Editor: Bishop Garcia, you have been our bishop for about six months now. How are you doing and how is the Diocese of Austin doing?

Bishop Garcia: I am doing fine, thank you. I am reacquainting myself with the diocese, and I have enjoyed renewing friendships and meeting new people. When I was here before, my role was vicar general and auxiliary bishop, but now seven years later, as the bishop of Austin, my role is quite different. I am thankful to those who have helped me get my bearings, and I am enjoying getting to know our priests, especially those who were ordained in the last seven years.

As for the Diocese of Austin, we are blessed to be a vibrant and healthy diocese. Archbishop Joe Vásquez helped us build strong ministries and many thriving parishes. We are looking forward to ordaining five men to the priesthood this June, which is always a wonderful experience. So I am grateful for our many blessings, and I hope to continue to build upon the faith that runs throughout Central Texas.

Editor: Recently our longtime vicar general, Father James Misko, was ordained as the Bishop of Tucson. Now we have a new vicar general. Will you start by explaining what the role of a vicar general is?

Bishop Garcia: I remain very grateful to Bishop James Misko for his seven years of service as our vicar general and moderator of the curia. I know he will shepherd the Diocese of Tucson well.

To answer your question, the vicar general is a canonical position held by a priest, whose job is to assist me, the bishop, in the governance and pastoral care of the diocese. In a sense, the vicar general is second in command in the diocese. Whenever I cannot be present to represent the diocese for an official act, the vicar general would step into those situations. The vicar general helps me look at the whole diocese to determine pastoral and ministerial needs.

In our diocese, the vicar general also serves as the moderator of the curia. In this role, he manages the work of the diocesan Pastoral Center. In many ways, he is the chief operating officer (COO) who works with diocesan employees to serve the various needs of our parishes.

Editor: Will you tell us more about our new vicar general?

Bishop Garcia: Yes, I appointed Very Reverend Tom Reitmeyer, JCL, as the vicar general and moderator of the curia in January. Father Reitmeyer has the priestly experience and wisdom that is needed for this role. He was ordained in 2015 and has been a successful pastor at St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock and at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin. In 2022, he earned his Licentiate in Canon Law, which is an extra gift that will be beneficial in his role as vicar general. He also has a great love for our Catholic schools and our young people, and he is a wonderful homilist. Above all, Father Reitmeyer has a sensitivity, care and love for the people of God. I admire his ability to connect with people, which will be critical in his role as vicar general. I want to thank Father Reitmeyer for taking on this new role and for his support of me in the years to come.

Editor: As we begin the Easter season, what is your prayer for the church of Central Texas?

Bishop Garcia: As we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, my hope is that our diocese may sense a spirit of new life in the way we live our Catholic faith in our respective parishes. We are called to be people of hope. We live in a time that some may call discouraging, yet even amid our struggles, we are called to be people of hope, and our hope is in Jesus Christ. During this Easter season, may we share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection with all those we meet. I pray that we remember that the Lord walks with us, especially in times of struggle and pain. Amen.