Many of you may have noticed the signs on the east and west doors of the church stating the doors will be locked once mass begins. This is just part of our new security measures to maintain the safety of all our parishioners and visitors. This weekend, we will have representatives in the narthex with applications to join our Security Team. We are especially seeking those with a law enforcement or security background but also welcome anyone in the medical field and volunteers willing to attend the training and serve on this ministry. Click on the following link to download an application: https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/1026/documents/2020/1/Appl%20for%20Emmaus%20Parish%20Security%20Team.pdf.

The training course will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 8:30 AM to 12 Noon in the Parish Life Center. You may register for the training by emailing emmaus@emmausparish.org. We are in need of volunteers particularly at the Saturday and Sunday 5 PM masses and Sunday at 8:30 AM Mass. This is an important ministry and I appreciate your help.

Grief Share is a 13 week seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a love one. This group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead. It is open to anyone who is seeking help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. The seminar begins on Monday, Feb. 10, 2 PM to 3:30 PM in the Parish Life Center.

Please register at www.emmausparish.org/grief-share or call the office, 512.261.8500.

Tax receipt letters for 2019 will be distributed after all the Masses this weekend, January 25-26 and next weekend, February 1-2. Please pick up your receipt. You will be saving postage and staff time.

We invite you to A Taste of Austin Volunteer Appreciation Event in honor of all those that volunteer and serve others at Emmaus.

When: Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Where: PLC Great Hall

Who: This is an ADULTS ONLY event

RSVP: Click on this link to RSVP: https://www.emmausparish.org/ministries

This month we are finishing up the last contacts for the diocesan Encountering Christ Campaign. I want to thank everyone in the parish who supported the diocese in this very important effort to build for the future of our diocese. I don’t have the final numbers yet on commitments from this parish, but when last I got numbers we were close to the assigned goal for our parish. The diocese has exceeded its goal of $85 million. Special thanks go to the parish campaign committee all of whom worked hard to make our parish effort a success. I am grateful as well to Dan and Peggy Moraczewski and Ray and Nancy Bearden who served as co-chairs of the parish campaign committee

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Samuel Hose

Pastor