Responding with Grace: Strengthening Connections and Support at Our Catholic Parish

When you call St Austin Church you have often been able to get a live person answering the phone. That is rather unusual and distinguishes us from many other parishes. However, the number of calls we receive each day seeking help and financial assistance has steadily increased, to the point that it is severely hampering the work of our wonderful receptionists. And mostly what the receptionist does, in addition to listening, is to refer the person calling to an automated response line where they can leave their name and contact information and instructions on how to proceed.

Some parishioner volunteer from St. Vincent de Paul or our Thursday Outreach program, then responds with a callback or an email. Because of the increased call volume, we need to have our receptionists work smarter.

So by the time you read this, I hope that when you call the parish office number, 512-477-9471, you will receive an automated voice response. This automated voice will give you three options, one in English, one in Spanish, and one to talk to the receptionist.

While I am reluctant to move in this direction, I recognize the need to better handle the increased call volume, especially the increase in calls requesting help and assistance. We strive to be a welcoming parish. We have to use the resources we have, including the time of our receptionists, to best respond to the calls we receive. Thank you for your understanding as we make this change.

God bless!

From Fr. Chuck

Dear Parishioners,

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the lack of daily Mass updates on our website in the past few days.

Our website is currently undergoing updates and improvements to enhance your overall experience. Unfortunately, this process has led to a temporary interruption in adding new content, including the daily Mass updates.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time of improvement. We value your presence in our faith community, and it is our commitment to provide you with a seamless and enriching online experience.

Our Summer Social Justice Ministries Intern, Corinne Schnadelbach, is presenting on "Mental Health Conditions, Substance Misuse, and Homelessness: How to Respond as Compassionate People of Faith" THIS Sunday, July 30 at 10 AM in the Church. See details at JUSTNews. 

Thanks to all those who practiced Love in Action by donating blood on July 16! We Are Blood collected 21 units of blood from parishioners and other blood drive participants. Couldn't make the drive? Find out how and why you should still donate this summer - and check out which staff member donated blood this week - at Blood Drive!

We are thrilled to announce that St. Austin Catholic School's doors are wide open for enrollment for the 2023-2024 academic year! As a beacon of educational excellence rooted in faith, we warmly welcome new students and families to embark on a journey of discovery, growth, and spiritual development.

At St. Austin Catholic School, we believe in nurturing not only bright minds but also compassionate hearts. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing a well-rounded education that combines rigorous academics, moral values, and a strong sense of community.

Our campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant learning environment that inspires creativity and critical thinking.



Join us on a journey of academic achievement, spiritual growth, and lifelong friendships. Together, let's build a brighter future for your child at St. Austin Catholic School!

Check the latest updates of the Beacon of Hope at Construction Updates. These will be the last updates until September!

Hensel-Phelps (HP) regularly reminds all its construction partners to (1) drink water regularly to stay hydrated, (2) avoid drinks that can dehydrate you like caffeinated drinks and alcohol, and (3) take regular breaks in the shade.

All employees and partners are trained on identifying the symptoms of someone experiencing a heat related emergency. 

Our weekly meetings with HP have a regular safety update where any safety incidents are discussed. Our project has not had a heat related emergency, to date. Thankfully, our project now provides plenty of shade around the project and there is generally good airflow which provides a cooling effect.