St. Paul Catholic Church

Do you want to know what is going on with the parish festival?  If so here is where you need to look.

We will have here links to upcoming events, festival needs, volunteers, and anything festival related.  Come back often to stay updated.

UPDATE 6/19/19:  The Paella and Flamenco fundraiser for June 22nd has been canceled.

Volunteer Signup

We have a new page on our website for the ACTS community.  If you are intereted in getting to know more about this origization or want contact information follow the link below:

ACTS

For those who are just visiting or "looking" for a new church community, we extend a huge welcome! We think you will find St. Paul to be warm, dynamic and a place to encounter Christ on a personal level. Please contact the office or members of the Welcome Ministry (in the foyer on the second weekend of each month) to register or for more information. Parishioners interested in serving as part of the Welcome Ministry are needed. Thank you! 

Our new email address is:
welcomeministry@saintpaulaustin.org

Join us on Saturday nights for Bingo at St. Paul Catholic Church.  Doors open at 6:00 pm and Bingo is from 7:17 to 9:00 pm.  For dates and times follow the link below.

Bingo Schedule

Join us for a once­in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the places where Jesus lived, taught, died and rose! Father Johnson will be our Spir­itual Director on this 10-day trip from October 5-14, with only a cost of $3395. For more information contact Gina at ginarollman65@gmail.com or Best Catholic Pilgrim­ages at info@religious-travel.com. 

At its core, tithing is an acknowledgement that the gifts or talents we have were entrusted to us by God, and are intended to be used for His glory and to spread the gospel. Tithing allows parishes to meet day-to-day needs, allocate funds for emergencies and fund future projects. It is understood, that as a community of faith, we are to provide for the needs of the Church. Fr. Hector Vega recommends that we fulfill the needs by tithing 5% of our income to the parish, 4% to charities of our choice, and 1% to the Diocese.

Listed below are tithing guidelines that may help you in deciding your recommended weekly sacrifice to the parish.
 

St. Paul's Success Story! 

"The seventy-two returned rejoicing" - so we read in last Sunday's gospel. Almost 30 years ago, Jesus called a few people as His instruments to prepare a Home for God and His people. Some of you were part of this new journey in building up the community of St. Paul. 

Today, we can sing a hymn of thanksgiving for all that what we have become. Our prophetic faith encourages us to walk together into the future. 

We are growing! Indeed, St. Paul has become a home for many where we want to be: to share, to gather, to serve, to worship ... So many of you selflessly give your­selves at its service, and I want to say "Thank You". Your personal yes along with our volunteers, staff, clergy and ministries is the stone upon which St Paul is being built. 

There are so many positive signs that I can show you how eager we are to become a family in and around the Lord. We continue this great task our forefathers have begun. Their sacrifices and dedication inspire us to give ourselves more and more in the service of the Lord and our neighbor. 

Encountering Christ - the Capital Campaign is so far a success story. We are 70% of our target of $820,000. I appeal you to join hands in the evangelization process of our diocese. Let us give to the future of our Church!
 
Being the new pastor of St. Paul, I am proud to offer what I am and have. Hope to have your cooperation and support. Without each one of you, I can do nothing. Let us pray that we have pretty soon our associate pastor with us that we have our com­plete team ready to continue our mission. 

I believe, each of us can ask ourselves the question together with the scholar of the law in today's Gospel: "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus would answer us: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your be­ing, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." This gospel passage reminds me of the cross-roads where St. Paul stands today. 

If we dare to ask ourselves this question and are willing to fulfil the law of the Lord at St. Paul by giving completely, then we will maintain this success story in all aspects of our parish life. Then the next generation can join us in singing the success stories we will accomplish. 

Will you? 

Summer has begun and fall is not far behind.  With that comes Religious Education.  

Online registration will begin in late July for all classes K-12. Registering online is the easiest and fastest was to ensure there is a spot for your child in class.  Some of the days and times for the K-8 classes have changed. Be sure you note the changes when you register.

High school Religious Education and Confirmation preparation will continue to be on Wednesday's from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in Grace Hall.

If you would like more information about specific classes please contact the following people:

Kristina Ciria (K-8 and RCIA): kciria@saintpaulaustin.org  
Bob Dugas (High School): bdugas@saintpaulaustin.org

We are looking forward to having you back or welcoming you to our programs.  

Religious education is a beautiful way in which children learn about Jesus, the sacraments, and the Catholic Faith. Without your help, we are unable to provide for all the children seeking further formation in their faith. We are in need of volunteers to teach k-8th grade religious education this upcoming year! Please prayerfully consider helping our program by offering your time and talent. English classes meet on Mondays from 6:00-7:00pm and Spanish classes meet Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm. For more information contact Kristina Ciria at kciria@saintpaulaustin.org or 512.420.4070. Thank you for your time and consideration! 

If you have a Green Thumb or even if you don't but would like to help out. The St Paul ACTS Community will sponsor a Plant Booth at our upcoming Fall Festival on September 27th & 28th. We are asking ALL ACTS Community to help us in this new endeavor. We are also asking Parishioners who would like to do­nate a plant to please let us know. For more information please call: Carlos Mendoza 512-293-7262 or Lety Mendoza 512-736-8969.

We are asking for donations for the silent auction again this year for the Fall Festival. We are in need of new, unused and gently used items such as religious articles, crosses, small working appliances, small furniture, flat screen TVs, DVD and DVD players, radios, all working electronics, kitchen items, dishes, glassware, lamps, wall decorations, knick­knacks, hats, purses, real or costume jewelry, books, com­puters, printers, baby items, toys, board or video games, sporting equipment, tools, mowers, lawn furniture, yard art, coolers swing sets, Easter, Halloween or Christmas deco­rations, exercise equipment and luggage. 

When dropping off items at the church, please designate "Silent Auction." For more information, contact Beverly Shepherd at 512/312-0533. Thank you for your help. 

The Legion of Mary needs to increase the number of members trying to serve the spiritual and physical needs of home and hospital bound parishioners. We work in pairs to bring the Eucharist the Nursing and Rehabilitation centers and private homes within parish on Wednesday mornings. We are a Lay Spiritual organization open to men and women in communion with our Catholic Faith. We serve at the direction of the pastor. Please call the office to leave your name and number to volunteer. 

While our church has been our spiritual home for 25 years, it is evident that extensive renovations will be needed in the future for anticipated growth and use. In 2017, we retained a profes­sional engineer, who conducted a general review of our prop­erty. At that time, we learned that a section of our property was included in the City of Austin's Critical Quality Water Zone possibly limiting the continued development of our property. In early 2019, we met with both Diocesan officials and the Dioce­san Building Planner to explore options. We have since learned, we can build on our existing property - which could be a new building for all offices, classrooms, a kitchen, and allow­ing us to build a new church that seats 500 - 650 on our exist­ing foundation. We are retaining an architect, as recommend­ed by the Diocese, with experience in church structures. Con­sequently, we are foregoing purchasing property and working toward supplementing the Building Fund. We remain optimistic that there is a new church in St. Paul's future with more details to follow. 

Campaign Prayer
 

Good and gracious God,
source of wisdom and generosity,
who, through your ever-present Holy Spirit,
has bestowed upon our diocese in every generation
the means to accomplish the mission of the church,
we humbly ask for the grace to lovingly respond
to your Spirit, leading us in the service of the Gospel
through this Encountering Christ campaign.

May we experience a deep and profound encounter with Christ
so that, transformed through faith, hope and love,
we are moved to respond to the needs of the marginalized,
raise up vibrant parishes, form fruitful ministries
and call forth pastoral leaders.

Asking the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
may the work of this campaign be pleasing to you,
as we await, in joyful hope,
the fullness of your glory.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.