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From Fr. Chuck
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Sunday, October 24, 2021
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It is Fall. Soon we will celebrate Halloween, and the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. It is a time of year, both in nature and liturgically, where our thoughts are naturally directed to Last Things. It seems appropriate to reflect on the inevitable fact of death.
What is the Sacrament for the dying? When I was a youngster, back in the dark ages before the internet and cell phones, at Our Lady of Sorrows grade school, the good Sisters taught me that the sacrament for the dying was “Extreme Unction." Or the “last anointing.” Some people still think that.
However, that has changed. At the time of the Second Vatican Council historical study into the Sacraments led the Council Fathers to understand that the anointing was not really for the dying, but for the sick. Hence the name of the sacrament changed to “Anointing of the Sick,” and it really is for people who are sick, including physical, mental and emotional sickness.
All of us, in one way are another, are in the process of dying, but the Sacrament is for people who we hope and anticipate will get well as well as for those approaching the end of their life.
So what do we do for the dying? The Sacrament for the dying is technically called “Viaticum”. It comes from the Latin for “food for the road.” Like First Holy Communion, this is sort of “Last Holy Communion.” It involves certain prayers, Apostolic Pardon, a renewal of Baptismal Promises, and Holy Communion. It is a beautiful service.
Unfortunately, it is seldom celebrated. By the time family or friends call the priest the dying person is unconscious, hooked up to many tubes and hoses, and completely unable to celebrate this Sacrament. In that case we then celebrate the Anointing of the Sick and pray certain Prayers for the Dying.
So if you know of someone who is terminally or seriously ill, suggest to them BEFORE they become unconscious and unable to participate in the ceremony, that they celebrate Viaticum. Or if you realize that your death is not far away, and would like to be as spiritually well prepared as can be, ask for Viaticum. We can, of course, also celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick for those who are dying, as well as pray the prayers for the dying.
We may not like to think about the fact we are all heading to death, but it is real. The Church gives us aids and supports in accomplishing a good death. It is one of the most significant events in our life story. I encourage you not to be afraid and to use the helps and aids the Church gives us.
God bless,
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Sunday, October 17, 2021
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Monday was a beautiful day for the Groundbreaking of our parish and school community development project. Bishop Joe Vásquez presided at the celebration attended by other representatives of the diocese, and all our many partners in this development effort. Our parish was well-represented by members of the Development Team, Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, our School Advisory Board, many parishioners, and students from our parish school. It will have an impact on generations of parishioners and school students. It is a sign of both vitality and hope. HURRAY!
It is interesting that it occurred on the observance of Columbus Day. Certainly, like Columbus’ voyage, this will be an adventure of discovery as we move forward into the future with a new face in the city of Austin, and new abilities to educate and serve in our City.
The groundbreaking also occurred on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We certainly want to be respectful of the needs and desires of all the groups and constituencies in our parish and school community. That is not an easy task, responding to the parishioners who have been with us for generations and also the many new people moving into Austin; listening both to the University students in our neighborhood and the active elderly in our area; responding to the needs of our children in Faith Formation and also students in our school, and to all the other facets of diversity that make our parish both a delight and sometimes a challenge.
Finally, and to me the most significant coincidence, is that the groundbreaking occurred on the feast of Pope St. John XXIII. He is the Pope who wisely and courageously convoked the Second Vatican Council, which so shapes our parish today. Pope John XXIII’s stated reason for calling the Vatican Council was so that the Gospel would speak more effectively to the people of today. He knew that the divisions among Christians, and our speaking in an ancient language, hindered our ability to appeal to those outside of the Church. His spirit of courage and foresight is exactly what we need to carry through this project to its completion: not just building and physical completion, but using the new facilities to further the mission of our parish.
I invite you to read again the St. Austin Parish Mission Statement, which is printed on the front cover of everybulletin, and posted on our parish website.
God bless,
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Sunday, October 3, 2021
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The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. So wrote the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns (actually, he wrote “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley...”) In any case you get the idea. And certainly this principle of indeterminacy is true of large development and construction projects. It seems like I have been telling people that a fence will be erected on our property around the area of the construction project for a month or more. And by the time you read this it may even have actually occurred. But there is an equal possibility that it may not have occurred. It seems that fencers (with fences, not swords) are, like all construction trades in Austin, currently in short supply. We will have to see. In any case there WILL eventually be a fence up around the portion of our parish property where the construction will happen. Even though it will be inconvenient to have that area fenced off, it will be good to see it, as it will be a sign that actual construction has finally begun. AMEN!
This week the priests of the Diocese of Austin will be gathering at the Marriott Hotel in Round Rock for their annual Convocation. The purpose of this gathering is primarily educational. The Paulists will also participate in order to take advantage of the educational opportunity, and also to support and encourage the priestly fraternity of the Diocese. So please say a prayer this week for the success of the Convocation. The theme of this year’s Convocation will be “Behold, I Make All Things New,” and our keynote address will be provided by Msgr. Michael Jamail, from the Diocese of Beaumont. I am curious to see what this will be about.
Also, we are waiting for our certificate of occupancy for the first floor of our new office and ministry space at 500 W. MLK Blvd. While it is not as large as the spaces we had for ministry in Newman Hall with Our Lady of Guadalupe Room and Hecker Hall, it will give us some space to work in. Of course, we also have to wait till we are no longer in stage 5 or 4 of the Covid pandemic here in Austin. By the time we are able to gather together again for ministry groups, we should have our certificate of occupancy.
It is already October and time to start planning for all sorts of Fall events and for Christmas! Watch our website and bulletin for further announcements.
Peace,
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Sunday, September 26, 2021
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It is with a great sense of both relief and excitement that I announce that the St. Austin Parish/School Development deal is finally and fully agreed to and signed. What a relief!
This is a very big deal. It is an event that will impact the parish and the school for the next century and beyond. It is an accomplishment with far-reaching and impressive consequences. We are all on the threshold (precipice?) of something Very Big!
I believe that there are very few parishes and schools that could have pulled this off. We were able to get this far, and accomplish this truly historic feat, only because of the dedication, talent, generosity and hard work of so many of you. That our parish and school were able to mobilize, work together, persevere, and finally bring this to completion is a testament to the generosity and talent and imagination of this parish/school community.
So many hours have gone into meetings, planning, negotiations, packing, moving, selling, and more meetings, meetings, meetings. Our thanks and gratitude go out to all those who have served on the Development Committee, who worked on the packing, move and set up at our temporary school location at San José Parish, worked on the school beautification days, who worked so hard moving, pricing and selling at our big parish sale, who helped with the move of the parish equipment and offices to our new location at 500 MLK Blvd. or to long-term storage, who helped with the move to the new rectory, and who prayed and encouraged us and helped in innumerable other ways. Many THANKS to you ALL! Only the great amount of talent and dedication and enormous GENEROSITY of so many parishioners made thishappen, and it is a great tribute to the spirit and ethos of this parish/school community!
Together we have pulled this off. Many in the Diocese and in the neighborhood wondered if we really could do this, but we did! It was much harder and more complicated and involved than any of us understood when we first began.
The pilgrimage is not over. Even when, three years from now, we have worked through all the issues of construction, and have moved into our new home for our parish offices, parish ministries, new school and new rectory, then in a real sense the work of evangelization, which this is all about, will really finally begin!
We have reached a very significant milestone on our journey. We have reason to rejoice and celebrate. But we are not finished. Our pilgrimage continues. But we have proved that we can overcome very big challenges. We are ready for the next exciting leg of our journey.
God bless!
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Sunday, September 19, 2021
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Let’s Dive Right In with An Invitation & An Introduction from Fr. Chuck
Come Fly with Us! View Our New Ministry & Education Center through Eagles’ Eyes ~
This Sunday, September 19, 1 p.m.
Imagining what we’re waiting for is often challenging. We’ve seen renderings of the exterior of the new buildings, but what will it be like? This virtual experience will give us an idea as we take a fly-through of our new facility. It will last about an hour. While we’ll livestream the presentation from all our viewing platforms, I’d like to share the live experience with you. I think you’ll be impressed - I was. So if you can join me, right here in our own Church, please do!
I’m happy to introduce our new Parish Administrator, Diane Zbasnik!
Heeding the advice of the Holy Spirit, which came in the voices of several parishioners, we’ve created a new position. The role is not totally fleshed out yet, but Diane is an addition to the staff - she’s not replacing anyone. Diane’s background is well-suited to the role she will play in overseeing the day-to-day operations of our parish. Learn more about Diane at Staff.
God bless!
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
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Dear fellow parishioners,
First a serious issue and then an invitation. As you well know the State of Texas now has a law prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, at about six weeks of pregnancy. While all those who are pro-life and opposed to abortion may want to celebrate this victory, I urge you to remember that this is far from a complete success in developing respect for all human life from the moment of conception till natural death. This is a victory in only the most limited sense.
We have laws against theft and against human trafficking, and we are glad that we have such laws. But they are hardly what we want our fellow citizens (and ourselves) to consider when presented with an opportunity to steal or to traffic other people. The laws help keep us safe, but they are NOT what the Kingdom of God is about. They are a minimum boundary that helps to keep us safe. Laws are about fear, but the Kingdom of God is about life and about love.
Similarly, the new law against abortion will not necessarily increase respect for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. That positive value is what we as Christians must strive for. The ceasing of abortions in itself is NOT an increase in respect for human life. Therefore, our job as Christians to witness to the dignity of all human life is far, far, far from complete.
It seems clear to me that this new law impels (or should impel) all Christians who value human life to step up their efforts to support women who find themselves in difficult situations of pregnancy. Many of these women feel abandoned and overwhelmed. We need to do much more to let them know that we are ready to provide them emotional, spiritual, financial and physical help, with a listening ear, diapers and supplies, and medical and emotional help.
Fortunately, we have a vehicle to assist women in difficult pregnancy situations through our Gabriel Project here at St. Austin’s. The Saint John Paul II Life Center in Austin is another important resource. Both provide concrete practical help to pregnant women, and both need to be better known.
In short, this is not a time to celebrate a victory, but rather a call to redouble our efforts to promote respect for all life, regardless of age, or creed, or ability, or race or national origin. All people are our sisters and brothers, and we are called to live that out. We have lots to do.
Secondly, I want to invite you to a virtual fly through of our new parish ministry and school space. It will take place here, in St. Austin Church, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday September 19. It will last about an hour. It will be live-streamed, but we think the quality of the live-stream will be a little shaky. So if you can join us, please do. I think you will be impressed. Right here in church!
God bless,
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