The Spirit of St. Louis | August/September 2017

The Spirit of

St. Louis @

August / September 2017

CHEERING FOR ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dear SLCS Families and Parishioners, God has bestowed many blessings upon me as I reflect on my work this year. St. Louis has amazing families and is staffed with dedicated individuals, making this an awesome place to be.

Following are reflections of this year and plans for this upcoming school year.

St. Louis Catholic School celebrated sixty years of educating students in the Light of Christ. Many activities were held to commemorate our sixty year mission. The year began with Fr. James celebrating Mass. Later, a Commemorative Mass and Dinner Reception was celebrated by Bishop Joe Vasquez. St. Louis held its first ever family fun run, the Cougar Chase, as well as our annual Fun Fest, Green and White Night auction, and Cougar Classic golf tournament. Closing ceremonies included an ice cream social that lead to the burial of a time capsule which included letters written by students to their future selves. The time capsule will be opened for our 75th Anniversary.

Our technology program grew with the kindness of a generous donor. Students now have a one to one device ratio in grades three through eight, and a one to five ratio in the lower grades.

We were also able to purchase Promethean Boards for our science and math programs.

Our Faith Family program continues to grow. Each family emphasized living as a saint and are grouped with students in PreK-8th grade. Students start their week with devotionals every Monday morning and attend weekly Mass together on Friday.

Our students excelled academically. Student honors include nominations to the Duke Tip, the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathway to STEM, and the induction of several students to the Junior National Honor Society. Students performed at the Diocese Choir Festival and won many awards at the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair, Diocese of Austin Science Fair, and PSIA local and state competitions. Students also received honors in The Knights of Columbus free throw contest, essay and poster contests. In athletics, our girl’s 7th /8th 3A volleyball team placed first and in basketball placed second. Several students performed well in track and field, tennis, and golf. We also had a One Act Play that was directed by a parent and included wonderful performances by our talented students.

The 2017-2018 school year will be the first year that a Montessori program will be offered for ages 3-5. This is the only Catholic Montessori program in the Diocese. The 2017-2018 school year will be the first of the next sixty years and should prove to be amazing. Last year, approximately forty-six individuals worked to develop a Five Year Strategic Plan for the school, so stay tuned for more exciting ventures as we begin to implement this plan.

We look forward to celebrating our wonderful community together at our upcoming annual events!

Respectfully, Cindy R. Gee, M.Ed. Principal

Save the Dates

AUGUST 10

AUGUST 15

SEPTEMBER 4

SEPTEMBER 7

OCTOBER 29

6:30 p.m. Elementary Orientation

First Day of School

No School

6:30 p.m. Secondary Orientation

Fun Fest

6:30 p.m. Back to School Night Secondary

Holy Day of Obligation – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Labor Day

6:30 p.m. Back to School Night Elementary

SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THESE PARISHIONERS

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Lumen Gentium Award Recipients Dr. Virgilio and Georgette Escutia Dr. Virgilio and Georgette Escutia have been active members of St. Louis since 1993. Their service has been centered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Quietly, behind-the- scenes, this couple has tirelessly served the poor for over 20 years. Weekly they have visited the needy, dispensing support and resources to help families survive financial crisis, health emergencies, homelessness and hunger. They have used their garage as a warehouse for furniture, household goods and clothing for the poor. They have taken leadership roles in the St. Vincent de Paul Society and mentored new volunteers for service.

They are exemplary Catholics who truly live their faith by their dedicated service to society’s most vulnerable.

For this reason, Fr. James Misko was pleased to nominate this outstanding couple as 2017 Lumen Gentium Award recipients in the Diocese of Austin. We are grateful for their stewardship and wish them well in their retirement. “Well done, good and faithful servants.” You have served your parish family with distinction and we congratulate you on this award of honor!

Pastoral Council Members Serving our Parish in Leadership Annually at least three or more members of the Pastoral Council will serve out their terms and rotate off the Council, making room for newly discerned members. We give special thanks to those Council members who served with merit in their three-year terms. Leaving the Council this summer are Mary Garcia, Melissa Fields, Oscar Gonzalez and Gilberto Arellano. We appreciate the time you devoted to this parish board and the good counsel you offered the Pastor over the last few years.

Newly discerned and appointed members of the Pastoral Council will include Bruni Cruz, Danny Caballero and Ken Horton. They were nominated in June and went through the extensive two-night discernment process. We are grateful for their willingness to serve on this leadership council. All Council members will be commissioned at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, August 27th. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their new terms of service.

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NEW FACES IN NEW SPACES WELCOME FATHER DOUG JEFFERS

Our New Parochial Vicar Father Doug was one of the five newly ordained priests on June 3rd. He grew up in the Sugarland-Missouri City area and attended Texas A&M University.

He began thinking about the priesthood, even before joining the Catholic Church in 2007. An A&M graduate in 2010, he entered Holy Trinity and began his journey toward a religious vocation, attending St. Mary’s Seminary and the Pontifical College Josephinum. He and Father Jesse Martinez were classmates and remain good friends. We are happy to have Fr. Doug join the St. Louis staff and look forward to his tenure with us!

WELCOME THOMAS CARANI

New Director of Adult Catechesis, Formation and Spirituality St. Louis is happy to welcome Tom Carani to the staff this August. He is a native of Chicago and a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. with a degree in Theology and a minor in Philosophy.

While in Washington, he was also a Student Minister through the Office of Campus Ministry, developing monthly spiritual programming for young men, facilitating a weekly bible study, and serving as a World Youth Day Intern with the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Tom just finished his Master of Arts Degree in Theology this spring from the University of Notre Dame. As part of that program, Tom was assigned to Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Houston, serving a two-year graduate school internship with them. While there, he co-directed, produced and edited a weekly parish podcast and organized a regional men’s conference for about 500 men in the Northwest Houston area. He coordinated a monthly family catechesis program for 90 families in English and Spanish and collaborated with the Christian Initiation Ministry leaders to re-structure Adult Confirmation. He attributes the success of these programs to the teamwork he shared with staff and the development of programs that were evangelistic, catechetical and readily applicable to daily family life.

Tom looks forward to continuing the outstanding programs already in place for adult formation at St. Louis, and to working with the volunteers who have been so faithful in sustaining these programs over the last few months and years.

WELCOME SEMINARIAN WILL ROONEY

Serving his pastoral year at St. Louis Seminarian Will is finishing his summer of hospital training in Austin, and beginning in September, will be on our campus full time. At the Pastor’s direction, he will be visiting all the ministries, fully immersing himself in parish life. While he works in specific areas designated by Fr. James, parishioners are asked to include Will in your activities and show him the many opportunities in ministry that strengthen and enrich our parish life!

Compline is moving to Vespers Every 1st Sunday of the Month at 7PM in the Chapel starting, September 3

Choral Vespers & Benediction of the

Blessed Sacrament Sunday September 3 7:00PM

Vespers, whose name literally means shadows, is the traditional evening prayer of the Catholic Church, celebrated when evening comes and lamps are lit. The origins of this liturgy are linked to the evening sacrifice of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem at sunset.

Like the prayer in common at sunrise, some sort of Evening Prayer was likely part of the liturgical life of the earliest monastic communities of the Church.

Vespers is one of the key hours of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.

As the official public prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours is intended to structure day-to-day life and also reflect the passage of the seasons of the church’s liturgical year. While anyone can celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, all Catholic priests promise to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours daily upon their ordination. Many religious orders of men and women also adhere to communal celebrations of the Divine Office, particularly in monasteries and convents.

Celebrated around sunset, Vespers is one of the seven canonical hours in the Liturgy of the Hours, along with the Office of Readings, Lauds, also called Morning Prayer, MidMorning, Mid-Day, and Mid-Afternoon Prayer and finally Compline, also called Night Prayer.

Issue #: [Date]

Dolor Sit Amet The Spirit of St. Louis

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(Continued)

Known

as a hinge hour in the daily cycle of the Church’s prayer, Vespers is made up of psalmody, Gregorian chant, reading from Scripture, and culminates in the singing of the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise from the Gospel of Luke.

Depending on the formality of the occasion, Vespers can include a great deal of song as well as other Catholic traditions such as incense and processions through the church. At St. Louis we will celebrate Choral Vespers with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament each first Sunday of the month. This sung celebration of Vespers will guide us down the centuries, from monasteries to cathedrals to seminaries and now to our sacred corner of Christ’s Kingdom.

We will celebrate Compline through the

Thank you Fr. Larry! As we conclude Compline at St. Louis and move in to the celebration of Vespers in its place, we give a hearty thank-you to our former pastor, Fr. Larry Covington, who envisioned Compline, directing it for the past seven years. His keen sense of the liturgy and love for sacred architecture & music remains a sturdy foundation on which St. Louis King of France has become so well known. God bless you Fr. Larry for your service to His beauty!

Sundays of August before moving to Choral Vespers each first Sunday at 7PM, starting with the Sunday September 3rd. Choral Vespers will be led by our Vespers Choir and our Director of Sacred Music Rick Gabrillo and accompanied by our organist Scott McNulty. Together we will pray the timeless prayers of the Universal Church through this ethereal and ancient rite in the presence of our Lord’s Blessed Sacrament.

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CELEBRATING SAINT LOUIS Castroville, Est. 1846

Austin, Est. 1952

Each year, our parish honors our Patron Saint, King Louis IX, who was truly a saint for the ages. Born in Poissy, France in 1214, he became a warrior King, battling not only the Saracens to free the Holy Land, but fighting to overcome poverty and injustice in his own country. Ruling when France was at its height, both politically and economically, he commanded the largest army and ruled the wealthiest kingdom of Europe at the time. He was a patron of the arts when France was the acknowledged center of arts and intellectual thought of the era. But his reputation for saintliness and fairness with his people was renown, making him as much a crusader to promote the common good of his subjects as he was a brave crusader in the Holy Land.

St. Louis Feast Day is August 25th, and we will celebrate our patron and our parish that whole weekend. We hope you will join us that Friday evening at a 6:30 p.m. Bilingual Mass in the Church, followed by a special catered dinner in Wozniak Hall. Dinner tickets will be on sale for reserved seating after Masses the first three weekends in August, or at the Church Office during the week. Tickets are $15 per adult (12 and older), but younger kids eat free. So a family with little ones under the age of 12 could all eat for the price of the parents’ tickets (regardless of the family’s size)! Families should purchase the adult tickets and then receive enough tickets to guarantee a seat at the table for each of their children. Each ticket represents a chair.

Please bring your family and celebrate our parish family!

The Parish Ministry Fair, August 26-27, will also celebrate who we are as a community. This annual fair, held in the Narthex, exhibits all the many ways this parish serves one another in discipleship. Use this chance to browse after Masses and see what’s happening here on a daily basis around your parish campus. Our Parish Ministries will be showcasing their programs with many available opportunities for new volunteers to get involved! Thanks to parishioner, Richard Brito, for coordinating this annual event!

TICKETS AVAILABLE IN CHURCH OFFICE Winnie, Est. 1947

$15/12 & older kids 12 & under eat free

Waco, Est. 1964

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Senior Ministry Trip

September 7, 2017 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Join us for Mass and a tour of two recently restored churches in central Texas - Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Corn Hill and Sts.Cyril and Methodius in Granger. Mass will be celebrated by Father James Misko. Additionally, we will tour the Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Georgetown.

Cost is $30.00 per person which includes your bus fare, lunch and tips.

R.S.V.P by August 28, 2017 Payment is due with R.S.V.P. Contact Wanda Alexander - seniors@st-louis.org or Alice Kubacak - (512) 452- 7727

Congratulations to

Altar Server Grads!

In May 2017, there were six graduating seniors who were Altar Servers. Most of these students had been serving at the altar for nine years! We congratulate them on their service in the Parish and School. Combined, these six Altar Servers served 1,633 Masses, which equates to 3,266 hours of service.

Each year we provide a scholarship of $500 to five Altar servers to use for college. Our 2017 scholarship recipients were: Andrew Kalamarides – Served 7 years, at 412 Masses Carter Adams – Served 9 years, at 358 Masses Gabriella Tucker – Served 8 years, at 315 Masses Luis Quintanilla – Served 9 years, at 226 Masses Matthew Garcia – Served 9 years at 195 Masses Each of these students also served as leaders in training younger servers over the years, and volunteered to polish the brass on a regular basis. We give thanks to all of our Altar Server graduates, and we wish them well in their next adventure in life.

Reflections from two graduating Altar Servers: I have learned many things from the Altar Serving program at St. Louis, however, the most important thing I have learned from altar serving is leadership skills. When I was a young altar server, I had the privilege of observing older servers lead the group and cooperate with each other to make sure everything during the Mass ran smoothly. Their dedication to our parish and to the liturgy impressed upon me the importance each altar server played in the celebration of the Mass. Growing older, I was given more opportunities to participate during the Mass and I felt like an appreciated member of a team. As the Master of Ceremonies in the 8 th grade, I was given special responsibilities that allowed me to appreciate this even more. When it became my turn to lead the Mass as a Senior server with a group of younger servers, I made sure that every server played a part and felt they were necessary part of the overall Mass. When I go off to college, I will be sure to use this experience of working in a group that I have gained from Altar Serving and this experience will remain an important part of my life.

- Andrew Kalamarides, class of 2017 If I could say one thing to someone considering the altar server program at St. Louis, it would be to join it as soon as you can. You learn so much about your faith, the Mass, and yourself as well. You can join when you are in 4th grade and it lasts until you graduate high school; I joined in 5th . I love the program and it has come a long way. I have learned how to be a good leader and that has extended to all aspects of my life. I have also learned the Mass like the back of my hand. It helps me focus when I know what exactly is going to happen next. Knowing the Mass and why we do exactly what we do and what we believe has greatly improved my faith. I hope you do join the altar server program because it is a decision that you will not regret making.

-Gabriella Tucker, class of 2017

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SANCTUARY CANDLE MEMORIALS

Mass Musings

by Judy Horton

It’s Sunday at the 9:30 Mass. Most of us in the pews are older in general than those found at the other weekend Masses—some, like my husband and me, much older. We enjoy what makes this Mass special: the formality, the pageantry, everything that makes it possible for us to “worship in truth and beauty.” But not everybody at the 9:30 is silver of hair: The pews in the front left quadrant of the assembly are stuffed with young parents who have achieved the miracle of getting three, four, five or more children to Mass, on time, spiffed up and in their places, in the section my husband and I fondly refer to as “Babyland.” It’s where we sit, too.

Whereas many of the older folk appreciate this heroic achievement and sacrifice, most choose to bask in more placid waters. However, Jerry and I love sitting in Babyland, and not just for the entertainment value, which is considerable (much more so if you aren’t the one who has to manage it!). Frankly, we watch in awe as the incredible love—for the faith and for their children—of these young parents, plays out Mass after Mass, week after week. The patience, the creativity, the sheer endurance required is a witness that should evoke the deepest gratitude in our hearts.

Why? It’s a cliché to say that these little ones are the future of the church, though of course they are. So what’s the big deal? We took our turn at the helm, no? We struggled with cranky toddlers and resentful pubescents who had suddenly become so wise in the ways of the world that we—their obsolescent parents—could not begin to comprehend.

The difference is this: we did our turn in a different time, when having more than one child—even a bunch more—was seen as a good thing.

But gradually it became a curious thing, an inexplicable quirk, when others would casually make a nervous joke. Then it became seen as environmentally irresponsible, and today our culture is frankly hostile.

I hear from some parents of large families that, when out in public, perfect strangers make remarks that call into question their children’s right to exist. If overheard by and understood by these children, this is nothing short of abuse. What we witness sitting happily in Babyland each Sunday is a deep, committed spirit of generosity displayed by these families, a generosity of heart and mind that should lay at the very foundation of our faith. So I salute them, and I thank them.

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:

June 11 - 17 Memory of Kimberly Yates-Burleson

by Randy & Patty Hernandez (C) June 18 - 24 Memory of Ruben Gonzalez

by Alice Garcia (M/N) July 2 – 8 To Honor Fr. Paul Kasun

by Karen Dunlap (C) July 23 –29 Memory of Juan Navarro

by Consuelo Carrana (M/N) August 6 – 12 Memory of Ma. Concepcion Romero

by Lucia Torres (M/N) August 13 – 19 Memory of Luis Reyes

by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C) August 20 – 26 Memory of Dominga U. Reyes

by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C) August 27 – September 2 Memory of Alfred & Josephine Yvyjala by Sharon Gross (C) September 3 – 9 Memory of Barbara Vrazel by her Family (M/N) September 17 – 23 Memory of Dominga U. Reyes by Pablo Reyes (M/N & C)

Sharing Our Story

Through Music

Jan Yanker has one job at St. Louis Parish, and her job may ring a bell. Actually it does, literally and figuratively, as she tolls the G bell for funerals. Traditionally, tolling, or “telling”, was a way of announcing the death of a Christian as the funeral procession arrived at the church.

Jan has her own method each time to honor the memory of the departed; 7 tolls for a female, 9 for a male, in addition to the numbers of years the deceased was alive. In her nearly 20 years of ringing the bell at St. Louis, that has included infants to people over 100 years old. The stick she uses to help pull the bell clapper is a curtain rod with a hook, made by her mechanical engineering husband to help her reach the rope. At one time the rope was much longer, but she prefers the shorter rope, as it helps set the funeral bell apart from the other 6 bells used in weekend Masses, and nearly impossible for younger people to accidently ring it. The toll is slow, with a pause between rings; “pull down, let go”, as she puts it.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jan moved with husband George to Austin in 1968 when he was offered a job with IBM. Their three children all went to school at St. Louis School and the University of Texas, and George was very active with the annual men’s club garage sale, that raised money for projects like building sidewalks and playgrounds. As long time members, they have seen many changes, including the move from the original church, and now the PEC, to parking at the ice skating rink when Northcross Mall was closed on Sundays, and taking the shuttle across the street.

A musician from early on, Jan took piano lessons in grade school and organ lessons in high school.

A member of the handbell choir in the early years at St. Louis Church, she now rings with Dr. Morris Stevens at St. Theresa Catholic Church, in addition to tolling funerals at St. Louis. She played the very first funeral after the seven bells were installed in 1998, and has kept every obituary since then. Fr. Larry Covington insisted that she have a blue robe at the time, but Jan has since forgotten why the color was important.

One principle that she has strictly adhered to, is that the body of the deceased must be present, either in a casket or ashes. The most unusual funeral was when the casket was delivered to the church in a minivan, on its way to an out-of- state burial service.

For her ministry and prayer to this church, we give God thanks.

The Spirit of St. Louis

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 7:30 P.M. The Music of Johann Sebastian Bach Meredith Ruduski, soprano; with trumpet and organ Bach Jauchzet Gott in Allen, BWV 51

Music Volunteer Opportunities

Suggested donation: $15 general/$10 seniors and students

Looking for ways to become involved in the music ministry of St. Louis Parish? There are a couple of ways you can become involved:

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH, 7:00 P.M.

Ring a bell! We need three ringers for the Ambrose Handbell choir immediately! Starting in August, rehearsals will be Wednesday nights from 6-7 pm in the school music room (#120), and the group plays on one weekend a month (varying times). No audition is necessary, but reading music is a big help. Three faithful and long-time members are either retiring or moving away. Many thanks to Sharon Daywood, who is retiring but will continue as a substitute when we can coax her back, and to Rob and Charlotte Aanstoos, who are moving to San Marcos (and refusing to drive back to north Austin every week).

Usher a Concert! Do you enjoy greeting people and hearing some incredible music in our acoustically magnificent chapel? Ushers are needed to help with each of our outstanding concerts each month, ranging from children’s choirs to polyphonic choral music and string quartets to piano and organ recitals.

Our reputation and musical offerings are growing, and we need 4 people a month to help run the show by passing out programs, greeting guests at the door, assisting with setting up and taking down the performance space. Contact scott.mcnulty@st-louis. org or call 512-454-0384 x202.

Introducing the Music of Max Bruch 7:30 p.m. Trio Concert YuHua Chiu, clarinet, Xavier Garcia, viola, and Mijung An, piano Eight pieces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, op.83 by Max Bruch The premiere of a piece by composer Dr. Peter Petroff, dedicated to the trio Suggested donation: $15 general/$10 seniors and students. The artists have requested that donations will be given to the Dell Children's Medical Center, honoring children affected by abuse and neglect.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 7:30 P.M. Dr. Nicole Taylor, soprano Nikki Birdsong, accompanist The Music of Black Composers (John Carter Cantata, Nikki Birdsong, and more) Suggested donation: $15 general/$10 seniors and students.

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 MAY 6 – JULY 5, 2017 Angel Manuel Benitez Victoriano

Levi Dean Cavazos

Evelyn Garcia-Vargas

Abel Alexander Cotherman

Kimberlyn Garcia-Vargas

Everett James McDonald

Ximena Esther Hidalgo

Bennett Alexander Ortega Cubillos

Francis Walter Simpkins

Maximilian Joseph Dornbach

Brynn Elizabeth Creasey

Joshua Eduardo DeVicente

Isabela Jaimes-Ulloa

Leonardo Daniel Gaspar-Martinez

Stephanie Jaimes-Ulloa

Tannie Emili Gaspar

Eduardo Mondragon-Santana

Oscar Ivan Morales

Stephania Pecina-Izaguirre

Jocelyn Reyes Santana

FIRST EUCHARIST MAY 13, 2017 Domitilo Ortiz Cruz

MARRIAGES & CONVALIDATIONS MAY 6 – JULY 5, 2017 Ernesto Olivares, Jr. and Mayra Leticia Jara Adame

Felipe Perez, Jr. and Dulce Lizbeth Vazquez-Lopez

Cameron Cole Barnette and Alexandrea Leigh Behne

Ronald Earl Welch, Jr. and Caitlin Ann Connolly

Domitilo Ortiz Cruz and Ana Cristina Ramirez Gutierrez

Jeffrey John Martin and Daphne Krisanta Perez

Christopher Michael Scroggin and Neysa Marie Paukner

Vidal Aviles-Cortez and Sabas Gonzalez-Luna

Javier Alberto Rangel and Rosalinda Flores

Christopher Allen Johnson Blyton and Alejandra Maria Carlos Padilla

Alejandro Gutierrez-Peralta and Veronica Fuentes-Fabian

Israel Figueroa-Castelan and Blanca Estela Wences-Jaimes

Rudolph Dela Cruz, Jr. and Christina Maria Rodriguez

Mark Angelo Chiarello and Christina Louise Coleman

Kevin Michael Fowler and Danielle Nicole Holub

The Spirit of St. Louis

CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST (*) - ADULTS JUNE 9, 2017 WITH BISHOP DANIEL E. GARCIA Christine Marie De La Cruz

Saray Monique Mondragon

Edith de Lafuente

Hiram Jean Claude Moughanni

Gonzalo Leopoldo Gil

Chantal Eva Eugenia Perez *

Emmanuel Gomez

David Mark Perez

Joseph Moreno Haro, Jr.*

Brianne Nicole Perry

Angelica Marie Mancera

Rosa Linda Rangel *

Amanda Nicole Mancera

Diego Alan Zamora*

Meredith Rose Mansour

CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST (*) – HIGH SCHOOL JUNE 9, 2017 WITH BISHOP DANIEL E. GARCIA Jesus Albarran

Catherine Emma Hermansen

Jennifer Nunez

Alejandro Amadro

Felix Fabian Hernandez

Zipporah Xahil Rodonna Odom

Jose Martin Arredondo

Gissel Hernandez

Nora Cecilia Ontiveros

Sydney Michaela Asbury

Juan Carlos Hernandez

Natalia Yarely Ramirez

Karla Vanessa Barrera*

Marisol Hernandez

Alondra Ramirez

Hunter Coenen Brugger

Caleb Lenis Herpin

Cristel Reducindo*

Anthony Francisco Colmenero

Sarah Elizabeth Hughes

Reagan Leigh Reitmeyer

Erika Corona

Luis Javier Jaime*

Alexis Reyes

Edgar Cruz

Roxana Jaimes

Oscar Reyes

Yvette Cruz

Alejandro Jimenez

Laura Lissette Rincon

Ricardo Manuel Cuevas

Althea Faith C. Lloren

Jose Luis Rojas

Paola De Lara

Alex Ruben Luna

Daisy Elizabeth Romero*

Jennifer Del Castillo

Emelyn Macias

Carolina Salome

Jessica Del Castillo

Jesus Armando Macias

Hermelinda Salome

Jennifer Delgado

Jovan Martinez

Abigair Tiburcio

Jennifer Diaz

Michelle Nohemi Martinez

Elizabeth Torres

Britney Maria Fraiser

Ariana Socorro Martinez

Elio Sebastian Tovar

Daniel Galindo

Felipe Martinez

Lesley Trinidad*

Gabriela Garcia

Jose David Mondragon

Victoria Villarreal*

Hasli Cindy Garcia*

Amy Guadalupe Moreno

Javier Enrique Villatoro

Tania Elizabeth Gonzalez

Rafael Munoz

Elizabeth Kathleen Wostarek

Natalia Gorostieta

Gustavo Nava

RECENTLY DECEASED Ofelia Resendez

Gilbert C. Velasquez

Julio Jose Gonzalez

Carrol Nicklaus

Manuel P. Garcia

Augusto Angel

Olga G. Arroyo

Mary L. Hunt

Josephine (Josie) C. Hernandez

Catherine LaLa

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CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST JUNE 9, 2017 WITH BISHOP DANIEL E. GARCIA CHILDREN THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackeline Alfaro

Jessica JoAnna Garcia

Jasmine Munoz

Ryan Eddy Aparicio

Sarah Gonzales

Blanca Nafria

Elizabeth Aquino

Giselle Sthefani Gonzalez

Alondra Nunez

Richardo Aquino

Jeremy Gonzalez

America Nunez

Brian Arias

Juan Diego Gonzalez

Jose Guadalupe Nunez

Jennifer Arredondo

Xitlaly Gonzalez

Maria Jose Pedraza

Yarizah Denisse Bautista

Angel Rafael Gorostieta

Ricardo Ponce

Angel Gabriel Bazan

Alfredo Guadarrama

Yunely Ponce

Yuliana Tanaen Bello

Angel Guzman

Galilea Ramirez

Nanci Benitez

Ryan Hernandez

Misael Ramos

Samantha Lizet Bernabe

Eric Hernandez

Rigoberto Resendiz

Britny Amiel Camara

Joshua Charles Herpin

Gissel Reyes

Maria Guadalupe Campos

Rebecca Matisse Herpin

Magaly Robles

Debanhi Yadira Carrizales

Diego Eduardo Ixtabalan

Diego Rodriguez

Juan Carlos Casas

Christopher Jesus Jaimes

Leslie Rodriguez

Luis Angel Casas

Erik Jaimes

Ivett Sagrero

Cecilia Elizabeth Castro

Ismael Jaimes

Uriel Sagrero

Edwin Colchado

Zachary Burns Johnson

Andres Saldana

Jose Manuel Colchado

Britania Anahi Leon

Janisbeth Saldana

Gabina Corona

Juliana Lopez

Debanhi Fernanda Salinas

Javier Corona

Kimberly Lopez

Keiry Soto

Samantha Isabel Cortez

Misael Macias

Betsy Celene Tellez

Erik Cruz

Yazmin Macias

Maria Guadalupe Tellez

Kevin Marvin Cruz

Alexa Martinez

Edgar Tiburcio

Maritza Cuevas

Juan Martin Martinez

Alexis Roberto Torres

Emily De La Cruz

Ricardo Nieves Martinez

Angel Roberto Torres

Abigail Escudero

Noel Martinez

Betania Trinidad

Carlos Esquivel

Madaly Mirella Medina

Sebastian Valdez

Logan Mark Foohey

Vanessa Memije

Julio Agustin Valente

Jocelyn Garcia

Daniel Calderon Mendieta

Marilyn Jamileth Vasquez

Lizbet Garcia

Edith Mendoza

Melany Elefeleth Victoriano

Rogelio Uriel Garcia

Angel Ignacio Mondragon

Alexandra Madeleina Ward

Teodoro Garcia

Gabriel Mondragon

Adrian Alejandro Zapien

Yoan Garcia

Ashley Montoya

SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 10, 2018 GREEN & WHITE NIGHT Please plan on joining us for our annual fundraiser that benefits St. Louis Cahtolic School

The Spirit of St. Louis

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Youth Ministry News The Office of Youth Ministry at St. Louis is hard at work this summer gearing up for the 2017-2018 year of ministry. Summer has had it’s bright spots of special events designed to stay connected. In the month of June we enjoyed several outings. The favorite by far was lunch at El Chilito for Theology Thursday with Father James Misko. Father James was so generous with his time and answered all types of questions on faith and morality.

Our priests are a true treasure to our youth ministry program!

Another favorite was a trip on Austin’s Metro Rail to Downtown Austin for some shopping, lunch and Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

July saw more such events, including our trip in late July to the Steubenville Mid-America Conference in Missouri. This year’s theme was “Elevate” and twenty of our youth joined 20,000 other young Catholics at this incredible weekend of faith building. We would like to specifically thank the Knights of Columbus, who helped defray the cost of several scholarships.

As we prepare for the coming year, we are inviting adults to join our Youth Ministry Team. There are many capacities in which to serve--from middle school, to high school, to catechesis, to our Youth Ministry Advisory Board which meets only once a month--we have many ways for interested parties to serve the wonderful youth of our parish. Please contact Alissa Molina at alissa.molina@st-louis. org or 512-454-0384 ext. 219 for more information on how to join our vibrant youth ministry team!

Also, on the horizon for Youth Ministry, is our Fall Kick off. Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 10th from 6 to 8 p.m in Wozniak Hall and the field.

This evening is designed for entire families of our middle and high school youth to come out and meet each other, meet our teams, play games, win prizes and find out a little more about our programs.

We hope to welcome every teen of our parish as well as their family to our first event of the ministry year!

RSVP to Alissa Molina to reserve your family's dinner.

Around the Diocese and beyond Permanent Diaconate Discernment English and Spanish speaking men wishing to explore the permanent diaconate are invited to Project Stephen, a monthly gathering for men and their wives to pray, listen, and discern in community. Project Stephen meets year-round, on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin.

Men must first discuss their interest in the diaconate with their pastors and receive his consent to attend. When a new formation class begins (every three years), men will be invited to apply.

For more information, email formation directors@austindiocese.org

Catholic Scripture Study Catholic Scripture Study resumes it’s sessions on Wednesday, September 6th, right here at St. Louis! These Wednesday morning classes, from 9:3011:30 a.m., are held in the Church and have been a popular part of our adult religious education for 18 years! Men and women from around the Diocese are invited to participate. The 2017-2018 session is in two parts, beginning with a study of Mary through November 8th. November 15th, the focus will switch to a study of the Gospel of Luke, continuing until May 9, 2018. As in the past, CSS follows the AISD schedule with breaks for appropriate holidays and holy days.

Participants are asked to study their individual workbooks weekly, reading and meditating on the scripture lesson at home. Questions are provided for your in-depth study. At the Wednesday morning sessions, attendees meet with their assigned study group for discussion of what was read over the past week. Groups then reassemble together and share a video on the topic or enjoy speakers from around the Diocese, who focus on the week’s assignment. Each lesson is studied individually, discussed in a group, and then enhanced with the perspective of scripture scholars either on video or in person! What a great way to learn scripture, whether you are a newcomer to the Bible, or a life-long student!

The class format is simple to follow and provides a friendly atmosphere of Christian fellowship. The CSS lesson materials expose members not only to Sacred Scripture, but also to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, to early Church Fathers, the Saints and papal writings. Pre-registration is required so enough materials can be purchased, and because participants are assigned to study groups that start together on the first day of class!

For more information, please go to www.cssaustin.org or contact the class administrator at info@cssaustin.org

Marriage Encounter Weekend Married couples are invited to strengthen, renew and rekindle their marriage sacrament by attending an upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Sept. 8-10 in Round Rock or Nov. 3-5 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. For more information, visit www.austinme. org or email wwwmeaustin@gmail.com or call (512) 667-9963.

Retrouvaille – Rediscover your marriage Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) simply means “rediscovery”.

The program offers couples the chance to rediscover themselves, their spouse, and a loving relationship in their marriage. Many couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending this retreat.

Retrouvaille is not a spiritual retreat, not a sensitivity group, not a seminar, not a social gathering. For confidential information about the next program beginning with a weekend on Oct. 6-8, 2017, visit the website at www. helpourmarriage.com or call 800-4702230.