Thoughts on Listening, Planning, Building, and Working for Justice - Jan 15, 2023

Things continue to develop here at St. Austin parish. This past Saturday, on January 7, we held a very positive “Listening Day” for about 45 parishioners and staff to begin a strategic planning process for our community. It was both a positive and effective experience. We were led and guided by Helen Osman, who has worked both for the Diocese of Austin and at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. We expect her report this week, and will discuss with the Parish Pastoral Council our next steps.

We chose to do this at this time because we, as a parish and school community, will be facing a big change in the Fall as we move into our new building, our new home. We want this major event in the life of our parish and school to be a catalyst for sharpening and promoting our mission. So please stay tuned for further information on this strategic planning process, and please keep our parish in your prayers.

Speaking of the building project, we are bringing a formal close to our Beacon of Hope capital campaign. Thanks to your generosity we have exceeded our goal in pledges, and I will be making a special announcement about this at all Masses this weekend. Next week I will post my announcement on the parish website.

Also, this Saturday, January 14, the crane over our building will be taken down, a very clear sign of progress. We are moving right along, and anxious to see the finished building. There is a new drone video of our construction, which you can view on our website. Find the video and more at Construction Updates. 

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We are proud of our church office address of 500 West Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. The church offices will be closed that day. I hope all of you will take the opportunity of this holiday to reflect on Dr. King’s stirring words, and our continuing obligation to work for justice for all in our country and society. Our eNews is filled with invitations through which you can work and advocate for justice.

We are supposedly in kind of a “lull” between the Christmas and Lenten seasons (Ash Wednesday is February 22) but it certainly doesn’t feel at all like a lull. Well, as my mother, Bernice, used to say: “no rest for the wicked”. However, I am taking three days for a retreat in Kerrville next week, so please remember me in your prayers.

God bless!