This Week at St. Mary’s
The events listed below are unique events for this week. We have plenty of organizations that meet weekly that are not listed. Find an organization that interest you on our community page.
You can also stay tuned to what’s going on by signing up for our Flocknote or by following us on Facebook and Instagram!
December 22 – January 5
New Church closed on Monday mornings
A reminder that the New Church will open at 3:30pm on Mondays to provide time to clean up from the weekend.
I Want to Get Involved
If you're looking for ways to get involved and grow in your faith, we've got plenty of opportunities for you! Check out what's happening below, and if you're ready to take the next step, simply drop us a line at aggiecatholic.org/pluggedin and we'll take it from there.
Winter Schedule at St. Mary's
Our Winter Mass schedule is in effect. During the break, only the 5:30 PM Daily Mass is available on weekdays. Confession times remain unchanged except on holidays. Please note the 11 AM & 6 PM Masses will not be offered. Visit bcsdeanery.org for Mass times in the local area.
The Winter Weekend Mass schedule is as follows:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM (Español)
St. Mary's Winter Hours of Operation:
December 11–22
The hours of operation for all buildings will be reduced to 8:00am–10:00pm
December 23–27
The Student Center/Office, Chapel, & Historic Church will be closed. The Main Church will have reduced hours of 9:00am–9:00pm (excluding the Christmas Eve Mass at night).
December 28–January 12
The hours of operation for all buildings will be 8:00am–10:00pm.
Hours of operation will return to normal on the first day of classes January 13, 2025.
Upcoming Holy Days of Obligation
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas is always a Holy Day of Obligation. The Christmas Mass times are as follows:
December 24 - Christmas Eve at 9:00pm
December 25 - Christmas Day at 10:00am
Confessions are cancelled for both days.
New Year’s Mass Times
New Years Day is a Holy Day of Obligation for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Mass times are as follows:
Tuesday, December 31 - 5:30pm Vigil
Wednesday, January 1 - 10:00am
Now
Christmas Giving Tree
Thank you to everyone who participated in helping provide Christmas gifts for our giving tree! Please continue to join us in prayer for those who are struggling during this Advent and Christmas season.
I want to become Catholic
If you’re interested in becoming Catholic or if you want to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, you’re invited to attend OCIA on Tuesday nights starting in January. For more information and to sign up, visit aggiecatholic.org/ocia.
Senior Outbound Retreat
Class of 2025, sign-ups for the Senior Outbound Retreat are now open. If you are graduating in 2025, you are invited to attend a weekend of reflection about your time here at A&M and to prepare for life post-graduation with the help of recent graduates from January 24-26. aggiecatholic.org/senioroutbound
Christmas Flower Donations
We also want to thank everyone who donated to our poinsettia fund that helped to make the church look so beautiful. For a full list of names and honorees, check the poster in the back of the church or visit aggiecatholic.org/christmasflowers
Raise Right
This Advent and Christmas season, we encourage you to support St. Mary’s Catholic Center in a new way with Raise Right! It’s simple: shop for gift cards from your favorite stores, and a portion of every purchase goes directly to support our mission. To learn more and get started, visit aggiecatholic.org/raiseright or pick up a special flier in the Narthex on your way out.
Dec. 29 Second Collection - Feast of the Holy Family
The second collection on December 29 is for the Feast of the Holy Family, to support family and life activities in the diocese. Throughout Central Texas there are maternity homes, foster care programs and adoption services that help expectant mothers, children in need and entire families, These important services and programs provide much needed assistance and promote our Catholic values of respecting all human life. Please be generous in your support.
Intern Applications
Intern Applications open January 6! Anyone who will be a junior, senior, or grad student in 2025-2026 is welcome to apply. This is a paid position. Applications are due Monday, January 20. To learn more about available positions and to apply, visit aggiecatholic.org/intern.
Other News
How Do I Navigate Parking at St. Mary’s?
Parking for Masses on the weekend is available in our main lot out to your left, the small lot behind the Sonoco gas station and the small lot across from the old church as well as over flow parking in the gravel lot by the Hudson apartments across from the main lot.
Free parking is also available at the Northgate garage off College Main on Sunday mornings.
During the week if you come to pray or to study or hang out in the student center, you simply need to check in with the receptionist for the time that you’re in our buildings. If you’d like to park so as to also go to class we ask that you pay the daily fee through ParkMobile.
If you have any questions stop by or visit aggiecatholic.org/parking.
FOCUS Athlete Outreach
Are you an athlete looking to get involved? We have athlete Bible studies available to help you or your team grow in your faith! Fill out this Google Form to get connected!
St. Mary’s Unexpected Pregnancy Hotline
If you or someone you know is unexpectedly pregnant, please know that St. Mary's has resources to support materially, psychologically, and spiritually both during and after pregnancy. We have a dedicated hotline (979-320-9780) that you can call or text with your first name and contact information. An adult will follow up with you. Students are not leading this ministry.
Local Service Opportunities
St. Mary's has many new ongoing opportunities this year to serve and encounter the poor through events such as lunch in the park with people in need, street ministry in Austin, Bingo and Ice Cream socials with the elderly, and helping mothers in need at the Elizabeth Home. If you would like more information visit aggiecatholic.org/service.
The Pursuit
Did you know? St. Mary's has a ministry called The Pursuit for students who experience same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. The Pursuit provides a supportive and formative community of fellow students striving to live a virtuous life. Participation in this ministry is confidential. For more information, email thepursuit@aggiecatholic.org or visit aggiecatholic.org/thepursuit
St. Mary’s Podcasts
St. Mary’s hosts a few podcasts for some Catholicism on the go. If you want to hear homilies, check out our Aggie Catholic Homilies podcast. For talks like those heard at Magnify, check out our Aggie Catholic Talks podcast.
Spiritual Direction
Fr. Art is here to meet with individuals for spiritual direction or confession on Mondays beginning at 8:30am. His schedule is specifically reserved for students from 11am-3pm. You can sign up at the front desk or by emailing the receptionist at info@aggiecatholic.org.
Looking for more?
If you are looking for ways to jump in more regularly here at St. Mary’s click the link below to discover all of our ministries you can join now like The Rock (praise and worship), SMYRT (provides High School and Middle School Retreats), local service events, and more!