Here's the latest news from St. Austin Catholic Parish! 

Christmas Basket Project

Our annual Christmas Basket Project is underway! To get involved, click here.
Advent & Christmas 2016

Advent is just around the corner! A copy of our Advent and Christmas 2016 schedule was in the bulletin this past weekend, and copies were also mailed home to you in our annual Advent letter from Fr. Chuck. Here are our liturgical highlights:

Nov. 26-27, First Sunday of Advent--Wreath blessing at all Masses

Dec. 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception--Masses at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Dec. 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe--Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The evening Mass will include mariachis and matachines. Fiesta to follow 6 p.m.Mass.

Dec. 19, Communal Reconciliation Service--Begins at 7 p.m., with individual confessions to follow

Dec. 24, Christmas Eve--Masses at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Dec. 25, Christmas Day--Masses at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God--Regular Weekend Mass schedule

Jan. 7-8, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord--Regular Weekend Mass schedule
Annual Holiday Fair 
Sat., Dec. 3, 3-7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 4, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
in the Gym  

The Holiday Fair is a Christmas market and community social to raise funds for parish ministries and to offer the opportunity to shop from a selection of unique items and gifts, including Fair Trade vendors and alternative giving options as well as handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, home decor and more.

This year we will have musical performances from the St. Austin Catholic School Choir & Band (Sat. at 4 p.m.), and the church's ensembles and choir (Sunday). There will be door prizes throughout the event, and Santa is visiting each day. To learn more visit http://www.staustin.org/holidayfair.
New St. Augustine of Canterbury Icon

In our Nov. 6 bulletin, Fr. Sparks shared with us a new icon image of St. Augustine of Canterbury created by Sister Mary Stella McNamee from the Hyning Monastery in Lancashire, England. Sister Stella is the aunt of parishioner Patrick McNamee, and she donated her time, talent and prayer to create this treasure brought to us by Patrick a few weeks ago.
The art of creating an icon is a spiritual exercise. The person prays, fasts, reflects on the spiritual world and their subject's life in particular. Then, and only then, when they are fully ready, do they begin to put paint and/or metal to canvas. The resulting icon is considered not solely or merely a 'representation,' but an actual window of insight into God's realm and this saint's own life.
We are excited to share this new icon with our parish. On Sun., Dec. 18 after the 8:45 a.m. Mass, the icon will be blessed and installed in the parish office lobby. All are welcome to join us!
Help Decorate the Church for Christmas!

This family-friendly event is on Tues., Dec. 20. Come to the Church at 10 a.m. to help our decor team make the church sparkle and shine for the birth of Christ! ALL ages are welcome.
Free Online Resources for Advent

The Living The Eucharist Mobil App from Paulist Evangelization ministries includes daily devotionals, videos and seasonal content.

Liturgical Publications is offering daily reflections via email.

Online Advent calendar with daily reflections and ideas from the USCCB. Other online resources are also available on this page.

Articles and reflections from writers and editors of Our Sunday Visitor.

Loyola Press provides links to dozens of resources, including videos and podcasts, through their Ignatian Spirituality website.

Weekly reflections from Catholic Relief Services:
See what's happening on our social sites:
St. Austin Catholic Parish | [email protected] | www.staustin.org | 512-477-9471