Three More Years of Banjo Music

I began serving the parishes of OLV and St. Catherine's over a year ago - on June 1, 2013. The University wants me to stay with the OU WaTER Center forever, and my Bishop (of Austin) has given me permission to work in the Archdiocese for another 3 years. So it looks like you will have at least 3 more years to try to raise me into a good pastor! (Deacon John is trying his darnedest, but I am a slow learner.) I am not as smart as Fr. Vaught, and not as compassionate as Fr. Ross. But God is calling me specifically here (his voice sounds a lot like Archbishop Coakley's) and I will use my own gifts as well as possible. I have big dreams over the next 3 years. I would love to see an outdoor grotto/altar to Our Lady of Guadalupe (Pauls Valley). I hope to take some adventurous young people to World Youth Day in Poland, 2016. I long to hear a reunion of Sharon, Janet, and Sandy (The Three Altos). And I would love to see a larger group of trained catechists and lay pastoral ministers taking leadership positions in both parishes. But more importantly, I look forward to many more Sundays of breaking open the Word of God and sharing the Bread of Life with people who both challenge and care for me and for one another, and who serve the needy beyond their walls. That's worth having to listen to a little more banjo music. - - - Fr. Jim [NOTE: while I am away, the next three bulletin blogs will come from Debbie Clagg, Duvi Diaz, and Adrian/Angelica Meave.]