March 7, 2009: Natural Family Planning Class

The Couple to Couple League will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Saturday, March 7th from 10am to 11:30am. Please contact Robert and Kelly Tavarez at 512-258-9304. Please register for the session by the preceding Wednesday. Cost is
$5 per couple.

January 29, 2009: Urge Support for the SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment

Urge Support for the SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment
January 29, 2009

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Call your senators and urge them to support the SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment.

WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW?

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has introduced an amendment to the SCHIP authorization bill that would codify in the law provisions currently included in regulations that allow states to interpret the word "child" to include the period from conception to birth. This move would allow states to retain choice and flexibility in how best to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children. Access to prenatal care will allow more children to be born in good health, without a need for more extensive and expensive medical intervention.

WHAT DOES THIS ISSUE HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?

Catholic teaching tells us that everyone has “the right to live” as well as “the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services” (Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, #11).
The SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment ensures that pregnant women and their unborn children will also benefit from the SCHIP program. Catholic teaching affirms the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We insist that access to adequate health care is a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care for all.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn now to urge support for the SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment.

Click here to for information on how to contact Senator Hutchison by phone or on the web.

Click here to contact Senator Cornyn on the web.

Sample Message:

Dear Senator, I am contacting you to urge your support for the SCHIP Unborn Child Amendment, which will extend SCHIP coverage to pregnant women and their unborn children.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joan Rosenhaur, USCCB Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, JPHDmail@usccb.org.


________________________________________

The Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas, and is the Official Public Policy Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas. For more information on the TCC, visit
www.TXcatholic.org.

Texas Catholic Conference
1600 North Congress Avenue, Suite B
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.txcatholic.org/

February 2009: Natural Family Planning Classes

The Couple to Couple League will host an Introductory Session in North Austin on Saturday February 7, 2009 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church from 10 - 11:30am. Registration is required by the Wednesday before and there is a $ 5 fee. For more information or to register, please contact Robert and Kelly Tavarez at (512) 258-9304.

February 2009: Pending Executions

We lift up and entrust their soul to the mercy of God, asking forgiveness for their crime and forgiveness for all violence which takes place in the world. We also lift up the victims and families of this violent crime, and all those involved in this execution, that they may come to find mercy, healing, forgiveness, and peace.

*David Martinez, 36, is scheduled to be executed on February 4, 2009.

*Dale Devon Scheanette, 35, is scheduled to be executed on February 10, 2009.

*Johnny Ray Johnson, 51, is scheduled to be executed on February 12, 2009.

February 28, 2009: Killeen Vigil for Life

Killeen Vigil for Life
Saturday, February 28, 2009
8:30 A.M.
Celebrant: Father Brian Eilers

8:30 A.M. Meet for Mass at: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2903 E. Rancier Ave., Killeen, TX 76543

9:45 A.M. Car Caravan and Procession

10:00-11:00 A.M. Pray the Mysteries of the Rosary @ Killeen Women’s Health Center, 3106 S.W. Young Dr. Killeen, Texas

11:15 A.M. Return to St Joseph Catholic Church for closing and fellowship.

For more information, please contact Karen Hinze, 254-931-3700

February 21, 2009: Austin Vigil for Life

Austin Vigil for Life
Saturday, February 21, 2009
St. Helen Catholic Church
Celebrant: Msgr. Louis Pavlicek

7:00 AM Meet for Mass at: St. Helen Catholic Church, 2700 E. University Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626

7:50-10:30 AM ADORATION of the Blessed Sacrament – for those who wish to stay and pray. Special prayer manuals will be provided for adoration.

7:50 AM Car Caravan and Procession to Whole Women’s Health of Austin

8:20-9:50 AM PRAY the Mysteries of the Rosary at: Whole Women’s Health of Austin, 8401 N IH 35, Austin, Texas 78753

10:30 AM BENEDICTION

10:40 AM Refreshments: Hosted by St. Helen Parish

For more information, please Bob Christiansen at 512-255-8551

March 18-21, 2009: Theology of The Body Trainings

Christopher West, fellow at The Theology of The Body Institute, will be in the Catholic Diocese of Austin March 18-21 offering a number of lectures and classes. For more information, contact Dr. Geri Telepak at (512) 949-2469 or e-mail her at geri-telepak@austindiocese.org.

• March 18: Called to Greatness at St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station, 7 to 9:30 p.m.,On-site registration at 6 p.m., $5 or free with student ID.
• March 19: Introduction to the Theology of the Body for Priests and Seminarians at the Pastoral Center in Austin, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8 a.m. on-site registration, $25 include study guide and lunch.
• March 20: Introduction to the Theology of the Body for Deacons, Catholic School Teachers, DREs and Catechists at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8 a.m. on-site registration, $35 includes study guide and lunch.
• March 20-21: Introduction to the Theology of the Body, open to all at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, Friday: 6 p.m. on-site registration, 7 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday session begins at 9 a.m., $50 for both days, includes study guide and lunch.

February 7, 2009: Sidewalk Angel Training

To prepare for the Spring 40 Days for Life campaign set to begin Feb. 25, the Catholic Diocese of Austin Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living will have a Sidewalk Angel Training on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at Brennan Auditorium at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. All Catholics who wish to distribute literature or hold signs that inform women outside abortion facilities about the support and care available to them, must attend this training. The training will also equip participants to speak and pray with women and men considering abortion, should the opportunity arise. Non-Catholics are also welcome. Please register no later than Feb. 4. For more information, contact Marie Seale at (512) 949-2487 or e-mail her at marie-seale@austindiocese.org.

May 2009: Rachel's Vineyard Training

Friday& Saturday May 1-2, 2009
Fort Worth Texas- Clinical /Regional Training

Contact: Steve & Betsy Kopor
forgiven@racheltx.org
Presenter(s): Theresa Burke PhD, Kevin Burke MSW
Rachel's Vineyard is on the web at: www.rachelsvineyard.org
Our national toll-free hotline is (877) HOPE-4-ME.

Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats for emotional and spiritual healing after abortion are held internationally. Rachel’s Vineyard welcomes women, men, couples, grandparents and former abortion providers. Our retreats are held in both Catholic and Interdenominational settings. Rachel's Vineyard Ministries is a resource for clinical training, education, and healing models.

Rachel’s Vineyard is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.

We work in partnership with Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries.

February 2009: 40 Days for Life Austin

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program:

• Prayer and fasting

• Constant vigil

• Community outreach

This is a national campaign in which there is constant vigil outside abortion facilities for 40 Days, at least 12 hours each day. The next campaign takes place February 25 through April 5. For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Marie Seale at marie-seale@austindiocese.org or 512-949-2487

www.40daysforlife.com/austin

January 30, 2009: Annual Benefit Banquet for Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter

The Annual Benefit Banquet for Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter in Temple will be held on the evening of Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Bell County Expo Center. To purchase a table or tickets or for more information, please call 254-742-2340.

January 26 2009: Brazos Valley Pro-Life Mass

Brazos Valley Pro-Life Mass

Everyone is invited to attend a Pro-Life Mass to be celebrated on Monday, January 26 at 5:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church in College Station by Bishop Gregory Aymond. A reception will be hosted afterwards in the parish hall.

Jan 25, 2009: FOCA Postcard Campaign

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is a very serious threat to pro-life policies, and that is why Bishop Gregory Aymond is asking the Diocese of Austin parishes to participate in this campaign the weekend of January 24-25.

I encourage you to talk to you pastors about the campaign and to pray every day and work for a successful campaign in your parish and in our Diocese.

January 24, 2009: Annual January Pro-Life Activities

The Office of Pro-Life Activities invites all Catholics of the Diocese of Austin to prayerfully unite with Bishop Gregory Aymond on behalf of greater respect for all human life at the annual Diocesan Pro-Life Mass scheduled for Jan. 24 at San José Parish in Austin. This Mass will also be a diocesan Mass in honor of St. Paul. A schedule of events follows:

• Prayer Vigil: Participants will gather At 7 a.m. in the parking lot of San José and car caravan to Planned Parenthood of South Austin where the rosary will be prayed. The caravan will then return to San José.
• Rosary and Mass for Life: A Rosary for Life will begin at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. All priests of the diocese are invited to concelebrate. A meal (for a nominal fee) will be served in the parish hall following the Mass.
• March and Rally for Life: The Texas Alliance for Life will host the annual march and rally at the Capitol following Mass. The march up Congress begins at 1:30 p.m. at Fourth and Guadalupe streets followed by the Rally for Life on the south steps of the Capitol from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Party for Life: Immediately after the rally, Catholics of all ages are invited to a Party for Life at the UT Catholic Center on 2010 University Ave. The Catholic Longhorns for Life and the Office of Pro-Life Activities invite all to tour the UT Catholic Center, to meet our diocesan seminarians and enjoy refreshments, fun and fellowship from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP for this event by calling (512) 949-2487.

For more information about any of these events, call the Office of Pro-Life Activities at (512) 949-2487

January 22 2009: Thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade

January 22 is the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which

legalized abortion. For 36 years, Christians have worked to restore the basic right to life, which

John Paul II said was the foundation for all other rights in society. Today, we perform acts of

penance both in reparation for crimes against human dignity caused by abortion and in

intercession to God to grant wisdom to our nation and civil leaders, that they might know and

protect life from conception to natural death.

 

January 2009: Pending Executions

Pending Executions for January 2009

We lift up and entrust their soul to the mercy of God, asking forgiveness for their crime and forgiveness for all violence which takes place in the world. We also lift up the victims and families of this violent crime, and all those involved in this execution, that they may come to find mercy, healing, forgiveness, and peace.

Curtis Moore, 50, is schedule to be executed on January 14, 2009 for a crime
committed on August 15, 1998. He was 40 years old when he committed the crime.

Jose Garcia Briseno, 49, is scheduled to be executed on January 15, 2009 for the
January 5, 1991 murder of a sheriff. He was 33 when he committed the crime.

Frank Moore, 49, is scheduled to be executed on January 21, 2009 for the
January 21, 1994 murders of a 23 year old male and a 15 year old male. He was 34
when he committed the crime.


Reginald Perkins, 53, is scheduled to be executed on January 22, 2009 for the
December 4, 2000 murder of his step mother. He was 45 when he committed the
crime.

Virgil Euristi Martinez, 41, is scheduled to be executed on January 28, 2009 for
the October 1, 1996 murder of a 27 year old female and her two children, ages 3
and 6 and an 18 year old male. He was 28 when he committed the crime.

Ricardo Ortiz, 46, is scheduled to be executed on January 29, 2009 for the
August 18, 1997 murder of a 22 year old male. He was 34 when he committed the
crime.

January 2009: NFP classes

Natural Family Planning: The Couple to Couple League will host two series of NFP classes in January.

The first will be held at St. Vincent de Paul parish starting on Saturday, January 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Robert and Kelly Tavarez at 258-9304, or Ktavarez@swbell.net. The second will be held at Seton Northwest Hospital with classes starting on Wednesday, January 14th from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. in Conf Room B. For more information or to register, please contact Dan and Barb Jaloway at 592-9321 or dan.jaloway@sbcglobal.net.

2009 Texas Catholic Conference Legislative Events

2009 Texas Catholic Conference Legislative Events:

• Legislative Mass, January 27
• Charity & Justice Advocacy Day, February 17
• Life & Family Life Advocacy Day, March 31

For more information regarding these events go to www.txcatholic.org

http://txcatholic.org/documents/events/LegislativeMassandAdvocacyDayFlier.pdf

Dec. 27-28: Special collection for Family and Pro-Life Activities and Maternity Homes

Dec. 27-28: Special collection for Family and Pro-Life Activities and Maternity Homes

Each year the special collection taken up on the Feast of the Holy Family supports maternity homes, foster care programs and adoption services and helps expectant mothers. The appeal, taken up on Dec. 27-28, specifically supports the Annunciation Maternity Home in Georgetown and Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Home in Temple.

 

 

Theology of the Body

The Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living, in preparation for offering a Theology of the Body certification, is seeking anyone in the Diocese of Austin who has received Theology of the Body Certification from the Theology of the Body Institute. If you have received other training in Theology of the Body, we would also be interested to hear from you. Please contact Marie Seale at (512) 949-2487