News - February 2021 RSS Feed

Most of our campus survived the historic weather of last week without any damage. Our one casualty was the water heaters affixed to the Parish Center by the kitchen entrance. These tankless heaters exploded causing water to flow into Johnson Hall. On Sunday, we found water flowing from the heaters and about ¼ of an inch of water on about 50% of Johnson Hall. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, we were able to remove the water quickly to avoid damage to the floor. For now, the Parish Center has no water until it can be repairs. We are grateful to the Knights for their help.

We are trying to be flexible and creative this year in the midst of the pandemic. We realize that not all parishioners may be able to physically come to the church to pick up reflection booklets. We have purchased a license for Ann Naffziger’s Words for the Weary: Embracing the Lenten Season after a Challenging Pandemic Year to make it available to the parish. Download these reflections for Lent and take a few minutes each day to think about our lives this year and entrust ourselves to God.

This has been such a difficult week for so many of our faith family. Many have lost power for bone chilling hours and now much of the City of Austin is dealing with the loss of water. The Church campus has been without water for two days and we do not expect water to be restored in time for our weekend Masses. Consequently, we cannot open the Church for this first weekend of Lent. Instead, we will livestream Masses at 5:00 pm on Saturday and 9:30 am and 1:15 pm on Sunday. There will be no Reconciliation on Saturday. Due to these Mass changes we will not be able to dispense any ashes this year.

All Masses and Services have been cancelled through Friday. (Ash Wednesday Services have been cancelled. As an alternative, distribution of ashes will be available BETWEEN the Sunday Masses on 2/21.) Parish Offices are currently closed. We will resume our normal Mass schedule on Saturday, Feb. 20, with Reconciliation, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Mass at 5:00 p.m. 

Due to the continued inclement weather, we have cancelled ALL Masses and Reconciliation on Tues., Feb. 16. (No Daily Mass, Reconciliation, or 7:00 p.m. Mass.) Ash Wednesday Services have also been cancelled. Parish Offices are closed until weather permits safe travel.

Parish Offices are closed today in observance of Presidents' Day. Due to weather concerns, there will be no Adoration or Daily Mass today. Stay safe.

Parishioners have been receiving emails and text messages from me asking for money and gift cards, sometimes saying they will be given as charity or to hospitalized children. These messages are NOT from me! There is a nationwide scam going on targeting priests. Do not reply to these messages. Do not send money. Do not buy gift cards. I am sorry that you have been inconvenienced. Contact the Parish Office to report any texts or email. With Love, Fr. Pat

All women are invited to an upcoming virtual retreat entitled "Who Am 1? Who Did God Create Me to Be?" It will be held Sat., Feb 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom. This morning of reflection will help you gain insights and clarity into your strengths and weaknesses in order to improve your relationships in your family, workplace and communities. Cost is $5. Register online on the parish website.

Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all. We will have rice bowls available in the narthex starting on Ash Wednesday.