You are invited to celebrate St. Austin Catholic Parish and H-E-B at iACT's Hope Awards on April 24th at 6:30 p.m. The theme for this year's Hope Awards is "Doing Good Together." St. Austin Catholic Church will be honored for our Parish's work in the community to fulfill our service to action in the form of charity, justice, and advocacy. H-E-B will be recognized for its longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion to make the lives of Texans better.
Over the past 30 years, iACT has been bringing people together across the divide in the spirit of respect and peace. They celebrate the idea that we have much more that binds us than separates us.
Funds raised support the important mission of iACT. For more information, visit the iACT website to learn more about iACT's community impact!
Thank You, Martha & Larry!
The Schroeders' Story
Martha and Larry Schroeder will be honored as "unsung" heroes of St. Austin Catholic School at the Saints & Scholars Gala on January 14, along with the heroes at each of the 19 other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin.
Larry and Martha are two of St. Austin's most prominent longtime parishioners. Together, they've served our church and school for decades and continue to do so through their various liturgical ministries and stewardship. Martha and Larry are the essence of what Parish and School life should be. Their pastoral outreach knows no bounds.
Larry started attending St. Austin in 1970 when he came to UT. Later, at St. Austin, Larry married Martha, a cradle St. Austinite. Both learned the value of volunteering from their parents who were very involved in their community parishes. "It was never 'do you want to volunteer?' It was always 'what are you going to volunteer for now?' It is in our DNA makeup!" Martha said. "We help where help is needed."
When their kids were young, Larry and Martha volunteered a lot of their time to religious education. Martha was part of a women’s group called Koinonia which later became the Martha Ministry, where she is now the co-chair. Martha's served on Parish Council and was chair during Fr. Jim Wiesner’s time. She's also co-chair of the Prayer Blanket ministry. She guided the staff and ministries through the school and parish's big move out of the old buildings.
"Martha Ministry and Prayer Blanket are close to my heart because we are serving people when they are struggling and our small bits of kindness go a long way," Martha said. "The School Advisory Board is special because education is my background."
With her role on the school advisory board, Martha's worked closely with Pre-K - 1 teachers to help develop skills-based report cards and rubrics. Along with her various volunteer work outside the church, Martha's on the furniture committee for the new building. She's a Eucharistic Minister, and works with Sharon Lehtonen on church-wide events such as Fr. Rich’s farewell and for Fr. Bruce’s 50th anniversary as a Paulist next May.
Larry is a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 10776 and the 4th degree, Bishop Harris assembly. He is a Eucharistic Minister and a greeter. More importantly he has ALWAYS been Martha's silent partner, doing whatever necessary to support her volunteer work. "I could never take on these projects without his absolute help and support," Martha said.
Larry also has done work over the years with their son's Boy Scouts pack and then was commissioner of the St. Austin troop. He volunteers with The Texas Navy Association, an organization that promotes and preserves the history of Texas Navies.
Martha and Larry's dedication to each other and their important work is a prime example of God's work in action. On behalf of your St. Austin family, we thank you for your many years of volunteer service! We hope their story inspires you to support our St. Austin school and church activities. To learn more about upcoming events like next year's Saints and Scholars dinner celebrating Catholic education, visit our SACS page.
Originally observed in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, since 1988, we've slowed down our national consideration and recognition of the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community from September 15 to October 15. On September 20, 2018, Pope Francis asked participants in the National V (Quinto) Encuentro to
"consider how your local churches can better respond to the growing presence gifts, and potential of Hispanic young people and families, and of other cultures."
In 2021, The Census Bureau estimates there were roughly 62.6 million Hispanics, making up 19% of the nation’s population, both new highs. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) affirms the gifts and contributions of Hispanic Catholics and seeks to provide more opportunities for Hispanic Catholics to engage in the life of the Church and help shape its evangelization mission. In 2010, the following chart from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) illustrates the demographic impact of Hispanic/Latino Catholics.
For the next few weeks, we'll narrow the lens to introduce you to four Hispanic/Latina women endeavoring to contribute to the life of our parish and larger community. It happens that they are interconnected not only by their affiliation with St. Austin, but also because they are all from San Antonio. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and how to celebrate it, visit these three resources:
Angelica Segura is a born-and-raised Catholic from San Antonio who grew up in the church. Her parents served as Spanish choir directors at their home parish, St. Gregory the Great, on the northwest side of the city. As her parents were active parishioners, Angelica and her three siblings grew up engaged in parish activities from Mass every Sunday at noon to portraying Our Lady of Guadalupe in a reenactment of the apparitions at Tepeyac. Throughout high school and college, Angelica's faith was nourished not only in school but also through participation in Acts retreats.
"My mom got us involved with altar serving and the Spanish choir. They did an Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration every year and I was a part of it since I was like 3 years old," Angelica said. She was an altar server while attending Catholic school at St. Gregory's and is a proud alumna of Antonian College Preparatory.
Angelica with her mother, Adela Segura
Angelica was able to attend Antonian because her mother was a member of the faculty making her tuition affordable. Her high school's mission, to inspire and empower young men and women to thrive while leading meaningful lives rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, makes her a perfect fit for her role on staff at St. Austin's Catholic School. At St. A, she's committed to the mission to prepare students to be Christ-centered, academically strong, moral community leaders.
After she graduated, Angelica continued her education in San Antonio at St. Mary's University where she majored in Business graduating in 2012. At St. Mary's, a small Hispanic-serving university, they're proud to say that ~ It only takes one degree of change to make a world of difference. It only takes one University to make learners for life. It only takes one educator to begin this journey. St. Mary’s University is the one place for all people and beliefs to gather at one table for the common good. Angelica is grateful for the opportunity to have attended a small university on a lovely campus - it was a good fit.
Angelica worked in retail banking before landing a job in Austin, where her older sister and brother live. With her older sister and a cousin, both UT alumni, she came to Mass at St. Austin. She saw a job posting for an employment opportunity at our schoool, applied and was selected. She loves the community, finding everyone very welcoming. Before grad school, Angelica coached basketball and volleyball as well. Throughout her tenure at the school she's been involved with school Masses as a Eucharistic Minister and enjoys helping prepare for school liturgies. Now Angelica, uniquely prepared by education for her current role, serves as the business manager of our own St. Austin Catholic School. She's been a wonderful asset in that capacity and now works at the parish as well. She's a model for our students for she embodies our vision, Non-scholae, sed vitae, meaning “we learn not for school, but for life,” for now she is pursuing her MBA at Texas State University where she'll take her last final and graduate this December. She's pictured here receiving her fifth year of service recognition earlier this fall. Angelica's commitment to her faith, nurtured by her family and her Catholic education, remains an integral part of her life. At our school and in her family, she plays an important role as she passes forward her faith. She's pictured here with her godson recently baptized at St. Austin.
Over the course of these weeks of Hispanic Heritage month, our goal has been to demonstrate how Hispanic Catholics within our community of parish and school engage in the life of the Church and help shape its mission of evangelization. We are grateful that Angelica, Josie, Cristela, and Mitzi have shared their stories and the ways in which they contribute to the life of our parish and larger community.
Josie Barrett's Faith-Filled Roots
A Proud Catholic Latina
Josie Luna Barrett knew at early age that her faith would be a huge part of her life. She grew up on the westside of San Antonio where she attended Mass with her mother and grandmother who were active members of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.
"My heritage comes from seeing two strong, faith-filled, intelligent and independent women," Josie said.
Along with attending religious education classes and working at the church, Josie and her siblings also went to Catholic school at St. John Bosco. Obtaining an education was very important to Josie's mother who encouraged her and her siblings to pursue college.
"My mother was not educated, but she was very smart and very wise and she steered us toward good values, even though we were a family of modest means," Josie said.
After graduating high school, Josie enrolled in Our Lady of the Lake University where she double-majored in English and Spanish. She worked all throughout college until graduating in 1969 and becoming a teacher then an admissions counselor.
In 1974, she moved to college admissions which led her to St. Edward's University in Austin where she met her husband through the campus's ministry. They became active members of St. Austin after enrolling their daughter in the church's Catholic school.
Josie worked at St. Ed's for 10 years before moving on to take a job with the College Board for 20 years.
Josie traveled a lot for work and would often-times find herself the only Latina and mother in a room. Despite her busy work life, Josie always made time to go to Mass wherever she landed, staying true to her faith-filled roots.
"You learn to be one with who you are," Josie said. "Women did not work in those environments, and I was the only Hispanic."
She faced a lot of obstacles as a first-generation Latina educator, but she never gave up on her dreams and always allowed her faith in God to guide her wherever she was.
Josie retired in 2017 and now serves as chair of the Pastoral Council. She said she is most excited to continue to live out the word of God by collaborating with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to "give hope to the poor."
"What feeds my faith is my work," Josie said. "My privilege to serve the altar - that nourishes my faith and the people I get to serve with who get things done."
Cristela Jones Asks Questions
Meet Cristela
Exploring the Connection Between
San Antonio, Texas & San Antonio Street
Where in San Antonio are you from? What's your home parish? Where did you go to school?
I'm from the northside of the city, but I went to school on the southside where my grandmother took care of me after school. My home parish is St. Joseph South San Catholic Church where I served as an altar server for eight years. I graduated from Harlandale STEM Early College High School in 2019 with my associate's degree in science and then continued my education at Texas State University, where I graduated in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Electronic Media and a minor in Spanish.
What brought you to Austin, Texas?
I'm pursuing my Master's Degree in Journalism at the University of Texas.
What brought you to St. Austin's?
I interviewed Fr. Chuck at the church office for one of my classes and it was there that I met Mitzi Eastman and Diane Zbasnik. A few weeks later, they emailed me about an opportunity to work at the church and after an interview, I was blessed to be offered this position!
Asking Questions to Share Answers
A candidate for her Master's in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, our parish's Communications Associate recently explored the impact of harsher winters and hotter summers on low-income communities of color for NPR's NextGeneration Radio. The brief video below is part of her piece for a series on the impact of climate change. As we observe the Season of Creation, Cristela's reporting introduces us to Clarence Prevo,a heavenly gardener, who offers us much to consider and hold in prayer. Read more at:
Where in San Antonio are you from? What's your home parish? Where did you go to school?
I went to St. Cecilia's Catholic School (K-6) Incarnate Word (7 - 12). St. Cecilia's was our extended family's spiritual home and within it's borders, across the street from our house on Felisa Street were Mission Concepción and St. John's Minor Seminary.
What brought you to Austin, Texas? A career move brought me to Austin, much closer to home than my first post of duty with the Internal Revenue Service in McAllen, Texas.
What brought you to St. Austin's?
When our children came along, the children of several friends at work attended St. Austin's. They recommended it highly. We wanted to continue the legacy of Catholic education that my parents, aunts, and uncles invested in for all the children of my generation. We registered with the parish around 1990 and since then St. Austin Parish & School have been well worth the ride!
Those 5 Paulist Questions
Recently, Mike Hayes interviewed Mitzi for the Paulists' 5 Questions series. Her responses to his questions explore her current engagement with the parish and how St. Austin's and the Paulists who've served here have influenced her spirituality. If you haven't, we invite you to watch the interview.
Bringing Light for 105 Years!
St. Austin Catholic School
Recognized for a Legacy of Service
On August 9, 2022, Bishop Joe Vasquez hosted his annual Convocation Mass, celebrating the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, at St. William's Catholic Church in Round Rock. In attendance were over 600 faculty, staff, administrators and pastors representing all Catholic schools within the Diocese of Austin. Mrs. Tara Cevallos, Principal, received a certificate of recognition to honor St. Austin Catholic School's banner 105th year of service to the Austin community.
Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Sisters of Houston in collaboration with the Paulist Fathers who had begun their service to Austin and the University of Texas at Austin community nine years earlier, St. Austin Catholic School is a parochial school steeped in faith, culture, history, and tradition. At our founding, the Dominican Sisters relocated Holy Rosary School (1915), a school for Mexican immigrant children, to a one-roomed house at 1911 San Antonio Street. A year later, the school became known as Newman School, reflecting the Paulists presence at the University of Texas Newman Club. With the addition of an eighth grade in 1941-1942, our name changed to St. Austin Catholic School. During the 1950s the original house was razed and a new elementary school built in its stead on the original parcel of land, where it remained for 70 years until, once again razed in 2021 to prepare for our new state of the art school and parish buildings. Though the Dominican Sisters departed in the late 1970s, the school has flourished under the ministry of the Paulist Fathers. Today students attend St. Austin Catholic School from across the greater-Austin area to join in our shared beliefs, mission, and academic achievement.
Please celebrate with us this year at Mass, Sporting, Community, and Fundraising events. Stay tuned to hear updates on new events, including a Founders Day Celebration. St. Austin Catholic School is currently accepting applications for admission.
Please e-mail [email protected] for more information. Thank you for your continued support of our School and Parish. To enrich our school with a monetary gift, please
Bishop Joe Vásquez and Misty Poe, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin, present the certificate honoring St. Austin's 105 years to Mrs. Tara Cevallos, Principal.
Mary McMaster, First Grade Teacher, was celebrated for her 25 years of service.
Taylor Garcia, Administrative Assistant, was recognized for her five years of service.
Muchas Felicidades, Margarita!
August 14, 2022
A Newly-Minted U.S. Citizen!
Friday, August 6, Margarita stood proudly as she raised her right hand and recited the Oath of Allegiance at her naturalization ceremony in San Antonio, officially becoming a United States citizen.
Margarita was born in La Ciénega, Hidalgo, Mexico, about 95 miles north of Mexico City. She's been a permanent resident in the U.S. since 2001. She risked much in a life-altering move because life here was 1,000% better than conditions in Mexico. She came to Austin where her daughter, one of her seven children, found work. Her daughter arranged her papers so Margarita could work in housekeeping, first at the Holiday Inn and later at the Omni Hotel. Through José and Maria who previously served as custodians for our parish and school, Margarita secured her position as custodian for St. Austin about 16 years ago.
Margarita works tirelessly to make sure that our campus – and especially our Church – are sparkling clean. She brings prayer to the effort by listening to the Mass or Rosary in Spanish as she mops, polishes, scrubs, and scours. Her work to maintain our sacred space isn't just her job - it's a prayer in action to Papá Dios.
Having achieved her goal of U.S. citizenship, Margarita, has many tasks - update her Texas ID card and Social Security cards, and apply for her U.S. Passport. But she also has her eyes fixed on a new goal - to learn to drive and get her Texas driver's license. She's highly motivated as her daily commute involves a long bus ride followed or preceded by a long walk from the nearest bus stop to her home. Another aspiration is to sponsor, in the naturalization process, those of her children who'd like to become citizens.
It was the right and privilege to vote that motivated Margarita to persevere on her long and challenging road to citizenship. To exercise the right to engage directly in the governance and laws of her nation, state, and city are important to Margarita. The words of the oath of loyalty to which she swore bear witness to what she is more than willing to do for her new nation. She vowed to "... absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
Felicidades y benediciones, Margarita, y muchisimas gracias por todo sus contribucciones a nuestro Iglesia!