Reflections Winter 2013

...recognizing our gifts of time, talent and treasure

Winter 2013

reflections... a newsletter from the Stewardship and Development Office

We, the Diocese of Austin, through the Word and Eucharist, prayer, formation and education, social ministries and advocacy, embrace diverse cultures throughout the diocese so that together, as the Catholic Church, we may continue the mission of Christ in the world today.

Stewardship and Development Office Diocese of Austin

6225 Highway 290 E. Austin, TX 78723 (512) 949-2400

Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez Bishop of Austin

Scott Whitaker Director of Stewardship and Development

Danielle Madrid Associate Director of Stewardship and Annual Appeal

Jean Bondy Associate Director of Catholic School Development

The Catholic Diocese of Austin

Growing Our

Catholic Schools

By Dr. Ned Vanders, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Catholic schools are among the oldest educational institutions in the United States. Built up from colonial times, the American Catholic school system has had no parallel in Europe or, for that matter, anywhere in the world. Its story is a distinctly American one, and attending a Catholic school has formed the educational experiences for millions of Americans.

Catholic schools in the area now known as the Diocese of Austin were established in 1866 with two sisters of the Divine Providence opening St. Mary’s Parochial School in Austin. In 1948 this school was renamed The Cathedral School of St. Mary when St. Mary’s Church became the Cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of Austin. More recently, in 2009, St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School opened in north Austin.

Today there are 23 Catholic school campuses throughout the diocese serving over 5,200 students and their families.

While the goal of erecting a school within every parish, mandated by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore (1884), was never realized, the growth of Catholic education was steady and extraordinary. The increased immigration of the Catholic population in the 19th and 20th centuries produced an expansion of Catholic schooling, which continued from 1920 to the mid-1960s. Histories of education record that Catholic schools played an important role in the assimilation of diverse European ethnic {continued on page 2}

{continued from page 1} groups into mainstream American life.

By 1965, the peak year for Catholic education, there were more than 12,000 Catholic schools enrolling over 5.6 million students. At that time, roughly half of all Catholic children in America attended Catholic schools.

However, the following decades saw a diminishment in both the numbers of schools and their enrollment. Today, there are more than 6,600 schools with an enrollment of over 2 million students. The state of Texas is ranked ninth in the nation with approximately 80,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools.

This writer, having attended Catholic school and colleges, has many fond memories of his school days and of the religious sisters and brothers who were his teachers and administrators. He attended Catholic school during the 1950s and 1960s, just prior to and during Vatican II. With 40 to 50 students per class, there was daily Mass in Latin, Friday Confession, and weekly adorations.

The sisters used “clickers” to signal attention and transitions. Every morning there was the wonderful smell of bread baking since the convent was attached to the school.

Due to the influence of his teachers, this writer has pursued a 44-year career in Catholic education from teaching secondary Theology and English to being a college campus minister, to elementary and secondary principalships and currently superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin.

Although Catholic schools have changed over the years with the integration of technology into the curriculum and the addition of honors, AP, and dual-enrolled courses, the core Gospel values have remained the same.

Catholic education is a unique way by which the whole human person can be addressed and encouraged to grow into full maturity in Jesus Christ.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin (CSDA) have experienced steady growth over the past ten years. However, there are several present-day challenges facing Catholic education. The first one is availability. While 40 percent of Catholic schools nationwide have waiting lists, a third of CSDA schools have waiting lists in one or more grades. Based on available facilities, schools attempt to add sections to a grade level where needed.

Affordability is another challenge due to the rising cost of tuition, which is not the real cost to educate a student. Each CSDA school has an average gap of $2,000 between the tuition charged and the real cost to educate.

Consequently, many CSDA schools conduct annual fund campaigns to “fund” the gap. Along with closing the gap, Catholic schools provide an additional $3.6 million in tuition assistance to 22 percent of the students enrolled. This is still not enough; the diocese and schools continue to investigate ways to increase the amount.

Another challenge is making Catholic education available to Hispanics.

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing church group, soon to comprise a majority of Catholics in the United States. While there are 10 million Hispanic school age children in America, only 3 percent attend Catholic schools. The Diocesan School Advisory Board has established an enrollment management committee to address recruitment and marketing to the Hispanic community.

The Diocese of Austin and the Office of Catholic Schools are committed to growing and expanding so more students can be enrolled in great Catholic schools. diocese of austin

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Stephen, First Martyr Feast Day – December 26 St. Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, but he should probably be declared the patron saint of ministry fairs and time and talent call-outs, too! Early in the history of the Church, it became clear to the apostles that there was more to do than they could possibly accomplish alone. Calling the community together, they selected seven people to distribute food to the poor so that they could concentrate on preaching. But, as so often happens, Stephen’s ministry to the poor made him visible and gave him many opportunities to talk about the faith that led him to undertake these acts of charity. Distressed by the number of converts he was making and unable to refute his testimony, the religious leadership of the day brought false charges against him and sentenced him to death. Far more than just a “volunteer,” St. Stephen proved his commitment to the Lord by his courageous and outspoken defense of the faith and his willingness to forgive his persecutors, even as they stoned him to death. May the example of this first martyr challenge us to give generously of our time and talent in the service of the Church.

Adapted from Sharon Hueckel, Steward Saints for Every Day, Copyright © 1999, the National Catholic Stewardship Council, Inc., Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

WINTER 2013

Giving Our Gifts to God The start of Advent reminds us not to put off our stewardship. The It seems as if the Christmas season begins earlier and earlier each year. Christmas trees spring up in department stores even before Halloween, we are bombarded with messages about “Black Friday,” and kids spend time making up their wish lists so they can give Santa some guidance.

Preparations for the Christmas season can remind us how much we all want to be generous — we want to throw a great holiday party for our family and friends, or give gifts to our loved ones, and we devote hours to finding the “perfect” gift. However, this whirlwind of preparations for Christmas often precludes time for reflection on the Advent season.

Advent is a season of anticipation. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, we prepare not only for the great celebration of Christ’s birth more than 2,000 years ago, but also for his second coming. Through the readings and liturgies of Advent, we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to take time to reflect on how God continues to come to us here and now, in our world, in our lives, in the risen Lord Jesus and in his Holy Spirit.

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Lord is coming!

As we are immersed in the holiday shopping season, now might be a good time to evaluate the gifts we give to God. Are we bearing good fruit for Christ? Or do we spend our time, talent and treasure constantly acquiring more toys, clutter and junk? Often when it comes to giving back to God our response is, “Not yet!” We put off sharing our time, talent and treasure for another day. We say we will give when we have more time or more money. In the meantime, we are just too busy — buying and wrapping presents, putting up decorations, planning for our holiday festivities, etc. However, none of us knows when God will ask for an accounting of how we used the gifts entrusted to our care.

Jesus is God’s ultimate gift of love to us. The countless other blessings God showers upon us are nothing compared to the gift of his only Son. And the only appropriate way for us to respond to such generous love is with our own generous love. When we dedicate our lives to sharing all the many gifts that God has placed within our hands, the peace of Christ truly will control our hearts. We will know Christmas joy every day.

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WINTER 2013

‘ Tis the Season

By Shari Kolding

IRA Charitable Rollover

to Give

Expiring Soon: IRA Charitable Rollover If you are above age 70½ and looking for ways to reduce your taxable income while still meeting your minimum required IRA distribution, donating from your IRA may be the perfect choice. Although you forego the usual tax deduction for your gift, there is no income tax paid on the distribution. Donors may give up to $100,000 to one or more charities, from either a Traditional or a Roth IRA.

Stock Gifts It’s Been a Good Year for Stocks Did your portfolio increase in value this year? Consider giving stock before you open your checkbook. Donating appreciated securities enables you to support the Diocese of Austin while conserving cash for other uses, and helps you avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation. Donated shares must be appreciated in value and owned for longer than one year.

If you are a non-itemizer, this option provides you an opportunity to make a very generous gift and not be concerned about its deductibility, and may also help you give above your deductible limit. If your required minimum distribution places you in a higher tax bracket, a gift will help offset that. And, you get to benefit the Church with a meaningful gift!

As markets rise and fall, timing is everything. It is important to note that the legal date — and value — of your gift depends on when the Diocese receives it, not when you instruct your broker to make the transaction. If you would like to make a gift of stock, have your broker contact Lisa Rosenberger at (512) 949-2450 or lisa-rosenberger@ austindiocese.org. And, don’t forget to call us to let us know your gift is on the way!

Please contact us at (512) 949-2450 or lisa-rosenberger@ austindiocese.org as soon as possible to put your IRA gift in motion. You must authorize the gift only from your Traditional or Roth IRA, and the check must come directly from your account manager and be received by December 31 in order to qualify. The IRA Charitable Rollover provision expires on December 31, 2013.

You can also use appreciated stocks to fund a larger gift that will pay you an income for life. Please call Scott Whitaker at (512) 949-2441 for more details.

UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS

December 18, 2013 Assembly of Catholic Professionals, Hyatt Regency, Town Lake

IS ONLINE! Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device, or visit www.austindiocese.org/reflections to read the latest issue.

diocese of austin

January 25, 2014 Celebrating Catholic Schools Event, Hyatt Regency, Town Lake

February 11, 2014 White Mass and Anointing of the Sick, St. Theresa Parish, Austin

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For event information, visit www.austindiocese.org

WINTER 2013

By Edgar Ramirez, Director of Hispanic Ministry Jesus’ invitation to love one another is also an invitation to share who we are with others. In our Diocese, Hispanic Catholics share who they are in so many ways, and these contributions make our communities richer, healthier and more dynamic. I can testify to their contributions as they have also enriched my spiritual and personal life. Hispanics show their love for others through sharing who they are, especially through sharing their faith in unique ways. An excellent article

by Timothy Matovina in the November 2013 edition of U.S. Catholic magazine sheds light on some important facts about Hispanic Catholics in the U.S. Hispanics brought the Catholic faith to this side of the world long before the establishment of the first British colony at Jamestown. The first permanent European settlement in the U.S. was founded in what is now St. Augustine, Fla., in 1565, and the first Catholic diocese in the New World was established in 1511 in San Juan, Puerto Rico (a territory of the U.S.).

More recently, Hispanics have contributed to the U.S. Catholic Church by founding the most influential retreat movement in the country – Cursillo. Nationally, Hispanics currently have the largest percentage of lay Catholics in

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faith formation and pastoral leadership programs; this is certainly the case in our own diocese.

Hispanics are a blessing for our parish communities, as they share their deep devotion for Jesus and his Real Presence in the Eucharist, love for family and community, love for the Virgin Mary, and their unstoppable desire to share their faith traditions that always involve food, music and fiesta.

However, Hispanics, especially those who speak only Spanish, are often misunderstood. Cultural and language barriers may cause them to feel that our parishes are not a safe place to worship and share who they are. This, in turn, can make Spanish-speaking Hispanics feel unwelcome in their parishes.

Some common misconceptions about Hispanics need to be corrected: • Hispanics are not a homogenous group; they come from Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Argentina, and many other countries of Central and South America. The term “Hispanic” is a term created by the U.S. Census Bureau to gather a very diverse group of people who

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share some cultural similarities and a common language.

• Most Hispanics are not immigrants.

According to the 2010 Census almost 70 percent of Hispanics in this country are born in the U.S. or its territories.

The vast majority of them are fluent in English and are bicultural.

To love one another is to open ourselves to others. Parishes that open their hearts and their worship space to welcome Hispanics, not as guests, but as equals, like brothers and sisters who share one Baptism, have seen the many blessings that come with being hospitable. While hospitality is a powerful first step, parishes must go beyond receiving others in “their” parish. Instead, Hispanics need to be welcomed home to their “own” church — the Catholic Church. In doing this, we will reaffirm who they are and we will benefit from their gifts.

Only when we welcome others in our hearts without any expectations can love be shared. This is the type of love that Jesus invites us to share with everyone.

Hispanic Ministry is supported in part by the Catholic Services Appeal.

WINTER 2013

Photo by Enedelia Obregon

Celebrating Faith through the

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Leaving a Legacy R e m e m b e r i n g NORM and CLAIRE BLANCHARD have been members St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kingsland for the past 14 years. Both are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and attend daily Mass. Norm is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and is financial secretary for the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, Kingsland Council. He has been serving as chairman of the Finance Committee for the past 10 years. Claire is a sacristan, catechist, and schedules lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and sacristans.

She is also a member of the Pastoral Council and has served as an officer of the Ladies Club.

Norm and Claire have been married for 53 years. Claire is a cradle Catholic and attended parochial schools.

Norm converted to Catholicism shortly before their marriage. They have 4 children, 3 children-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Their 3 oldest

Y o u r

C h u rc h

children live in Houston, and their youngest son is a Major in the Army and has recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. The Blanchards are both retired; Norm retired as Manager of Business Services – Aviation/Marketing Division after 40 years with Chevron, and Claire retired after 15 years of working in schools assisting students with special needs.

Norm and Claire deliver Meals on Wheels, and were honored to receive the Lumen Gentium Award this year.

Norm has also been treasurer of the Lions Club and was named Man of the Year by the St. Charles Men’s Club in 2007. They are very pleased to be able to give back to their community.

Norm and Claire contribute generously to their parish and the Catholic Services Appeal. They feel they are truly blessed and thank God for their loving family and friends.