Recently in Austin Category

Rocco can knock out the words faster and with a nicer flare than I can, so I'm going to throw you over to him to read the skinny on our new bishop.

Bishop Vasquez is the fifth bishop of Austin, three of whom were priests of Galveston(/Houston), of which two of them were Auxiliary Bishop at the time they were appointed to Austin. The third had already been named Bishop of Beaumont before being appointed to the Lone Star State.

Of our five bishops, four of them were already bishops. Our first bishop, Bishop Louis Reicher, was the first to be ordained after his appointment.

Bishop Vasquez, 52, is the second-youngest bishop of Austin, following his immediate predecessor, now-Archbishop Greg Aymond who was 51 when he succeeded Bishop. John McCarthy.

I've personally participated in a couple of Masses celebrated by our new bishop; both in Spanish at St. Stephen's Parish in Central Houston. If I remember correctly, their parish priest was either deported or couldn't get a visa to enter the U.S. from Mexico, so he celebrated all of their Sunday Masses until the paperwork cleared up.

Congrats to Bishop Vasquez. He will be in our prayers!

[Ed. Note: The series of posts that were started last night regarding the shifting direction of my life will continue tonight with additional posts tomorrow and Thursday. They'll each go online around 6:00 p.m. Central.]

So, we no longer have Bishop Aymond. Archbishop-Elect Aymond is the new archbishop, but he isn't installed until August 20th? Who's in charge? What's going on.

Canon law is here to help.

From today until August 20th (or probably August 19th, since the action of taking canonical possession typically happens during a Vespers the night before), Archbishop-Elect Aymond will officially be the "diocesan administrator" of Austin (as opposed to "bishop") and the office of Vicar General ceases. Currently, that role is held by Msgr. Mulvey, but he was stepping down from that position next month as he's moving on to help with formation at the seminary in Houston.

I'm not certain, but my assumption is Archbishop-Elect's Aymond's appointment of Vicars General that were to be effective next month are now void.

The Diocese of Austin will not be officially "vacant" until takes possession of New Orleans.

When that occurs, the College of Consultors, within eight days of the vacancy, elects a Diocesan Administrator until a new bishop can be appointed. If they cannot (for whatever reason) elect someone in that time, then the Metropolitan, in this case, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston names the Diocesan Administrator.

The Diocesan Administrator must be a priest who is 35 years old or older "who is outstanding in doctrine and prudence".

The Diocesan Administrator has the power of Bishop, except in those matters where the law reserves it to an actual sitting bishop or by their nature (i.e. Sacrament of Holy Orders).

Canon Law is quite clear that this is a stewardship position, that is, one where nothing should be changed or amended that would inhibit the incoming bishop from carrying out his new role. For example, if there is a punishment due to sin (i.e. excommunication) that is within the power of the bishop to life, the Diocesan Administrator can do so. The Diocesan Administrator should not, on the other hand, merge all of the parishes of the diocese into two megaparishes.

Once the new bishop takes possession of the vacant see, the role of the Diocesan Administrator ends.

More later, as always.

The first statements have been released, with more at a 4 p.m. press conference here in Austin.

First, the Archbishop-Elect wrote a letter to the Diocese of Austin:

Dear Brother Priests, Friends and Co-workers in Ministry:

This letter is very difficult to write. I wish I could communicate this message personally, but that is not possible.

I have been informed by Archbishop Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio, that our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has named me Archbishop of New Orleans.

Needless to say, this appointment creates in me very mixed feelings. I have been privileged to serve as the Bishop of Austin for the last nine years. Central Texas has become home. I have worked with a great group of priests who have become my brothers. The deacons, religious, diocesan and parish staffs have been most supportive and genuine co-workers in ministry. I have enjoyed our ministry together and being a part of this vibrant, fast-growing diocese. I am very grateful to God and to each of you.

I also feel humbled that the Holy Father has asked me to serve as Archbishop of New Orleans. In recent years, the city has gone through many changes and I am aware of the challenges ahead.

Today I write primarily to thank you for your ministry and to request your prayers for me in this time of transition.

This morning I will be in New Orleans for a news conference at 10:30 a.m. and return to Austin for a conference at 4 p.m.

In the near future, I will schedule a "Mass of Thanksgiving" in four areas of the Diocese to express my gratitude to God and to you for the privilege of serving as the Bishop of Austin.

I will be in Rome to receive the pallium, a symbol of the ministry of the Archbishop, on June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

The installation in New Orleans is on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 at 2 p.m.

I hold you and all the people of this diocese in my heart and in prayer. Please lift me to God in your prayers.

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Bishop of Austin

In the Archdiocese, with an new appended title, Archbishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator Hughes shared a few words about Abp-Elect Aymond as part of his farewell letter:

I rejoice at the announcement in Rome today that Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop-designate Gregory Aymond the fourteenth Archbishop of New Orleans. Welcome home, Archbishop Aymond. You are no stranger to us all. You are the first native son to be called to shepherd this wonderful Archdiocese. Archbishop Aymond will be installed on August 20 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral.

Archbishop Aymond was born in New Orleans on November 12, 1949. He attended St. Joseph Seminary College and completed his theological studies at Notre Dame Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1975. From the beginning Archbishop Hannan recognized Father Aymond=s special gifts. He appointed him to teach at St. John Vianney Prep Seminary where he not only taught but then became its rector. Archbishop Schulte missioned Father Aymond to Notre Dame Seminary in 1981. He served first as Director of Pastoral Formation and then Rector of Notre Dame Seminary from 1986-2000. In 1997 Pope John Paul II appointed Monsignor Aymond Auxiliary Bishop in New Orleans. Then in 2000 he appointed him to serve the Diocese of Austin, Texas.

Archbishop Aymond brings a rich background in Catholic education. While simultaneously serving as Rector of Notre Dame Seminary, he held the post of Executive Director of Christian Formation. In that role, he oversaw the Catholic Schools, Religious Education, Campus Ministry, the Youth Office and the Office for the Pontifical Mission Societies. On the national scene he has been recognized as a leader in Catholic education and serves now as the Chairman of the Board of the National Catholic Education Association.

In Austin, Texas, Bishop Aymond presided over significant growth in parishes and schools. The campus ministry in the Diocese of Austin is a model for outreach to young adults of college age. Archbishop Aymond brings a lively faith, a keen intelligence and

I will now serve as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until the installation on August 20. As I prepare to conclude my service as Archbishop of New Orleans I want to acknowledge the extraordinary sacrifices which people around me have had to make. I came in May 2001. These eight years have been rather turbulent. Extraordinary people in leadership around me have given of themselves unstintingly to address a series of challenges. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 rocked our nation. The clergy sex abuse crisis rocked our Church. Hurricane Katrina rocked New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast area. Reconfiguration of the parishes and schools has rocked this Archdiocese. Now the economic downturn has rocked the global economy. In each case, faith-filled, competent men and women have stepped forward to lead our Church response.

The difficult decisions that I have been called upon to make have been made after careful consultation and prayerful discernment. Inevitably there will be those who differ with me. I want to express my sorrow for the pain that has been experienced and ask forgiveness where hurt has angered some. We are one Church, with one Father, one Lord and Savior, in one Holy Spirit. God grant the understanding and the healing that will enable us fully to be the vibrant, evangelizing and Eucharistic Church he calls us to be.

May God bless Archbishop Aymond. May God bless us all.

Lastly, Archbishop-Elect Aymond addressed his new flock:

Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

I have been informed by Archbishop Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio, that our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has named me Archbishop of New Orleans. This news humbles me and I renew my gratitude to God for calling me to serve as a bishop of the Catholic Church. I also express gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI for his faith in me and for entrusting to me the pastoral care of you, the people of God in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I promise to pray for you daily and to strive to be for you a good shepherd, reflecting to the best of my ability the mind and heart of Jesus.

I regret that my visit to New Orleans for this announcement has to be very brief. I must return to the Diocese of Austin for a 4 p.m. news conference. In the near future, we will have many opportunities to share more relaxed time together. I look forward to my "home coming" in August.

Though I have been away from New Orleans for the past nine years, I have often recalled very fond memories and have prayed for the people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans every day. Returning as your Archbishop will give us the opportunity to renew memories of the past and to journey together in new ways as God's pilgrim people in the future. I particularly remember the very dedicated priests, many of whom I had the opportunity to teach during my years at Notre Dame Seminary. The priests, deacons, religious and laity in New Orleans form a lively, vibrant family of faith. I look forward to being a part of this family again.

I will be traveling to Rome for the Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul, June 29, to receive the pallium from our Holy Father, a symbol of the pastoral responsibility of an archbishop. The people of God in the Diocese of Austin and the Archdiocese of New Orleans will remain in my prayers and heart as I kneel before the Holy Father to receive the pallium.

As I pray for the local Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, I ask that you please lift me in prayer, especially during this time of transition. I look forward to the Installation Mass on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral. Until then, God's peace be with you.

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Bishop of Austin

Not being one to disappoint, he traveled back to Austin not only for the 4 p.m. press conference, but additionally, he has a Confirmation to celebrate tonight.

Photocredit: Diocese of Austin

News broke this morning that Most. Rev. Gregory Aymond, Bishop of Austin, has been announced as the 14th Archbishop of New Orleans.

This is a rumor that has been floating around for some time. I found an e-mail thread between myself and Rocco of Whispers mentioning the rumor in April 2007.

The official release from the Vatican
Press release from New Orelans
Rocco's story from Whispers

I have a number of stories I could share about Archbishop-Elect Aymond, but that'll come in due time. I'm on a flight in a few hours to El Paso for a baby shower.

In his eight years as Bishop of Austin, he was a great influence on this diocese, the student community at the University Catholic Center and me personally. He has had a dinner each semester with the guys of Lambda Omega Alpha and visiting the UCC on a regular basis.

Congrats to the Archbishop-Elect! What a loss for Austin.

UPDATE: More statements and whatnot.
Photocredit: Diocese of Austin

New vicars general announced as well as various things connected to the new Diocesan ministry training program.

In order to serve the people of God, Bishop Aymond made the following appointments:

Vicars General

• Msgr. Elmer Holtman as Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Mike Sis as Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin, effective July 15, 2009. This is in addition to his appointment as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, effective July 15, 2009.

I am grateful to Msgr. Holtman and Father Sis for their willingness to serve part-time as Vicar General in addition to their other responsibilities.

• Deacon Bill Hobby as vice chancellor of the Diocese of Austin, effective May 1, 2009.
• Rev. Brian McMaster as Director of the Diocesan Institute for Ecclesial Ministry, effective July 15, 2009. This is in addition to his appointment as Vocation Director and Director of Seminarians, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Butch Prewitt as dean of the Diaconate Formation Program, which will become part of the Diocesan Institute for Ecclesial Ministry, effective May 1, 2009.
• Dr. Geri Telepak as dean of the Institute for Spiritual Direction, effective immediately. The Institute for Spiritual Direction will become part of the Diocesan Institute for Ecclesial Ministry, effective May 1.
• Deacon Bill Hobby as dean of the Lay Ecclesial Ministry of the Diocesan Institute for Ecclesial Ministry, effective May 1.

Apparently, it's the new reason to panic. I haven't been paying a great deal of attention to it, but I'm not (yet) sure why it is so much worse than "regular" flu.

Upon advice of public health officials, all UIL activities throughout the state are postponed until May 11. UIL is the governing body of all public high school athletic and academic competitions throughout the state of Texas.

Also, the Diocese of Austin has requested all parishes suspend distributing communion via the cup until further notice.

Bishop Gregory M. Aymond announced an incredible list of appointments today for the Diocese of Austin. I can't remember a list being quite so long. In bold are appointments of particular note to me (via vocations, campus ministry, Paulists in some shape or another).

In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in Central Texas, Bishop Aymond has made the following appointments:

Pastors and Directors

• Rev. Rick Aguilar, pastor, Ascension Parish, Bastrop, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Pedro Garcia, pastor, St. Elizabeth Parish, Pflugerville, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Kirby Garner, pastor, Santa Cruz Parish, Buda, effective July 1, 2009.
• Rev. Cesar Guzman Diaz, pastor, San Franciso Javier Parish, Austin (Creedmoor) and San Juan Diego Parish, Stony Point, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Gilber Ibarguen Gomez, pastor, St. Mary Parish, San Saba and St. Peter Parish, Goldthwaite, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. John Kelley, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Marlin and Sacred Heart Parish, Lott, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Jayme Mathias, OFMConv., pastor, Cristo Rey Parish, Austin, effective immediately. [Fr. Jayme was the associate under Fr. Jesse who was murdered last month.]
• Rev. Fulgencio Mayorga, pastor, St. Mary Parish, Wimberley, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Anthony Mbanefo, MSP, pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Gatesville and St. Thomas Parish, Hamilton, effective July 1, 2009.
• Rev. Ruben Patino, CSP, pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Horseshoe Bay, effective July 15, 2009. [Fr. Ruben, a Paulist, is currently at The Paulist Center in Boston. Previous to that assignment, he was Director of the University Catholic Center (2000-2004).]
• Rev. Melesio Peter Espinoza, pastor, Santa Barbara Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Albert Ruiz, pastor, Dolores Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Where's Fr. John going?]
• Rev. Mike Sis, pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Currently, Fr. Mike is the Vocations Director for Austin.]
• Rev. Efrain Villanueva, pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Taylor, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. William Wack, CSC, pastor, St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Fr. Bill will be pastor at my territorial parish. Heard good things.]
• Rev. Dean Wilhelm, pastor, St. William Parish, Round Rock, effective July 15, 2009. [Where's Fr. McNeil going?]
• Rev. Brian McMaster, Director of the Vocation Office and Director of Seminarians, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Brian Eilers, Director of Campus Ministry, Catholic Student Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. John Guzaldo, Professor of Theology and Campus Minister, St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.

Parochial Vicars (Associate Pastors)

• Deacon Chris Downey, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Mary Catholic Center, College Station, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Facundo Medina Blanco, parochial vicar, Cristo Rey Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Manuel Montenegro Calero, parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Francisco Morales, parochial vicar, St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish, Kyle, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Justin Nguyen, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Luke Parish, Temple, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Uche Obikwelu, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Jonathan Raia, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. William Parish, Round Rock, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Will Straten, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Helen Parish, Georgetown, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Filadelfo Viloria, parochial vicar, Santa Cruz Parish, Buda, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Brion Zarsky, parochial vicar, St. Jerome Parish, Waco, effective July 15, 2009.

Retirement

• Msgr. Joseph Deane will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 1, 2009.
• Rev. Gonzalo Ferrer, TOR will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 15, 2009.
• Msgr. Elmer Holtman will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 15, 2009.

Austin's ABC affiliate, KVUE, has a top story on their website about a woman claiming she called 911 and was placed on hold.

At face value, this is possibly newsworthy. No one wants to hear a recorded message saying that all operators are busy when someone is having a heart attack or in trying to report a fire or anything like that.

Austin 911 admitted that at times such messages may answer the phone when, at peak, all 15 operators are busy at a given moment, which makes sense as well. Assuming that it doesn't happen often, I don't expect the City to have 30 operators if the call volume hits 16 only one in a blue moon.

Two things about the story stand out: First, the City claims that records show that the woman was never put on hold, but in fact called and reported the same "emergency" incident twice. The City, however, does admit that it's possible that the records did not capture her hold-and-hang-up call. It should be recorded, but maybe it didn't.

The second was the exact nature of the emergency: a noise complaint.

Someone was playing loud music.

That's a life-or-death emergency?

Now, I'm surprised the woman is upset and even more surprised that KVUE thought airing this was worth anyone's time. Note to all: Unless your "emergency" is life-or-death or an event that will result in loss of property (i.e. fire), assume it's not an emergency and call 311 first.

The Statesman has a story today about three bills proposed this year that would allow the sale of liquor on Sundays in Texas. Currently, liquor can be sold in stores to consumers Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It can not be sold on Sundays, New Year's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving or the Mondays that follow those holidays if they fall on a Sunday.

Dead man's sperm to be taken by court order

On the Austin American-Statesman website, there's a story about a man, age 20,  who was killed over the weekend whose mother has won a court order requiring sperm to be taken from the deceased to be used with a surrogate mother for a future child.


While intending no disrespect for the deceased or his family, this is officially a bit weird in my opinion. I would never want something like to be to be done to me if I had found an untimely end to my life.

If the man's wife wanted this done, I would still be weirded out a bit and wouldn't want it for myself, but I could understand it a bit more. But, for someone's mother to want their son's sperm leaves me a bit speechless.

Now, I've heard it all.