The special collection this weekend (October 17-18) is for World Mission Sunday. Through prayer and sacrifice we are able to support those missionaries who bring the Good News of Jesus to faraway places. In doing so, we are renewing our own vocation as missionaries. The Church is, after all, missionary. This weekend we invite you to celebrate the hope that saves through prayer and participation in the Eucharist, and by giving generously to the World Mission Sunday collection. Your vital contribution to the Pontifical Mission Societies will support those 1,150 young mission dioceses and communities who await the Good News of Jesus as their saving hope.

From the E-Pistle: All parishes in the Diocese of Austin are asked to take up a special collection at all Masses to assist with the Catholic response to the damage left by recent floods and tornadoes. A letter was sent to all priests regarding this request. You can read that letter by clicking on the title to this article.

Knights' twin efforts to help those suffering religious persecution in Iraq includes $2 million in aid and a prayer campaign for peace. “Our twin efforts are a concrete response to Pope Francis’ request for prayers and material assistance for those affected by this terrible persecution,” explained Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. He added, “We are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and to support our efforts to assist them by donating to this fund.”

Our parish will support Christians in the Holy Land through the Good Friday Collection. Please support our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land by giving to this special collection. The pontifical collection allows for care of Christianity?s holiest sites and for God?s people living in the Holy Land. Please Be Generous in Your Support!

Next week, our parish will take up the Catholic Relief Services Collection. This collection supports six Catholic agencies that touch more than 100 million lives around the world. The funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support to displaced refugees, and show Christ’s love and respect to all people. Next week, please give generously to the Catholic Relief Services Collection and help Jesus in disguise.

Each Ash Wednesday every parish in our diocese takes up a special collection for world and home missions. Click on the title for more information. Thank you for your support.

Catholic Relief Services has mounted a multi-pronged relief effort in response to a succession of disasters that have pummeled the Asia-Pacific region this week.

The annual diocesan Catholic Services Appeal will be conducted next weekend in our parish. Please prayerfully consider what you can pledge to support the educational, spiritual and outreach services offered by our diocese which serve people in ways that we as an individual parish could never do. Our parish goal is 100% participation and with your gift we can reach it. You should have received a letter and pledge card from Bishop Joe Vásquez. If you have not mailed in the card, please bring it with you next Sunday when you come to Mass and place it in the collection.

The annual diocesan Catholic Services Appeal, which supports the work of the Catholic Church in Central Texas, will be taken up in two weeks. The Catholic Services Appeal is not just another Sunday collection. It is a unified effort in which all Catholics in the Diocese of Austin join together to further the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church in Central Texas. Catholics in the Diocese of Austin will soon receive a letter, brochure and pledge card from Bishop Joe Vásquez. Please take time to prayerfully consider what you are able to give in support of our diocesan Church.

Sunday, October 20, 2013 is World Mission Sunday. A special collection will be taken up for the Pontifical Society of Propagation of the Faith. This collection is taken up during October every year so that Catholics everywhere can recognize their common responsibility to evangelize the world. Share the love of Christ with the world – please pray and be as generous as you can.

Check out our developing parish Charity page with links to several agencies where you can donate to disaster relief efforts and give assistance to the poor and disadvantaged. Pray for Moore, Oklahoma and West, Texas.