Fr. Barry will be on vacation in the Czech Republic from Friday, July 12 until Saturday, July 27.Please pray for him that he has a restful time away.

The diocesan capital campaign, Encountering Christ, has been going on for over a year now.  Emmaus is part of the third wave of that campaign.  We are organizing now to begin in September.  The diocesan goal of the campaign is $85 million.  The goal that has been assigned to Emmaus is just shy of $2.7 million with pledges payable over a period of up to five years.  Their main areas of focus for this campaign: Supporting Clergy, Strengthening Parishes, Emerging Disciples and Embracing Discipleship.  Under those areas, the funds raised will be used to support retired priests, educate seminarians, provide support to Catholic Schools, support for parishes including planning for new parishes, support for Catholic education, strengthening our Catholic response to the growing and changing demographics of the diocese and more.  For a fuller picture of the purpose of the campaign go to the Diocese of Austin website at www.austindiocese.org.  Click on Quick Links, then Stewardship and then Embracing Christ Campaign.  In addition to the support for the diocese, 30% of all funds raised will be returned to the parish.  In consultation with the finance and pastoral councils, we have decided that all funds returned to Emmaus from this campaign will be used to reduce the principle on the parish debt.

I need your help.  This campaign will take quite a number of us to be successful.  With that, I am asking that anyone who would like to serve on the campaign committee to contact me and let me know that you are willing.  Of course, I will be approaching some of you directly but I want to open this to anyone in the parish who has experience in working on capital campaigns or has an interest in serving on the committee.  The active part of our campaign will conclude in December of this year, so this is a short time commitment. Please contact me directly at pastor@emmausparish.org.

Next Tuesday parishioner Diana Rezac will be honored by Bishop Vasquez at the biannual Lumen Gentium Awards in Temple, TX.  The Lumen Gentium Award is presented every other year to members of parishes throughout the diocese who exemplify dedication to Christian discipleship. Diana is dedicated to fulfilling one of the Church’s most important works of mercy, visiting the sick.  She is tireless in visiting those who are ill, the elderly and those who are in the last stages of life.  She takes communion to them and she gives them the gift of presence in ways that bring great comfort.  Diana goes about her ministry, which she describes as her calling, quietly and humbly.  With that I will be pleased to be with her as she receives this award next Tuesday.