The summer schedule of Adult Faith Formation offerings is here! Click on the titles below to learn more about the upcoming opportunites to deepen your faith:

*Theology of the Body- An introduction to teaching from Pope John Paul II on how to embrace the life God desires for us.

*Just Neighbors- Jesus told us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Come for a closer look at who your neighbor is and how to respond.

*Celebrating the Mass- A 6-week bible study on the scriptural foundations of the Mass.

*Summer line-up of speakers at Catholic Q&A!

Full Schedule of Summer Offerings

Childcare is available for these events. See Resources for more information on childcare.

For more information about any of these opportunties, contact Dawn at 258-1944 ext 235 or dawn@stmaustin.org.

We are excited to announce that our parish is doing a parish photo directory in 2010. This directory will help you connect names with faces in our community. We published the last parish photo directory in 2003. We are using the Olan Mills Church Directories company.

We encourage all parishioners to participate! All we ask is that you have your picture taken by a professional photographer and meet with a Portrait Consultant at the church. Our August sign ups are almost full, but we hope to add new appointment times in early September.

SIGNING UP FOR A PHOTO APPOINTMENT:

Contact Olan Mills: Call 1-800-866-2263 and mention that you are from St. Thomas More Church in Austin OR visit www.signup.olanmills.com. Please use 51381 for our Church Contract Number.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY HAD YOUR PHOTO TAKEN:

• Thank you for taking the time to help our parish with this project!
• Completed directories should be ready for distribution in early December.
• If you have any issues with the quality or delivery of photos you ordered through Olan Mills, please contact them at the number above.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR AN UPCOMING APPOINTMENT:

• Please honor your appointments to minimize any make up sessions we will have to schedule.
• Please check in at Room 211 of the RE Building (recent change from 207).
• You should receive a reminder phone call from Olan Mills two days before your scheduled appointment.
• If you need to confirm, cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call Olan Mills at 1-800-866-2263 or online.

BENEFITS OF HAVING A FAMILY PORTRAIT TAKEN:

• Every participating family/household that selects a pose for the directory will receive a FREE directory and complimentary 8x10 Custom Natural Portrait.
• You will need to come to the parish only once for photography and for portrait viewing.
• You will have the opportunity to order additional portraits during your scheduled appointment time.
• If you wish to purchase extras, the portraits come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
• Whether you decide to dress formally or casually, you will want to make the most of this opportunity.
• The program is available at no cost to our church budget.

Below is a listing of upcoming events in the Austin Diocese. This list was updated on July 30th, 2010.

Upcoming Events at CedarBrake Retreat Center:

“Letting Go…Going Forward” – August 7th: It is often challenging to “let go” of past hurts, relationships and jobs, but we are called to trust that which we do not fully understand. This retreat day is an invitation to look at ways of moving forward based on scripture and reflections from the book, “When the Heart Waits,” by Sue Monk Kidd. The day will include quiet time and lunch. Brian Egan, Cedarbrake Director will lead the day. The cost is $30.

“A Weekend with St. Therese of Lisieux” – August 20th to 22nd: Brother Joel Giallanza, CSC will lead this weekend retreat exploring the spiritual life through the life and writings of St. Therese. St. Therese was a French Carmelite nun in the 19th century. She is affectionately called the Little Flower for her way of living and writings that state the “little ways” to love are extremely important for spiritual growth. Brother Joel will discuss the wisdom of St. Therese as evident in her writings. Brother Joel is a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross and is well known throughout the diocese as a retreat master, spiritual director and author. The cost is $165 for a private room and $135 for a double.

“Accentuate the Positive, Graced Aging” - September 14th: Growing older is a challenge at any age, but it is always an opportunity that opens us to spiritual transformation which is after all the goal of life. This day will challenge us to see beyond the obvious wrinkles to the gift that life is. Pat Stankus will use scripture, contemporary authors, humor and a variety of resources to present this day The cost is $30 and includes lunch.

Contact: (254) 780-2436 or cedarbrake@austindiocese.org.

A Course on Church History will be offered on Thursday evenings at St. Margaret Mary parish in Cedar Park starting on July 29th. Classes will be from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. for six weeks in RE Room 106/108. Adults are invited to attend “Church History,” a course which analyzes major persons, events, and doctrinal issues of 20 centuries of Catholicism. The instructor is Harvey Bollich, PhD. (theology), St. Margaret parishioner and former teacher in Catholic colleges and high schools. There is no fee for the course.

Contact: Harvey Bollich at 260-0301.

Fr. Corapi is coming to San Antonio: Now is the time to get your tickets for Saturday, August 7th. That’s the day world renowned Catholic preacher Fr. John Corapi, S.O.L.T. will make a rare speaking appearance at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. You’ve seen Fr. Corapi on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and heard him on Catholic radio, now you have the opportunity to see him in person. Fr. Corapi will give four talks on the subject of “Life, Love and the Purpose of Our Existence.”

Contact: Please visit www.fathercorapisa.com.

NAMI BBQ Fundraiser on August 20th: There will be a BBQ Block Party on Friday, August 20th at 7:00 p.m. at 2911 Briona Wood Lane in Volente Hills. This will be a fundraiser for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) to increase public awareness about mental illness and the devastating effect it has on the lives of 1 out of 5 families in the U.S. There will be BBQ, refreshments, a live band, a silent auction and more. Bring your family and your friends for this evening of fun.

Contact: Frances Musgrove at 512-350-4476 or fsanpaolo@austin.rr.com.

The Austin Prayer Vigil For August is Saturday, August 21st at Santa Cruz in Austin. Mass will begin at 7:00 a.m. Following the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the church and a car caravan will travel to Austin Women’s Health where the Mysteries of the Rosary will be prayed at the site from 8:20 – 9:50 a.m. Benediction will follow Santa Cruz at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served at 10:40 a.m. All are invited to attend.

Contact: Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living for at 512-949-2486.

Bible Studies at Emmaus Parish in Lakeway:

_A “Quick Journey through the Bible”_ is an 8-part introduction to the Bible Timeline learning system made popular by Catholic Bible teacher Jeff Cavins. This study, offered at Emmaus Parish, will commence Tuesday morning, September 14th, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., and on Thursday evening, September 9th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. The course is an excellent introduction to Bible study for Catholic adults and is designed to give the student a brief overview of salvation history, from Genesis through the resurrection of Christ and the establishment of the Catholic Church.

“Matthew: The King and His Kingdom”: Building directly on the foundation laid in The Bible Timeline, Step Two in The Great Adventure Bible Study Series, Matthew: The King and His Kingdom, shows how Jesus builds on the foundation laid in the Old Testament to inaugurate the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. It will meet on Wednesday mornings beginning September 15th from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Contact: Sharon K. Perkins at 512-261-8500 ext. 301 or sharon.perkins@emmauslakeway.com.

Pilgrimage to Italy in November: Join Fr. Danny Garcia from St. Vincent de Paul parish on a 9 day / 7 night pilgrimage to Italy from November 15th to 23rd. Visit Rome, Assisi, and Orvieto. The cost is $2,495 per person.

Contact: Fr. Garcia at 512-255-1389 or fr.danny@svdpparish.org.