especially the dress code. For questions, contact Jorge Nunez at (512) 949-2429.

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 10):

• In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us to love one another. What does it mean to love one another? Prayerfully review the Ten Commandments, notice that the first three are about loving God and the last seven are about loving our neighbor.
• En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos recuerda que nos amemos unos a otros ¿Qué significa amarnos unos a otros? En oración revise los Diez Mandamientos, note que los primeros tres son sobre amar a Dios y los últimos siete son sobre amar al prójimo.

Young Adult Ministry

Theology on Tap

The next Theology on Tap gathering is May 7 at Ten Thousand Villages (4803 Burnet Road, Austin, 78756) where Leti Bueno, High School Youth Minister at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin will talk about fair trade. Please note that due to this location, food will not be available. However, you are encouraged to bring your dinner with you, if you would like to eat. Fellowship begins at 6 p.m. and the presentation begins at 7 p.m.

Youth and Young Adults

World Youth Day 2016

There are a few spots available on the Diocese of Austin World Youth Day Krakow pilgrimage scheduled for July 2016. Youth (ages 16 to 18 and their chaperones) and young adults (ages 19 to 35) are invited to contact Adrian Sanchez or visit http://www.austindiocese.org/wyd for more information.

Stewardship and Development Office

Awards submissions

Each year, the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) recognizes parishes that have best promoted the spirituality of stewardship during the year. Parishes may enter their stewardship promotional materials for consideration in the following categories:

Parish Stewardship Recognition

• Archbishop Thomas Murphy Award
• Parish Stewardship Commitment Renewal
• Parish Stewardship Video
• Parish Capital Campaign Effort

Parish Certification

• Stewardship Parish Certification

For more information on these awards, or to apply visit: http://catholicstewardship.com/parishes/parish-stewardship-awards. The deadline to submit materials is June 30.

Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living

Pro-Life T-Shirt contest

Create a T-shirt and submit the design electronically by May 4. The winner's design will be worn on Jan. 23 at the Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day Annual Events at the Capitol and around town. Send entry to Yvonne Saldaña or call (512) 949-2486 for more information.

Theology of the Body

Theology of the Body leadership classes will be conducted around the diocese this summer. Leadership classes are an essential tool for educators. This facilitated program allows the authors of the curriculum to teach segments of the program to help you better understand the message about the beauty and dignity of being human. This series will include commentaries by authors Jason and Crystalina Evert and Brian Butler. This program will help catechists, DREs and school teachers fulfill the 8-hour TOB/Chaste Living requirement and counts as continuing education for the Adult Formation Program. For registration questions, please call (512) 949-2486.

Helpline Angel Training 

Volunteers are needed to answer and respond to calls made to the Diocesan Pro-Life Helpline. Most calls are from women facing a difficult pregnancy or women and men turning to the church for help after an abortion. There is a great need for Helpline Angels from throughout the diocese and training will be provided. Talk with our Pastoral Care Coordinator and she will help you decide if you are called to this important ministry. Helpline Angel Training will be held at St. William Parish in Round Rock on June 13. For more information or to register for the training, contact Mary Helen Russell at (512) 949-2488.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

June 5-10: Desert Solitude

The practice of intentional silence is non-negotiable. It is essential to growth and spiritual awakening. You just have to do it! Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton offers that opportunity with Desert Solitude, a six-day silent retreat. Centering prayer and daily Mass are at the heart of this retreat. Options are available for three-, four- and five-night retreats. To register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.

6 de junio: La Mujer Samaritana Nuestra Sed para Dios

Todos tenemos sed de Dios y estamos buscando a Dios en nuestras vidas. Jesús encontro a una mujer samaritana y  le ofreció agua viva y un nuevo comienzo en su vida. "El que beba del agua que yo le doy nunca volverá a tener sed, y el  agua que yo le doy brotará como un manatial dentro de él" dice Jesús. El día de retiro incluye presentaciones sobre Juan 4:1-42, tiempo para compartir en grupos y tiempo en silencio. El día será guiado por la Hermana Elena (Helen) Raycraft, OP. El costo es de $25 y el almuerzo está incluido. Para registrase, contacte al Centro de Retiros Cedarbrake escribiendo a: cedarbrake@austindiocese.org o llamando al (254) 780-2436.

Weekly notes

Bishop Vásquez' prayer intention

Please consider using the following prayer intention for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 10):

• For all mothers, living and deceased ...
• Por todas las madres, vivas y difuntas ...

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.

From Catholic Relief Services:

The morning of April 25, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal near Kathmandu and also affecting nearby parts of India. Avalanches were reported in the Himalayas, including on Mount Everest.

There is catastrophic structural damage in Kathmandu and people are trapped in collapsed buildings. The death toll is climbing at an alarming rate as survivors dig through the rubble frantically trying to free loved ones and neighbors.

Caritas Nepal has not been able to get in touch with its field offices because of damaged communications lines and therefore is unable to confirm the number of people that will need help in the surrounding villages. However, the needs are expected to be significant, with millions affected. 

Catholic Relief Services is responding and has committed resources to relief efforts. CRS and our Caritas partners have begun procuring emergency relief materials such as tarpaulins/shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene materials.

• Click here to donate.
• Click here to see the latest updates from CRS.

The diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis will offer a Publishers' Day May 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center. An abreviated version of the day will be held later that evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pastoral Center as well. Representatives and products from major publishers (for example Sadlier, Our Sunday Visitor, Benziger, St. Mary’s Press and Loyola) of faith formation materials will be available in English and in Spanish. Catechetical programs and Bible studies for adults will be featured as well. Anyone who is interested in catechesis for adults: volunteer catechists, Bible study leaders, deacons and priests are all welcome. Lunch will be provided for those who attend the early session. To register, contact Carolyn Martinez at carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org or (512) 949-2461.

For the past several years, the Diocesan Office of Religious Education has offered an annual Publishers’ Day at the Pastoral Center, featuring representatives and product displays from several of the major publishers of curricula (e.g. Sadlier, Our Sunday Visitor, Benziger, St. Mary’s Press, and Loyola) for Catholic school and parish religion programs.  The event has appealed primarily to catechetical leaders working with children’s and youth programs.

A growing concern for providing quality adult faith formation in our parishes has led the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis to offer a Publishers’ Day featuring a range of catechetical programs and Bible studies for adults, in both English and Spanish.  It’s an opportunity to hear from the publishers themselves, view samples, exchange ideas, and of course—win door prizes and take away freebies!

The event will take place on Monday, May 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (lunch provided) and again in abbreviated form from 6-9 p.m. for those who are unable to attend during the day.  DRE’s are encouraged to send anyone from their parishes who are interested in catechesis for adults—volunteer catechists, Bible study leaders, deacons, and pastors are all welcome.

Please RSVP to carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org to reserve your spot.  Questions?  Contact Carolyn Martinez at (512) 949-2461.

A message from Bishop Vásquez

CRS responds to Nepal

Catholic Relief Services is responding to the disaster in Nepal and has committed resources to relief efforts. CRS and Caritas partners have already begun procuring emergency relief materials such as tarpaulins/shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene materials. Visit the Diocese of Austin's website for a special prayer and information on how to do donate.

Pastoral Plan update

Please click the link below to access the Pastoral Plan. The document has been translated into Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean. Please take a moment to read through it and be sure to share any of your thoughts, questions or concerns by emailing us. The Plan has three sections: Part I is the Overview; Part II is the Operational Plan; and Part III will be the Implementation Plan. The Core Team continues to receive ideas and recommendations for the plan’s implementation. During the month of May a survey will be sent to the priests to respond and offer their suggestions for implementation. In June, the Implementation Team will meet to start the process of reviewing the ideas and recommendations, then designing an Implementation Plan. Please continue to pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom to guide this process and pray for the diocese as we embark on a new chapter in our history.

Read the plan: English ♦ Korean ♦ Spanish ♦ Vietnamese

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the feast of the Ascension (May 17):

• Today’s Gospel reading is a biblical basis for the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. How often do you pray for the sick?
• La lectura del Evangelio de hoy es el fundamento bíblico del Sacramento de la Unción de los enfermos ¿Con qué frecuencia ora usted por los enfermos?

Stewardship and Development Office

PDS update

We have converted 70 parishes to PDS ChurchOffice. All parishes will be contacted by a diocesan database team member prior to their conversion date with information to prepare for the conversion. The parish will have two weeks to review their data after their conversion. Please see the website at http://www.austindiocese.org/pds for the schedule as well as training sessions. We are also beginning the data synchronization process from the parishes to the diocese. The upcoming conversions this week are St. Thomas More in Austin, St. Ignatius Martyr in Austin and St. Louis in Waco.

Ideas to Impact Conference: May 26-29

The PDS Ideas to Impact Conference will be in Dallas May 26-29. PDS is offering a special diocesan discount of $350 per registration if we send 10+ attendees to the conference. Please see the PDS website for information on the conference at: http://www.ideastoimpact.com. Contact Lisa Rosenberger at (512) 949-2450 if you are interested in attending.

Awards submissions

Each year, the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) recognizes parishes that have best promoted the spirituality of stewardship during the year. Parishes may enter their stewardship promotional materials for consideration in the following categories:

Parish Stewardship Recognition

• Archbishop Thomas Murphy Award
• Parish Stewardship Commitment Renewal
• Parish Stewardship Video
• Parish Capital Campaign Effort

Parish Certification

• Stewardship Parish Certification

For more information on these awards, or to apply, visit http://catholicstewardship.com/parishes/parish-stewardship-awards. The deadline to submit materials is June 30.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

Upcoming retreat

Healing Hearts, a weekend retreat designed for women who have suffered abuse and seek healing, will be held May 29-31 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $135 (includes room, linens, materials and meals). For more information and to register, call (254) 780-2436 and ask for Beverly Collin.

Catholic Schools

Strategic Plan survey

As part of the ongoing commitment to implementing the Catholic schools strategic plan and improving Catholic school education throughout the Diocese of Austin, the Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) is conducting an online survey to address the education choices for your children. The OCS hopes to understand why parents choose to enroll or not to enroll their children at a Catholic school. Please visit the www.csdatx.org website to complete the survey in English or Spanish. Please complete the survey by May 18.

Evangelization and Catechesis Office

Upcoming events

• A Publishers’ Day for Adult Faith Formation will be held at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch provided) and again in abbreviated form from 6 to 9 p.m. Publishers’ representatives will display a range of catechetical programs and Bible study materials for adults, in both English and Spanish. Publishers include Our Sunday Visitor, Loyola Press, Lighthouse Catholic Media (Augustine Institute, Word on Fire, Ignatius Press, Hearts Afire), Ascension Press, Paulist Press, and Little Rock Scripture Study. Parishes are welcome to send anyone interested in catechesis for adults—volunteer catechists, Bible study leaders, deacons, and pastors. Please contact Carolyn Martinez to register, especially if you will need a lunch.
• Online registration for 2015 Summer Formation & Certification Classes is open. Courses for both basic and advanced levels, English and Spanish, begin June 1 at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin and also at six remote deanery sites via Google Hangout. Courses are open to any adult but especially to catechetical leaders and Catholic school catechists working on certification requirements. No payment is required at the time of online registration.

Black Catholics

Justice and Peace Forum

Join in the next courageous conversation on the increasing number of tragic deaths of unarmed black men onn May 18 at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Parish in Austin. The forum is co-sponsored by Holy Cross Parish; the Diocese of Austin, the Office of Social Concerns, the diocesan Office of Black Catholics, St. Austin Parish, St. John Neumann Parish and Pax Christi Austin. All are invited to attend.

Weekly notes

Bishop Vásquez' prayer intention

Please consider using the following prayer intention for feast of the Ascension (May 17):

• For families, may their bonds be strengthened as they share the Eucharist …
• Por las familias, para que sus lazos se fortalezcan mientras comparten la Eucaristía ...

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.

                                                                  Sunday, June 7, 2015

Come Join the Diocesan Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday morning, June 7^th, starting with the 9:30 Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin. located: 203 East 10th Street, Austin, Texas  78701

Praise and adore the Lamb of God as the English and Spanish Corpus Christi processions come together this year. All Catholic groups can bring their banner and process from the Cathedral to the State Capital and into the University of Texas for noon Mass at the University Catholic Center.

• Diocesan Corpus Christi Flyer
• Map

Procesión de Corpus Christi Diocesano

                                              Domingo, 7 de Junio de 2015

Vengan y acompáñenos a la Procesión Diocesana de Corpus Christi, el domingo 7 de Junio, iniciando con la Misa a las 9:30 am en la Catedral de Santa María, en el centro de la ciudad de Austin. Localizada: en el 203 East 10th Street, Austin, Texas 78701

Alaben y adoren al Cordero de Dios, al unirse las procesiones de Corpus Christi de inglés y español este año. Todos los grupos católicos pueden traer su bandera o estandarte y peregrinar desde la Catedral de Santa María, por el Capitolio del Estado, hasta llegar al Centro Católico Universitario.

• Procesión de Corpus Christi Volante
• Mapa
• ¡Escucha!

A message from Bishop Vásquez

Special Collection: May 23-24

The weekend of May 23-24 all parishes in the Diocese of Austin are to take up a special collection for disaster relief in Nepal. The following announcements should be read before all Masses that weekend:

• The Diocese of Austin will take up a special collection on May 23-24 for the work of Catholic Relief Services in Nepal to assist those who have suffered as a result of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in the late morning of April 25, toppling buildings and homes, causing widespread panic and claiming thousands of lives.  Our church mourns the terrible suffering of our brothers and sisters affected by this powerful earthquake. Please join with the Catholic community across the U.S. in responding to our suffering brothers and sisters. CRS is the official humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the U.S. and is already responding to urgent needs for shelter, water and food in Nepal. For more information, go to CRS.org.
• La Diócesis de Austin realizará una colecta especial los días 23-24 de mayo de 2015, para el trabajo de los Catholic Relief Services (Servicios de Ayuda Católicos, CRS por sus siglas en inglés) en Nepal para ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido como resultado del terremoto de 7.8 grados de magnitud que golpeó a Nepal durante la mañana del 25 de abril, derribando edificios y hogares, causando pánico generalizado y causando la pérdida de miles de vidas. Nuestra iglesia está de luto por el terrible sufrimiento de nuestros hermanos y hermanas afectados por este poderoso terremoto. Por favor únanse a la comunidad Católica de todo Estados Unidos en responder a nuestros hermanos y hermanas que sufren. CRS es la agencia humanitaria oficial de la comunidad Católica en los Estados Unidos y se encuentra ya respondiendo a las urgentes necesidades de albergue, agua y alimentos en Nepal. Para mayor información, vaya a CRS.org.

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the feast of Pentecost (May 24):

• At Pentecost, Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and guide. How often to you pray to the Holy Spirit? Remember to include the Spirit in your daily prayers.
• En Pentecostés, Jesús nos dió el don del Espíritu Santo para que abogara por nosotros y nos guiara ¿Con qué frequencia ora usted al Espíritu Santo? Recuerde incluir al Espíritu en sus oraciones diarias.

Pro-Life Activities Office

Theology of the Body leadership classes

Theology of the Body leadership classes will be conducted around the diocese this summer. Leadership classes are an essential tool for educators. This facilitated program allows the authors of the curriculum to teach segments of the program to help you better understand the message about the beauty and dignity of being human. This series will include commentaries by authors Jason and Crystalina Evert and Brian Butler. This program will help catechists, DREs and school teachers fulfill the 8-hour TOB/Chaste Living requirement and counts as continuing education for the Adult Formation Program. To register for the course, click here.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

June 5-10: Desert Solitude

The practice of intentional silence is non-negotiable. It is essential to growth and spiritual awakening. You just have to do it! Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton offers that opportunity with Desert Solitude, a six-day silent retreat on June 5-10. Centering prayer and daily Mass are at the heart of this retreat. Options are available for three-, four- and five-night retreats. To register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436.

6 de junio: La Mujer Samaritana Nuestra Sed para Dios

Todos tenemos sed de Dios y estamos buscando a Dios en nuestras vidas. Jesús encontro a una mujer samaritana y  le ofreció agua viva y un nuevo comienzo en su vida. "El que beba del agua que yo le doy nunca volverá a tener sed, y el  agua que yo le doy brotará como un manatial dentro de él" dice Jesús. El día de retiro incluye presentaciones sobre Juan 4:1-42, tiempo para compartir en grupos y tiempo en silencio. El día será guiado por la Hermana Elena (Helen) Raycraft, OP. El costo es de $25 y el almuerzo está incluido. Para registrase, contacte al Centro de Retiros Cedarbrake escribiendo a: cedarbrake@austindiocese.org o llamando al (254) 780-2436.

Catholic Schools

Strategic Plan survey

As part of the ongoing commitment to implementing the Catholic schools strategic plan and improving Catholic school education throughout the Diocese of Austin, the Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) is conducting an online survey to address the education choices for your children. The OCS hopes to understand why parents choose to enroll or not to enroll their children at a Catholic school. Please visit the www.csdatx.org website to complete the survey in English or Spanish. Please complete the survey by May 18.

Finance Office

Health insurance enrollment

The open enrollment period for health insurance will begin on May 11 and end on June 19. During this time, an employee may enroll, add or drop coverage without a qualifying event. Dependent children are eligible until age 26 without student status. All changes made during this time period will be effective until June 30, 2016.

All employees currently enrolled in the plan will automatically be enrolled unless they terminate coverage.

The average increase in costs for coverage is approximately 2 percent for all plans, with the exception of the High Deductible Plan for which there is no increase in premium. There will be no changes to the Deluxe Plan and the only change to the High Deducible plan is that the deductible will increase to $2,600 per the federal regulations effective July 1, 2015.

Special collection money due

Please send funds collected for the Catholic Higher Education special collection, taken up Feb. 7-8, and the World and Home Missions special collection, taken up Feb. 18, to the diocesan Finance Office as soon as possible. Send checks to Finance Office, Diocese of Austin, 6225 Highway 290 East, Austin, TX 78723.

Youth Ministry

Servus Dei

Servus Dei is a three-day social justice adventure for young adolescents between sixth and eighth grades. Servus Dei provides prayer experiences, engaging learning activities based on the life of Jesus and Catholic social teaching and introduces young adolescents to service as an integral part of Christian discipleship. The service involvement takes place at local agencies and centers that assist people in need. The retreat will take place June 18-20  and the cost $85. On-time registration must be submitted by June 1, with late registration due by June 11. Youth may register through their parish youth ministry representative. For more information, visit here or contact Jennifer Kodysz at (512) 949-2467.

Stewardship and Development Office

PDS conversions

We have converted 74 parishes to PDS ChurchOffice. All parishes will be contacted by a diocesan database team member prior to their conversion date with information to prepare for the conversion. The parish will have two weeks to review their data after their conversion. Please see the website at http://www.austindiocese.org/pds for the schedule as well as training sessions. We are also beginning the data synchronization process from the parishes to the diocese. The upcoming conversions this week are St. John the Evangelist in Marble Falls, St. Anthony in Bryan and St. Paul the Apostle in Horseshoe Bay.

Weekly notes

Pope Francis' prayer intentions

Please consider Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for the month of May:

• That, rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care for our neighbors who suffer, especially the sick and the poor …
• Para que, rechazando la cultura de la indiferencia, cuidemos a los que sufren, en particular a los enfermos y los pobres ...
• That Mary's intercession may help Christians in secularized cultures be ready to proclaim Jesus …
• Por que la intercesión de María ayude a los cristianos que viven en contextos secularizados a hacerse disponibles para anunciar a Jesús ...

Bishop Vásquez' prayer intention

Please consider using the following prayer intention for feast of Pentecost (May 24):

• That through the seven-fold gifts of the Spirit, we may be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Gospels …
• Para que a través de los siete dones del Espíritu, podamos ser testigos fieles de Jesucristo y del Evangelio...

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.

By Mary P. Walker
Senior Correspondent

Bishop Joe Vásquez will ordain Deacons Alberto Carbajal Madera, Darrell Kostiha, Hai Dong Nguyen, Sang Ky Quan, Tom Reitmeyer and Francisco Rodriguez III to the priesthood on June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. William Parish in Round Rock. They all began seminary studies after time in the workforce.
Deacon Alberto Carbajal Madera, 36, was born in Mexico and came to Austin when he was 12. The sixth of nine children, he is the son of Alberto Carbajal Moreno and Rosalina Madera Escalante. An older brother is a diocesan priest, and an older sister is a religious sister, both in Mexico. St. Julia Parish in Austin is his home parish. 
“I am very excited. My family is very excited,” he said regarding adding another priest to the family. 
After graduating from McCallum High School in Austin in 1996, Deacon Carbajal worked at various jobs, and was then employed by a nursing home. He loved talking to the patients and listening to their stories.
“The interaction with the patients helped me find my vocation in life,” Deacon Carbajal said. 
During the same period, he also volunteered in youth ministry at Cristo Rey and Sacred Heart parishes, where Father César Guzmán and Salesian Sister Guadalupe Medina encouraged him to consider the priesthood.
After being accepted at St. Joseph Seminary College, Deacon Carbajal found the spirituality and hospitality of the Benedictine monks a tremendous help in his discernment. He also learned to admire and appreciate their monastic life. Because English is not his native language, he said he found challenges in his studies, especially in philosophy classes.  
As a priest, Deacon Carbajal looks forward to being part of the parish community and accompanying the people he will serve along their spiritual journey. He also hopes to get to know and learn from the other diocesan priests. He welcomes the opportunity to talk to young men and women who may be wondering if God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life.
“I have received so much encouragement. I want to pass this on,” he said.
Deacon Darrell Kostiha, 46, also hails from a large family; he is the youngest of nine children, and the son of Gladys and the late Albert Kostiha. Growing up in Westphalia, he belonged to Visitation Parish. After high school, he worked for a distribution center in Temple, on the swing shift at a manufacturing plant and raised cattle on the side.
Off and on, since high school, Deacon Kostiha had thought about the priesthood, but pushed the idea away. Holding priests in high regard, he did not think God could be calling him.
However, his cattle caused him to reconsider! While looking for a job that would be more compatible with raising them, the idea of becoming a priest resurfaced. 
After attending Project Andrew, a vocations event, he approached the diocesan vocations director, Father (now Bishop) Mike Sis. While encouraging, he suggested that Deacon Kostiha continue attending meetings and retreats, and brush up on his study skills by taking college classes. Shortly afterward, he began classes at Temple College and ended his cattle operation. 
Archbishop Gregory Aymond, then bishop of Austin, encouraged him to apply to the seminary, and he began studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in 2008. 
“It was quite an adjustment going from the agricultural, peaceful setting in Westphalia to Houston!” Deacon Kostiha admitted. 
At the seminary, he grew in confidence and in his relationship with God. Expressing appreciation for caring professors, Deacon Kostiha reported that he learned to love the study of philosophy, which at first he found to be “a different kind of language.” 
As a priest, he looks forward to making the love of God present to the people he will serve. In addition, he is happy to add a new chapter to the vocation history of his home parish, which claims 14 priests and 38 sisters. 
“It’s humbling and encouraging to see those who walked before me,” Deacon Kostiha said. 
Deacon Hai Dong Nguyen is the son of Dong Van Nguyen and Phong Thi Truong. Age 41, he is the youngest of four children. He grew up in Vietnam, where his father was a political prisoner and his mother went from town to town to earn a living for the family. His grandmother helped him attend church, and Deacon Nguyen credits his family with nurturing his faith. 
In 1991, at age 17, he moved to Washington, D.C., with his parents and sister. While working, he received undergraduate degrees in chemistry from the University of the District of Columbia and computer science from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. In 2005, he got a programming job in Austin. St. William Parish in Round Rock is his home parish. 
Deacon Nguyen explained that while he had continued to attend Mass, his faith was not yet central to his life. In 2006, he attended a retreat, where he “experienced the initial sense of the mercy of God and the sense of being called to share that through the priesthood,” he said. 
For three years, he continued his discernment. Under the spiritual direction of Father Alberto Borruel, he prayed, was active in the Legion of Mary, a parish prayer group, and visited patients in a nursing home. 
“Through my service to others, the call to become a priest became even clearer,” Deacon Nguyen said. Yet, he was in a serious relationship, which he believes helped him grow in faith. Through prayer, he realized that he had to end the relationship to prepare to enter the seminary. In 2009, he began his seminary studies. 
“There I continued to experience the love and mercy of God, and his conversion in my life. As a priest, I have a great desire to share that mercy with others,” Deacon Nguyen said.
Deacon Sang Ky Quan is also originally from Vietnam; he is the son of Giau Minh Quan and the late Hong Chang Quan. Age 58, he is the oldest of six children, and Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Austin is his home parish. He came to the U.S. in 1975, received an associate degree from St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla., and a bachelor’s and master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked in the semiconductor testing and design industry.
For some years, he had stopped going to Mass, and during his last year in college, he attended a nondenominational evangelical church. Friends and colleagues invited him to join the choir at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs and to participate in a prayer group that focused on Ignatian spirituality. That was the beginning of his discernment to the priesthood. 
At a summer retreat, his Jesuit spiritual director invited him to apply to the order. However, his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he lived with his parents until she died four years later. Encouraged by his family to consider marriage, he realized that was not God’s will for him. By then, he was older than those whom the Jesuits typically admit to the novitiate, and his vocations director was denied an exception to this policy. 
In 2007, Deacon Quan retired and joined his family in Arizona. A job as a contract engineer brought him back to Austin, where his spiritual director encouraged him to consider the diocesan priesthood. At age 52, he was again older than those typically accepted, but his Ignatian training gave him the peace he needed to proceed. 
“I am very grateful to the people of God. They have given me a lot of love and affirmation to help me stay on this path,” Deacon Quan said. As a priest, he wants to reflect that love and gratitude in his ministry. 
Deacon Tom Reitmeyer is the son of the late David Reitmeyer and Phyllis Steiger. He is 36, and one of four children. His family belonged to Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. An older brother was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D.
When Deacon Reitmeyer was 8, his father suffered a massive stroke, and died four years later. As a result, he struggled with his relationship with God. He graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin, and Texas A&M University, double majoring in biochemistry and genetics. While at A&M, he made the Awakening retreat, which Deacon Reitmeyer believes helped foster his own vocation.
After college, he joined the police force in College Station and advanced to detective. Although he loved his job and understood it as a call to service, something was missing from his life, he said. In 2005, he prepared to receive the sacrament of confirmation so that he could be the godfather of a friend’s son. He also volunteered extensively at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. 
“The more my heart grew closer to God, the more it grew away from the material aspects of my life,” Deacon Reitmeyer said.
He believes the grace and gifts of confirmation opened him to wonder whether God was calling him to the priesthood. The first person he told was his brother, Father Todd Reitmeyer, who suggested that they go together on a camping trip with friends in a “good Catholic family.” If Deacon Reitmeyer still wanted to be a priest after witnessing this happy family, they would talk.
Less than two weeks later, Father Todd was killed in a watercraft accident. 
“We’ve never had that conversation face-to-face, but we’ve had it since through prayer,” Deacon Reitmeyer said. 
To make sure God was truly calling him and that he was not following his brother’s footsteps through grief, Deacon Reitmeyer continued with spiritual direction and resigned from the police force to become the resource manager for his parish. Since he entered the seminary, he has never doubted his call. 
Deacon Reitmeyer hopes to follow his brother’s example of sharing in the lives of his parishioners.
“The greatest happiness comes from living the will of God,” he said.
Deacon Francisco Rodriguez, 42, was born in Lockhart, son of Frank Rodriguez Jr. and Isabel Gamez, and has an older sister. He has lived in San Marcos, and in 2004 moved to Georgetown. St. Helen Parish is his home parish. Enlisting in the Marines after high school, he served in the reserves and active duty from 1991 to 1997. While attending Texas State University, he worked in a distribution center, then did drafting work for an engineering firm, and later was an estimator for heavy construction companies.
While in the Marines and afterward, he did not regularly practice his faith. He credits a former girlfriend with getting him back to church. When they broke up, he knew his life had to change. In 2003, he attended a retreat at St. John the Evangelist Parish in San Marcos. 
“It was there that I really encountered Christ in a different way,” Deacon Rodriguez said. He made the decision to live for Christ, and participated in parish door-to-door evangelization.
After attending a vocation retreat in 2004, he believed that he was called to marriage. When he moved to Georgetown nine months later, Msgr. Louis Pavlicek, then pastor of St. Helen Parish, suggested that he belonged in the seminary –– although he had a girlfriend at the time. Parishioners also encouraged him to consider the priesthood.
On July 31, 2006, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, he heard a coworker denigrate the Catholic Church. Angry, he went to Mass at lunchtime. The homily was about St. Ignatius’ conversion. He believes he heard a voice inside him say, “Let it all go, and come and see.” After Mass, he told the priest he was going to apply to the seminary.
“Only the total, complete self-giving to God and his church will give me the joy my heart desires,” Deacon Rodriguez said. 
As a priest, he looks forward to celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. Because he has received much healing himself, especially during his seminary years, he wants to share God’s healing love with others.
For more information about vocations, visit www.austinvocations.com or contact the Vocations Office at (512) 949-2430.

Editor: Traditionally we as Catholics honor Mary, the mother of God, in the month of May. Why is this?
Bishop Vásquez: In the U.S., mothers are honored on the second Sunday of May. So, as we celebrate our own mothers on Mother’s Day, it is fitting that during the month of May we also celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus and the mother of the church. To be clear, we, as Catholics, love and honor Mary, but we worship God. We revere Mary because of her special role in salvation history as the mother of Christ.
“Predestined from eternity … the Blessed Virgin was on this earth the virgin Mother of the Redeemer, and above all others and in a singular way the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord … she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace,” according to Lumen Gentium (61).
During the month of May, in our parishes and in our homes, we are encouraged to pray to Our Blessed Mother asking her intercession. Some of the practices that the church recommends to honor Mary include praying the rosary, praying the Regina Coeli, praying litanies to Mary, consecrating ourselves to Mary and wearing the brown scapular or other Marian medals.
Editor: Mary plays a large role in our faith, so let’s go through some of those frequently asked questions. The first being that Mary was born without sin. How do we know this?
Bishop Vásquez: Primarily, we know this through faith and tradition. There is no place in Scripture that explicitly says Mary was born without sin, but it is inferred in the New Testament in the Gospel of Luke 1:28 and recited in the prayer, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace…” The church’s understanding is that Mary was kept pure and immaculate from sin from the moment of her conception. 
This was solemnly defined in 1854, when Pope Pius IX proclaimed “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”
What the dogma of the Immaculate Conception says is that Mary has this most special privilege given to her by God. Original sin is something we all inherit, but Mary was preserved from sin by God’s grace. We believe that Mary was as the Angel Gabriel proclaims in the Gospel of Luke “full of grace;” therefore, she was free from sin throughout her life. This grace that was extended by God to Mary is very unique, which is one of the reasons she is special to us as Catholics.
Editor: Another question that comes up often is Mary’s assumption into heaven and thus calling her the Queen of Heaven. Tell us about that.
Bishop Vásquez: The Assumption of Mary is another one of the dogmas of the church that was solemnly defined in 1950 by Pope Pius XII and more clearly defined in Lumen Gentium (59): “Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe ...”
The Assumption of Mary, which we celebrate as a church on Aug. 15, is a wonderful tradition. Mary is the greatest of all saints, the mother of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, so we believe that God allowed Mary to experience heaven immediately upon her death. 
It is important that we distinguish between the Ascension of Jesus Christ and the Assumption of Mary. We believe that Jesus gloriously ascended into heaven under his own power. Whereas Mary was assumed into heaven meaning she was taken into heaven not under her own power but by the power of God.
Editor: Cultures around the world celebrate Mary in a variety of ways. There have been many apparitions to the different cultures. Why do you think this is?
Bishop Vásquez: God has allowed Mary to appear to people throughout time in different parts of the world. This is a grace given to certain individuals, including the well-known apparitions to San Juan Diego, St. Bernadette and the three children at Fatima. In these apparitions, certain common elements are found. First, in all these apparitions, Mary speaks about her Son, Jesus Christ, as the one who saves and redeems us. Also, Mary desires that all come to know and trust Jesus. 
As I’ve said, God allows Our Lady to appear to people in various times and places and for particular reasons. Mary has great affinity for us, her children, and particularly for the poor and those who are suffering. God allows her to be present to them and to bring them the message of hope, which is Jesus Christ. Typically, her message is one of encouragement and forgiveness of sin and repentance which leads us to celebrate the sacrament of penance. Her words always reflect God’s mercy and love for us. 
In these Marian apparitions such as Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes in France or Fatima in Portugal, Mary invites us to come and experience the presence of God by drawing close to her. As any good mother, Mary loves her children and desires good things for them. She unites herself with those who are suffering and God uses her to convey his consolation, mercy and love for all. Mary’s love for Jesus, as she accompanied him throughout his life and journeyed with him to his passion and suffering on the cross, is extended to us as well. These apparitions are a sign that Mary never abandons us; she wants to be close to us in our moments of suffering.
Editor: As you mentioned before, May is also a time when we honor our earthly mothers. How can we better do that in today’s society?
Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis has spoken at length about the importance of mothers in the world today. Last January in his catechesis on the family, he thanked all mothers for the sacrifices they make for their children. “A society without mothers would be a dehumanized society, for mothers are always … witnesses of tenderness, dedication and moral strength. Mothers often pass on the deepest sense of religious practice: in a human being’s life, the value of faith is inscribed in the first prayers, the first acts of devotion that a child learns,” Pope Francis said.
The church considers motherhood an esteemed vocation that God has given to certain women. Mothers teach their children the very fundamentals of our faith: to know God, to love him, to serve him and to follow him. Our society needs to honor, appreciate and love our mothers. We must continue to pray for all mothers and give them strength and encouragement on a daily basis.
Editor: What is your prayer for us during the month of Mary?
Bishop Vásquez: May we come to love Mary, the mother of God, more because in loving her we will grow more deeply in love with her Son, Jesus Christ. I pray in a special way for all mothers, living and deceased.

A message from Bishop Vásquez

Pastoral Plan update

The Core Team has completed the parish gatherings that were held at St. Joseph in Bryan, the Pastoral Center in Austin, St. John in San Marcos, St. John in Marble Falls and St. Louis in Waco. We are very grateful to all the priests and parishioners who attended and participated in these sessions as well as the pastors and contact persons who welcomed everyone to their parish. While each parish gathering offered the session in both English and Spanish, it was decided to host an additional Spanish session at St. Elizabeth in Pflugerville on Friday, May 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. The input collected is being reviewed. In June, the Core Team will meet with members of the Steering Committee and begin to develop the Implementation Plan. During the summer months, the Core Team will update the plan’s progress using the diocesan website and other communication networks. Please continue to pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that this plan will be a fruitful guide for the diocese in the next three to five years.

Read the plan: English ♦ Korean ♦ Spanish ♦ Vietnamese

Plan Pastoral

En enero 2014, comenzamos el proceso de desarrollar un nuevo Plan Pastoral ofreciendo sesiones de escucha, grupos de enfoque y encuestas. Ahora estamos listos para el siguiente paso, el cual consiste en diseñar un Plan de Implementación. Para hacer esto, estamos invitando a todos los líderes de ministerios, grupos, etc., a participar en nuestra próxima reunión comunitaria en Español. Esta se llevara acabo el próximo viernes 29 de Mayo del 2015 a las 7 p.m. en la parroquia St. Elizabeth. En esta reunión compartiremos los puntos mas importantes del Plan Pastoral y buscaremos ideas y guía sobre la implementación del mismo. Para mayor información, favor de comunicarse con Edgar Ramirez en (512) 949-2468.

Reflection question

Gospel Meditation

Please consider using the following meditation for the feast of the Holy Trinity (May 31):

• In today’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity. Do you know the date of your baptism? Discover the date of your baptism and celebrate it – it is the day we are born with the promise of eternal life.
• En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús instruye a los discípulos a bautizar en el nombre de la Trinidad ¿Conoce usted la fecha de su bautismo? Encuentre la fecha de su bautismo y celébrela-- es el día en que nacemos a la promesa de la vida eterna.

Missions Office

Ashes to Easter Lenten Mission Collection

The Ashes to Easter Lenten Mission appeal is near completion. Thank you for your generous contributions of prayer and treasure to this campaign that supports missionary efforts in and outside of the Diocese of Austin. If you were unable to participate with the Ashes to Easter Mite Box offerings, please consider contributing through the diocesan online contribution site at www.lentbox.org. By donating a little, we can do a lot together in supporting missionary works.

Mission Prayer

O Mary, Star of Evangelization, intercede with your Son to bring about in each of us a renewed enthusiasm for our faith. Inspire in us the courage and zeal to live the Gospel and to bring Christ to everyone we meet. Open our hearts to the gift of the Holy Spirit, the agent of evangelization, and enable us to transform the world in the image of your Son. O Mary, Star of Evangelization, enlighten us with the radiance of your Son, walk with us in faith, strengthen us in hope, and unite us in love as we strive to become disciples in mission. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen. Prayer by St. John Paul II.

Catholic Schools Office

Tuition giveaway

The Office of Catholic Schools announces that Parker School Uniforms is giving away two $1,000 tuition scholarships to any Catholic school in the Diocese of Austin. Online contest runs from May 18 through June 30. For information or to enter, please visit www.csdatx.org.

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center

Upcoming retreat

Healing Hearts, a weekend retreat designed for women who have suffered abuse and seek healing, will be held May 29-31 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $135 (includes room, linens, materials and meals). For more information and to register, call (254) 780-2436 and ask for Beverly Collin.

Youth Ministry

Theology of the Body Retreat

At the Theology of the Body retreat, teens from across the diocese will take an in-depth look at St. John Paul II’s teachings to examine God’s original plan for humanity, and the freedom that comes with knowing and understanding his love. Join us for this three-day retreat for teens and share in fellowship, small groups, interactive activities and sacraments. All incoming ninth- through 12th-grade teens are invited to attend the retreat from July 31 to Aug. 2 at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. The cost is $75, which includes accommodations, materials and meals. Please provide one adult chaperone for up to four teens, and an additional chaperone for each additional 10 teens. See the diocesan website for registration information.

Weekly notes

Bishop Vásquez' prayer intention

Please consider using the following prayer intention for the feast of the Holy Trinity (May 31):

• May each of us live our baptismal promises to be priests, prophets and kings ...
• Por que todos vivamos nuestras promesas bautismales de ser sacerdotes, profetas y reyes...

Blessings and congratulations to …

The following priests on the anniversary of their ordination during the month of June: Rev. Hector Vega, ISP, June 1, 1974; Rev. Karel Fink, June 1, 1991; Rev. Harry Dean Jr., June 1, 1996; Rev. Bernard Nguyen Hung, June 1, 1997; Rev. Paul McCallum, June 2, 1962; Rev. James McDonough, OP, June 2, 1962; Rev. Cyril Ngbede Ejaidu, June 3, 1995; Rev. David Konderla, June 3, 1995; Rev. Stephen Nesrsta, June 3, 1995; Rev. Ernesto Elizondo, June 3, 2000; Rev. Paul Kasun, OSB, June 4, 1994; Rev. Larry Stehling, June 4, 1988; Msgr. John A. McCaffrey, June 5, 1976; Rev. Le-Minh Pham, June 5, 1993; Rev. Frank Zlotkowski, CSC, June 6, 1976; Rev. Christopher Downey, June 6, 2009; Rev. Justin Minh Nguyen, June 6, 2009; Rev. Uche Obikwelu, June 6, 2009; Rev. Jonathan Raia, June 6, 2009; Rev. Will Straten, June 6, 2009; Msgr. Mark Deering, June 7, 1953; Rev. Larry Covington, June 8, 1985; Rev. James Deaconson, June 8, 1985; Rev. Adam Martinez, June 8, 1985; Rev. Gregory McLaughlin, June 8, 1985; Rev. Richard Tijerina, June 8, 1985; Very Rev. Albert Laforet, Jr., June 8, 2002; Rev. Augustine Ariwaodo, June 8, 2013; Rev. Tim Nolt, June 8, 2013; Rev. Jason Bonifazi, June 8, 2013; Rev. Alex Caudillo, June 8, 2013; Rev. Barry Cuba, June 8, 2013; Msgr. Oliver Johnson, June 9, 1962; Rev. James Ekeocha, June 9, 2007; Rev. James Misko, June 9, 2007; Rev. Patricio Rodriguez, ISP, June 9, 2007; Rev. Brion Zarsky, June 9, 2007; Rev. Uchechukwu Andeh, June 9, 2012; Rev. Ryan Higdon, June 9, 2012; Rev. David Trahan, June 9, 2012; Rev. Kurtis Wiedenfeld, June 9, 2012; Rev. Peter J. Walsh, CSC, June 10, 1989; Rev. Alberto Borruel, June 10, 2006; Rev. John Guzaldo, June 10, 2006; Rev. Howard Goertz, June 11, 1977; Rev. Ron Feather, June 11, 2011; Rev. Paul Hudson, June 11, 2011; Rev. Patrick Ebner, June 12, 2004; Rev. Brian Eilers, June 12, 2004; Rev. Efrain Villanueva, June 12, 2004; Msgr. Joseph Deane, June 14, 1959; Rev. Robert Becker, June 16, 1979; Rev. Joseph Geleney, June 16, 2001; Rev. Brian McMaster, June 16, 2001; Rev. Jozef Musiol, SDS, JCD, June 17, 1972; Rev. Celso Yu MF, June 20, 1992; Rev. Patrick Coakley, MSC, June 21, 1986; Rev. Raphael Clancy, June 22, 1974; Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, June 24, 1989; Rev. César Jaime Guzman Diaz, June 24, 1996; Rev. Aloysius Nzekwe, MSP, June 26, 2004; Rev. Gerald Smith, June 26, 1965; Rev. Ed Frazer, SS, MA, STL, June 27, 1961; Rev. Basil Aguzie, MSP, June 27, 1998; Rev. Michael Ajewole, MSP, June 29, 1996; and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, June 30, 1984.

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

EIM Basic and Refresher Workshops

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 Basic and Refresher 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.