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“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day” (Henri Nouwen)
What We Must Do To Have Joy
Today is the third Sunday of Advent also known as “Gaudete” Sunday. Gaudete in Latin means “rejoice.” The name reminds us that Advent is coming closer to the end and Christmas is near.
In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul urges us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice. Your kindness should be known to all (Phil 4:4-5). “God made us for joy” (St. John Paul II).
Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit together with love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Joy could be described as the pleasure of those who know Christ as the ultimate happiness. In the words of the French Priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.” Joy comes from recognizing God as the ultimate source of our being and existence. Hence, in today’s Gospel (Lk 3:10-18), the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers, all ask John the Baptist, “What should we do?” What should we do to have joy?
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day” (Henri Nouwen). We must cultivate joy along with other fruits of the Spirit. To have joy we must cultivate peace. We must be patient, kind, and good. We must demonstrate faithfulness and gentleness. We must practice self-control. “Christian joy is a gift of God flowing from a good conscience” (Saint Philip Neri). ~Fr. Augustine -
Holy Days of Obligation
The following feast days are holy days of obligation in the U.S. for 2025:
- January 1: Solemnity of Mary
- May 29: Ascension of Jesus — Celebrated on the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday*
- August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- November 1: Solemnity of All Saints*
- December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- December 25: Christmas
*An individual bishop may transfer a holy day to a Sunday. This is the case in most US dioceses with the Ascension of Jesus, which is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Since the Solemnity of All Saints falls on a Saturday, it may also be transferred to the closest Sunday. Check with your local diocese.
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Fr. Augustine’s Office Hours, please call the office before coming to check if Father is here:
Thursday - 2:00 pm-7:00 pm (appointments) Walk-in: 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:30 am-7:00 pm (appointments) Walk-in: 11:00 am-12:00 pm -
Mass Times & ConfessionCommunion Service - Monday 5:30 pm
Daily Mass - Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am
Weekend Mass - 1st Saturday of month Mass 8:00 am, followed by Fatima Rosary. Saturday Vigil 5:30 pm and Sunday 8:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Reconciliation(in the church) - Saturday 4:00 pm-5:00 pm and Tuesday & Friday 4:45 pm-5:15 pm(or by appointment)
Except on holidays, please check the bulletin for updates. -
Office & Gift Shop Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 am-4:00 pm Closed on Federal Holidays.
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eGiving ~ Online Donations
Consider using our secure electronic giving program. eGiving will automatically process any offertory or second collection donations of your choosing. It is the most convenient way to make sure that the parish receives your gift regularly. No more checks to write or envelopes to worry about. Please click on the picture or call the office (254-547-3735) if you need assistance to establish eGiving.
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Today's Readings
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Parish Directory
Parish directories are available in the office for $5. If you would like to purchase a copy please stop by the office Mon-Fri between 9 am-4 pm.
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Please email bulletin notices to: [email protected]
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A YEAR OF JUBILEE
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Father in heaven,
may the faith you have gifted us in
your son Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity
kindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us, the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into diligent cultivators of the evangelical seeds
that make humanity and the cosmos rise
unto the confident expectation
of the new heavens and the new earth,
when with the powers of Evil overcome,
your glory shall be manifested eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
the yearning for heavenly treasures
and pour over all the earth
the joy and peace
of our Redeemer.
To you God blessed in eternity,
be praise and glory for ever and ever.
Amen. -
Receive a Plenary Indulgence
The Holy Year is marked by the offering of God’s abundant forgiveness through the granting of a plenary indulgence, a remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for their sins. The following, with the four foundation conditions for an indulgence, are the different ways to receive an indulgence:
- Visit and Pray at a Pilgrimage Site
- Perform a work of mercy or penance
- Recitation of specific prayers (If you are homebound and cannot participate in pilgrimage)
You may also travel to Rome and pass through Holy Doors to receive an indulgence. Read more from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in this article: Vatican norms for Jubilee indulgence include pilgrimage, penance, service. -
NewsJubilee
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Prayer BookDiocese of Austin
The 6th Edition of the Diocese of Austin Prayer Book is available now! You'll find Prayers from Scripture and our Catholic tradition to help us during Jubilee 2025.
Digital Versions: Download | Booklet Version | Versión folleto
Hard Copy: Purchase Here -
Pilgrimage Sites
Bishop Vásquez has designated the following parishes and university centers Pilgrimage Sites during the Year of Jubilee beginning Dec. 29, 2024, through January 6, 2026.
- St. Mary Cathedral, Austin
- Holy Cross Parish, Austin
- Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Austin
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Temple
- Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish @ Texas State University, San Marcos
- Santa Cruz Parish, Buda
- St. Joseph Parish, Bryan
- St. Mary Church of the Assumption Parish, Waco
- St. Mary Catholic Center @ Texas A&M University, College Station
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Lampasas
- University Catholic Center @ University of Texas, Austin
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In Reverence for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament:
- Arrive before Mass begins.
- Place your heart and mind in the presence of the Lord.
- Participate at the Mass by saying the Mass prayers and singing the Hymns.
- Please do not bring food or drinks into the church, it is costly to have the pews cleaned.
- Please turn your cell phones off or to silent and do not play games during Mass.
- Remember not to leave until our celebrant has given the final blessing and has left the church.
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Bp. Barron's Reflections
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Holy Communion
Parishioners who are unable to walk in the communion line to receive the Eucharist during weekend Masses are asked to inform an usher before Mass begins each week. This will ensure that the head usher directs the Extraordinary Minister to your seat and that you do not miss the opportunity to receive Our Lord. -
Anointing of the Sick
If you or a family member are ill or facing surgery, and would like to be anointed, please contact the office to let Fr. Augustine know at least 2 days in advance of your scheduled procedure. When it is not an emergency, please call before going to the hospital. Our number is 254-547-3735. -
Hospital Visits
If you are a parishioner at Holy Family and one of your loved ones is admitted to the hospital and would like a visit from Fr. Augustine please, please call the office at 254-547-3735 and let us know. We are told frequently that a parishioner was hospitalized and wasn’t seen by Fr. Augustine. Father is more than willing to make hospital visits. We also have Father Vincent who is the official hospital chaplain for our area available at any time for hospital visits. If you call after office hours, please listen to the message, there is an emergency number that is given.
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OCIA
OCIA 2025
The new OCIA term for 2025 preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation will start on September 3, 2024. If you know of anyone contemplating
joining the Catholic Church, please encourage
them to make the final step and complete an application. If you are an uncatechized Catholic, meaning you’ve only
been Baptized, please come into the program to complete the journey
into full integration into the faith. For all those “Seasoned Catholics”
that love the Faith, and want to share your love and knowledge, please come join us a Sponsor. Even if you feel you don’t know enough, or you missed some teachings over the years, OCIA is the place to be. We have numerous Catholics that attend as an Audit. For anyone wishing to
enter the OCIA program, or for any Catholics wanting to finish the Catechization process, and in need of a Declaration of Nullity, please
start the process immediately. The Diocese process is very lengthy and
the sooner we start the process, the higher the chance of completing it
in time for the Easter Vigil. If you fall in this area, please contact Deacon Dorsey immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Mark
Larkin @ 915-540-8213, or by email: [email protected]
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Hallow video
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Calendar
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Saturday, January 25, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMOn the first Saturday of each month the rosary will begin after 8 am mass.Read More
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Saturday, January 25, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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Sunday, January 26, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
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Sunday, January 26, 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Holy Family Adult Bible study will meet at 9:15 AM in the Faith Formation Center meeting room. We are studying the Acts of the Apostles and using the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Study Guide. We are using: Acts of The Apostles The Revised Standard version second Catholic edition. It is available on Amazon for $12.95. ISBN: 10-1586174620. We have done the first three chapters and will begin with a small review of chapters 1-3 and move immediately to Chapter 4.Read More -
Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Thursday, January 30, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Holy Family will be hosting its fourth Consecration to St Joseph. Meetings will start Thursday, Jan 9 after the 8 am Mass continuing every Thursday during the thirty-three-day time frame. Consecration to St Joseph - the Wonders of our Spiritual Father book can be purchased on Amazon. Purchase book asap prior to first meeting to read first seven days and supplement readings. For more information, contact Lori Perez at [email protected] or text 254-458-4282.Read More -
Thursday, January 30, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMRead More
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Saturday, February 1, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMOn the first Saturday of each month the rosary will begin after 8 am mass.Read More
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Sunday, February 2, 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Holy Family Adult Bible study will meet at 9:15 AM in the Faith Formation Center meeting room. We are studying the Acts of the Apostles and using the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Study Guide. We are using: Acts of The Apostles The Revised Standard version second Catholic edition. It is available on Amazon for $12.95. ISBN: 10-1586174620. We have done the first three chapters and will begin with a small review of chapters 1-3 and move immediately to Chapter 4.Read More
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Tuesday, February 4, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Thursday, February 6, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Holy Family will be hosting its fourth Consecration to St Joseph. Meetings will start Thursday, Jan 9 after the 8 am Mass continuing every Thursday during the thirty-three-day time frame. Consecration to St Joseph - the Wonders of our Spiritual Father book can be purchased on Amazon. Purchase book asap prior to first meeting to read first seven days and supplement readings. For more information, contact Lori Perez at [email protected] or text 254-458-4282.Read More
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Thursday, February 6, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMRead More
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Friday, February 7, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Please join the Knights of Columbus for their 1st Friday Fish Fry. Enjoy a fine fried catfish dinner and fellowship! Fri, Jun 7 through Feb 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Knights Hall at 6830 FM 2657. Hope to see you there!Read More -
Saturday, February 8, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMOn the first Saturday of each month the rosary will begin after 8 am mass.Read More
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Flower Arrangements
If you are interested in sponsoring the flowers in the church in memory of a loved one or a special celebration, please stop by the parish office.
• Cost: $80+
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Formed
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Austin Diocese EIMIf you had an EIM account in the past, your data has been transferred to VIRTUS and you'll receive a welcome email with your VIRTUS login information.
If you are new to the EIM process, please go to: www.austindiocese.org/eim-virtus-intro to learn how to create an account, fill out a volunteer application/background check and sign-up for a workshop. If you have any questions, please reach out to the EIM Office at [email protected] or (512) 949-2447.
The Diocese of Austin requires all clergy, religious, seminarians, employees and all volunteers serving in ministry to minors or the vulnerable, must attend a workshop when their current workshop expires. All persons must be EIM compliant to volunteer or work within the Diocese. Additionally, anyone new to the parish, wishing to serve in a ministry here, must fill out and submit an online volunteer application/background check form and attend a workshop in order to be compliant with diocesan EIM policies.
How to report an incident of concern: The Diocese of Austin is committed to preventing harm from happening to any of our children or vulnerable adults. If you are aware of sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, state requires you to report that information to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400 or www.dfps.state.tx.us. Addtionally, if the suspected abuse is by clergy or an employee or volunteer of any diocesan parish, school or agency, a Confidential Notice of Concern should be submitted to the diocesan Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Office at (512) 949-2400. The Confidential Notice of Concern can be found at www.austindiocese.org (click on the link HOW TO REPORT ABUSE). Reports may be made anonymously.
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Photo Albums
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Vocations
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Word on Fire
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For more info, please click on the photo.
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