Ethics & Integrity
On Jan. 1, 2002, the Diocese of
Austin instated new policies on
Ethics and Integrity
in Ministry (EIM)
for all employees and those volunteers who minister to youth or
vulnerable adults in the diocese. In August 2008 these policies were
revised: all those required to be compliant with these policies must
attend an EIM workshop every 3 years (applications do not have to be
updated).
Policy on Ethics & Integrity in
MinistryAs volunteers,
paid staff, religious and clergy who serve the Catholic
Diocese of Austin, we share in the ministry of Jesus Christ,
a great privilege and an awesome responsibility. Our
diocesan policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, are
rooted in the Catholic understanding that each individual
must be respected and honored. Jesus had a deep, abiding
respect for each human being and would not harm or mislead
anyone in their personal or spiritual life. We must attempt
to do likewise.
Our diocesan EIM policies and
training focus primarily on the prevention of sexual abuse
as is required by the Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People. However, from the beginning we realized
that our policies must address more than the abuse of
minors. As ministers in the Diocese of Austin we are called
to demonstrate this by “doing our ministry” ethically and as
people of integrity. Thus, our policies also address other
behaviors that do not affirm our commitment that all who
minister in the diocese do so with respect for all whom they
serve. Such behaviors would include harassment, immoral
conduct and breaches of confidentiality, to name a few.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist distribute the Body
and Blood of Christ to the assembly during Mass. Duties of a Extraordinary
Minister of the Eucharist include assembling the necessary vessels before Mass
for the consecration and distribution of Communion under both species, preparing
sufficient quantities of bread and wine to provide Communion for that Mass,
sharing the Body and Blood of Christ with the faithful at Communion time and,
together with the deacon, purifying all the vessels used in the consecration and
distribution of the Sacrament. Meetings with the Extraordinary Ministers of the
Eucharist are regularly held to provide training and spiritual growth. Contact
the church office for more information.
Download the latest schedule.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist to the Sick and
Homebound.
Special Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist also take
Communion to members who are homebound, hospitalized or in a nursing home due to
illness or disability. Contact the church office if you would like to be an
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to the Sick and Homebound or if you have
a family member who needs these services.
*Note: Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and Ministers of the Word must
be in full Communion with the sacraments of the Church. Qualifications include
being a person of faith, having received all sacraments including Confirmation
and, if married, having been married in the Catholic Church.
Ministers of the Word (Lectors / Readers)
Lectors proclaim the Word of God from the Scriptures during
Mass. They also assist in reading the General Intercessions (and announcements).
Lectors have the opportunity to make that presence real to the people in the
congregation through the proclamation of the Scriptures, their understanding of
what is read, and their conviction of its truth and value in their lives.
Lector training is provided for all those interested in joining this ministry.
You will learn how to become an effective minister of the Word as well as how to
improve your understanding of the Scriptures. Separate follow up meetings with
the Ministers of the Word are regularly held. Lector training is held on as
needed basis. To register for the next training program for new lectors at St.
Anthony's, see contact list.
Download the latest lector schedule here.
Ministers of the Word for Children.
Ministers of the Word for Children lead children to the chapel
during the weekend Masses to share readings from the children's lectionary and
reflect with the children using a leader's guide. Contact the Religious
Education Director for more information.
Liturgy Committee
The Liturgy Committee plans and coordinates all aspects of
Sunday and Holy Day liturgies including theme, music, altar ministries, and
environment.
Download the Sacristan
Schedule.
Choirs
We have several choirs at St. Anthony's. Simply approach the
choir leader after mass to let them know you're interested in joining them.
Our music ministry involves music and singing. Each weekend Mass has its own
unique program. There is something for everyone. If your interest is music or
singing, contact one of our choirs. The choir groups enrich the Masses by
praising God with song and leading the parishioners to participate in Mass. All
music and voice talent is invited to join one of our groups. It is spiritually
uplifting and fun. Come see, hear and participate. Choir Director's names and
phone numbers are found in the contact list.
English Choir I, Cindy Deville Choir:
Sings 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays at 10:00
AM Mass.
English Choir II, Michelle Utley
Choir:
Sings Sunday at 8:00 AM
Mass.
English Choir III, (James
Esquivel) JMJ Family Choir: Sings 4th Sunday at 10:00 AM Mass.
Saturday Evening Choir:
Sings Saturdays at 5:30 PM
Mass.
Spanish Choirs:
Sundays at 12:00 noon Mass.
La misa de las 12:00.
Youth Choir:
Sings 2nd Sunday at 10:00 AM Mass.
PLG Singers:
Sings for special events
Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
Ministers of Hospitality help create an atmosphere of
welcoming while assisting parishioners with seating, collecting the offering,
recovering articles left in the church, distributing bulletins, and handling
emergencies when the people gather for Mass or other liturgical functions. If
you would like to volunteer to become a minister of hospitality, call the
minister leader phone number on the contact list.
Download the latest Usher's schedule here.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
svdp-samc.weebly.com
“For I was
hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a
stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you
treated me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35
The St. Vincent De Paul Society is an
international Catholic organization of lay persons, who seek, in the
spirit of justice and charity and by a person-to-person involvement, to
help those who are suffering. We are a voice to the poor. We avoid
involving ourselves in party politics, but try not only to alleviate
poverty but also to discover and remedy situations which cause poverty.
We do not and will not hesitate to take unpopular stands in order to
obtain justice and combat the alienation of the poor. We seek, through
prayer, meditation on the scriptures, and teachings of Jesus Christ,
through our daily lives and in our relationship with those in need, to
bear witness to the love of Christ. Contact the St. Vincent de Paul
President to become a member.
The St. Vincent De Paul Society makes
home visits to interview those families needing help with food, utility
payments, prescriptions, etc. If you are a family that needs assistance,
please call the Saint Vincent de Paul number and ask for help.
Are you in need of temporary assistance?
The St. Vincent De Paul Society makes home visits to interview those families
needing help with food, utility payments, prescriptions, etc. If you are a
family that needs assistance, please call the Saint Vincent de Paul number and
ask for help. Contact Gordon Dye at 512-738-2234
Spiritual &
Evangelization Committee
The Spiritual & Evangelization committee plans activities for
our church to bring our community closer to God.
Altar Servers
F.R.O.G., with its fabulous team of leaders, is a
comprehensive ministry consisting of High School and Middle School groups. It is
built on the foundation of God's love and mercy.
The F.R.O.G. High School Ministry has as its goal to preach and teach the word
of God to the teens of our parish. Teens endeavor to minister to their peers
within the parish and community, bringing the love of God to those they
encounter. Youth members serve as Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, ushers,
lectors, choir members, Pastoral Council and ACTS Retreat team members
The F.R.O.G. Middle School Ministry's mission is to empower young people to live
as disciples of Jesus Christ with Spiritual growth and responsibilities to the
life, mission and works of our Catholic faith community in our world today.
Their activities include preparation for Confirmation, lock-in retreats, youth
choir, and supporting the community with varied outreach services.
The F.R.O.G. Youth Ministry invites all teens of our parish to experience a new
way of thinking. Come share your faith with them! They welcome you with open
arms and open hearts and challenge you to join them in becoming Disciples of
Christ.
Breakfast Ministry:
Families, Organizations, and
Ministries can take part in cooking and serving breakfast to the St.
Anthony's parishioners after the Sunday morning 8am and 10am mass. The
church will provide the groceries, you just provide your time and labor.
All money received goes back to the church towards the building fund.
Contact
the office if you'd like to be added to the
breakfast schedule.
Newcomers / Welcoming Ministry
We welcome new parishioners and want them to feel they belong
to and are part of our parish family. Newcomers are contacted by a sponsor
parishioner who will answer questions about our parish. We encourage newcomers
to get involved in church so that they may meet other parishioners while sharing
and spreading the good news of Christ's love. If you are interested in serving
on this committee or have any questions, call the number on the contact list.
Hospice... With you and your family when you need it most
Serving Our Community: Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC)
Hospice Care
When you or someone you love is diagnosed with a terminal illness, many issues
arise. One choice that may be right for you is hospice care. Hospice care is a
special way of caring for people with terminal illness and their families. This
care includes physical care, spiritual care and counseling. The goals of hospice
care are to ensure comfort, peace and dignity in the last chapter of your life
and to assist your bereaved family in their grieving process. Your doctor and
CTMC Hospice Care will work with you and your family to set up a plan of care
that meets your needs. A team of hospice health care professionals will help
take
care of you in your home, nursing facility or hospital. Hospice is provided at
no cost for patients with Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance. CTMC
Hospice Care can provide financial assistance to those in need. If you or
someone you love is considering the loving choice of hospice care, please
contact CTMC Hospice Care so a staff member can help you make an informed
choice.
Funeral
Meal Ministry
The Funeral Meal Ministry of hospitality is especially
welcomed and needed when there is a death in the family. Call the Church Office
if you need this service or to find out how you can help provide food for a
deceased parishioner's family on the day of the funeral.
MINISTRIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
The following ministries are just a few of many that are
available through the Diocese of Austin. Other ministries and information are
available at the Diocese of Austin website: www.austindiocese.org
Retrouvaille
The purpose of Retrouvaille is to help heal and renew troubled marriages. It's a
program for couples who believe their marriage is lacking something and are
willing to leave the past behind to strive to rediscover each other in a new and
positive way. Go to
www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230
Office of Vocations
The Office of Vocations recruits, counsels, and helps seminarians during their
formation for the priesthood. The office offers programs and retreats for men
and women who wish to discern a call to the priesthood or religious life. The
office also works to raise awareness of the need for vocations. For more
information, contact the Office of Vocations.
Marriage Encounter
The Marriage Encounter program is designed to meet the needs of married couples.
It has been in the Diocese of Austin since 1981. Worldwide Marriage Encounter
began as a movement within the Catholic Church in the 1960's. It is a weekend
experience for married couples offering a technique of loving communication that
helps couples continue to grow in love and appreciation for each other.
Adult Formation Diocese of Austin
The Diocese of Austin has an adult formation program each year. The goal of the
program is to foster personal faith growth and/or leadership development of lay
Catholics. All fully-initiated adult Catholics ?those who have been baptized,
have received Eucharist and have been confirmed? who want to learn and
understand the Catholic Church's teachings, are invited to attend. Sessions
begin in late September, continue through Thanksgiving, and resume in early
January and continue through the first week of May, excluding spring break and
Holy Week. All sessions are two hours in length.
Those who finish the entire three years of study may choose to enter a fourth
year, which is individually supervised. Diocesan Certification can be obtained
upon completion of the fourth year, in a particular area of ministry.
Participants may attend just one session or commit to the entire program. There
is no charge
for the program, other than materials offered for purchase at various sessions.
For more information, contact the Diocese of Austin Pastoral Center.