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The return of water and power is only the first step in our statewide recovery from Winter Storm 2021. The prayers of the St. Austin community are with all for whom extraordinary challenges will remain for quite some time. In the Prologue to his book written in the time of our worldwide trial, Pope Francis offers his perspective that we see this as an opportunity for choice – “From this crisis we can come out better or worse. We can slide backward, or we can create something new. For now, what we need is the chance to change, to make space for the new thing we need. It’s like God says to Isaiah: Come, let us talk things over. If you are ready to listen, we will have a great future. But if you refuse to listen, you’ll be devoured by the sword.” ~Isaiah 1:18 – 20 As we step forward in recovery, as vaccination hubs offer more appointments, there is a feeling of renewal. Even while many face the struggle of restoration and rebuilding, we can look forward, we can dream together of how to carry on. What are the blessings and lessons, of this crisis we’ve endured, that will help us move toward a better future? Do you or someone you know need help in recovering from the Winter Storm? Would you like to contribute to the relief effort? We’ve assembled resources on how to give and get help at Winter Storm Relief.

So much has happened to us, there’s so much to do, so many questions remain unanswerable. It’s hard to find a sure footing! In times like these, turning to time-honored traditions and practices bring with them the confidence of custom. We invite you to spend some time in Lenten practices: Stations of the Cross –Friday evenings at 6, or on demand in our previous broadcasts in the Mass Broadcast window. Fast with a meatless soup – we’ve added more recipes! Pray and reflect with beautiful music – Dr. Ap compiled a diverse playlist for us in Spotify. It’s a treasure at the Lenten Playlist button. Find more at Lent.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is often a mystery for cradle Catholics. In former times, we’d sing them out of Mass with a blessing at the end of the Liturgy of the Word. But what happens in RCIA? Learn more from the exploration of the welcoming process of RCIA.

This Lent we’ve been invited to let something go by taking something up. Consider your screen time, and perhaps substutute some of that time to deepen an awareness of Scripture. Fr. Rich shares an invitation to better understand the Bible in Rich Thoughts.

Our Social Justice ministries work together to serve those in need all the time, but the time of COVID-19 posed new challenges. Learn the good news of what wonderful things happened, in the Quarterly Report from Thursday Outreach to Persons in Need. Read on to hear how, working together, our Thursday Outreach, Gabriel Project, and SVdP Society collaborated. All that news, some gratitude, and more is waiting for you at JUSTNews.

Ash Wednesday found many of us recovering basic services. Those who could tuned into Mass online. Some found comfort and connection by watching all three Masses broadcast. That day, February 17th, we were to take up a second collection for World & Home Missions. It was to be our first opportunity for almsgiving in Lent. We’re playing catch-up now, but ask you please to pray with St. Josephine Bakhita, learn more about the Bishops’ appeal for support, and give generously to World & Home Missions.

Last weekend in the Mass Broadcast window, we saw the church filling up again! We hear our friends and family members with an appointment for their vaccine, some have had one shot, others two. We wait with prayerful impatience for herd immunity. But wait we must, for until the guidelines change, the blue tape will remind us of our covenant to protect one another with safe-distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-washing. As Lent’s days fly swiftly, we’re planning for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, the Paschal Triduum, and Easter. Expect to see a reservation system or plan a watch party from home for those high holy days. Til then, we’ll carry on as we have, waiting and dreaming of the end of this exile. We thank you for the generosity reported in this message and for your continuing, faithful contributions to our mission. Visit Treasure.

When the storm passes I ask you Lord, in shame that you return us better, as you once dreamed us. From Hope, a poem by Alexis Valdés, a Cuban actor and comedian in Miami. Quoted by His Holiness in Let Us Dream.

This Sunday’s first reading is the story of God’s covenant with Noah from Genesis 9:8 – 15. Like Noah, we're re-encounter-ing the world, stumbling out of our dark, cold caves from what certainly felt like 40 frigid days. We emerge as Noah must have on that day when rays of light broke through the clouds, a dove returned bearing an olive branch, and a rainbow filled the heavens! By Sunday, the snow will have melted, some store shelves will be restocked, but there will still be much to do to recover. Take a half-hour break, if you can, to come for a little properly-distanced commUNITY as we assemble in the parking garage for our postponed parade. We deserve joy and a little silliness to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and the end of the BIG CHILL. Join us for the fun - read all about the good we can do at the Happy Everything Parade!

For those who missed the noon Ash Wednesday Mass, our pastor recommended that we take a different approach to our journey toward Easter this year. His recommendations are found in the Lenten Practices section of our “hub” for all things Lent. From book discussion groups and a playlist to recipes, resources, retreats (one for young adults 18 – 39 with Fr. Paolo & Co.), and invitations to prayer, you’ll find something to capture your curiosity at Lent.

Do you know Julia? We didn’t until Nancy Carrales introduced us (St. Austin’s St. Vincent de Paul Society) to this secret agent of the Sacred Heart. We invite you to meet Julia Greeley, a Servant of God. You won’t want to miss her story, just under Parade at JUSTNews.

If a Texan had to describe Hell, this native daughter of the Lone Star State would say February 12 - 18, 2021. Give me 100 days of 100+ degrees any day! I can find a shade tree, an iced tea, but I don’t know where to find a snowplow or someone who can drive it. Because Heaven usually smiles on Texas, we never have to worry about it. This frigid week gave us a chance to imagine – heck, we experienced – dark, cold, impenetrable depths. It also brought us together to watch Mass (if we had power) – more than a few joined Mass three times on Ash Wednesday. Why? It felt normal – connected. This time also gave us a chance to check in on family, friends, and neighbors. We worried when phone calls weren’t answered, we shoveled sidewalks, and shared what we had, whether refuge in a home with power, or tuna and beans from pantries, or towels to soak up the disaster of a broken pipe. February 17th is National Acts of Random Kindness Day. Across our parish, city, and Texas there were many acts of kindness that restored our flagging spirits and got us to the thaw. Kindness, that as Fr. Chuck suggested, lets us grow in our confidence and trust in God’s love and care. Maybe we can keep random kindness flowing without a freeze! ~ Mitzi

In his Thursday morning homily, Fr. Rich shared lyrics by Stephen Schwartz from his musical, Children of Eden. Find it Below the Lenten Playlist.

God set a rainbow in the sky as a symbol of His covenant, a reminder that we are creations of His love. We give thanks for His compassion and care for us this week. It has been a trial, but His tender mercies have been many. Let us give thanks together.

Don’t let the cold weather stop you! It won’t stop our intrepid shepherds! They’ll be out on the Black Top on Sunday at 2:30 ready to greet you with a bag of goodies to take you from Party to Penance! The Knights will be there, too, with trucks ready to haul your gifts of cleaning supplies for Casa Marianella. Line up at the garage at 2:15. Take a break to get out of the house to join the joy of our Happy Everything parade. Need a reminder of what to expect or what to bring? Find the answers at JUSTNews.

In his column, our pastor describes what to expect on Ash Wednesday (Mass times below) and reflects on the many penances of pandemic. Yet he encourages us to “continue to be vigilant and press ahead” in this week’s From Fr. Chuck. Our Masses on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, will be at 8 a.m. (school Mass, all are welcome), noon, and 7 p.m.

Several thousand joined our broadcast of the funeral Mass in celebration of the life of Dr. Lindley Dodson. In death, she became a great evangelizer of her faith, as in life she evangelized great joy. Many in our parish community prayed with the family during the Mass or at the First Thursday Journey Rosary. Others participated in our expression of our love and support by sending letters to the family. That effort remains ongoing through mid-week. Mail or bring your message to the parish at the parade, to Mass, or to the office. Some have inquired about meals for the family. Fr. Chuck asks that instead, the Dodsons would be grateful for a gift in her name to Micah 6 or the Central Texas Food Bank. A note to her family letting them know you fed people in her name is the perfect expression of support to send in the love letter effort. The great good she did will continue through gifts in her memory. Organizations selected by the family for memorials are found in Dr. Dodson’s obituary in our parish Memorial Garden

A curated collection of Lenten offerings from liturgies to book studies, music, and more to take you through the 40 days that Pope Francis describes as “a season of opening doors” awaits you at Lent.

We ask that the Holy Spirit truly transform these young people, and through them, transform the world. We give thanks for Jenna and Peter. For more about preparation for the sacrament visit Faith Formation.

While St. Austin’s offers a full complement of programs and activities, the offerings from the Diocese of Austin multiply opportunities for you. Coming soon is the 9th Annual Men’s Conference on February 20th. As we close National Marriage Week (February 7 -14) the diocesan Office of Life, Marriage & Family offers opportunities from Marriage Preparation to Marriage Encounter Weekends to Pathways to Healing for those pursuing annulment. Find links to the Diocesan and Cedarbrake Retreat Center calendars and learn what’s happening at St. Austin at Events.