St. Austin Catholic Parish & School

Celebrating Pentecost, St. Augustine of Canterbury and a Happy Memorial Day!

We have a busy weekend here at St Austin Church. On Friday, May 26, we will have our closing Mass for our St Austin School. This Mass will take place in San Jose Catholic Church. For the last two years, St Austin School has been held in the classrooms of the former San Jose School. With our new school/ministry building set to open soon, this closing Mass will conclude our school’s residency at San Jose. We are most grateful to San Jose parish for the welcome they have extended to us. It has been enriching for us, and I hope for them, to interact more both with the San Jose parish community and with San Juan Diego High School, which is next door. So our last school Mass this Friday, May 26, concludes our stay at San Jose parish.

Then on Saturday, May 27, we observe the Feast of our parish/school patron, St Augustine of Canterbury, or as we more colloquially call him, St Austin. The name “Austin” is an English variant of the name “Augustine”, somewhat similar to “Chuck” which is a variant of the name “Charles”. Most of you know me as Fr Chuck, but when I am signing the payment applications for the construction of our new parish home, for over

$2,000,000.00 each time, I sign as Charles and not Chuck.

In any case, on Saturday, May 27 we will have a Mass in the church at 8:00 a.m. All are welcome. We will pray for our parish/school community, and perhaps share a story or two about our parish. And have some coffee in the parish ministry space following.

Sunday is then the celebration of Pentecost. With the Paulist devotion to the Holy Spirit, this is also an important event for our parish. It is, after all, the “Birthday of the Church.” Because of the tongues of flame that came down on the Apostles on the original Pentecost, the priest, and deacon will be wearing red vestments. I invite and encourage you to rummage in your closet for that red dress or red shirt you seldom wear, pull it out, and wear it on Pentecost. After all, it is our birthday as the Church, and the gift is truly great, indeed the Holy Spirit Him/Herself.

Finally, on Monday we observe Memorial Day. We recall and give thanks to all those who have fought and sacrificed for our country and our freedoms. We remember their heroism and their sacrifice so that we might also be inspired and motivated to work for the betterment of our nation and world peace. Certainly, it is an excellent day to pray for peace: peace in our world, peace in our nation, peace in our city, peace in our homes, and in our hearts. On behalf of the Austin Paulists, I wish you a fun and memorable weekend. We have reason to celebrate!

God Bless! 

From Fr. Chuck

Are you ready for some exciting news? St Austin Catholic Parish & School has just unveiled its brand new logo - and it's absolutely stunning! After months of hard work and dedication, the design team has created a fresh and modern logo that perfectly captures the essence of our beloved parish and school. Get ready to be amazed as we introduce you to our new St Austin Catholic Parish & School logo!

As Catholics, we believe that vocations to the priesthood and religious life are essential for the Church's growth and mission. To discern one's vocation, it is important to listen to God's voice and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. This is why the Diocese of [Name] is organizing a Holy Hour for Vocations on Saturday, June 10th.

Check out the Bishop's Invitation to Holy Hour: English | Spanish

Pray in union with the broader Paulist family using the Novena to the Holy Spirit: Toward a More Perfect Union. Pray with us at Novena.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out local events celebrating the month, available support groups, and how you can act to improve your own mental health or our system of mental healthcare at Mental Health.

Parish Service Day is coming up on Saturday, June 10. Give back to our community by volunteering at a local nonprofit organization. There are opportunities for folks of all ages, but spots for kids are limited so please sign up early. Visit Parish Service Day for times, locations, age limits, and other details. 

As we all look forward to celebrating the great Feast of Pentecost, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, we are grateful for your commitment to, and participation

in, the life of our parish community. You can read more and make your pledge for the 2023-24 fiscal year at Stewardship

Thank you to our sponsors and patrons who supported our World Famous Breakfast Taco's! Read more at Knightly News!

Check the latest updates of the Beacon of Hope at Construction Updates.

As a beloved member of the community, Fr. Bruce has touched countless lives over the past five decades. To honor his unwavering dedication and service, a grand celebration was held in his honor, marking his 50th anniversary as a priest. The event was nothing short of spectacular, filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. But don't take our word for it - check out Fr. Bruce's stunning photos and relive the magic of this truly memorable occasion.

*Updated 5/28/23

The 88th Texas Legislative session adjourns on Monday. The Texas Bishops have been following several bills closely. Visit Advocate Now! to find out how these bills are fairing.