When it comes to praying, we are fairly faithful praying for something we need for ourselves or for
others.  We might pray for a job, a healthy family, seeking reconciliation with someone.  I find in my
prayer I am usually asking for myself or for others.  Seeking something from God is good, Jesus
does want us to turn to Him in our need.  We also can turn to Him in prayer in other ways.

Where you aware there are other forms of prayer?  The Catholic Church lists four types of prayer: 
Praise, Forgiveness, Thanksgiving, Petition.  One way to remember is ACTS:  Adoration, Contrition,
Thanksgiving, Petition.  Perhaps we are very aware of the prayer of petition.  The Church in its’
wisdom, reminds us of the need to do more than just ask Jesus.  In a prayer of adoration or praise
we acknowledge God is God and God created us.  We offer praise simply because God is.  In
contrition, we express our sorrow to God for decisions and actions which do not conform to the will
of God or to what God calls us to follow.  In Thanksgiving, we thank God for all we are and receive. 
Everything is a gift from God.  In supplication or petition we ask God to fulfill a need.  In doing so we
express our dependence upon God.  

I offer this reflection as a reminder to expand our forms of prayer.  As we do so, we grow in our
awareness of God, our dependence upon God and strengthen our relationship with God.  When we
include the different forms of prayer, we increase our awareness of God in our lives.  God is more
than someone we turn to and ask.  God is everything.  As we pray with the other forms of prayer, we
grow in our experience and awareness of how much we are loved by God.  For our part all we need
to do is ACT(S).

Fr. Keith Koehl
Pastor
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

August 21, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

As you read this letter our Parish Festival will be celebrated “COVID-style” in
three weeks, Sunday, September 13. “COVID-style” appears to be the latest catch
phrase to describe parish festivals during this pandemic. This phrase means meal
plates will be available “to go” only and raffle tickets are available for purchase.
This past week meal and raffle tickets were being purchased at the church office
at a rapid pace. Thank you to everyone who came by the church office to purchase
tickets! Thanks to those who have taken extra raffle booklets to sell. (meal $12/plate,
raffle $2/ticket) Remember meal tickets are also available to purchase online.

MEal Tickets

On Wednesday, August 26, from 6-8 PM and Saturday, August 29, from 10-12
there will be a drive through lane at the church from which you may purchase raffle
tickets and take some extra books for selling to others. Meal tickets will also be
available for purchase. Remember to drive through and pick up tickets in the coming
week.

It is so important that we as a parish community support our church and school
during these unprecedented times. We need to make up for the lost revenue which
would have come from the sale of beverages, the auction and the extremely popular
dunking booth! :) Consider purchasing and selling more tickets or the monies you
would have spent at the auction and on beverages, donate to the parish festival.
In next week’s letter, I hope to share with you some exciting updates on our
church renovations. For the moment, progress is being made on the design, and K4 is
nearing completion on a budget which will be presented to the building committee for
review.

Until next week, peace,

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

August 16, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

In less than one month, we will hold our 86th annual parish festival. As I
mentioned in a previous letter this will be an abbreviated festival. We will have a BBQ
brisket and sausage plate available for pick up only. Meal tickets are $12 per plate.
They will only be pre-sold. We are again sponsoring a raffle. The first prize is a gift
certificate for $4,000! Raffle tickets are $2.00 per ticket.

Each household is asked to purchase tickets for yourself AND sell to others.
This year our festival fundraising will only come from the meal and raffle. We need to
increase the sale of meal plates and raffle tickets to cover the lack from other food,
drink and game booths. Everyone is encouraged to buy for yourselves AND sell to
others. Meal tickets can be purchased ONLINE HERE or call the church office 512.352.2175.
To obtain raffle tickets for purchase and selling, come by the church office or
call the office to make arrangements for tickets.

Another change this year, we will be not having any auctions, silent or live. In
lieu of an item you might have donated or money spent on the auction(s), donate the
money towards the festival or purchase more raffle tickets.

On Wednesday, August 26, 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 29, 9 – 11 a.m.
meal and raffle tickets will be for sale outside on the church grounds. There will be
parishioners selling the tickets curbside, so you can stay in your vehicle. Raffle tickets
will be available to purchase AND to pick up to sell to others. There will be more
details in the upcoming weeks. Be on the lookout for a postcard coming to your U.S.
postal mailbox reminding you of the dates for the outside drive by sales of meal and
raffle tickets.

Thank you to the many parishioners who have already purchased meal and
raffle tickets.

It’s time to buy and sell…buy and sell meal and raffle tickets…buy and sell.
Until next week.

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

August 7, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

In the past two weeks there has been considerable activity in preparing for the church
renovation. This is what has occurred.

-The facilities committee interviewed two liturgical art teams and selected Canning
Liturgical Arts. They specialize in ecclesiastical art and design having over 40 years’
experience in this field.

- K4, the general contractor has officially hired the remainder of the design team:
- Capstone Mechanical for the MEP design
- Clark & Fuller Engineering: for the Civil Engineering/Topography/Survey
- BAi: for the Audio/Visual/Acoustics
- Received a quote from the Verdin Company on a system with a controller to ring our
   cast bronze bell which is 47 inches in diameter and weighs 2,000 pounds.
- K4 has been meeting some subcontractors on site to gather accurate budget pricing
   on several of the larger scopes of work, such as the pews, painting, and stained glass.
- A listening session was held focusing on the needs and desires in a sound system.

Among those present were representatives from the musical groups in the parish. K4
and their team led the meeting. BAi will take into consideration the feedback from this
meeting in designing our sound system.

The next milestone is to receive the refined price estimates for each item of proposed
work. The scope of work will then be prioritized in relation to the total amount pledged to our
Rooted In Christ, Growing in Faith campaign.

Our last weekend of Masses in the church before the renovation work begins will be
the weekend of November 7 and 8, 2020. The liturgical minister leaders will be meeting in
the coming weeks to develop plans as to where we will celebrate masses while the church is
undergoing renovations.

The journey continues…. until next week.

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

REMINDER: Call the Church Office (512.352.2175) for your St. Mary’s Catholic Community
Fall Festival Raffle Tickets ($2 per ticket) and Meal Tickets (to go only, $12 each) to be served
on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.

July 24, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

Life in the parish has been relatively quiet this week. There are a few updates to
share along with some upcoming events.

First, last week Deacon Callan announced he was planning to attend a 3-week
airborne training school. Before he left, he was informed, due to COVID-19, his orders
were cancelled. Deacon Callan will be with us until mid-August before returning to St.
Mary’s Seminary in Houston for the Fall semester.

Second, preparatory work for our church renovations continue. This week

• a pew subcontractor was on site and was provided details of the project. This will allow for greater specificity on pricing.
• a painting subcontractor was on site and was provided details of the project.(The subcontractors are providing cost estimates to K4 the general contractor, toassist in preparing a budget for the design-build. Later in the process, multiplesubcontractors will be invited to submit bids).
• The civil engineer’s topography crew was on site taking measurements of theterrain.
• The 2nd of two bids was received from a consultant who will inspect thecomplete church building envelope.

Third, the sacrament of Confirmation for our confirmands will be celebrated by
Bishop Vásquez on Sunday, August 16 at a 1 PM Mass. Due to corona virus restrictions
attendance at the Mass will be limited to the confirmands, their parents, and sponsors.
This is a rescheduling from the initial date of Sunday, May 24. Please pray for our
confirmation candidates.

Finally, because of the cancellation of our Fall Festival, in my letter next week, I will
share with you detailed information about purchasing and selling BBQ meal tickets and
raffle tickets for our Fall fundraiser on Sunday, September 13, 2020.

Until next week,

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

July 17, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

100 degree temperatures, very little grass to mow, cicadas sounding off,
these are the telltale signs that summer is definitely here in Texas. In the midst of
summer, planning moves forward for the upcoming months.

Traditionally, in August we have our parish potluck on the Sunday after
August 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the namesake of our parish. In
September we have our annual parish festival. This year due to COVID-19 the
decision has been made to cancel the August parish potluck. Our annual parish
festival held in September will not be taking place. After consultation with the
Diocese of Austin and the parish’s Pastoral Council it was decided in the interest
of public health these events would not be held at this time.

We are aware the September festival is an essential means of raising funds for our school. The
school’s budget is dependent upon revenue from this event. If you recall last
year’s festival the proceeds were shared between the church and school. This
year instead of the festival there will be a BBQ meal picked up in a drive through
line. We will have a raffle with the first prize being a gift card for $4,000!

This year, every household will receive a booklet of tickets to either sell or
purchase. Information on how and where to purchase your BBQ plates and details
about the raffle will be sent in the upcoming weeks.
I know these are extremely different and challenging times in the world.
During these circumstances, I am certain that we the parishioners of St. Mary of
the Assumption Catholic Church will support this amended edition of the 83rd
annual Fall Festival, benefitting our church and school.

Peace,

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

P.S. An update on the church renovation: K4 the general contractor, has received one fee proposal from a building envelope
consultant and they are awaiting the proposal from another firm. Meetings with subcontractors will be taking place this week.

July 10, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

This summer has been all too short. Soon I will be leaving St Mary’s but thankfully only temporarily as I will be returning almost every weekend in September and for the rest of the next academic year at seminary, my last before ordination to the priesthood. I am heading off on a new adventure, one  I have been praying and preparing for some time. As some of you may know, in addition to being a seminarian for the Diocese of Austin, I am also a co-sponsored seminarian for the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA and a Chaplain Candidate in the US Army Reserve. This summer I will be heading to Fort Benning, GA to attend the US Army’s Airborne School. A lot like it sounds, it is a school where they teach you how to jump out of perfectly good airplanes. Think of Band of Brothers and the Normandy invasion and you will probably have a good idea of what all that entails.

Why am I doing this you might ask? Certainly I do not need to in the absolute sense. Frankly, I have chosen to do it because that is where the Soldiers are. To be a Shepherd one must be with the sheep, to go with them...out the door of a plane, if need be. I have been privileged to serve in an Airborne Battalion for the last several years. They are an extraordinary group of men and women, most if not all combat veterans, some even currently deployed overseas. Completion of this course will certainly not be the end all be all of ministry, instead I pray that it be an open door, in one way or the other, to engage in the deeper questions and mysteries of God’s providence wherever that Soldier is.    

For open canopies and soft landings, St Micheal the Archangel, pray for us!

In Christ,

Deacon Callan Sweeney

July 3, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

On July 1, 2020, I entered into my third year as your pastor.  These three years have gone by very quickly.  The phrase “tempus fugit” (time flies) is so true.    I can still remember arriving on a hot summer day, and the moving van arriving shortly after me with all my possessions in boxes.  I could not have imagined beginning a capital campaign for the renovation of a church and parish facilities, and reprising a high school.  I can never fully imagine the plans God has for me.  

Upon my first minutes arriving at St. Mary’s, I walked into the office/rectory and the building seemed to whisper “welcome.”  I was warmly welcomed by so many people.  I celebrated the Wednesday evening Mass and afterward introduced myself to those attending and inquired as to their name.  I do not know what kind of first impression I made, but it was an impression!

Over these three years I have continued to grow in my priesthood and in my awareness of who God has called be to be as a human being.  I am grateful to God and the Diocese of Austin entrusting me to shepherd the people at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Taylor. I look forward to the coming years.

Peace, 

Fr. Keith Koehl 

Pastor

June 25, 2020

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,

    I want to keep you informed of what is occurring during the planning for the renovation and upgrades to our parish facilities.  Below are some of the major items discussed and acted upon at our last meeting with K4, the general contractor:

-currently the spacing between pews varies from 32.5” to 34” The optimal spacing is 36” It was agreed that the pews, once refinished would be placed at a spacing of 36”.  This would eliminate one pew from each side of the Nave seating.  K4 is inquiring about bids for the refinishing of the pews

-Capstone Mechanical will be hired for “design only” to prepare proposals for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering

-a full Facility envelope study/inspection of the church building will be conducted.  The final report will help us determine if there are any areas of concern which have not been addressed

-Clark and Fuller survey engineering were approved for hire

- BAI, Consultants in Acoustics, Sound Reinforcement, and Audiovisual Systems will be hired for “design/build” to prepare proposals for the Audio/Acoustic Design

-Studio IO, the liturgical consultant, will compile a list of liturgical companies associated with marble cleaning and architectural / decorative paint companies to be vetted by the building committee

    Progress is moving forward.  The design-build team is almost complete and schematics are being designed.  I am sure you are wondering, just like myself, when will the “real” work begin on the church.  The proposed timeline for the physical construction on the church is tentatively scheduled for November 2020 until June 2021.  If you have been involved in any type of construction, you understand there are a lot of factors which determine the construction timeline.  Our hopes to renovate the church are steadily moving forward in becoming a reality!

In Christ,

Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor

Dear St. Mary of the Assumption Parishioners,
 
“Behind the Scenes” activity is moving forward on our church renovation.
 
The following are some of this week’s developments.
 
A contract has been signed with a liturgical consultant, Studio io, to help with budgeting and design documentation of the sanctuary (the area of the altar, ambo, tabernacle and baptismal font). 
 
K4 our general contractor,

• met a civil engineer on site to look at the project prepare their design proposal
• test drilled the existing terrazzo flooring in a few locations and found that it is not just an overlay, but an actual terrazzo floor system
• has begun drafting work on the project
• K4 and the Church plan to meet in the next week or two to finalize the full design team, discuss project budget and scope in more detail, etc. 

 
The next steps are already underway and involve finalizing the scope and content of all project items, as well as starting the project design. This step will focus heavily on budget to better understand what we can afford as we examine the project closely. This phase should be complete in June, then will be followed by the final design. After design, the project will be bid out for all trade contractors to submit actual pricing. 
 
I look forward to providing you with weekly updates on the progress being made on this historic project.
 
Peace,
 
Fr. Keith

As outdoor temperatures continue to rise and there is a high possibility of rain in the forecast for this Sunday, we will be returning to Mass in the church with a “modified” schedule.

The schedule is a follows:

Saturday, May 23

Reconciliation 10-11 AM and 4-5 PM in the chapel (this will be the last Saturday, reconciliation will be offered from 10-11 AM)

Sunday, May 24

Masses at 9 AM and 11 AM in the church

Social distancing and health protocols will limit the number of worshippers allowed to enter the church for each Mass.  Seating will be in every other pew.  No more than two households may be seated in a pew.  In order to maintain proper social distancing one household is to sit at one end of the pew, while the other family/individual is to be seated at the other end.  If there are people not able to attend because the church has reached its current seating capacity, this will be taken into consideration in evaluating the “modified” Mass schedule.

Thank you to the parishioners who have been faithfully mailing in their parish offerings.  Thank you also to everyone who is giving online.  If you have a source of income, join your fellow parishioners who are making the sacrifice and commitment to support our parish as they return a portion of their finances regularly to the church.

Thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding as St. Mary’s makes ongoing adjustments to the location and times of Masses during these times of global health concerns.

In Christ,

Fr. Keith