St. Thomas More organized an assembly on November 22 that was attended by over 100 parishoners who signed on to their church's agenda of issues.  The identified issues are education, health care, elderly/disabled care, building a relational culture, and economic realities, especially with regard to employment.  St. Thomas More was pleased to have two public officials in attendance, Representative Mark Strama, and RRISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez.

Seven Austin Interfaith leaders attended a week-long training session conducted by the national IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation).  This was the first time for this session to be conducted totally in Spanish, and participants received intensive leadership training so that they will be able to be even stronger, more effective leaders in their institutions.  In particular, many of these leaders are looking to develop organizing strategies and leaders in their Spanish-speaking immigrant communities.

We want to welcome the two newest members of Austin Interfaith, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, a northwest Austin church with 3000 members, and San Jose Catholic Church, a central south Austin congregation with 4000 members. 

Pastors and leaders in both parishes have been conducting dozens of house meetings where congregation members have come together to have conversations about the pressures affecting their families.  They have been finding new leaders and have also begun to identify some of the issues that are most important to them. 

By formally joining Austin Interfaith, St. Thomas More and San Jose are now part of an organization that helps them build the power necessary to relieve some of those pressures. 

Welcome, Saint Thomas More and San Jose!