The Spirit of St. Louis | April/May 2017 by St. Louis King of France Catholic Church & School

The Spirit of

St. Louis @

April / May 2017

ST. LOUIS WOMEN’S CLUB Celebrating 40 Years!

September 13, 2017, will be the 40th anniversary of the St. Louis Women’s Club, a parish group that was launched on that date in 1977. It was the culmination of six months of planning, and coordinating all women’s activities in the parish (at that time), under one umbrella organization. For 25 years prior to that, there had been various ladies’ groups active within the parish, including two altar guilds, a sewing guild, eight nursing home volunteer groups, and informal Church decoration and parish event committees that were formed only when needed for specific projects. The goal of this newly created organization was to attract and engage the participation of as many women in the parish as possible, offering a variety of committee choices where they could volunteer as their time allowed. There would be bi-monthly meetings where all the committees could come together for fellowship, speakers, and programs of interest to all women. From the beginning it was understood that St. Louis Women’s Club was to be open for all women of the parish. They were to be welcomed to the six socials each year whether or not they chose to pay dues and be active in one of the eight standing committees. At the request of our Pastor Louis J. Wozniak, parishioner Evelyn McNair was asked to facilitate the organization of this new parish group. As early as March 1977, preliminary meetings were held with representatives of the altar guilds and nursing home guilds, the two ministries that were the largest and most active in the parish. These ministries agreed to continue with their individual activities, in service to the parish, and approved being brought in as standing committees under the new umbrella organization. With their blessing, a committee to plan and organize one parish women’s club met on May 17, 1977 at Evelyn’s home. They began reviewing articles for by-laws including the purpose, membership, meetings, officers and their duties, election and tenure, standing committees and dues. Meetings continued monthly through that summer with both the initial organizational committee and a separate Nomination Committee, appointed to discern the first slate of officers that would be presented for approval at the first meeting.

Story continues on page 2... A newsletter of st. louis catholic church • 7601 burnet road, austin, tx • www.st-louis.org

St. Louis Women's Club Continued Advertising for the new St. Louis Women’s Club September 13th launch party began in bulletins on July 31st. “The very first meeting of the brand new St. Louis Women’s Club will be launched with an old time dessert social. Every lady in the parish is invited to come join in the fun, make new friends, win a door prize, share your ideas! Every parish woman is already a member!! Come find out about this brand new club…we’ll miss you if you aren’t there!” There were posters at every door and personal invitations handed out after Masses to all women. The first meeting was a huge success with over 137 ladies in attendance. Copies of the by-laws were handed out, reviewed and approved, as was the slate of officers presented by the Nomination Committee. Each of the eight standing committees was ready with hand-outs to promote their ministries and to encourage volunteers. These original eight committees included Altar Guild, Church Decorations Committee, Nursing Home Committee, Hospitality, Program Committee, Phone Committee, Baptism Memento Committee and a Sewing Committee (for special linens/vestments). Most of these are still functioning today, carrying on the work of the Women’s Club on a daily and weekly basis. Over the years, St. Louis Women’s Club has been the source of success for numerous parish events, offering hospitality, refreshments and countless volunteers when requested. They are the parish’s official representation to the Deanery, Diocesan and National Council of Catholic Women, and their service has been exemplary to these local and national councils. Congratulations to the faithful members of the St. Louis Women’s Club for 40 years of dedicated parish participation and leadership!

St. Louis Women’s Crafting Social St. Louis ladies and their friends gathered in Wozniak Hall on February16 for the bi-monthly Women’s Club social gathering. Each woman used her creativity to make Easter cards and a cloche to display as part of her Easter decor. The next day social is April 20, 2017. Watch the bulletin for details. Direct questions about the day socials to Barbara Matocha at 512-516-5897.

The Spirit of St. Louis

Called Forth

– not elected –

through Discernment

On Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017, the process of calling the newest Pastoral Council members from our community will begin. In years past, council members were identified by a small committee and then elected by a parish vote. This method, while sufficient for civil authority, is not adequate for a faith community which calls upon the wisdom of our Father, through discernment, to guide all aspects of our daily life. From its very beginning, the Church has called forth leaders through a discernment rooted in prayer and openness to the Holy Spirit. Thus, although we are unworthy to receive the wisdom of the Father, we rely on his mercy and guidance.

WHAT IS DISCERNMENT? Our faith understands discernment as the process of coming to our Heavenly Father and saying “I don’t know the answer.” It is a process that is Spirit-led. It involves prayer and a willingness to be open to the Holy Spirit’s presence and direction in your life and the life of the faith. The discernment process is as old as the Church. The Apostles used discernment to choose a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:23-26) and the Church still uses it to this day to elect each Pope. Discernment is complimentary to stewardship. Through discernment, the council will ask all St. Louis parishioners to examine and acknowledge their gifts from God and ask if they are being called to use those gifts in the service of the parish as parish leaders.

HOW WILL DISCERNMENT TAKE PLACE AT ST. LOUIS CHURCH? On Pentecost Sunday of each year, the parishioners of St. Louis will be asked to prayerfully discern who they believe God is calling forth as leaders in this faith community. Persons may put forward their own name or the name of someone else. Those whose names have been called forth will be invited to two evenings of discernment where they will further reflect on God’s call as a servant to the St. Louis community. Following these evenings of prayer, current members of the Pastoral Council will consider those called to discern and seek the council of the Holy Spirit to select the new members.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR THIS DISCERNMENT? The best way to prepare for the discernment process at St. Louis is to pray. Is God calling you to serve this faith community as a member of the Pastoral Council? If the answer may be yes, then give our Father the opportunity to speak to your heart on the matter. Hearing God’s call is only possible when we take the time to listen. For information please contact Peter Polito at pjpolito@gmail.com or (415) 994-3301.

ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS PREPARING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW WITH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST AS THEIR GUIDE

Save the Date! COMMEMORATIVE MASS & DINNER with Bishop Joe Vasquez April 1, 2017 5 p.m. Vigil Mass COUGAR CHASE 60TH FUN RUN April 22, 2017 St. Louis Campus

Success

STARTS HERE

WWW.SLCSAUSTIN.ORG

FIRST EUCHARIST May 6, 2017 1:30 p.m.

512-614-6622 2114 ST. JOSEPH STREET AUSTIN, TX 78757

f L I

COUGAR CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT April 24, 2017 Twin Creeks Country Club

/SLCSAUSTIN @SLCSAUSTIN

60TH ANNIVERSARY CLOSING CELEBRATION Time capsule burial and ice cream social May 19, 2017 8TH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY May 26, 2017 6:30 p.m.

@SLCSAUSTIN

2017 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament MONDAY, APRIL 24 1:30 P.M.SHOTGUN TWIN CREEKS COUNTRY CLUB Lunch, Dinner and Door Prizes! For Sponsorship, more details and to register visit: slcsaustin.ejoinme.org/2017cougarclassic

The Spirit of St. Louis

THANK YOU to our Sponsors!

THANK YOU!!

Diamond

Thank you to everyone who made our night a success— room parents, donors, sponsors, teachers, staff, clergy, parishioners, St. Louis ministries and bidders. We have a wonderful community here at St. Louis in both our

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Coale Deacon & Mrs. Ron Walker

Emerald Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Leary

Gold

school and parish. We

are TRULY BLESSED!

THANK YOU, PAWS UP DONORS!

Austin Emergency Center

Our Paws Up donations raised a record amount for St. Louis Catholic School.

Harlan & Valarie Neidig

Paws Up is a straight donation at Green & White Night that benefits special needs at the School. This year we raised funds to fulfill Mrs. Gee’s and the Teachers’ Wish List.

Northwest Imports

Stephanie Mayes

Over $54,000 will be used toward items like Promethium Boards, Math Manipulatives, Novel Reader Sets, Walkie-talkies, Robotics kits and new Globes. There is still time to donate. See our website for Paws Up options https://slcsaustin.ejoinme.org/pawsup Or donate by check and help us save on credit

THANK YOU to our Sponsors!

THANK YOU!!

Diamond

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Coale Deacon & Mrs. Ron Walker

Emerald Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Leary

Gold

school and parish. We

are TRULY BLESSED!

THANK YOU, PAWS UP DONORS!

Austin Emergency Center

Our Paws Up donations raised a record amount for St. Louis Catholic School.

Harlan & Valarie Neidig

Paws Up is a straight donation at Green & White Night that benefits special needs at the School. This year we raised funds to fulfill Mrs. Gee’s and the Teachers’ Wish List.

Northwest Imports

Stephanie Mayes

The Spirit of St. Louis greenandwhitenight@gmail.com

Vol 8 February 22, 2017

THANK YOU, DONORS!! The Donors contribute items toward our Live & Silent Auctions. AGEX Ana Celada-Samayoa Arbor Car Wash Art on 5th Fine Art Gallery Arthur Murray Dance Centers Austin Aquarium Austin Gourmet Popcorn Austin Spurs Austin Steam Train Association Austin Symphony Orchestra Austintatious Photo Booth Avant Salon & Spa BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse Barbara Fletcher Baskin-Robbins Becca Yasskin Beth Foley Bill & Elizabeth Bartol Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Blue Baker Bradz Salon & Spa Brian Kemp Brick Oven Buca di Beppo Café Monet Pottery Capital Cruises Capital Music Center Capitol City Comedy Club Capra & Cavelli Carol Johnson Carrabba’s Italian Grill Carrino’s Casa Chapala Casey Foyt Catholic Arts & Gifts Charles Jones Chase & Carrie Vernieuw Chocolaterie Tessa Chris Rethlake Chris Yeager Christine Lemp Cindy Axum Cindy Gee Claire McCarthy Corner Bakery Café Cover 3

Crenshaw Athletic Club Crown Limousine Service Damien & Alice Gray Darlene Howard Desano’s Disneyland Resort Doubletree Austin Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Edible Arrangements Elena Castillo Embellish Nails & Boutique Emily Hladik Eric & Joanne Boyce Eric & Mariela Dawson Erika Ferrales Esther’s Follies Fedesna Chiropractic Clinic FD Grillhouse Felipe Carvajal Flanigan’s Distillery Freytag’s Florist Gage Furniture Game Plan Entertainment Gloria Vallejo Governor Greg Abbott Heidi Pickerill Honorable Michael McCaul Hope CPR Houston Astros Hut’s Hamburgers Inflatable Wonderland Innerspace Caverns Jack Allen’s Kitchen Jack Brown Cleaners Jorge & Jackie Padilla Jason’s Deli Jeannie Coale Jeff & Margaret Bruns Jeff & Veronica Navarro Jersey Mike’s Subs Jessica Chaffee Jesus “Toro” Martinez Joel Navarro Joan Yura Joe & Beth Leary

Joe Huetra John & Ale Hamlet Jon Sherman Jordan Babcock Judy Jenschke Julie Davis Kara Lee Ruckriegel Kendra Scott Designs Ken & Debra Korty Kim Hoang Kim Spiers La Madeleine Country French Cafe La Patisserie Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Ctr Leonard & Barbara Friesenhahn Lucy’s Fried Chicken Make It Sweet Maria Garcia Mark & Natasha Chapla Martin Family McAllister’s Deli Michael Hoffer Michelle Sheffield Miguel’s Gallery & Garden Monogram Lady Moonshine Patio Grill Nathan & Jennifer Caruso Natural Bridge Caverns Nikii Guerra Omni Austin Hotel Downtown Otterbox Outback Steakhouse Parents of St. Louis Patti Townsend Paul Martin’s Austin Grill Peter & Elizabeth Polito P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Phil’s Ice House Pilar Castrejon Pinthouse Pizza Pipe World, Inc. Quality Seafood Rack Room Shoes Ray & Debbie Cantu Reale’s Italian Cafe Reneé Gately

Rep. Gina Hinojosa Rev. Alberto Carvajal Rev. James Misko Rosalie Dowling Russell Korman Jewelers Schlitterbahn Schlotzsky’s School of Rock Sea World San Antonio Sherlock’s Pub & Grill SLCS 5K Cougar Chase Special Addition St. Dominic Savio Catholic H.S. St. Louis Catholic Church St. Louis Catholic School St. Louis Booster Club Stan’s Heating & Air Conditioning Steve Armstrong Photography Studio Kitchen Teri Nemeroff Terri Kunkel Terra Toys Texas Roadhouse The Bearded Savant The Cheesecake Factory The Egg & I The Long Center The Melting Pot The Oasis on Lake Travis The Paramount & State Theatres The Steeping Room Thomas & Deloris Addison Thundercloud Subs Tiff’s Treats Tom & Carol Coale Top Notch Hamburgers Uchi and Uchiko Vera Bradley Store Villarreal Fine Jewelers Vintage Villas Hotel & Events Vivian Conway Water 2 Wine Waterloo Ice House Willie Gomez ZACH Theatre Zoe’s Kitchen

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL MEN OF ST. LOUIS PARISH Men are called to be husbands, fathers, friends, providers, defenders, coaches, leaders, servers and many other roles in our world today. Men are asked to be responsible, dependable, supportive, loving, and strong. Each day men face challenges both small and large. However, because we are human we sometimes come up short in our efforts to be all things all the time. We start to question our ability to be the men we are called to be. Most men want to be better at being a man. Some seek the answers in a variety of places while others don’t know where to look. But we all search. Of course, the answer to being a better man begins with having a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. For all men associated with St. Louis parish, the opportunity to begin, renew, or further develop their relationship with God is available during the upcoming Men’s ACTS Retreat, June 22 – 25, 2017. Through fellowship, spiritual reflection and prayer at the retreat, every man will find a friendly and welcoming departure from everyday life to discover more about themselves and their faith. ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. The ACTS Retreat is given by parishioners for parishioners. Who should attend? Well, Christ wants us all and the ACTS brothers of St. Louis want all men. The ACTS Retreat begins in the evening of Thursday, June 22 and ends with morning Mass on Sunday, June 25. Thousands of men in Texas have attended ACTS Retreats; lives have been changed and spiritual growth has made better men of those attending. A few of your fellow parishioners tell how an ACTS Retreat has impacted them: “I had never been on a retreat of any kind before, so I went into the ACTS retreat with no expectations. I also went into it with some skepticism and without much enthusiasm. However, by the time the retreat was over, I was changed. I was on fire, excited about my faith and so grateful to God for the experience. And that experience still moves me today.” Tony Garcia “The ACTS retreat was a terrific reminder for me that I am not alone in my faith journey. All too often I go about life thinking "I got this; I can handle this on my own." I learned that there are others close to me who have struggled in many ways that I have and were willing to help me along the way. Allowing myself to be served, and in turn serving others, has taught me new lessons in living God's love.” Adam Gretencord “My journey through the ACTS retreat helped me to attain a new relationship and love of GOD. I was touched by the Holy Spirit in the most unexpected way that changed my life and how I cope with life's daily challenges and struggles. I now serve the Lord, community and my family in more ways than I would have ever imagined.” Daniel Caballero

“The power of ACTS is tremendous. Not only was there the immediate, emotional impact of the weekend, but also the deep rooted spiritual impact which stretches far beyond and has changed my faith and my life.” Warren Sanderfur (Adult Confirmation Candidate) “What was so impactful for me was the experience of men pouring themselves out on my behalf. The men putting on my retreat didn't know who I was, they didn't know my story, they didn't know if I would even care about their story, and yet they poured themselves out on my behalf. That bit of radical vulnerability on their part was all the Holy Spirit needed to break through the walls I had built around my heart. He flooded in, made me new, washed me clean, and gave me the ability to see him in a radically authentic way. In short, their openness to Christ changed me forever.” Peter Polito Attending the ACTS Retreat is a great opportunity to get to know more about how God works within the lives of the men of our church community. The Holy Spirit will be present; Will You? Watch for registration information coming soon. It will be the only Men’s ACTS Retreat hosted by St. Louis this year! Don’t Miss It. MEN’S ACTS RETREAT JUNE 22 – 25, 2017

NEW OFFICES Coming Soon!

The Spirit of St. Louis

NEW OFFICES

Sometime this June, the St. Louis Church Offices will be moving back to their original location, the 7500 square foot building designed for offices and rectory in 1969. With the priests in their new rectory on Hardy Drive, the vacant building next to the Church has been undergoing a transformation since January. The move will consolidate all the Church and Religious Education offices under one roof for the first time in more than 60 years. The Church office will be easily accessed from the small parking lot on Burnet Road, next to the Adoration Chapel. The Religious Education department will be accessed from the original gift store entrance on the east side. Both entrances will have ramps that are code-approved for the disabled. As Father James mentioned in our previous newsletter, this move will not only combine our offices in one building, it will also give us the benefit of fully using that facility, which has been under-utilized as a rectory. Another major benefit is that it is all on one single story. Current second floor offices present an obstacle for anyone that has difficulty with stairs. Exact dates of the move cannot be estimated at this time and all offices will be closed temporarily when those dates are determined. When known, that information will be disseminated through social media, pulpit announcements and publication if time allows.

NEW MAIN ENTRANCE

NEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ENTRANCE

Sharing Our Story

Through Music

The Music Ministry of St. Louis Catholic Church is blessed with a vibrant community of nine different choirs. On any given week, one can hear beautiful music from a youth singer in our children's choirs or feel the enthusiasm during our Spanish Masses, led by our two wonderful Spanish choirs. While hand bells peal during rehearsals of the Ambrose Ringers, our King's Choir is busily preparing a motet by Palestrina, a master of Renaissance music. As the Cecilia Singers work in the school music room, perfecting their harmonies on their latest contemporary offering, the triumphant pipes of an organ echo throughout the dome of the Chapel. Like the image of the fruitful garden so often described in the Bible, St. Louis is indeed fortunate to have the spirit and joy of music in many forms. With a ministry of over 120 dedicated volunteers serving God through music each week, we owe much to the woman who had the vision for planting this musical garden over fifty years ago. With joy, we celebrate the story of parishioner, Wylla LeBas, the first Music Director of St. Louis Catholic Church. Wylla was raised in a small Catholic town in central Louisiana, and early in her life, she was already taken with a love for music. Skilled with both the piano and clarinet, Wylla graduated with a master's degree in music from Louisiana State University. She then began her teaching career as Director of Bands at the University of Southern Louisiana. A founding member of St. Louis Catholic Church in the 1950s, Wylla willingly offered her musical gifts to the parish, forming the first musical ensembles for both the school and the church. As she proudly directed the St. Louis school band in half time shows for the football team, she sowed the seeds that would later become the foundation for the nine music ensembles we have today. Without a dedicated budget for a music ministry in the early days of our parish, she selflessly reinvested her very humble stipend to purchase music and robes for the 20 members of the inaugural church choir. Embracing both the ancient and modern traditions of the Church, Wylla programmed music in Latin, the

Wylla LeBas traditional language of the Roman Catholic Church, and also integrated the newest hymns of the day, like "Morning Has Broken". Her choices were a direct influence on the music of our more traditional 9:30 Mass and the contemporary 11:30 Mass we offer each Sunday. Wylla's legacy in our church extends beyond her musical dedication. With Luke, her husband of 60 years, and her five children and extended family, Wylla still celebrates Mass at St. Louis. She continues to offer kind compliments or helpful suggestions to the current music directors, which are always accepted with gratitude and deep respect for her leadership. As we cherish the music at our Masses and in our school, we honor Wylla as the faithful gardener, who through the labor of her hands and willing spirit of her heart created a garden of beauty at St. Louis.

SENIOr MINISTRy

The Spirit of St. Louis

CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY Looking for the quickest, surest, and easiest way to holiness, but don’t know where to begin? In our hectic day and time, Pope St. John Paul II knew that the quickest way to be transformed into a saint is through a relationship with Our Blessed Mother, Mary.

The Senior Friendship group, with Senior Activities Coordinator Wanda Alexander, recently collected baskets of baby products for the parish Gabriel Project and presented them to Bea DeLa Rosa, Director of Parish Social Ministries. Some of the seniors also enjoyed reading books to the Early Childhood children. Thank you, seniors, for your ongoing example of stewardship to the parish!

Join us for a 33-day parish-wide preparation for Marian Consecration. For six weeks, we’ll reflect on four great Marian giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Pope St. John Paul II. They’ll teach us the secrets to drawing closer to the Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary. Meetings will include a video and small group discussion. Consecration will be at the 8am daily Mass on Saturday, May 13, the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparition at Fatima. Meetings begin April 3 and will be held Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the school music room, Room 120. Order your retreat participant materials in advance at www,allheartsafire.org. To register, contact Susan Martinez at gsmartx@austin.rr.com.

WELCOME TO MRS. CARRIE VERNIEUW! Carrie has joined the Church and School staff as an Administrative Coordinator. She is working part time in both the Parish and School offices. For ten hours each week, she assists Elizabeth Polito with liturgical coordination and scheduling. Carrie spends another ten hours in the School office, assisting with administrative duties related to recruitment and development. She has been a tremendous asset to both offices and we are happy she is part of our administrative team!

Books ARE IN

Bloom! C ome

see what ’ s

N ew

this

S pring

in the

P arish L ibrary

Thanks to several large donations, the Parish Library has many new books to enjoy this Spring! We list all our new titles on our web page under What’s New in the Library. Below are a few new books that touch on topics that correspond to this Liturgical season. Several of the books cover Lent, Easter, and Mercy Sunday. There are books about Pro-life activism and abortion clinics as we finish up 40 Days for Life. We also have included a book on the Rosary and a book for mothers for the month of May. In addition, there is an excellent study program for the Eucharist on CDs. Come and share in your fellow parishioner’s generosity and enrich your minds and spirits during this Easter season! Pardon and Peace: A Sinner’s Guide to Confession by Fr. Francis Randolph Fr. Francis Randolph presents a very positive and practical understanding of the immense value of the sacrament of confession for the modern Catholic. Father Randolph helps the reader to see how the sacrament of confession meets the deepest needs of the penitent on the spiritual, emotional and psychological levels. Step by step we follow the different stages of the rite, looking at the various elements of the sacrament and what they mean for the average sinner in the box. The author draws on his own experiences, on both sides of the grille, to explain what is actually happening in this sacrament, and why it is so helpful for growing in the love of God and neighbor.

The Seven Last Words of Christ: Reflections by Thomas Rosica In this beautifully written book, acclaimed Scripture scholar Fr. Thomas Rosica offers reflections on the words of Jesus as he died on the cross. Interwoven with inspiration from St. Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, and Pope John Paul I, these profound reflections invite us to consider our own frailties, fear of death, and thirst for justice in a modern world.

Racketeer for Life: Fighting the Culture of Death from the Sidewalk to the Supreme Court by Joseph M. Scheidler Racketeer for Life explains how a former Benedictine monk and journalism professor was drawn into pro-life activism and describes his part in the history of the pro-life movement in the United States. Conversations, protests, and battles with clinic directors, doctors, politicians, judges, media personalities, and even other pro-lifers are woven together in this engaging account of the efforts of Scheidler and other activists to publicize the horrors of abortion, influence legislation, and, ultimately, to save lives.

The Spirit of St. Louis

Trust: In Saint Faustina’s Footsteps by Grezegora Gorny and Janusz Rosikon To follow in the footsteps of Saint Faustina, the author and photographer moved from place to place— real places in Eastern Europe such as Warsaw, Krakow, Plock and Vilnius. They recorded their observations and impressions in beautiful prose and gorgeous photographs in order to bring the realness of these places and people to as wide an audience as possible. A Rosary Litany: Renewing a Pious Custom by Fr. Edward Lee Looney "A Rosary Litany" reintroduces the Christian faithful to a pious custom of praying the rosary, promoted by St. Louis de Montfort, and recommended by Bl. Paul VI and St. John Paul II. Fr. Looney recommends several phrases which could be inserted into the Hail Mary after the names of Jesus or Mary. Inserting these phrases guides and focuses one's meditation on the rosary mystery and when prayed in succession, the rosary becomes litany-like. Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life by Henri J.M. Nouwen Love, Henri consists of over a hundred letters that stretch from the earliest years of Henri's career up through his last 10 years at L'Arche Daybreak. Rich in spiritual insights the letters highlight a number of themes that emerged in both Henri's work over the years, including vocation, solitude, prayer, suffering, and perseverance in difficult times. These deeply spiritual letters, sometime poignant, sometimes funny, ultimately demonstrate the rich value of communicating with God through others. The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories by Abby Johnson This book narrates the harrowing and life-changing experiences of former abortion clinic workers, including those of the author, who once directed abortion services at a large Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas. These individuals, whose names have been changed to protect their identities, left their jobs in the abortion industry after experiencing a change of heart. They have come forward with their stories, not for fame or notoriety, but to shed light on the reality of abortion. They want their stories to change the lives of others for the better.

Marry Him and Be Submissive: Radical Advice from a Real Woman about Marriage, Love, Kids Work, Play & Everything Else by Constanza Miriano Miriano boldly, playfully, and profoundly takes the lives and loves of modern women head on, and shows how true marital happiness and holiness is found in submission. And she shows how real, true submission, which is about love, humility and support, will lead you to salvation. Far from belittling women, it empowers them (and their families) in ways that secular feminism can only dream of. Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary Make Room presents Lent as a special time for creating a welcoming space for God. Other books offer excellent ideas for going through the Lenten season with children, but Make Room uniquely connects its projects to the story of Jesus. Simple and practical activities such as baking bread, having a neighbor over for dinner, uncluttering your room, and watching less TV become acts of justice and kindness, part of a life of following and imitating Christ, and a way to make room for God in our lives and in the world around us. Self Esteem without Selfishness: Increasing our Capacity for Love by Rev. Michel Esparza In Self-Esteem without Selfishness, Fr. Michel Esparza teaches us how to have a godly view of ourselves. A lively sense of a Father who looks on us with delight and unconditional love, together with a fearless acceptance of our own wretchedness, is the key. Fr. Esparza teaches us how to cultivate that "humble self-esteem" which neither strays from the truth about the person nor fosters discouragement at our failures. Bringing together the best of classic spiritual wisdom and the insights of contemporary psychology, he distinguishes between selfesteem in the shallow, pop-psychology sense and the rightly ordered self-love that is anything but self-centered. A Biblical Walk through the Mass Study Program CD Set by Edward Sri A Biblical Walk through the Mass is part of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study Series. This adult faith formation program provides a unique tour of the timeless Liturgy. It explores the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience in Mass and explains their profound significance. Participants in this study will come to know and understand the Mass like never before.

RALLY for LIFE

Some 23 teens and 50 parishioners attended the Rally for Life in January. Thank you to all these wonderful folks who represented St. Louis Parish, showing our support for all Respect Life issues!

A Finance Council

The Spirit of St. Louis

ESSENTIAL MINISTRY FOR EACH PARISH

St. Louis pastors have always consulted parishioners regarding budgets, long-range planning, expenditures, fund-raising and building projects. We have been blessed by consistently interested parishioners, contractors, builders, lawyers, accountants and businessmen who have volunteered their time to help pastors budget and build for the future of the parish. Every pastor in our 65year history has benefited from the expert advice given by these dedicated parishioners, and collaboratively, together, they have managed our parish growth in a fiscally responsible way. Not every parish around the country may have been so lucky, which consequently generated the 1983 Code of Canon Law that introduced a required, separate consultative body to parish life. “Each parish is to have a FINANCE COUNCIL which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop. The purpose of the parish FINANCE COUNCIL is to provide the pastor with a group of Christian faithful who will aid him in the administration of parish goods according to these norms.” Thankfully when this Code was initiated, St. Louis had advisory councils that had been functioning as early as 1954. While the pastor is the chief governing person for each parish and is accountable to the Bishop, he has the equally important task to seek advice on financial matters affecting parish life, to participate in the interaction that follows, to be open and respectful to the parishioners’ voice and to seriously weigh their collective wisdom and consensus. Of course, in matters that violate church teachings or discipline or in matters contrary to diocesan policy, the pastor must be the sole authoritative decision maker. Likewise, Finance Council members have the responsibility to understand and implement the consultative process and to seek consensus on issues. They must take time to develop spiritually and to be aware of the Spirit’s presence and function within their ministry and the community. If possible, council members should have experience or expertise in business, finance or law and be committed to the work of the Church. Members are appointed by the pastor for a minimum of three years with renewable terms. Excluded from membership are persons who could have a conflict of interest. The Finance Council is a ministry of service, not authority, and we are immensely grateful to the Finance Council members who continue to serve with such faithful devotion, including Gilbert Bernal, Jeff Bruns, Tom Collins, Julian Lopez and Susan Stoner. Joining them this year will be newly appointed Joseph Villarreal, Yesenia Rodriguez and Jeannie Coale. We are very appreciative of the service offered by outgoing member Carley DeFelice Serna and our retiring staff Accountant Betty Davidson. (The Accountant and Business Administrator are ex-officio members of the Finance Council.) Together with Fr. James, this council has been diligent about discerning decisions in the parish’s interest. They have worked to insure that the sacrifices made in your tithes and offerings are managed efficiently and with fiscal accountability. Thank you to our weekly and monthly supporters whose stewardship is the foundation of all our parish blessings!

Buongiorno! A TRIP TO ITALY

Though time has faded the memories a bit, fortunately there are plenty of photos to remember our grand and glorious trip to Italy just a few months ago. Two days after Christmas, fifty pilgrims from St. Louis Parish and several area Texas churches headed to the airport for a 10 day visit to Italy. After a 7 hour flight from New York City, the first stop was Florence for a two day visit, and the beginning of a magnificent adventure. Starting with the Church of the Annunciation, daily Masses led by Fr. James Misko kept the spiritual side prominent, while the 15 voice choir offered musical prayers in ancient buildings spanning the times close to Christ and through the Baroque period. It would have been difficult not to feel the presence of God in these awe-inspiring settings. A walking tour of the magnificent Academy Museum, which included Michelangelo’s David, the pink Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, Piazza Del Duomo, and more, was followed by Mass at the Church of All Saints, also sung by our choir. The bus drive to and from Florence, or Firenze in Italian, included bucolic scenes of pastoral landscape, medieval fortresses and church steeples. Every hilltop seemed to have its own stone walls and eagle eye perch, the result of many years of individual fiefdoms. Our next town was Siena, with a visit and Mass at the Basilica of St. Dominic, depository of the uncorrupted head of the patron saint of Italy. After a quick city tour ending in the main plaza and sight of a yearly horse race, we had the chance to shop and explore more ancient buildings, then head to Assisi. Assisi was the largest of these miniature hillside kingdoms that we saw, and the monastery seemed to cover much of the mountain with its imposing façade. Its cobbled streets hugged the contour of the hill, with paths zig zagging up the hill to the church. Our 19th century hotel that night, a former castle, was complete with quirky rooms and thick walls. Day four included a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in 1569, which included the “Porzincula” that was the center of the Franciscan movement, and the very place that St. Francis spent his last hours.

The Mass the next day was truly special, held in the lower Basilica of St. Francis, and in front of the very tomb of St. Francis. Built in the 13th century, it contains stained glass windows and paintings from the 13th-14th centuries. The choir reverently sang, after organist Scott McNulty was given the rare privilege of playing the small pipe organ. But the day was not finished! After a bus ride back to Rome, the group attended the blessing of the Creche in St. Peter’s Square that followed the Te Deum, and several pilgrims from our group were able to shake Pope Francis’s hand or touch his robe. It was an emotional moment, and it quickly erased the tiredness of long security lines and waiting in the chilly night. On day six, the group attended the Papal Mass for the Feast of Mary Mother of God, celebrated by His Holiness, Pope Francis. The King’s Choir joined with several other choirs from around the world to provide prelude music, then joined with the sublime Sistine Chapel Choir in singing the Mass. The next day our group received a thorough tour of the Vatican Museums, including a visit to the Sistine Chapel. Though the regular lines were several city blocks long, our wonderful tour guide, Massimo, had arranged for quick passage into this venue, as well as many other places on our trip. From him, we also learned about “Italian time/ distance” (longer and further than expected), and how to correctly approach long lines in any venue (push assertively ahead).

Monday evening, the King’s Choir presented a choir concert to a large and appreciative audience at the Basilica of St. Ignatius. The Baroque paintings and wood working in the Sacristy added to the excitement and grandiose feeling of the night. On the concert was a special “Ave Maria” written by doctoral student Alvez Barkoskie IV,

The Spirit of St. Louis

SANCTUARY CANDLE MEMORIALS

who was participating in the trip. More tours of ancient Rome, such as the Coliseum and “Wedding Cake” monument to King Victor Emmanuel II followed, and the day ended with a Solemn Mass sung by the St. Louis choir at St. Peter’s Basilica, co-celebrated with Fr. James under the overwhelming Holy Spirit window adorned in gold. Wednesday was day nine, and nearly the end of our exhausting but fulfilling trip. We left early that morning to get good seats for the Papal Audience, and several of our group were again blessed to greet Pope Francis personally. A tour in the afternoon to the Scavi was one of many highlights, with its inside view of the grotto underneath St. Peter’s Basilica where many popes are buried. This Vatican Necropolis dates back to the 2nd century, and contains bones that possibly could be the apostle himself. Later, during a rollicking party that evening in a local restaurant with opera singers and an accordion player, our group had a great time singing traditional Italian songs, from Puccini to Verdi. A boisterous ending to an adrenaline-filled trip. It was with a heavy heart that we returned to the Leonardo da Vinci Airport for our flight back to Texas. Most of us were ready to come back, as we had walked many miles, been sleep deprived from so many joyful activities, and were ready to be back in familiar homes with family. But what a great time we had, especially deepening our affection for God and each other, worshipping in places so steeped in history over the last 2000 years. A special thanks to Rick Gabrillo and Fr. James Misko for organizing and leading such a beautiful spiritual retreat. Time to rest up and get ready for Spain and France in 2018! Hope to see you there!

The sanctuary candle is traditionally seen in Catholic churches, burning constantly to indicate the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. At St. Louis, in both the main nave and the chapel, the sanctuary candles are burning high above the floor in beautifully ornate fixtures suspended from the ceiling. Parishioners are given the opportunity to memorialize a deceased loved one with a $10 contribution, selecting a specified week in which one or both of the two sanctuary candles will be burned in their honor.Visit the church office with your donation, the name of your loved one, your choice of sanctuary candle and the selected week. Memorials are denoted in the Main Nave (M/N) or Chapel (C). Memorials reserved since the last newsletter deadline include: February 26 – March 4 Memory of Bob Perez by Raymundo & Delfina Meza (M/N) March 5 - 11 Memory of Carlos Xavier Torres by Jesse & Connie Torres (M/N) April 16 – 22 Memory of Marissa Rodriguez by Leslie D. Inman (M/N) Memory of Saenz family deceased by Lottman Family (C) April 23 – 29 Memory of Bertin Aviles by Endocio & Cornelia Aviles (M/N) May 7 – 13 Memory of Dominga U. Reyes by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C) May 14 – 20 Memory of Ruperto Reyes by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C) May 28 – June 3 Memory of Bob Perez by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C)

OUR SACRAMENTS OUR FAITH “The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to give worship to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church123) BAPTISMS JANUARY 6 – MARCH 5, 2017 Sophie Eleanor Nario Alberto Arturo Gonzalez Ashley Gonzalez Vences Brianna Lorenzo Garcia Anita Bella Reyna Demendonca Dimitri Julio Campos Demendonca II Kevin Zachary Sosa Emma Rae Wasko Micah Blayne Clemons Titus Anthony Reyes

MARRIAGES & CONVALIDATIONS JANUARY 6 – MARCH 5, 2017 Kyle William Dufour and Emily Brooke Hills Roberto Israel Lopez and Oluwaseyi Anna Erinle Richard Walter Bard, Jr. and Kendall Veronica Hibbs Vicente Vasquez Celaya and Mary Jaquely Hernandez Banegas Matthew Frank Russell and Dilia Yamel Murillo Matthew Arthur Frerichs and Katelyn Jane Rogan

FIRST COMMUNION FEBRUARY 11, 2017 Mary Jaquely Hernandez Banegas

RECENTLY DECEASED Edward Blake Paulissen Maria B. Duran Margarito Carlos Ramirez Sister Maria Rosa B. Mbachu Edward Squires Annette Kales Rita Gorzycki Bonifacio Herrera Remington Webster Maria Santos-Jocol Jose Santos Flores Agnes Burkhardt Carolina Hernandez Louis Struble

The Spirit of St. Louis

Cedarbreak Retreat Center WWW.CEDARBRAKE.ORG OR CALL 254-780-2436 THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY RETREAT will be held at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Georgetown on April 25 beginning at 9 a.m. and conclude with Mass at noon. You will have a chance to listen to the stories of some of our beloved retired priests. The cost is $20.

Saturday, Feb. 4th, the Diocese of Austin and St. Louis Parish, hosted a training for all parishes on the process of the V Encuentro. Parish trainings are a unique opportunity to learn how the process of the V Encuentro invites all Catholics to engage in becoming missionary disciples, witnesses of God’s love.

Registración de CRSP Si usted se siente solo, deprimido o sin esperanzas, venga a disfrutar de un tiempo maravilloso y una noche inolvidable de reflexiones y alabanzas donde recibirá consuelo y sanción espiritual. Para participar en el retiro de CRSP regístrese en la oficina del PEC. También tendremos registraciones después de las Misas en español el 2 & 9 de Abril para hombres, y el 7 &amp; 14 de Mayo para mujeres. El retiro de CRSP de hombres será del 27 - 28 de mayo. El retiro de CRSP de mujeres se llevara a cabo del 10 - 11 de Junio. ¡Inscríbete ahora! ¡Te esperamos! El cupo es limitado. ¡Muchas gracias!

THE PRACTICE OF ART JOURNALING will be at Cedarbrake Retreat Center in Belton TX on May 22 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Art Journaling is the use of simple art material, written journaling, contemplative gazing and receptive noticing to help respond to prayer and expression. Sr. Marianne Hieb, RSM, D. Min, will lead this retreat and is a member of Lourdes Wellness Spirituality Retreat Team. The cost is $40. THE PARABLES IN LUKE’S GOSPEL Retreat will be held at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton June 1 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The retreat will focus on why Jesus used parables and how we can apply them to our life today. Father Angelo Bertini, retired chaplain from Cedarbrake, will facilitate this day. The cost is $40 and includes lunch. THE DESERT SOLITUDE Retreat at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton on June 9-14 is a silent retreat with centering prayer and daily Mass as the focus. Beverly Collin, assistant director, will lead this retreat. This is a wonderful time to come to Cedarbrake and enjoy the quiet. The cost varies: $300 (3 nights, single) or $550 (3 nights, couple); $360 (4 nights, single); or $640 (4 nights, couple); $420 (5 nights, single) or $720 (5 nights, couple).

Around the Diocese and beyond Catholic Services Update

Next English Cursillo

Thank you parishioners for your outstanding support of the Diocesan Catholic Services Appeal last fall. St. Louis had a goal of $172,000 and the Diocese of Austin has now received pledges of $194,769.80 or 113.24% of the goal pledged! To date, $134,800.96 has been received from the total of 480 pledges. We not only surpassed our parish goal, but a “challenge” goal of $186,823! Congratulations and grateful appreciation to all who helped us reach our parish goals! Those still paying on their pledges are reminded to continue sending your donations to the Diocese of Austin (not St. Louis) so you can receive credit toward the amount pledged.

Cursillo is a three-day course in Christianity. Participants are encouraged to take some personal and uninterrupted time to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Walking daily with the Lord is the best exercise for your mind and body! The next Men’s English Cursillo is May 11 -14. For more information or to register, please contact Gregory Ganslen (245) 6982594 or gganslen@hot.rr.com or visit the Austin English Cursillo website at http://austinenglishcursillo.webs.com

Upcoming Diocesan Collections FRIDAY, APRIL 14: PONTIFICAL GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION FOR THE HOLY LAND This annual collection on Good Friday is taken in support of the pastoral, charitable, educational and social works that the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of the Christian communities. It is also used to maintain the shrines and holy places that represent Christ’s journey while on earth. APRIL 22-23: COLLECTION FOR SEMINARIANS – EDUCATION AND FORMATION The envelope for this collection may be brought to Easter services or the weekend afterward. It supports the education of diocesan seminarians and is a major source of revenue for the seminaries who prepare these men to serve as priests of our diocese. MAY 13-14: BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION This is a one-time collection on Mother’s Day to benefit the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. As a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage, they minister to all Catholics in this great nation. Because or your great love and devotion to Our Lady and your generosity to this collection, our national basilica will be able to continue its ministry of serving the faithful through worship, pilgrimage, evangelization and reconciliation. Since this is the same weekend as our Parish Social Ministry 2nd collection, we ask that you use your Basilica envelope from your packets and place that in the regular first collection along with your tithes and offerings to St. Louis. MAY 27-28: COLLECTION FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES This collection is taken every third year and helps support our military chaplains as they minister to the American servicemen and women around the world. This collection is scheduled close to Memorial Day to remind us of those who serve our country, often with the sacrifice of their own lives. Please give generously using the special envelope from your packets and place it in the regular collection that weekend!

Full of Hope Prayer Service A special prayer service for couples struggling with infertility will be held during National Infertility Awareness Week on Thursday, April 27, at 7:00pm at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church in Austin. Sarah’s Hope and Abraham’s Promise of the Rabboni Institute, St. Ignatius Parish Respect Life Ministry, and the Diocese of Austin Offices of Pro-Life and Family Life invite all to attend and join with these couples in prayer. A reception will be held immediately following. Contact shap@teachmelealme.com, call (512)736-7334 or visit infertilityprayerservice2017.eventbrite. com for more information and to RSVP.

Catholic Charities PROVIDING HELP – CREATING HOPE Save the date for the 11th Annual Creating Hope in Central Texas event on Thursday, April 27th at JW Marriott Austin, 110 East 2nd Street. A complimentary lunch is offered from 12:00-1:00pm while Catholic Charities will share how the mission of their organization has touched lives and made a difference. Contact Allison Cavazos for information at Allisoncavazos@ccctx.org or 512-651-6105.