|  | NOVEMBER AT A GLANCE | Meet the new Director Liturgical Catechesis Effective Collaboration in Ministry Workshop Advent Resources Vocations Week | January 22-28, 2023 Diocesan 75th Anniversary Celebration | November 19 DCYC
| |  | Hello saints, My name is Russell Hoyt and I am here to serve you as your Director of Evangelization and Catechesis in our Diocese. I have lived and labored in our Diocese for about 7 years, much of that serving at St. Helen in Georgetown. I have degrees from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and Franciscan University in Steubenville. Parish ministry has always been my passion because it is where God’s work is accomplished. In total I have been blessed to serve in 5 different parishes for 9 different pastors over 17 wonderful years. During that time I’ve been involved in everything from Adult Initiation to Vacation Bible School and I look forward to partnering with you in your various ministries. I am married to my college sweetheart and have 5 amazing children and in my free time I coach a lot of rec league soccer. In the coming months I look forward to visiting with you in our various diocesan meetings and events. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini once said, “I will go anywhere and do anything to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.” Every year after Christmas my family and I randomly choose saints (using this website) and this year I drew St. Frances Cabrini. As I’ve learned more about her, I’ve come to admire her Apostolic zeal which drove her to do amazing things. Sarah (my wife) and I say that the saints choose us. I believe St. Frances chose me this year in preparation for serving our Diocese in the work of evangelization and catechesis. I ask you to join me in praying for our Diocese and asking her intercession that the Holy Spirit would stir into flame our own apostolic zeal for sharing Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. God bless you in your ministry. |
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| | WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS | Vocations Week | January 22-28, 2023Mark your calendar for “Called by Name” Sunday Jan 22, followed by the Diocese of Austin Vocations Awareness Week January 22-28, 2023. Our Faith Formation Programs will play an integral role in raising vocations awareness in our diocese. ALL Directors and Coordinators are asked to join us on November 14 from 10am - 11:15am or 6pm - 7:15pm for a virtual workshop on how to use the resources at Vianney Vocations to include a lesson on Vocations yearly for every student. | |
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| | | Working Together to Share the Faith: Effective Collaboration in Ministry Tuesday, November 8th from 10am - 2:30pm at the Pastoral Center: Dr. Joseph White, psychologist, catechist, and nationally known speaker will lead us in a workshop entitled “Six Keys to Effective Collaboration in Ministry”. FREE but registration required. Lunch will be provided. | |
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| | Free webinar by RAAP educating local communities about the harmful and addictive aspects of pornography on the public health and moral fabric of society. Click here to register for the workshop. For more information about RAAP visit www.religiousalliance.org |  |
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| | FOCUS ON LITURGY | | What’s happening with… the Solemnity of Christ the King ? |
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| I have spent most of my adult Catholic life so far in a country with a monarch-Canada. The concept of kings and queens wasn’t alien to our lives as Catholics. However, coming back to the United States I, like the rest of us, am preparing for the Last Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, in a country that fought wars to not have a king. Frankly, it seems a bit odd and off putting to many in this country. Nevertheless, we are called as Catholics to remember that we do in fact, have a King and He is greater than any earthly power. The Preface, the prayer after the Holy, Holy, Holy tells us that God anointed Jesus with the oil of gladness as eternal Priest and King of all creation, so that, by offering himself on the altar of the Cross as a spotless sacrifice to bring us peace, he might accomplish the mysteries of human redemption and, making all created things subject to his rule, he might preset to the immensity of your majesty an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace. This king, this kingdom, is not like any earthly kingdom. It is the fulfillment of all that was promised in the prophets. It is the fulfillment of the promise given to Mary at the Incarnation, that the child born to her will have a kingdom that has no end. The Solemnity is the final Sunday of the Church year, the week after begins Advent and our preparation for the coming of the Lord, as both a baby and at the end of time. This Solemnity gives us a chance to reflect on what the coming of the Lord means. The Solemnity of Christ the King is a reminder for us that all people on earth are subject to a king who wants nothing less for us than life, love, and peace. The Post Communion Prayer is one that should give us pause: “Having received the food of immortality, we ask, O Lord, that, glorying in obedience to the commands of Christ, the King of the Universe…”. We don’t often like to glory in obedience. And yet, that is what we are called to do. That obedience however is not given to a remote king or queen, but rather, it is given to a King who knows us and cares for us more deeply than anyone. This King is one who promises not earthly comforts, but rather, eternal joy and love with Him in heaven. For us as Catechists, this solemnity is a chance to reflect on our place in God’s Kingdom. We all have a role to play in building up the kingdom that is laid out in the Preface. Our ministry then is one of helping others learn their places in that Kingdom and helping them build it up by glorying in obedience to Christ, the King of the Universe. Rebecca Spellacy, Director, Office of Worship | FAITH IN ACTION |  | A Thanksgiving PrayerGod of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:
We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath that sustains life,
for the food of this earth that nurtures life,
for the life-giving love of family and friends. We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty of the Earth that the eye can see,
for the unfolding universe that draws us beyond our imaginings. We thank you for the communities to which we belong:
for families, for friends,
for neighbors and for companions at work. We thank you for the strangers who welcome us into their lives and whom we invite to be part of ours. We thank you for our brothers and sisters of all ages, all races, all nations and all faiths. We thank you for the multitude of ways that you call us to steward the gifts of creation and to serve others in your name. We thank you for this day, for the companionship we share and the bountiful goodness of the bread we break together. God of all goodness, we pray in thanks for your presence among us as we gather together, and your promise to be with us now and always. AMEN. -Catholic Health Association of U.S. For a variety of Thanksgiving Dinner Prayers, try these from Hallow
| |  | Advent begins Sunday, November 27, 2022 Helpful ResourcesArts & Faith | Prepare for Christmas and deepen your experience of the Advent season this year with Arts & Faith: Advent. Each week we’ll provide a video commentary about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of hope and preparation through the lens of sacred art. Calendars | Downloadable from Sadlier; includes a link to a color page advent wreath & prayer activity Make your own ADVENT CALENDAR using uploaded photos, voice messages and videos – share with your friends for a truly personal touch to this popular tradition. Other Activities | JESSE TREE – for a description of the Jesse tree which connects our custom of hanging ornaments with events leading to the birth of Jesus. St. Nicholas and Our Lady of Guadalupe handout |
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| | DEANERY & PARISH EVENTS | | St. Margaret Mary hosted a ministry fair and pictured is Fr. Luís Cáceres and Nancy Solano promoting their Spanish adult formation classes. This semester Nancy and Fr. Anthony Velpula have been offering Sacred Scripture and will continue next semester with Christology. | | Students from the Spanish Basics Teachings Morality class at the diocesan Pastoral Center gathered for a quick picture break with instructor, Jessica Ochoa, on October 22. The Spanish Basics class has over 25 students from about 15 parishes in the diocese. |  | Bishop Joe Vasquez preaches his homily prior to conferring the sacrament of Confirmation upon more than 140 candidates from 21 parishes at the Fall Adult Confirmation Mass celebrated at St Anthony Marie de Claret in Kyle on Saturday October 29. Mark your calendar for the next Diocesan Adult Confirmation Mass on Saturday April 15, 2023 at 10am at St Albert the Great in Austin. |
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| | CERTIFICATION CLASSESSpring 2023 Classes Start January 10. REGISTER TODAY! Church History | January 10, 17, 24, 31, 2023 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Virtual via Microsoft Teams. (16 hour class) Ecclesiology | February 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Virtual via Microsoft Teams. (16 hour class) Christian Morality | March 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Virtual via Microsoft Teams. (16 hour class)
Basic Teachings of the Catholic Church | sponsored by St. Catherine of Siena | Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons in January, February, March, April
If you have questions, call Carolyn at (512) 949-2461 or via email at carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org. | |  | Beginning November 19, 2022, through November 18, 2023, the diocese will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding on November 15, 1947. The year of celebration will begin with a Mass with Bishop Vásquez, and a program featuring a keynote by Fr. Dave Pivonka, live praise & worship music by Dave Moore Band, our diocesan choir and more! In addition, Bishop Vásquez has designated five Pilgrimage Sites around the diocese, a commemorative book for purchase and a history display that will travel to parishes. | | | | Registration Open!DCYC 2023 is scheduled for February 3-5 at the Waco Convention Center. Discounted registration is open thru January 3, 2023. Click on the logo to the left for more information. |
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| | DEANERY MEETINGSBelow are the scheduled deanery meetings. If you cannot make your deanery meeting but can attend a neighboring meeting or have questions about deanery meetings, please feel free to contact carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org. Killeen/Temple | Dec. 6, 2022 @ 5:30pm | St. Mary, Temple Austin South/Central | Dec 13 @ 10am | St Ignatius N. Austin/Georgetown/Round Rock | Nov 10, 2022 @10am | St Mary, Taylor Brenham/LaGrange/Bryan/CS | Nov. 7, 2022 @ 10am | St. Mary, Brenham Bastrop/Lockhart | Dec. 2, 2022 @ 6:30 pm | St. John, Luling San Marcos | Nov. 17, 2022 @ 10 am | St. Anthony, Kyle Lampasas/Marble Falls | Nov. 17, 2022 @ 6 pm | Virtual Meeting Waco | Nov 18, 2022 @ 11am | Virtual on Teams
| | EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS TEAMRussell Hoyt
Director for Evangelization & Catechesis
Ph. (512) 949-2542 Maryrae Stein
Associate Director for Catechesis & Formation
Ph. (512) 949-2469
Carolyn Martinez
Coordinator for Catechesis
Ph. (512) 949-2461 Tressi Breecher
Administrative Assistant
Ph. (512) 949-2464
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