Parish Handbook - St. Theresa Catholic Church

Making Disciples:
A Guide to Your
Faith Community
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Welcome to St. Theresa Catholic Church
Welcome home! The family of Christ at St. Theresa Church welcomes you to the Catholic
community of Northwest Austin. Our parish encompasses all the surrounding neighborhoods
including Northwest Hills. Highland Hills, Balcones, Jester, Steiner Ranch, River Place, Westover
Hills, City Park, The Courtyard/Scout Island, and more. Many of our parishioners live far beyond
our parish boundaries and chose to make St. Theresa their spiritual home. All are welcome here.
We encourage you to use the parish membership form to let us know about you. Feel free to
hand this to a hospitality minister or one of the clergy.
We invite you to discover a deeper relationship through one or more of our small group
ministries. Essential to our personal growth is the strength we receive from other Christians who
support us with caring, friendship, guidance, and accountability. Become part of our extended
family at St. Theresa through the small group life of the church! Many of our parish groups and
activities are listed in this book. More can be found on our church website www.sttaustin.org.
If you are not sure how to become involved in one of our groups or activities, simply call the
church office, (512) 451–5121, and we’ll be glad to help.
Who We Are
Our mission is to make disciples for
the Lord Jesus Christ and,
together in ministry for Him,
advance the Kingdom of God.
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Table of Contents
Welcome, Who We Are. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Letter from Our Pastor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Our Strategy For Ministry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Our Beliefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Adult Evangelization and Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ministries for Children and Youth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Youth Evangelization and Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Liturgical Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Music Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Outreach Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Parish Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Senior Adult Ministries.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Answering Your Questions About:
Worship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Baptism, Godparents, and Sponsors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reconciliation, Making a Good Confession. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eucharist and First Communion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marriage, Divorce and Annulment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
My Loved One Has Died. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vocations in the Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mass & Reconciliation Times, Campus Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parish Staff Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Grounded in Scripture
Growing in the Spirit
Reaching out in Love
Dear Friend,
We are glad you are at St. Theresa Church! We pray that your involvement here will be
meaningful for you and know that your participation will be a blessing for others!
One way of understanding the Christian journey is to think of a large, wonderful house.
Some rooms would be set for a feast with tables covered with delicious food, others would
be given over to marvelous celebrations, some rooms would be dedicated to learning and
growing, others filled with quiet but powerful healing, and still others focused on showing
us how to use our God-given gifts to serve and bless others. As we follow Jesus Christ, over
time through his Church, we get to experience all those wonderful rooms! In fact, when
you think about it, one of the worst things imaginable would be to be left out on the porch
of that great and glorious house and miss the joy inside.
This guidebook is designed to help ensure that you are not “left out on the porch.” We want
to help you grow in a personal relationship with the living Lord and to become part of His
family, the Church. St. Theresa is a place where no one has to be alone and everyone can
belong to the family, and in the belonging, discover all the power and healing and hope
God wants to give each one of us.
Please use this guidebook to help you learn more about the kingdom community at St.
Theresa. All of us are here to help you in any way we can. And together, as we follow Jesus
as His disciples, let’s keep our hearts open to all the graces and joy He would give, in every
room He is preparing for us.
Yours and His,
Fr. Larry Covington
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Our Strategy for Ministry
Proclamation: Providing effective, evangelical teaching and
celebration which incorporates the best of our tradition with an
emphasis on the Sacramental life, Scripture, and the experience of
grace. We are to be a worshipping church, accepting Jesus’ lordship
over all aspects of our life and building our life upon his Word, so
that we might open our heart to the full presence and power of the
living God.
Community: Providing the educational, supportive, and
disciplining ministries necessary to incorporate individuals into the
Body of Christ. As the Universal Church we are open to everyone
who seeks the love of God. We share in the redemptive fellowship of
a kingdom community and the disciplines of faithfulness so that we
each may grow into what Christ intends for us.
Service: Providing ministries of outreach to help build the kingdom
and equip every member to be in ministry for Christ. We are to be a
servant church, modeling our lives after the One who came to serve
and sharing the grace we have been given, so that the living Lord
might make a difference in our world through us, His disciples.
These three aspects of our strategy are not isolated from each other,
but are interwoven and are all to be present to some extent in each
aspect of the life of the Church. Grounded in worship and the Word,
growing in the Spirit, and reaching out in love are summarized in
Proclamation, Community and Service.
This strategy sets the standard by which everything is accomplished
in the Parish community.
Every organization needs clear standards by which to judge the
effectiveness of its activities. Given our strategy for ministry,
our evaluation process is simple. We ask three questions of each
proposed event or activity:
• Will it GLORIFY God through Christ?
• Will it NURTURE disciples for Christ?
• Will it WIN disciples for Christ?
Jesus said to his disciples:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will
be with you always, to the end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:19–20
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Our Beliefs
The Catholic Church is what Christ has given to the world to enable us to
live a meaningful life now and with everlasting joy in the life to come. The
Church is the means and goal of God’s plan which is prepared for in the
Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), founded on the words and actions of
Jesus, fulfilled by his redeeming cross and resurrection and manifested to
the whole world through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Church
will be perfected in the glory of heaven as the assembly of all the redeemed
on earth. It is both visible and spiritual. It is a hierarchical society and the
Mystical Body of Christ; as such the Church is both human and divine
which is a mystery accepted through faith. The Church is the sacrament of
salvation through which God brings his creation to himself.
We profess that we are the one “holy catholic and apostolic church.” It
is holy, that is to say, sanctified, because it is given to us by Jesus. It is
catholic because it is universal. It is apostolic because Jesus entrusted it
to the apostles and their successors. The word “catholic” comes to us from
the Greek word “katholicos” which translates “universal.” The Church is for
the whole world and all its people. The word “apostolic” is also from the
Greek and means “of the Apostles.” These were the twelve men Jesus chose
to follow him and carry on his mission. The Catholic Church’s universal
mission was given by Jesus to Peter the Apostle with assurance that the
forces of evil would not stand in the way of its progress. Jesus said to Peter
in the Gospel of Matthew:
“I for my part declare to you, you are Peter (rock) and on this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
—Matthew 16:18
From that time on the Church has been under the supervision of the
successors of Peter the Apostle with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We
believe that the Holy Spirit guides the hearts and minds of those who
surrender to baptismal discipleship, and, through a life of worship and
service, the purposes of God are made manifest. A deeper understanding is
gained through reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is the
complete compendium of the teaching of the Church.
As the Church of Christ there are core beliefs that are central to every
aspect of our religion. These are succinctly given to us in the Nicene Creed
and the Apostles Creed, which are found on the first page of our
Worship Book.
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• We believe and understand that God is Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery
reveals to us that God is of one nature and three persons, the origin of love and in himself
a community of love. Our limited ability to embrace this mystery wisely leads us to accept
its truth as defined by the Councils of the Church as an essential and defining foundation
for our faith.
“Great is our Lord, and great his power: and of his wisdom there is no number.”
—Psalm 146:5
• We believe that Jesus Christ is God and his passion, death, and resurrection have saved
us from our sins.
• We believe that baptism claims us for Christ, frees us from the bonds of original sin,
and incorporates us into the body of Christ which is the Church.
• We believe that God has revealed himself to us in his Word as given in both the Hebrew
Scriptures and the New Testament.
• We believe that this Word and the Apostolic teaching authority of the church are the tools
by which the truths of God are revealed to us.
• We understand that God’s grace is freely given to us in the sacraments that were
instituted by Christ. The Sacraments are the outward and visible signs of God’s
inward spiritual grace.
• The Mass is the central act of worship within the Christian community.
We believe and teach that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our spirituality.
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The Seven Sacraments
1. Baptism:
rees us from the sin of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and incorporates
F
us into the Body of Christ. Baptism is accomplished by pouring water
or full immersion.
2. Eucharist:
t the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus instituted the lasting memorial
A
that would perpetually make him present to his Church.
3. Confirmation:
s an extension and completion of the sacrament of baptism, Confirmation
A
confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit fitting the Christian
for discipleship.
4. Penance:
J esus entrusted Peter with the keys of the kingdom. By this apostolic
authority priests are graced, commissioned and empowered to assure God’s
forgiveness and give absolution from the penalties of sin when, with true
contrition, such sins are confessed.
5. Anointing
of the sick:
rough anointing and laying on of hands the sick benefit from God’s healing
Th
mercy. This sacrament, when joined to the reception of the Eucharist and
given to the dying, prepares them for the journey to God’s heart of love.
6. Marriage:
e joyful union of a man and a woman in a life-long bond that signifies the
Th
union of Christ and his Church and is open to the gift of children.
7. Holy
Orders:
e conferral of the three-fold apostolic ministry of bishops, deacons, and
Th
priests for the service of Christ in his Church.
For a complete and in depth understanding of the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church
please refer to The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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How the Church is Structured
The Catholic Church is governed by the pope
who resides in Vatican City located in Rome.
The pope is elected for life and may serve as
such or retire if failing health prevents him
from fulfilling his duties. The pope is chosen
through election by the cardinals who meet
for that purpose upon the death or retirement
of the pope. The pope has universal authority
over the Church.
Cardinals are bishops who have been selected by the pope to
represent significant geographical areas and form the “college” of
overseers who collaborate with the pope in governing the Church.
Cardinals are usually archbishops which means they are the local
bishop of an archdiocese. An archdiocese functions as any other
diocese, and, in addition, is the headquarters of a geographical
province made up of a number of dioceses. An archbishop’s authority
is limited to his own archdiocese except as directed by the pope
and specifically for the appointment of an apostolic administrator
upon the retirement or death of a bishop within the province. Some
cardinals occupy offices of authority in the Vatican. Others function as
representatives of nations in an ambassadorial capacity to the Vatican.
These are called papal nuncios.
A diocese is a local geographic area under the supervision of a bishop.
The bishops of each nation form a college that meets annually for
the purpose of setting national agendas and maintaining ministry
standards. Each diocese is constituted by a collection of geographical
areas called deaneries. The dean is a priest appointed by the bishop to
assist in the oversight of the parishes located within that area. The deans
meet regularly to assist the bishop with the governance of the diocese.
Within each deanery are yet smaller geographical areas called parishes.
Parishes are placed under the supervision of a pastor, who is appointed
by the bishop, along with vicars and deacons fulfill the Church’s
mission to preach, teach, and sanctify. Each parish is administered by
a pastor or parochial administrator who acts on behalf of the bishop.
For a larger parish, the bishop may assign one or more parochial vicars
to assist the pastor. A parish council, consisting of members of the
parish community, advises and assists the pastor in developing and
implementing the parish vision, and a finance council is appointed by
the pastor to provide oversight of the parish budget and finances.
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Adult Evangelization and Fellowship
Foundations
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is
Jesus Christ.”
—1 Corinthians 3:11
Foundations is our program for Christian growth and discipleship for
adults. Each fall and spring we explore a particular subject that impacts our
life as Christians. Topics may include Scripture, Church history, biblical
and historical theology, sacramental theology, and comparative religion.
The weekly sessions are presented by the pastor, and the format allows
for interaction and group discussion. Typically, we will gather on Monday
evenings at 7 p.m. in the Family Center. Contact the Parish Office of
Evangelization and Catechesis, Linda Gockel, at [email protected].
Adult Faith Formation
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
—2 Peter 3:18
For individuals who desire to be a disciple of Christ and part of the
community of believers in the Catholic Church, there are several routes
that are available according to need. The Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults (RCIA) is a faith building process for an individual who has
never been baptized or has been baptized but never instructed in the
ways of faith. This program shepherds the individual through a process
that presents the Christian faith as a way of life and culminates in either
baptism or confirmation. A well trained and enthusiastic team leads this
process on Thursday evenings. Contact the Parish Office of Evangelization
and Catechesis, Marie Cehovin, at [email protected].
Bible Study
“Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
—Luke 11:28
The parish offers Bible studies for those seeking to develop a personal
relationship with God through His word. No previous experience with the
Bible is necessary. The studies help participants grow in their knowledge,
understanding and appreciation of the story of salvation and our place
in it. The studies feature a dynamic video presentation and small group
discussion component and include time for fellowship. Studies are
typically offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Thursday and
Sunday mornings. For more information visit www.sttaustin.org/aff or
contact [email protected].
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Retreat Ministry
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
—Mark 6:13
Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP, pronounced “chirp”)
renewal weekends are an opportunity to spend 36 hours away from
the hustle and bustle of daily life to be with God and
fellow parishioners.
The annual retreats, which take place from early Saturday morning
through Sunday afternoon on parish grounds every January, are
a gift presented by current and former CRHP participants, so
there is no fee to attend. To learn more, visit the parish website—
www.sttaustin.org/christ-renews-his-parish—where you can
watch a short video and register for the retreat.
A.C.T.S. is an extended weekend retreat offered by St. Louis,
St. Theresa and St. Albert the Great parishes in Austin. A.C.T.S.
Retreats create an environment and opportunity for women and
men to focus on their relationship with the Lord, its application in
their daily lives, to build purpose in their prayer life, and to cultivate
friendship and fellowship among members of the community.
(Women’s and Men’s retreats are held separately.) A.C.T.S is an
acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, Service.
To learn more visit www.www.stlouisacts.com.
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Catalyst Men’s Ministry
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
—Proverbs 27:17
Catalyst is the name of our parish ministry for men which provides an
opportunity for fellowship, spiritual growth and personal accountability.
Various formats are used for presentation and emphasis is placed on
small group discussion. Catalyst creates an atmosphere that promotes the
individual support and friendship. Catalyst exists to create an atmosphere
that forms and supports Godly men who claim their place of leadership in
the family and the community. In addition to the weekly gathering, we offer
an open invitation to play weeknight basketball and occasional bowling
nights. Catalyst meets on Wednesday mornings in the Family Center from
6–7:20 a.m. and breakfast is provided.
Contact Jayson Vogler at [email protected].
Connections Women’s Ministry
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
—Philippians 4:13
Connections is our parish ministry for women who are looking to deepen
their faith and strengthen their connections with other women of the
parish. This inspiring ministry offers the opportunity for women of all
ages and marital status to know God and experience freedom as whole
persons through Jesus Christ. Connections offers a creative and supportive
fellowship for women to advance in spiritual knowledge through a variety
of presentations and small group discussions. Connections meets in the
Family Center on Tuesdays from 7:30–9 p.m. with refreshments provided.
Contact Debra Vogler at [email protected].
Naomi Circle
“I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”
—Job 29:13
Naomi Circle is a loving and supportive gathering of women of all ages
who have lost their husbands. This uplifting fellowship offers the blessing
of friendship and a community of growth. Grief support is offered to those
in need. Naomi Circle meets on second Tuesday from 2:30–4 p.m. in
room 205 of the Education Building.
Contact Sr. Ann Pennington at [email protected].
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Ministries for Children and Youth
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
depart from it.”
—Proverbs 22:6
St. Theresa’s Catholic School
Our award-winning parish school celebrates three decades of providing
an excellent academic and Christian environment for our parish children
in grades Pre K–8. With a near capacity enrollment of more than 400,
students, faculty and parents are inspired by the school’s motto: Learn
* Serve * Believe. This school motto is the heart of our mission to help
children reach their full potential and lead happy, purposeful lives that
honor God and enrich their community. For registration information,
contact Suzanne Leggett at [email protected].
Pre-School and Elementary Catechesis
Elementary Catechesis, also known as Religious Education, is offered
September–May for children starting at age 3 through 5th grade. Classes
meet Sunday mornings. Second grade catechesis includes preparation for
the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.
For more information on those sacraments see pages 30-32. To enroll
for catechesis, including Sacrament preparation as needed, contact
Linda Gockel at [email protected] or go to
www.sttaustin.org/elementary-catechesis.
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Middle School Catechesis
Serving grades 6–8, Middle School Catechesis, also known as Religious Education, meets
September–May on Sunday from 9:30–10:45 a.m. The 6th grade text invites the students into a
deeper understanding of the scriptures and its meaning for today. Seventh grade students use
the Encounter Bible Study, Mystery of God and Jesus in the New Testament texts to explore
scripture, salvation history the teachings of Jesus and the Church. Eighth grade students study
Morality Life in Christ and Church and Sacraments and portions of the Chosen program
texts. They explore the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes and in-depth study of the Church and
Sacraments. 7th–8th grade religious education is required to enter formal confirmation classes.
To learn more about middle school catechesis, or to register your child for classes, contact
[email protected], visit www.sttaustin.org/msyouthmin, or call (512) 451–5121.
High School Catechesis
We offer the acclaimed Chosen program to
provide a thorough review of the Catholic
faith. This is primarily for those that
have not yet met the religious education
requirements to enter formal confirmation
preparation. Contact [email protected].
High School Bible Study
Starting with the T3 timeline series with
Mark Hart, youth explore scripture study
through engaging presentations and
activities. This is the teen version of the
acclaimed Jeff Cavins Bible study series.
Confirmation
St. Theresa offers a Confirmation preparation program for high school youth in accordance with
current diocesan guidelines. See more about Confirmation on page 31.
To learn more about high school catechesis, confirmation preparation, or to register for
classes, visit www.sttaustin.org/hsyouthmin
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Youth Evangelization and Fellowship
Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech,
conduct, love, faith, and purity.
—1 Timothy 4:12
Youth Ministry:
The Gathering is a weekly Sunday session for high school youth held following the 5 p.m. Mass.
Young people gather for social time and faith formation in a supportive environment where they
can encounter Christ and find their place in the parish community. Teens can continue build on
the strong foundation they began in middle school to build skills they will need for their future.
The Summer Program is a laid back community building time, with events for middle and high
school teens and their family’s spread throughout the summer. These events include theme park
trips, movie nights and more. Mission trips and camps are a large part of the summer program.
Middle School Social Events build on the summer program with social events once a month for
middle school teens.
Youth Retreats
“Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
—Psalms 46:10
Middle School Spring Retreat is offered for those in grades 6–8. The full-day retreat features
community building fun, witness talks and prayer experiences to help youth connect with God
and the Church in a fun environment. This is also a leadership opportunity for high school teens.
Sleepless Night Retreat is held on Holy Thursday to Good Friday when High School youth
spend a sleepless night reflecting on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Young people especially enjoy
the challenge of staying awake to learn about Christ and themselves!
Leader Retreat is held in August to develop retreat teams. This retreat focuses on deepening the
candidates’ spirituality and developing the necessary skills to be a successful Catholic leader. High
school students are invited by the directors to participate in this awesome opportunity.
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Diocesan Youth Conference/National Youth Conference is a weekend
conference where high school teens from all over the diocese gather to
celebrate and learn from national speakers, workshops, adoration and
reconciliation.
Steubenville Youth Conference is three-day conference where thousands
of teens from all over the country gather to experience God through the
celebration of Adoration and Sacrament of Reconciliation. There are
presenters and workshops to help teen embrace their faith.
Mission Experiences
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go
for us?” “Here I am,” I said. “Send me!”
—Isaiah 6:8
Ignite Service Camp is a four-day camp held at St. Theresa for those entering
6th grade through those exiting 8th grade. Teams of youth perform service
during the day in the Austin community and in the morning and evening they
have a retreat experience. All activities are geared to the campers’ level of
spiritual maturity. The camp is led by trained high school leaders.
Catholic Heart Work Camp is an out-of-state weeklong national camp
focused on serving others to deepen their understanding of God. St.
Theresa youth, along with hundreds of Catholic teens from across the
country, transform the communities they visit. Work assignments range
from simple cleaning, landscaping and painting to repair projects. In the
morning and evening there are engaging retreat experiences to lead youth
to discover and deepen their understanding of our faith tradition through
the celebration of Mass, Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
and other prayer experiences.
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For information on any of the Youth Ministry activities or programs
visit www.sttaustin.org/hsyouthmin or contact [email protected].
Liturgical Ministries
Participating in a Liturgical Ministry is an opportunity to fulfill
Christ’s baptismal call to serve others. Whether your participation is
behind the scenes in the preparation and support ministries or service
in a more public way at Mass, you will help our liturgies
to be truly life-giving celebrations. Most ministries require
participants to attend annual training and/or formation sessions.
If you are interested in serving as a Liturgical Minister or need more
information, visit our website or contact the ministry coordinator.
Altar Server Ministry
The Altar Server Ministry is a graded program open to all 4th–12th
grade youth who are baptized, have received First Communion, and
practice the Catholic faith. Training in the fall and occasionally during
the year is required. You will be scheduled at the Mass time most
needed based on your availability and will serve every 4–6 weeks.
Contact Cathy Brocato at [email protected].
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
(EMHC)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
(EMHCs) assist the community of faith by
distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ during Communion at Mass. Many of
our ministers experience joy, faith, hope and
love as a result of their ministry. Volunteers
are baptized and practicing Catholics, and
registered members of St. Theresa’s Parish.
Contact Steve Wolford at [email protected].
Ministry of Hospitality
(Ushers and/or Greeters) Ministers of Hospitality assist with the offering collection, guide the
community during the communion procession, hand out weekly
bulletins at the conclusion of the liturgy and are prepared to assist in
emergency situations if they arise.
Contact David Bregger at [email protected].
Lector Ministry
Lectors read the Scripture lessons at Mass. All lectors participate in
formation and training sessions once or twice a year as well as attend
ongoing preparation for proclaiming scripture and parish scripture study.
Contact John Fox at [email protected].
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Liturgical Support Ministry
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild takes care of the liturgical items and vestments
used in the celebration of Mass. Altar Guild members are assigned a specific
week to care for the altar, during which they spend an hour or two to complete
their work.
Contact Anna Maria Mooney at [email protected] or Nancy McDonald
at [email protected].
Let It Shine Brass Ministry
Members of the Let It Shine Brass Ministry polish brass and/or silver
items used in our worship environment. The time commitment is an hour
or two twice a month. Retired military are especially welcome to join this
polishing ministry.
Contact Anna Maria Mooney at [email protected].
Ministry of Altar Linens
The Altar Linen ministers take care of the communion linens. Each person
is responsible for cleaning altar linens at their home on a rotating basis.
Contact Mariette Wroe at [email protected].
Worship Environment and Flower Guild
The Worship Environment and Flower Guild creates a beautiful
environment for feast days and special seasons. Classes are offered in flower
arranging and volunteers also may participate in a one time commitment
during Christmas, Easter, All Soul’s Day and other feast days.
Contact Paula Campbell at [email protected]
Ministry of Sewing
The Sewing Ministry works on projects which support our parish liturgy
and people in need in our community. Members embroider baptismal bibs
and altar cloths, and sew corporals, purificators, prayer blankets, and other
needed items. A Sew-In is held at the parish one Monday a month from
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Contact Judy Russell at [email protected].
Prayer Blanket Ministry
Volunteers sew and pray over blankets that are blessed and given to people
who are ill or need support.
Contact Melodye Evans at [email protected]
Liturgy Office Volunteers
Volunteers assist with seasonal preparation and ministry formation events.
Contact [email protected]
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Music Ministries
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song and his praise in the congregation.”
—Psalm 149:1
Angel Choir
Angel Choir is open to Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade children.
Interactive musical games and movements with children are designed to
promote positive music and faith experiences that prepare our students to
sing in the children’s choir. Rehearsals are Wednesday from 5:30–6:15 p.m.
in the school Music Room. Angel Choir sings at a parish liturgy or a short
concert once or twice a semester.
Contact Dan Girardot at [email protected].
Children’s Choir
Children’s Choir is for students in 2nd through 5th grade. Through active
and conscious participation in the liturgy, choir members are nurtured
in their faith and commitment to service in the Church. Members attend
rehearsal Wednesday from 5:30–6:30 p.m. The choir sings once or twice a
month and a yearly schedule is published for regular and special services.
Contact Ann Girardot at [email protected].
Youth and Young Adult Choir and Ensemble
The Youth and Young Adult Choir and Ensemble is open to youth in 6th
through 12th grade, and young adults and instrumentalists are welcome.
The choir serves the parish community at the Sunday 5 p.m. Mass and
other special services. Rehearsals are Sunday from 3:30–5 p.m.
Contact Dan Girardot at [email protected].
9:00 a.m. Liturgical Choir
Liturgical Choir leads the assembly in song at the 9 a.m. Mass and other
special services during the year. It is open to youth of high school age and
adults. Rehearsals are Wednesday from 7:30–9:30 p.m. and warm-ups are at
8:30 a.m. each Sunday. Training and formation are received through regular
rehearsals, retreats and prayer. Special concerts, liturgies, and combined
choir events during the year are also part of their ministry outreach.
Contact Morris Stevens at [email protected].
11:00 a.m. Liturgical Chorale
Liturgical Chorale leads the assembly in song at the 11 a.m. solemn
Sunday Mass and other special services during the year. It is open to youth
of high school age and adults. The choir focuses on liturgical and sacred
music from all eras of church history to lead the musical prayer of our faith
community. Training and formation are received through regular rehearsals,
retreats and prayer. Rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7:30–9:30 p.m.
and the Sunday choir warm-up is at 10:20 a.m. each Sunday.
Contact Dan Girardot at [email protected].
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The Occasional Choir
Occasional Choir is designed for singers who would like to explore and
expand their voice through basic vocal and choral techniques. Singers who
want to explore the basics of unison and two part choral singing are welcome.
Singers rehearse every other Thursday (usually the 1st and 3rd Thursdays)
from 1:15–2:30 p.m., and typically sing for the 3rd Saturday, 5 p.m. Mass.
Contact Sylvia Casper at [email protected].
Handbell Choir
Handbell choir is open to all age groups. Basic ability to read music is
necessary and rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Contact Morris Stevens at [email protected].
Cantors
Cantors are leaders and animators of sung prayer for our parish liturgies.
Experienced singers from the choir lead psalms, hymns, and acclamations at
Mass. These auditioned choir members become cantors-in-training and join
experienced cantors to learn the art of leading song. Individual training consists
of extended voice and psalm study as well as spiritual formation. Cantors
minister every four to six weeks at mass and sing at weekly choir rehearsals.
Contact Colleen Webb at [email protected].
Cantate Chamber Choir
Cantate Chamber Choir is an auditioned group of trained singers that lead
sung prayer in the liturgy. Experienced voice training and solo singing ability
are required for this ministry. This choir includes parish Vocal Scholars and
music ministry staff members. Rehearsals for singing and leading the 5 p.m.
Saturday Mass are scheduled once a month and during special seasons of the
year. Membership is by audition with the Director of Liturgy and Music.
Schola Cantorum
The Schola leads sung prayer in the liturgy using music from various choral
traditions of the Church. Choral experience is required. Choir members
attend a rehearsal to prepare for the 5 p.m. Saturday mass scheduled
occasionally during the year.
Contact Morris Stevens at [email protected]
Resurrection Choir
Resurrection Choir is a liturgical choir that supports the sung prayer of the
assembly at parish funeral masses. The choir rehearses prior to the funeral
liturgy and a moderate level of choral experience is necessary. The schedule
is dependent upon funeral arrangements at the parish.
Contact Dan Girardot at [email protected].
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Music Library Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to file, catalogue and organize music for all parish choirs. Good organization
skills are helpful. Time commitment is one hour per week, prior to rehearsals and special events.
Contact Dr. Lee Stroud at [email protected].
Sacred Music Series Volunteer
Volunteers provide support for communication, design, and production support materials and
coordination of the special sacred music series events throughout the year.
Contact Dan Girardot at [email protected].
Outreach Ministries
The Early Bird Taco Ministry serves the day laborers who gather at a job site in downtown
Austin each morning looking for work. The parish team takes tacos, orange juice and vitamins
to the day laborers and serves them outside of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.
Parishioners shop, cook, or serve the tacos, and volunteers include moms and dads, teachers,
teenagers, families, grandmas, granddads, middle and high school students.
Contact Jeff Gordon at [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide organization dedicated to providing short-term assistance
for the needy. St. Theresa chapter members work in pairs visiting families in need and assisting
them with prayer, food debit cards or financial help to prevent eviction or the cutoff of utilities
or to help with other emergencies. Ministers also direct people to other providers of assistance.
Members meet every Wednesday evening for 45 minutes and volunteer about one additional
hour a week. Funds for this ministry come almost entirely from our parishioners who generously
donate through our monthly black bag collection. Contact Linda Hart at [email protected]
The Pro-Life Ministry promotes the Church teaching that human life is sacred and deserves
respect from the moment of conception until natural death. The Pro-Life group regularly hosts
coffee and donuts after Mass where they share the Pro-Life message on topics such as child
adoption, fertility awareness, and end-of-life issues. It supports pro-life organizations and
participates in pro-life activities such as 40 Days for Life and marches and rallies for life. Ministry
members meet on the second Tuesday of the month after the 7 p.m. Mass, and on the first Monday
of every month offer a Holy Hour for life in the Eucharistic Adoration chapel from 8–9 p.m.
Contact Celie Harden at [email protected]
Covenant of Love coordinates, creates, and offers programs & services that support a
“comprehensive marriage” ministry for the various ages and stages of the marriage life cycle. The
mission is to help create and foster a stronger marriage community at the parish level, to enrich
good marriages, to advocate for the dignity, sanctity and permanence of marriage and to provide
practical tools for couples to successfully and joyfully live out God’s plan for their vocation of
marriage. Our Covenant of Love ministry currently includes our marriage preparation process
with sponsor couples, date nights and an introduction to Natural Family Planning.
Contact Laura Logan at [email protected]
For a full listing of all the ministries of the parish, visit the parish website, www.sttaustin.org.
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Parish Groups
Knights of Columbus is dedicated to bringing together Catholic gentlemen to serve our parish
and the Austin community with charitable good works and prayer. Activities includes pecan
sales, taco breakfasts, meetings on the 2nd Thursday of the month and socials once a month for
members, guests and visitors. Contact Tom Wicheta at [email protected]
The Ladies Club promotes friendship, social, intellectual and spiritual interchange among
members and carries out the duties requested by the Pastor. Meetings are at 10 a.m. on the first
Friday of the month September–May. Contact Kaybeth Zacek at [email protected]
The Legion of Mary is a worldwide lay apostolic organization based on a strong devotion to
the Blessed Mother and aims to do apostolic work in union with her. Work is done in pairs and
typically involves visiting lapsed Catholics, non-Catholics, shut-ins, nursing homes, hospitals,
jails, etc. All Catholics should be apostles but in ordinary life the opportunities come only
sporadically. The Legion gives us an organized opportunity each week to be apostles. There is one
short meeting and about two hours of service per week.
Contact Anna Quimby at [email protected]
Mothers of Young Children is a parish group that fosters friendships and provides opportunities
for spiritual and intellectual growth for mothers of young children (birth–5 years old) and expectant
mothers. Activities include monthly meetings and Mom’s Nights Out, playgroup, and an annual
retreat and service project. Meetings are the third Friday of the month and childcare is available.
Contact [email protected].
Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday from 4–9 p.m. Adorers are both scheduled
volunteers and non-scheduled visitors, many of whom have found that Eucharistic Adoration is
a beautiful way to be faithful and grow spiritually. There is a Rosary from 7–8:15 p.m. to pray for
peace in our families, our nation and the world. Contact Lori Mazzurana at [email protected]
Singles Over 60 is for single men and women of the parish who are 60 years or older. The
group is a mixture of spiritual and social and offers much camaraderie. Meetings are the third
Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., September–May.
Contact Evelyn Monnich at [email protected]
Young at Heart brings together both married and single people of the parish who are 50 and
older for occasional social activities.
Cub Scouts serves boys of the parish who are in grades 1–5, and provides diverse experiences
of fun and challenge for young boys and their families. Activities address moral and physical
development. Contact [email protected]
Boy Scout Troop 229 teaches young men the skills they need to be successful in life including
Scouting values, survival skills, leadership and organizational skills. The troop is committed
to adventure, learning and fun through challenging outdoor and indoor experiences. It meets
Sunday from 2–3 p.m. during the school year. Contact [email protected]
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Senior Adult Ministries
“They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.”
—Psalm 92:14
Our Senior Adult Ministry seeks to help senior adult members experience a sense of
community in the parish, stay connected to the faith community and feel appreciated for what
they do and have done for the parish. Many seniors go through big changes late in life, whether
it is the loss of a spouse, a new illness, a new living arrangement or a new home closer to
their grown children. In all these cases, our Senior Adult Ministry seeks to offer support and
community to ease the transition.
Pastoral Care
The Minister of Senior Adults visits senior adult parishioners in assisted living, nursing homes,
and private homes as requested. To request a visit, contact our minister of senior adults, Sister
Ann Pennington, at (512) 541–5121 or [email protected].
Social Opportunities
There are many social opportunities for senior adults of the parish, including trips, presentations
on topics affecting seniors, Senior Adult Appreciation Day, and table games including:
• Bridge Class each Thursday from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Family Center. This is a wonderful
opportunity to learn to play bridge with your fellow parishioners.
• Bridge Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 1–4 p.m. in
the Family Center. Consider joining your fellow parishioners for bridge and an enjoyable
time together.
Support
• Senior Adult Ministry also serves as a Referral Center for seniors seeking help with
housing, medical supplies, medical equipment repair, home health care and elder abuse.
• Naomi’s Circle is a support group for widows of all ages that meets the second Tuesday of
the month from 2:30–4 p.m. The group can also benefit from the wisdom of those women
who have been widowed for some time.
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Questions about Worship
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; Worship the Lord in holy splendor.”
—Psalm 29:2
Why is it important to keep holy the Sabbath?
Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but
the seventh day is a Sabbath to me the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.
—Ezekiel 20:8–10
The early Christian movement was built on dynamic, meaningful worship which included
sharing the Word of God and celebrating the Eucharist. This fellowship provided the Church with
an opportunity to develop close relationships, give and receive support, wrestle intellectually
with issues and concerns, and grow in peace with one another. The Sunday celebration of the
Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. The Catechism teaches that:
“Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition
and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.” The Letter
to the Hebrews reminds the faithful “not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
to encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
Our worship is the natural response to God who has given us everything. Our worship is also a
witness to others encouraging them through our active and sincere participation. The Sabbath is
God’s gift to us.
Be Good Worshippers!
Come early, stay late.
We offer a witness to the importance of what we do together by making it a priority. If our
worship is truly a priority, we will make every effort to arrive in time to prepare ourselves
spiritually for our encounter with the Living God. Consistently and habitually rushing in late
means that the worship of God is not a priority in life and we are not focused and, as a result,
we create a distraction for others. Everyone has a good excuse for being late from time to time,
and life happens without consideration for our timetables. This is understood. However, those
who are chronically late send a loud and clear message that Holy Mass and the community
of believers are not important enough for them to make a meaningful contribution through
spiritual preparation and active participation.
Here are some things to remember:
• We are not going to church; YOU are the Church…and we go to worship so that we learn
how to be Church.
• We need you with us in worship because those who are older and more tired need the
uplift of your smiles and vitality.
• The parish cannot get along without you. Just as your body needs every single part—like your
eyes, your nose, your hands and feet—so the church needs every single person to make it
whole. Perhaps next Sunday someone will need you to be their eyes and hands for them.
• You need the gifts of worship because you will learn things at Mass that will make sense later.
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• If you pay close attention to the words of the songs and the Scripture readings and
the liturgy, you will learn all kinds of new things about God. Since God is infinitely
incomprehensible, all of life is an adventure in getting to know him better, but worship is
especially rich with his presence.
• Attending worship will teach you skills for your Christian life—skills like how to pray, how
to sing, and how to sit quietly in God’s presence.
• The congregation needs the talents you bring to worship—your singing voice, your
ability to learn new songs quickly, your ability to read the Scripture lessons well, your
help in welcoming others, your warmth and friendship in the sharing of the peace, your
modelling of reverence and piety as a witness to our children.
• Most important, God wants you here because he loves to be with you in his house.
What can I do to prepare for worship?
Arriving with sufficient time for spiritual preparation means that you will be recollected and
focused on the mysteries you will soon encounter. When you arrive, kneel in prayer taking
inventory of the past week and thanking God for all your blessings. Remember the needs of
others and offer prayers of intercession on their behalf. Resolve to put your sins behind you.
Then ask our Lord to open your ears to his Word that it may take root in your life.
I don’t have a good voice, do I have to sing?
Mass is not a spectator event. The worshipping community are not passive observers of a
religious drama unfolding on the altar. We are the body of Christ. To build up the body we offer
a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. The sacrifice is our willingness in spite of our reticence or
how we feel to give the best of who we are in full participation. We sing the hymns and canticles,
we respond to the prayers, we listen attentively to God’s Word as it is proclaimed and preached
and we offer a portion of what we have to the work of the kingdom. This is our sacrifice of praise.
Please don’t eat and run!
Imagine being a guest in another person’s home. You have just taken part in a fine dinner when,
suddenly and without acknowledging the host, you leave immediately after eating your last bite of
food. What we would never think of doing to our host at a dinner, we do to Jesus when we leave
immediately after receiving Holy Communion. Imagine how your hosts would feel. “Eat and run”
is not part of our worship experience together. It is a very bad habit to which many Catholics
succumb. Best practice is to return to our seat after receiving our Lord in Holy Communion
and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. After the final prayer we receive the priestly blessing that
commissions us for discipleship.
Speaking of best practices, we are all about those when it comes to business, our health and fitness
as well as our relationships and we know that our lives change when our habits change. This truth
applies to our spiritual lives as well. Think about best practices when it comes to worship. Consider
reading through the Scriptures ahead of time, perhaps in the middle of the week so that they have
a chance to take root in your mind. When Sunday comes you will hear a familiar word in a fresh
context. The Mass reveals God’s vision for us as individuals, his vision for marriage and family, for
community and society, and for the Church and the world. Sunday is our day of rest and renewal.
The Mass is God’s gift to us so that together we may worship the God who made us and regain our
weekly focus. Fed on his Word and Presence, we are challenged and renewed.
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Questions about Giving
“Each of you, as a good manager of God’s gifts, shall use for the good of others the special gifts
you have received from God.”
—1 Peter 4:10
What is Christian stewardship?
Stewardship is using, with integrity and faithfulness, the gifts which God has given. As
Christians, we are to pray daily, attend worship regularly, give sacrificially, and serve faithfully.
Why do we give?
To declare that Jesus is Lord of our lives! It is by trusting Christ fully with our lives that we
discover the joy and wonder of God’s love, and, no matter what we say or do, we do not really
trust until we trust Him with our finances. In other words, we give so that we might truly open
our hearts to the power and love of the Lord.
Often the Bible promises that right living leads to God’s increased presence in our lives. Proverbs
11:25 pledges: “He who waters will himself be watered.” This does not mean that we give in order
to receive. Rather, we affirm the truth of Jesus’ teaching, that “Where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also” (Matthew 5:21). We give, knowing that as we put the Master first in our lives,
we become open to the transforming power and presence of the living God.
What is a tithe?
The Scriptures teach that we are to give God our “tithes and offerings.” The “tithe” or “tenth” is
our basic obligation to God. It is 10% of our income returned to God from all he has given us.
The Bible emphasizes (Malachi 3:8–10) that this is our minimum responsibility to God who gives
us everything. The “offering” represents special gifts made to church and community causes
over and above the tithe. Depending upon the blessings we have received, many will want to give
beyond the tithe.
Is the tithe figured before or after taxes?
The Bible states that the tithe comes from the “first fruits of the harvest” (Exodus 22:29,
Romans 11:16).
Does the tithe include money given to outside ministries and charities?
No. These gifts are “offerings” and are made over and above our tithe. While there are many
worthy causes expressing Christian values and deserving of support, there is only one institution
on earth which exists explicitly to lift up the Name of the One who is the source of all those
values: your church. Unless the gospel of Christ is proclaimed in consistent and powerful ways,
through a community of believers, all of the other “good causes” will eventually crumble.
Does the Catholic Church require its members to tithe?
Only to the degree that it supports, encourages, and preaches obedience to God’s Word. There
is no obligation to tithe as it is ultimately a response from the committed heart. “Where your
treasure is there will be found your heart also” (Matthew 6:21). Like love, a genuine commitment
can’t be legislated. The tithe can seem an impossible goal for many. In that case, we are to decide
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to tithe, and then let God show us how! The journey starts as we become percentage givers. We
commit to God a set percentage of our income, making that commitment a top priority in our
spending, and growing from there.
How do we find a starting place for percentage giving?
We choose a percentage we can live with, but which involves sacrifice. A helpful question to ask
is: if the IRS audited my finances, could the auditor tell by looking at my expenditures that Jesus
is my Lord? A five percent pledge represents only five pennies out of each dollar God gives. After
starting on this spiritual ladder we are then to grow as Christ leads us on, with a goal of becoming
at least tithers. A helpful guide is the Two Percent Principle: increasing our giving by two percent
of our income each year.
Why Pledge?
For two reasons. First, the act of making an individual financial commitment to Christ is a key
element in developing spiritual maturity. Pledging means promising Christ to make Him a
priority in our lives, and then keeping the promise.
Second, it is the only way the church can be run with approximate fiscal responsibility. If our
church leaders do not have a good idea of what kind of support to expect, they cannot adequately
plan and coordinate the ministries necessary to meet the needs of the members.
Why make such a big deal out of this?
Because Jesus did! In as much as he spoke of the importance of prayer and its place in our
spiritual lives, he realized that money and its use had a significant influence on that spirituality.
If fact he talked five times as much about money as he did about prayer. Think of all the parables
and other ways Jesus spoke of money and what we should value. Why? Because until we have
given God control of our finances we have not really surrendered to Him control of our lives. Our
attitude toward money will either be a major barrier between us and God, or a means of growing
in grace. Remember: Keeping the tithe, as the Bible teaches, is essentially a matter of the heart
and not the wallet!
What about gifts through wills and bequests?
Including the Church in your will is a sign that the church is part of your family. We encourage
you to remember St. Theresa Catholic Church in your will. For more information about how to
include St. Theresa in your will or estate plan contact the parish office.
For E-giving, visit the parish website at sttaustin.org.
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,
At all the times you can, To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
—John Wesley
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Baptism, Godparents, and Sponsors
“Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
—Matthew 28:19
Congratulations! There are few happier times in family life than welcoming a
newborn child. You have followed prenatal advice from the doctor and have
followed best practices for the health and well-being of the baby. You have
given much thought and have spent time and energy to prepare a place in
your home to receive the child. Now it is time to give equal attention to the
spiritual life of your child.
The first step is to attend the baptism preparation classes offered by the
parish. These are designed to give you an indepth understanding of the
sacrament and your vital role in the faith development that begins with
Christian initiation. Here are a few questions that you may have:
Do I have to wait until the baby is born to take the classes?
No. Just as you did not wait to prepare the nursery or attend to any of the other
details, you need not delay you preparation for the beginning of your child’s journey
of faith. You are encouraged to prepare as soon as you possibly can. You are also
encouraged to have the godparents attend the class so that they also may clearly
understand their duties.
Who can be godparents?
Godparents are those people who are chosen to witness the Catholic faith to your
child. They take on a solemn responsibility to do so in case something happens to
prevent you from fulfilling this role. As such, the Church requires that at least one
godparent be a practicing Catholic. This means that the godparent, if married, has
been married by the Church and is practicing the faith in an active sacramental way
and living a life in harmony with the teachings of Christ and his Church.
These are the requirements according to the statutes of the Church:
•
•
•
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The godparents, also known as sponsors, must be age 16 or older and be a
Catholic who has been confirmed and leads a life in harmony with the faith
and role to be undertaken.
A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community
may not be a godparent, but may be a witness to baptism alongside a
Catholic sponsor.
Each child is to have a godmother and a godfather; therefore, only one male
and one female godparent or sponsor.
How do we register for baptism classes
and set the date for the baptism?
Call the church office or visit the website for
information about baptism classes. Prior to
baptism you will need to provide a copy of the
birth certificate to the church office. Once the
classes have been completed you are welcome
to set a date for the baptism. Most baptisms
are celebrated on Saturday afternoon at
4 p.m. If you prefer a different time, please
contact the office.
We have older children who need
baptism. What does the Church
offer for them?
For children under the age of seven, the procedure is the same as for infants. The parents and godparents
will answer for them in the baptismal liturgy. Every effort is made to help small children understand
the significance of this sacrament so that it is a meaningful experience. Children aged seven and above
are of catechetical age, and baptism is a sacrament they embrace for themselves. To this end they are
properly instructed and receive the full Christian initiation of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the
Great Vigil of Easter. From time to time family circumstances require special consideration. In response,
the Church seeks to make the sacraments as accessible as possible. Contact the parish Director of
Evangelization for more information.
Can our child be baptized elsewhere?
Yes. While it is preferable to celebrate the sacraments in the context of the community in which the child
will be raised, there may be circumstances in which baptism at another Catholic Church is appropriate.
Contact the church where you wish to celebrate the baptism and determine the local requirements. You
will still want to attend the baptism classes here and provide the certificate of attendance to the church
where the baptism will be held. St. Theresa will provide a letter as required by diocesan statutes.
May we have a visiting priest/deacon baptize our child?
Yes. Contact the church office for the procedure for obtaining diocesan approval for visiting clergy.
We were not married in the Church. Can we still baptize our child in the Church?
Yes. It is important, however, to remember that you will be asked to raise your child in the practice of the
faith. Being in a civil marriage not blessed by the Church limits your sacramental life and, therefore, can
take away from that witness. You are warmly encouraged to visit with the clergy about the possibilities
of having your marriage blessed. If you have previous marriages, these can be discussed and the various
options explored. Remember that the Church is here to help you in your spiritual journey and seeks to
open new doors for you and your spouse as disciples of Christ!
Does it cost anything to be baptized?
No. The sacraments of the Church are free. You are most welcome to make a special offering to the parish
in thanksgiving for the gift of your child and it is customary to offer the clergy a stipend.
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Reconciliation
“Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven…”
—John 20:19
This sacrament is also known as the sacrament of conversion, confession,
and penance: conversion because it is the first step in Jesus’ call to conversion,
confession because it is the acknowledgement and disclosure of sins to a
priest, penance because it consecrates a sinner’s steps of conversion, and
reconciliation because it reconciles us to God and His love. Reconciliation is
typically first received during the 2nd grade year before First Communion.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at our parish on Saturdays from
4–4:45 p.m., or by appointment.
How to make a good confession
Sin damages our relationships and imperils our soul. Serious sin enslaves us,
preventing us from reaching our potential as disciples of Christ. Genuine
sorrow for our sinfulness leads us to seek the grace that is needed to turn our
lives around. The Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation is our way of
experiencing this grace through God’s mercy and love.
When Jesus entrusted to Peter the Keys of the Kingdom, he empowered the
Church through apostolic ministry to be the catalyst for the binding and
loosing of sins. That is to say, Christ entrusted Peter and his successors with
the authority to assure sinners who were contrite and desired God’s forgiveness
that through the ministry of the Church this forgiveness would be theirs.
When we participate in the Sacrament of Confession and do so with full intent
to amend our lives and with humility perform penance, we are restored in
heart and soul and reconciled to God and the community of faith.
What do I say when I go to confess my sins?
The celebration of this sacrament begins with an examination of conscience.
A good tool for this exercise is the Ten Commandments. It is helpful to make
a list in an effort to be as thorough as possible. Remember that confession is
like cleaning the house; you want to make sure that you do as good a job as
possible. After completing an examination of conscience, you are ready to
take part in the celebration of the sacrament.
When you enter the confessional you are given the choice of kneeling behind
the screen or sitting face to face with the priest. Choose whichever makes
you most comfortable.
If you are celebrating face to face the priest may welcome you and invite you
into the sacrament.
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You will begin by making the sign of the Cross and saying:
Bless me, father, for I have sinned.
It has been (estimate the time since your last confession) since my last confession.
The priest will then invite you to recount your sins.
Upon completion you may say:
For these and all my sins I am sincerely sorry and resolve to do penance and avoid
these sins in the future.
The priest will offer words of spiritual encouragement and assign the appropriate penance.
He will then pronounce the absolution with these words:
God the Father of mercies through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled
the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit to us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the
ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace and I absolve you of all
your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The penitent will say an Act of Contrition and after leaving the confessional will perform the
penance that has been given.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and
failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly
intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
How often should I avail myself of this sacrament?
Confession not only frees us from our sins, it also conveys grace. This grace is what aids us in
our spiritual journey to holiness. Frequent confession—once a month or so—keeps us spiritually
healthy. The Church requires that we confess our sins at least once annually. The penitential
seasons of Advent and Lent provide good opportunities to celebrate the sacrament with the
whole parish community.
The Ten Commandments
1.I am the Lord your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and
Him only shall you serve.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
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Eucharist and First Communion
The Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence is the belief that Jesus Christ
is literally, not symbolically, present in the Holy Eucharist—body, blood,
soul and divinity. This belief is found in the very beginning of the Church.
Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist because
Jesus tells us this is true in the Bible.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
—John 6:53
First Communion is typically received during the 2nd grade year. Every
child will need comprehensive catechesis as well as proximate preparation
for the reception of the Eucharist. For this reason, children preparing for
First Communion should be enrolled in Elementary Catechesis that will
take place on Sunday mornings. They will also attend a Family Retreat in
preparation for First Communion. For more information and to sign up,
please visit the Elementary Catechesis page.
If your child is older than grade 2 and has not received First Communion,
we are still eager to help them prepare for this important Sacrament.
Please contact Marie Cehovin at [email protected] for
more information.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ministry prepares
adults to receive their initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation
and Eucharist. For more information about the RCIA process contact the
parish Director of Evangelization and Catechesis, Marie Cehovin at
[email protected]
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Confirmation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together
constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation.” The Catechism
of the Catholic Church says those who are Confirmed are more
perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special
strength of the Holy Spirit so they may be true witnesses of Christ.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually held in the middle of
the school year for parish youth in the 10th grade. Confirmation
candidates can begin registration in the spring of their 8th grade
year and are required to actively participate in the life of the parish
in 9th grade through the high school youth ministry or high school
religious education. Youth who meet the religious education
requirements are invited to begin formal Confirmation classes
upon entering the 10th grade and will attend a confirmation retreat.
Contact the Youth Ministry Office for more information or to register
[email protected]. If you are an adult seeking Confirmation,
contact the Director of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Anointing of the Sick
“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the lord who frees you
from sin save you and raise you up.”
—CCC 1513
When anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from
sickness or frailty of old age, they may receive the sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick. It is also fitting to receive the sacrament just
prior to a serious operation. The sacrament can be repeated if a
person recovers, but becomes seriously ill again.
To request the Anointing of the Sick, contact the parish office at
(512) 451–5121. If you are calling after office hours, you will get a
message of who to call in case of an emergency.
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Marriage, Divorce and Annulment
“Therefore shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife.”
—Genesis 2:24
Congratulations! Marriage is the spiritual sign of the union of Christ and his
Church. The mystery of this sacrament is that it transforms two people into
one and yet they retain what makes them individual and unique. The Church
rejoices when two people in love decide to unite themselves to each other for
life. Before making any plans, you are encouraged to seek the counsel of the
clergy as soon as possible. Christian marriage is a lifetime commitment, the
fruits of which are immeasurable. Please contact the church office as soon as
possible before setting any dates or making any arrangements for receptions.
Please do not set a date for your wedding prior to speaking with the clergy.
Contact the parish office at 512-451-5121.
Frequently asked questions:
My fiancé and I want to marry. What do we do first?
The Church is committed to helping you build the best possible foundation for
married life. The effort that is put into preparation for married life is an investment
that pays large dividends. Before making any plans related to a wedding, it is
essential that you sit down with the clergy to determine how best to move forward
in this vital preparation. Please contact the church office to start the pre-nuptial
preparations. This is very important as the Catholic Church in the United States
has a requirement of six months from the time of initial preparation before the
celebration of the ceremony itself. Please bring a recently dated copy of your
baptism certificate obtainable from your church of baptism. Frequently this can
be done online. These will need to be provided for the preparation to begin. If one
of you is not Catholic, then a letter stating the date and place of baptism can be
obtained in similar fashion. If one or more parties have been married before please
refer to question #12 below.
What does marriage preparation entail?
We begin with an initial interview between the couple and the clergy. The church
rejoices in your decision, and this meeting is a joyful one. The Church requires you
to attend a marriage preparation course which includes sessions with a married
couple who will act as your sponsor. A diocesan retreat is offered, and ongoing
contact with the clergy ensures that the process proceeds smoothly.
My fiancé is not Catholic, can we have a Mass?
Yes. It is, however, important to understand that the Eucharist is the sign of our
unity as a church, and our reception of the Eucharist is a witness to the truths of
our Catholic faith. It is important to note that we cannot extend an invitation to
non-Catholics to receive the Eucharist, a central aspect of our faith. If a significant
number of people in attendance will not be able to participate in the Eucharist, it is
possible to celebrate a wedding outside of the context of the Mass. If you desire to
have the Mass, you are encouraged to provide a program to assist the congregants
in participation.
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Does my fiancé have to convert to Catholicism to be married
in the Church?
No. The decision to join the Catholic faith is highly personal and should not
be embraced as a pretext to marriage. The non-Catholic fiancé will be made
to feel welcome and encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the life of
the Church.
Does my non-Catholic fiancé have to promise to raise the
children Catholic?
No. The church places no obligations upon those who are not qualified to
receive the Eucharist within the Catholic Church. However, the Catholic
Church does require those who are Catholic to promise to see to it that the
children are raised in the practice of the Catholic faith.
My fiancé is not a Christian. Can we be married in the
Catholic Church?
Yes. The requirements for marriage preparation are the same. Every effort is
made to make non-Christians as welcome and comfortable as possible.
Is it possible to be married in a worship space of significance
to my fiancé who is not Catholic?
Yes. Under special circumstances permission can be sought from the bishop
to have ceremony in a worship space or another location that is of importance
to the non-Catholic party.
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Is it possible for the pastor of my non-Catholic fiancé to participate in
the ceremony?
Yes. We welcome the clergy of the non-Catholic to be a participant in the ceremony.
The parish clergy will work closely with them to create an atmosphere of welcome.
Can we be married in a hotel or in a garden?
The sacraments of the church are celebrated in the house of worship. The Bishop’s
Conference and diocesan policy state that a marriage of Catholics is to be celebrated
as a religious ceremony in a sacred space. Only under very rare and extraordinary
circumstances will permission be granted for a marriage to be celebrated outside of
a sacred space.
We have been married in a civil ceremony. What do we do to get our
marriage blessed?
Please call the church office and arrange to meet with the clergy who will gladly
help you. If either of you have been married previously, we address this through
a number of different avenues depending on the circumstances. If there have
been previous marriages it will be helpful for you to bring these documents
to the first meeting:
1. Baptismal certificates for (Catholic parties only and dated within the past 6
months.)
2. Copies of all marriages licenses.
3. Certified copies of all divorce decrees.
Members of the clergy understand that our life journeys turn unexpected corners
and do not turn out as expected. We will make every effort to put everyone at ease
and concentrate on the possibilities.
More wedding pics? Other
content?
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How much does it cost to be married at St. Theresa Church?
The cost is associated with the use of the facilities and not the celebration of
the wedding. Please call the church office for details about the costs associated
with the use of the buildings as well as musician’s fees and deposits. It is
customary to give the clergy a stipend that is proportional to the overall
cost of the wedding.
I was married in the Catholic Church and am now divorced. I want
to get married again but don’t understand the whole process.
The Catholic Church alone has consistently supported and upheld the
Biblical stance on the permanence of marriage. At the same time it has always
taught that the validity of Christian marriage is a state in life that depends on
certain critical realities. An annulment is the result of extensive and thorough
investigation into the lives of the couple whose circumstances have led to
divorce. The Church determines that one or more critical factors or external
influences have rendered the marriage invalid with the declaration that, from
an ecclesiastical perspective, the marriage bond does not exist. The attainment
of an annulment frees the individuals to be married in the Church. The clergy
are prepared to assist individuals as they navigate these rough waters.
I was previously married to a non-Catholic in a civil ceremony or
in a non-Catholic ceremony without a letter of permission from the
bishop. I now want to remarry. Do I need an annulment?
No. Catholics are bound to the rites of the Catholic Church. Without
dispensation and permission of the bishop, a marriage contracted outside
of the Church is a not a valid union and does not require a formal
annulment. There is a simple single page form which, on the basis of
information provided, attests to this and declares your freedom to
enter into the covenant bond of marriage in the Church.
I am a Catholic who has never been married. My non-Catholic
fiancé has been married and is now divorced. Does he or she need
to have an annulment before we can be married?
Yes. The Catholic Church respects and upholds the validity of marriages
contracted outside of the Church. As such, a Protestant who married
another Protestant, even in a civil ceremony, is validly married in the
eyes of the Church. The reason behind this is simple: the non-Catholic
who enters into marriage usually does so with the same convictions and
intentions. The Church recognizes this as the foundation for the validity
of this union. Therefore, the non-Catholic will need to follow much the
same process as the Catholic. The clergy will make every effort to explain
and shepherd the non-Catholic parties through this process which can be
confusing to those outside of the Church.
Please contact the Church office to speak with the clergy if you are in any doubt
about you or your fiancé’s freedom to marry in the Church.
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My Loved One Has Died
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
—1 Corinthians 15:22
When someone we love has died we are highly emotional and distraught,
especially if the death is sudden and unexpected. The stress brought about
by the death of someone very close to us is often amplified by the need for
immediate decision making. The presence of family members and close
friends is a blessing in these difficult times. And your church community is
ready to help you during this time. Contact the parish office by phone
(512) 451–5121.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should we do after our loved one has died?
If the deceased is in nursing home or hospital, the personnel there will assist you in
contacting a funeral home for collecting the body of your family member. You will
want call the church office to schedule a meeting with the clergy to plan the funeral.
To effectively coordinate times, this is best done while working directly with the
funeral home representative or director. If the funeral and/or burial are to take place
in another city, this coordination will be handled by the funeral home staff who will
be in contact with the corresponding directors at a funeral home in the city where
the services are to be conducted. This is necessary when a grave must be prepared.
Should we have my deceased loved one anointed?
No. The sacraments may only be conferred on the living. Canon Law is specific
in this regard. Instead, prayers may be offered and psalms recited. In the place of
anointing, priests can offer prayers of absolution and words of comfort to the family.
My spouse who died was not a Catholic. May we have a funeral in the
Catholic Church?
Yes. If your spouse was baptized in another ecclesial community and it was not his
or her express wish NOT to be buried from the Catholic Church, we are happy to
work with you in planning a Mass of Christian burial.
Is cremation acceptable in the Catholic Church?
Yes. It is the Church’s practice to celebrate the Requiem Mass prior to cremation. The
burial or placing of the ashes in a columbarium can occur at a later date. If it was the
wish of the deceased to donate their organs, the Mass is celebrated with the body,
and the cremation follows. In circumstances where cremation is required prior to the
funeral, a Memorial Mass can be celebrated at a later date with the ashes present.
Can the funeral Mass be celebrated in the funeral home?
The Mass is celebrated in a sacred space. Funeral home chapels are not sacred
spaces and are not designed and equipped for the proper and appropriate
celebration of the Holy Mass.
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Can we have a memorial service in the funeral home?
The Church allows memorial services in the funeral home. This is not
preferred to the Mass of Christian burial. In those cases where the deceased
was not a practicing Catholic and the majority of the family members are
also non-practicing, a simple service may be conducted by the clergy in the
funeral home.
Should we have a rosary the night before?
While this is not a requirement, it is customary. It is a long standing
tradition to “wake” the deceased. In our culture this is marked by the
recitation of a rosary and the presentation of eulogies. Family members
and friends gather to share condolences and offer support. This normally
takes place in the funeral home. A Christian Wake service is also possible
in which scriptures are read and prayers are offered in conjunction
with the rosary.
Can we have a eulogy at the Mass of Christian Burial?
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal #382 states: At Funeral
Masses there should usually be a short Homily, but to the exclusion of a
funeral eulogy of any kind.” In light of this instruction, it is appropriate that
such eulogies be offered at either the wake service the night before or at a
reception following the burial.
Can we pre-arrange our Funeral Mass?
Yes, the clergy and staff are very willing to assist you in making such prearrangements. This ensures that there is less stress on family members at
the time of death. These arrangements are documented and kept on file at
the church office until needed.
How much does the Funeral Cost?
There is no required cost for the Funeral Mass. There is a normal fee
associated with liturgical music, an integral part of the mass. The parish
music staff will guide the selection of music and you have the assurance
that the music will be of excellent quality and follow the liturgical
guidelines of the Church. It is also customary to offer the clergy a stipend.
The parish prepares and offers a reception with food for the parishioner’s
family and friends following the funeral rites. Donations to defray the cost
of the reception are welcome.
Can we have a reception after the funeral?
Yes. The Church office will contact the volunteers who provide for funeral
receptions and dinners. They will try to accommodate your wishes to the
best of their ability. The Church bears the expense of this reception through
the generosity of the volunteers and donors.
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Vocation to Priesthood and Religious Life
“The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.”
—Matthew 9:37
The call to ministry takes many forms and can lead in many directions. The
discernment of a vocation to a life of service in God’s kingdom results from
prayer, sacrifice, and a keen desire to share the love of God.
The priesthood is a rewarding and joyful life. It allows a man freedom to be
Christ’s presence and share in the ministry Christ offers to those who seek to
embrace the fullness of what Jesus meant when he said to his friends, “Come
and follow me.”
The priesthood is open to all single Catholic men who, upon discernment
and examination, are chosen by the bishop to enter spiritual and academic
formation which leads to ordination. Typically, it requires an undergraduate
degree, and, or an equivalent number of hours in philosophy. The graduate
school of theology is an additional five years of study including an internship.
The permanent diaconate is open to married and single men age 35 and
above. Training is extensive and is supervised by seminary faculty. Saturday
classes over a five year period allow the applicant to embrace theology,
ethics, Church history, Scripture, homiletics and much more.
The Catholic sisterhood is open to Catholic women who are single,
widowed and have no dependent children. Final vows follow more than five
years of study and training.
An explanation of the wide variety of religious life available is too far
reaching for these pages. Men and women are afforded extensive and varied
opportunities for service, both contemplative and active.
If you feel that God is tugging at your heart and feel that a vocation to
ministry as clergy or religious is appealing to you, please call the church
to arrange a meeting with the clergy who will assist you in this journey. In
turn you will be entrusted to one of the diocesan staff who will assist you in
discerning a vocation.
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Prayer for vocations
Loving and Generous God,
it is You who call us by name
and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the Love
and Service of our Church
as we experience it today.
Give us the energy and courage
of Your Spirit
to shape its future
Grant us faith-filled leaders
who will embrace Christ’s Mission
of love and justice.
Bless St. Theresa Catholic Church
by raising up dedicated and generous
leaders
from our families and friends
who will serve Your people as Sisters,
Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay
Ministers.
Inspire us to know You better
and open our hearts
to hear Your call.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Mass Times
Saturday Vigil 5 p.m.
Sunday
7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
Weekday
11:30 a.m. Monday–Friday
Thursday
8 a.m. School Mass
Reconciliation
Saturday
4–4:45 p.m. or by appointment
Campus Map
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Staff Directory
Pastor: Rev. Larry Covington—Ext. 1010, [email protected]
Parochial Vicar: Rev. Neville Jansze—Ext. 1019, [email protected]
Deacons:
John Busker
Don Gessler
Ray Sanders
George Zacek
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Senior Adults and Social Outreach Ministry:
Sr. Ann Pennington, SFCC—Ext. 1017, [email protected]
Chief Operating Officer:
Neal McMaster—Ext. 1002, [email protected]
Accountant:
Theresa Keane—Ext. 1014, [email protected]
Chief Operating Officer Assistant:
Geneva Moore—Ext. 1003, [email protected]
Reception and Baptism Class Scheduling:
Jeanette Schmitz—Ext. 1000, [email protected]
Facilities Scheduling: [email protected]
Communications and Assistant for Evangelization and Catechesis:
Linda Gockel—Ext. 1009, [email protected]
Pastor Assistant and Bulletin/Newsletter:
Jamie Riscen—Ext. 1006, [email protected]
Music and Liturgy: (512) 451–5132
Director: Dan Girardot—Ext. 1004, [email protected]
Assistant: Linda Howard—Ext. 1020, [email protected]
Director Evangelization and Catechesis:
Marie Cehovin—Ext. 1008, [email protected]
Youth Ministry: (512) 451–5305
Coordinators:
Dave Guilianelli—Ext. 1005, [email protected]
MJ Guilianelli—Ext. 1027, [email protected]
School Office: (512) 451–7105
President: Ann Walters—Ext. 1015, [email protected]
Principal: Debbie Solcher—Ext. 1013, [email protected]
Development and Admissions: Suzanne Leggett—Ext. 1025, [email protected]
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4311 Small Drive
Austin, TX 78731
Phone (512) 451–5121 · Fax (512) 453–6824
www.sttaustin.org
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