Diocese of Austin

09/10/2026

Welcome to Daily Mass from the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the diocesan Pastoral Center.

We stream our noon Mass every weekday. You can also watch it at www.austindiocese.org/stream.

09/09/2026

The late Bishop John E. McCarthy, the third bishop of our Diocese of Austin, left a lasting legacy of faith in action through his dedication to social justice and care for those on the margins. Inspired by that legacy, Maryknoll Lay Missioners established the Bishop John E. McCarthy Spirit of Mission Award in 2019.

Each year, the award recognizes "a returned Maryknoll lay missioner who demonstrates ongoing passion and dedication to living out their mission vocation."

This year, we join in congratulating Steve and Laura Brown, founders of Casa Alma, a "Catholic Worker community in Charlottesville dedicated to providing safe, stable, and affordable housing to families experiencing homelessness."

Returned Maryknoll lay missioners Steve and Laura Brown founded the Casa Alma Catholic Worker community after returning from mission in Chile. Their commitment to the unhoused, mission and justice is now being honored with the 2026 Bishop John E. McCarthy Spirit of Mission Award.

09/08/2026

Congratulations to Scott Whitaker, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation - Diocese of Austin and Secretariat Director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, who has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Consortium of Catholic Foundations, a national network advancing Catholic philanthropy across the United States.

The Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin is proud to announce that Scott Whitaker, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation, has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Consortium of Catholic Foundations, a national network advancing Catholic philanthropy across the United States. His three-year term began in July 2026.
The Consortium of Catholic Foundations is a collaborative network of more than 60 Catholic foundation CEOs representing 31 states. It works to strengthen Catholic philanthropy through shared resources, innovation, leadership, and best practices.
As a member of the Steering Committee, Whitaker will help guide national initiatives, contribute to strategic conversations on emerging trends and best practices, and support planning for the Consortium’s annual CEO conference.
“I am honored to serve on the Steering Committee and to represent the Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin in this national conversation,” said Whitaker. “The Consortium provides a tremendous opportunity for Catholic foundations to learn from one another, share what is working, and strengthen our collective ability to serve the Church. I look forward to bringing the perspective of the Diocese of Austin to this work while bringing new ideas and best practices back to our parishes, schools, ministries, and donors.”
Whitaker has served as the founding Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation since its establishment in 2007. Throughout his career with the Diocese of Austin, he has helped lead the Foundation’s growth in assets, endowments, donor services, and support for Catholic parishes, schools, ministries, and organizations throughout Central Texas.
With extensive experience in philanthropy, major gifts, planned giving, donor engagement, strategic communications, and organizational leadership, Whitaker has focused on helping individuals and families create lasting charitable legacies that strengthen the Church and its ministries.
The Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin helps individuals and families establish charitable funds that provide lasting support for Catholic parishes, schools, ministries, and charitable organizations throughout Central Texas.
For more information:
Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin
www.catholicfdn.org

09/07/2026

Bishop Garcia's Message for Labor Day
———
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Labor Day, we give thanks to God for the gift of work and for all those who labor each day to support their families, serve their communities, and contribute to the common good.

May God bless all workers with strength and dignity; may he comfort those who are unemployed, underemployed or struggling, and may he instill employers with compassion and respect for all for whom they are entrusted.

As we go about our daily work let us reflect the love of Christ in every interaction. And so, my brothers and sisters, let us pray for each other, asking God to help us to be the most profound witnesses to all we encounter.

May God bless you and all who labor.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Daniel E. Garcia

09/05/2026

"Long before Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year podcast or Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ministry, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) was evangelizing U.S. Catholics using radio and television in new and effective ways." - Rachel Espinoza, Senior Editor of Faith Catholic,

"[Archbishop Sheen's] life shines as a striking example of a faithful shepherd with a true missionary heart. This September, his life and legacy will receive even greater attention and honor as the Church declares him Blessed."

"The Mass for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be held in St. Louis on Thursday, Sept. 24, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presiding." Read the full story: https://austindiocese.news/archbishop-fulton-j-sheen-be-beatified-september

09/04/2026

Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Intention this September: For the care of water 🙏💧
———
Lord of Life, You have given us the gift of water, source of fruitfulness, freshness, and hope. It quenches thirst, nourishes the earth, and heals wounds.

We thank You, because it is also a symbol of your grace and love that renews us through Baptism. Today we ask You to teach us to safeguard it with gratitude, justice, and responsibility.

Forgive us for turning it into a commodity, forgetting that it is a universal gift, a right without borders, meant for all your children. We see with pain so many brothers and sisters who lack clean water, who walk for miles to find it, who become ill due to its scarcity.

May your Spirit make us pilgrims of the essential, able to live with simplicity, denouncing waste and pollution, defending the right of every brother and sister to drink without fear and without inequality.

May our care for water be a sign of love for the Creator and a commitment to the lives of the poor, educating new generations to value and protect the Earth’s resources. Amen.

09/03/2026

Pope Leo XIV asks us to pray for the care of water: "Yet 1 in 4 people worldwide still lack safe drinking water. Entire communities and nations need our action and our prayer for the care of water..."

09/03/2026

The Diocese of Austin invites you to a morning gathering celebrating the Season of Creation. Based on this year's Season of Creation theme, the morning will focus on Living Water: Renewing our Common Home in the Spirit of St. Francis, a tribute to the Season of Creation and the Jubilee & Vigil Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

📆 October 3 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
📍 St. Austin Catholic Parish

The day will include prayer, fellowship, and talks from local environmental organizations. Learn more: https://www.austindiocese.org/living-water

09/02/2026

Did you know that a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) can be a powerful way to support the causes you care about and receive income for life? With a CGA, you can:
🔹 Receive fixed payments for life
🔹 Potentially reduce your taxes
🔹 Support the mission of the Church
🔹 Create a legacy rooted in faith and generosity

Your gift can help the Diocese of Austin further its mission and provide you with regular payments for life. Want to learn more about how to give through a CGA? Visit austindiocese.myplannedgift.org/charitable-gift-annuities

09/02/2026

Join us for the 35th Annual Red Mass, presented by the Diocese of Austin and the St. Thomas More Society.

The Red Mass, celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Saint Mary Cathedral in Austin.

This longstanding tradition invites judges, attorneys, law professors, law students, public officials, and all members of the legal profession to gather in prayer and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the administration of justice and service to the common good.

Following Mass, all are invited to attend a ticketed dinner reception at 7 p.m. at the Austin Club, featuring keynote speaker The Honorable Leslie H. Southwick of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Purchase tickets or become a sponsor: https://www.austindiocese.org/red-mass