Keep Austin Holy E-newsletter Available online at http://www.saintmaryscathedral.org/index.php?page=newsletter.php. Saint Mary Volunteer Ministries October 2007 Issue 10 Monthly Prayer That we may have the courage and self-control to live as good stewards of all God s many blessings. This Month s Poll What do you enjoy most about the monthly E- newsletter? Submit your answers to jjones@saintmaryscathedral.org or call (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112. October Ministry Happenings Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. Blessing of the Animals Courtyard Bring your pets for a blessing, where each pet will receive a medal to put on its collar or cage. There will be a special guest appearance by St. Francis! Rain or shine. Tuesday, Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m. Middle School Behavior Presentation by Dr. Joseph White Bishops Hall Dr. White will review the life of a middle schooler with parents and what to expect during this time of their children s lives. Wednesday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m. Altar Server Training Pope: Volunteerism essential to society VIENNA, Austria (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI met with Austrian volunteers and told them their generous and unpaid service to others was essential to modern society. He said that to allow oneself to be called to service to others, without the usual questions about whether it is useful or profitable, is a path taken by many saints through the centuries and is no less relevant today. Unpaid service has much to do with God's grace, he said, and it challenges the thinking of "a culture which would calculate the cost of everything." The pope said volunteerism fits perfectly with Christ's teaching about love and sacrifice. Not everyone today has learned these lessons, he said. The Christian, he said, has an "absolute duty" to take notice of the needs of others. Volunteer Spotlight Committee. Holly Alt Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Parish Council, Seminarian Parish Advisory Team Parishioner since 1995 Senior Counsel, Texas Medical Association In what ministries have you been involved with in the past? I was a catechist for nine years and have served on the Legacy of Faith What is your favorite thing about volunteering at the? What do you get out of it? I get to know fellow parishioners and the clergy better. It
Children aged 9-17 who are interested in becoming altar servers need to register for the training by calling (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112. Must have received their First Holy Communion. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training Parishioners interested in becoming EMs need to register for the training by calling (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112. Confirmation and marriage certificates required. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m. Scripture Reflection on Social Justice Teachings Bishops Hall Austin Interfaith will present a Scripture reflection on the topic of how the Church is called to engage in social justice. Rooted in Scripture and our faith tradition, the group will explore what it means to engage in social justice and how it is linked to the very mission of the Church. All are invited. Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Book Fair School of St. Mary Library A book fair benefiting the school. Monday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m. Lector Training Parishioners interested in becoming lectors need to register for the training by calling (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112. Confirmation and marriage certificates required. Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. Ministry Leaders Meeting Donahue Center Cafeteria If you have a leadership role at the, you are invited. In order to keep up with what s going on in the different ministries, the ministry leaders meet as a group once a quarter. This is a time for sharing upcoming events and activities, brainstorming with the other ministries and looking at ways we can better work together as leaders in our community. feels like belonging to a true community of wonderful people. What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as a volunteer? Seeing my fifth graders with whom I started out go the distance in religious education and graduate. I really got to see it because I was socially promoted to high school religious education after three years teaching fifth grade, so I had my original students for another four years. It was wonderful to acknowledge these kids in front of the parish at Mass because it gives us all hope for the next generation. Additionally it was wonderful to be acknowledged by them by being invited to their graduation parties, birthday parties and musical performances. I also love being an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and watching the faces of people as they receive Christ s blood. When I smile at them as I give them the cup, I receive back some of the most beautiful smiles imaginable. Why does volunteering matter? Volunteering matters because there is no way a few people could do everything for the parish community. I consider it my way of thanking God for all that He has done for me. What are your other interests? Theology has become quite an interest because I had to be sharper than the kids. Other delights are my bets, Beau, Beamer and Bogie (two cats and a dog notice the B theme), my talented beautiful and HIGH spirited daughter, my wonderful parents and movies. Good thing daughter works at a movie house! What advice would you give to a parishioner new to volunteering? Do it. You ll love it. Keep Austin Holy needs your help in identifying outstanding volunteers. We recognize volunteers monthly in our Volunteer Spotlight. Please contact the director of volunteer ministry to nominate an outstanding volunteer. Catholic Build 2008: Habitat for Humanity Participating in a Habitat for Humanity project is a great way to involve your ministry in building a better community both for your parish and for Austin. As the walls of the home
Sunday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Fall Festival Parishioners and visitors alike are invited to attend the Fall Festival, benefiting the School of St. Mary. The festival features food, games, a silent and live auction, live music and more! Breakfast Schedule Oct. 7 Senior Adult Ministry Oct. 14 Interfaith Hospitality Network Oct. 21 Los Amigos de las America Oct. 28 School of St. Mary Protecting God s Children Workshops Oct. 3, 6 9 p.m. St. Catherine of Siena Parish Oct. 13, 9 a.m. Noon St. Margaret Mary Parish Oct. 14, 2 5 p.m. St. Austin Parish Oct. 20, 9 a.m. Noon St. Elizabeth Parish Oct. 25, 6:30 9:30 p.m. St. John Neumann Parish Molding a servant s heart Hold umbrellas for parishioners on the way to their cars. Give the gift of your smile. Send home a note telling parents something their child did well. Adopt a homeless pet from the humane society. Organize a service project to help people with packages at the mall or grocery. Need a speaker? are raised, a more stable life is created for a family, with windows that preview a new and brighter future and doors that can open into new opportunities. A new Habitat for Humanity ministry at the is growing. Individuals can get involved or you can involve your whole ministry as a service project. For opportunities to get involved individually or bring your ministry closer together by participating in the Habitat for Humanity ministry, please contact the director of volunteer ministry at (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112 today. CSA DVD released at ministry meetings The 2007 Catholic Services Appeal The Word Dwells Among Us will be conducted the first weekend in November during all masses. A DVD from Bishop Aymond has been made available from the Office of Stewardship and Development to explain the appeal and how it differs from the Our Faith Our Legacy capital campaign conducted in 2006. CSA is an annual appeal for the operating expenses for several diocesan services. The video is 10 minutes and we are asking each ministry to set aside time during your latest October meeting to view in place of showing during masses on appeal weekend. Please contact Marianne Larson in the Stewardship Office at (512) 472-1525 or mlarson@saintmaryscathedral.org to reserve the video and equipment. The video is available in English and Spanish. Ministry members tagged on school campus If you are a ministry member or volunteer of any capacity who will be on the or School grounds Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., we are now asking you to wear visitor passes. In an effort to make sure our School children are protected, anyone on campus needs to be easily identifiable. Please be sure to check in with the church office or school office to acquire a visitor s id badge and sign in the guest book. Thank you for helping us protect God s children! Fall Festival features live entertainment and family fun The School of St. Mary will be holding its Annual Fall Festival on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. located at 910 San Jacinto. There will be lots of food, vendor booths, game
To invite the director of volunteer ministry to speak to your ministry, religious ed class, young adult group, Knights council, Bible study or just about anything else, call the office at (512) 476-6182 Ext. 112 or just e-mail me at jjones@saintmaryscathedral.org. booths and a live and silent auction. Live entertainment will be provided by children s music entertainer Joe McDermott, musical group C est La Vie, D.J. Rysk, Christian band Before the Throne and musical trio Los Tres Castros. This free family event is open to the public and will benefit the students education at the School of St. Mary. For more information, please call the school office at (512) 476-1480 or visit their Web site at http://school.saintmaryscathedral.org. Ministries Wish List Boys Choir: Singers School of St. Mary: Fall Festival volunteers Rosary Leaders: Substitutes to lead Rosary during the week CFF: Volunteers to help open, close and inspect classrooms Youth Ministry: Adult team leaders Latin Mass community: choir members, male altar servers Evangelization Committee: Members to help welcome new parishioners Pro-Life Activities: Volunteers with passion for pro-life ministries Spanish Choir: Musical trainer to lead training Taize: Singers, musicians, photographer Closing So let s pray that we may regularly take time to thank God for all the blessings He bestows on us. And let us continue to pray that we may be persistent in our stewardship, even when it is not convenient. Quote of the Day It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look. ~ St. Francis of Assisi
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