NOV. 1: St. John Neumann Parish in Austin hosts a Mass for Vocations at 8:45 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. All are welcome!

NOV. 1: St. Mary Church of the Assumption in Waco hosts a Mass and Holy Hour for Vocations on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. All are welcome!

NOV. 3: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station hosts a Holy Hour for Vocations on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the main church. All are welcome!

NOV. 7-9: Married couples are invited to a weekend experience Nov. 7-9 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. Three couples and a priest who are part of Worldwide Marriage Encounter will present this weekend, which is designed to help couples take a new look at their marriage, priorities and lifestyle, learn simple, effective communication techniques, and rediscover their hopes and dreams. 

Details: austinme.org; wwmeaustin@gmail.com; or (512) 677-WWME (9963).

NOV. 8: St. Jerome Women’s Society will present the fifth Discover Waco Business and Craft Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Mother Teresa Center at St. Jerome Parish in Waco. More than 70 vendors will have crafts, food trucks and much more on display.

NOV. 14-16: St. Helen Parish in Georgetown will host a three-day public veneration of eight relics of St. Padre Pio, who devoted his life to the altar and the confessional and  served as a spiritual guide to countless souls. He is the first priest to bear the stigmata — the wounds of Christ. 

Details: St. Helen Parish at (512) 863-3041.

Nov. 15: St. John Parish in Fayetteville hosts a Holy Hour for Vocations on the third Saturday of each month following the 7:30 a.m. Mass. All are welcome!

Nov. 20: Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Temple will offer Pathways to Forgiveness. Discover the meaning and myths related to forgiveness with practical steps to reach forgiveness. Forgiveness sets our hearts free. This retreat will be led by Cindy Isaacson, a gifted retreat leader and parishioner of St. Teresa Parish in Austin. The cost is $50, which includes lunch.

Details: austindiocese.org/cedarbrake or (254) 780-2436.

Nov. 22: Hispanic families are invited to attend the first Diocesan Hispanic Family Congress from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San José Parish in Austin. The theme is Familia, Santuario de amor, fe y esperanza, and the day will include prayer, reflection and sharing activities. Children, youth and adults will practice different ways to put Christ at the center of their lives so that all families may give witness to God’s love. The cost is $15 for individuals or $50 for families. 

Details: Contact Dora Tobar at dtobar@austindiocese.org or (512) 949-2426.

Nov. 22: Armor of God Catholic Radio will host a Benefit Banquet at Christ the King Parish in Belton. Come celebrate the goodness of God and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship with Keynote Speaker Johnette Benkovic Williams, host of EWTN's Women of Grace, world renowned Catholic Speaker, retreat conductor and author. 

For tickets and more information, go to armorofgodradio.com or call (254) 371-7566.

Nov. 27-28: Diocesan offices will be closed on Thanksgiving and the day after.

Dec. 2: The Office of Social Justice and Multicultural Engagement along with Deacon Joseph Cannon will host a series of gatherings to discuss and gain insight as to what the most pertinent objectives and action items are for the Black apostolate of the Diocese of Austin. The fruits of these gatherings will result in our new Regional Plan of Action concerning the Black Apostolate. These gatherings will take place every first Tuesday of the month, in person and online, and will be open to all lay faithful across the diocese who wish to participate.

Details: www.austindiocese.org/regional-plan-of-action-for-black-ministry.

Dec. 5-7: Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center will host a Silent Advent Retreat. St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “God speaks in the silence of our heart, and we listen. Then we speak to God from the fullness of our heart, and God listens.” This retreat is a time to reflect on a few talks by Father Harry Dean and Brian Egan. Come encounter God in silence through the Mass, Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.

The costs are $310 for a private room, $265 for a shared room and $165 for commuters.

Dec. 6: The Diocese of Austin will host its 13th annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 6. The celebration begins at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. The procession will move through the streets of Austin, concluding with Mass at 10 a.m. at San José Parish in Austin.

Details: austindiocese.org/olg-celebration.

Dec. 6: St. John Neumann Parish in Austin will host an Austin Brass Collective Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. in the church. Kick off the holiday season with joyful sounds from trumpets, trombones, tubas and percussion. The concert will feature festive favorites like “Sleigh Ride” and music from Home Alone. Bring the whole family. A reception in Morris Hall will follow.

Dec. 6: All are invited to make a pilgrimage to The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt and pray the rosary by candlelight. The rosary will include meditations, songs, and end with a short candlelight procession. Plan to stay afterward for refreshments and social time!

Dec. 6-7: Eagle's Wings Retreat Center in Burnet will offer Joyful Expectation,  a women's Advent retreat. During the busy holiday season, women 18 and older are invited to this overnight retreat with talks by Megan Copeland to rediscover the joy of waiting during the Advent season. The retreat is $125 and includes an overnight stay with meals, Mass, adoration, and much more! 

Details: ewrc.org/joyful-expectation.

Dec. 11: St. John Neumann Parish in Austin will host a Lessons and Carols Service at 7 p.m. in the church. This is a solemn and beautiful service of Scripture and song, tracing the story from Genesis to the birth of Christ. Led by the St. John Neumann choir, this cherished tradition is a highlight of the Advent season. A reception in Morris Hall will follow.

Dec. 13-14: A special collection for retired clergy and religious will be taken up in parishes. Gifts to this collection provide medications, nursing care and more for retired clergy and religious.

Jan. 1: Join thousands throughout the diocese for 33 days of preparation prayer for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. The prayers begin on Feb. 20 and are done privately using the preparation book. 

Visit www.TexasToJesusThroughMary.org by Jan. 18 to receive a free copy of the Montfort preparation prayer book in the mail.