Social Outreach Ministries
Advent Giving Tree
Contact: Paloma Rodriguez, Director of Social Outreach, paloma.rodriguez@emmausparish.org
Volunteers set up the Giving Tree the first weekend of Advent. Parish families are encouraged to take one or several gift tags and provide the requested items. Organizations from throughout Lakeway and the greater Austin area which have benefited from past Giving Trees include: The Annunciation Maternity Home, Posada Esperanza, St. Louise House, Mary House Catholic Worker, and Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.
Al-Anon
Meetings: Mondays, 7:00 PM, St. Philomena room in the Emmaus House
Alcoholics Anonymous
Meetings: AA Meetings - Monday through Friday, 12:00 noon, St. Bernadette room in the Emmaus House
Lakeway AA Group Meetings - Thursday, 8 PM, St. Bernadette room in the Emmaus House
Family Support Ministry
Contact: Shari Bauer, (512) 769-8978
This ministry serves families and individuals who are in crisis due to illness, accidents, bereavement, etc. Ministry members offer meals, respite, light housekeeping, yard work, and prayer. A care plan is tailored for each family according to their needs and wishes.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes
Mobile Loaves and Fishes is an ecumenical ministry. The mission of the truck ministry is to “provide food, clothing, and fellowship and promote dignity to our brothers and sisters in need” by stocking and manning trucks which visit the homeless where they are…on the streets of Austin and surrounding areas. To assist in this effort, the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry members of Emmaus Catholic Parish work with the truck runs of St. John Neumann, making sandwiches, loading trucks, and delivering food, clothing, and hygiene products to the homeless and hungry. We welcome adults, families, youth members, social groups, and all who feel called to serve to those in need. To learn more and/or sign up to volunteer, contact Emmaus MLF Team Captain, Sheryl Kelly at sheryl.tyger.kelly@gmail.com or 512-997-8880.
Respect Life - Gabriel Project - Project Rachel- Ministry
Contact: Parish Office, 512-261-8500
The Respect Life Committee coordinates all parish-based activities regarding the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death. The activities range from praying in front of abortion facilities to educational seminars to coordinating parishioner participation in the Texas Rally for Life. Material and spiritual support is offered for women in pregnancy, post-abortion, or family abuse crises. Volunteer time is flexible.
- The mission of the Gabriel Project is to provide emotional, material and spiritual support for pregnant women and families in need. The ministry seeks to plant the seed of God's love within the hearts of women and men who feel overwhelmed, lost, alone and afraid. By assisting women and families in crisis pregnancies, Gabriel Project volunteers proclaim the truth of the dignity of each human person made in the image and likeness of God. Contact 1-877-WE-CARE2 for local assistance.
- Project Rachel, a compassionate and confidential ministry, extends God's unconditional love and forgiveness to women and men who experience the tragedy of abortion. By offering a safe place for those suffering to be reconciled with God and His Church, Project Rachel helps anyone who is suffereng after having an abortion (or as the result of a loved one's abortion) to experience God's mercy, forgiveness, and peace. [Click here for more information.]
- Texas Rally For Life - click here to see pictures from 2019 Rally!
- 40 Days for Life Day of Prayer at the local abortion clinic: Emmaus Catholic Parish will participate in the 40 Churches 40 Days campaign at a local abortion facility. If you would like to participate and spend an hour praying, click here to sign up.
Restorative Justice Ministry
Our ministry team provides spiritual formation and support to those that are incarcerated in state correctional institutions. Our efforts are aimed at teaching or reinforcing Christian values to the inmates of those facilities that will enable them to reorient their lives for the better while they are incarcerated and after they are released back into society. In our local community, our team conducts a Catholic service program at TDCJ’s Travis County State Jail each Saturday from 9:00–10:00 a.m. Our session begins with a Mass followed by a brief faith study program. We welcome you to join our team to help conduct this program as your schedule may allow. Training is provided. If you would like to learn more about or volunteer with this ministry, please contact John Gilluly at
jjgilluly@gmail.com or (512) 964-2421.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization which leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are in need or suffering. Through a network of volunteers, the organization assists individuals and families with basic unmet needs including, but not limited to, rent, utilities, food, clothing, and transportation. In addition, the Society offers assistance with disaster relief and embraces other special works such as the Home Repair Program, the Thrift Store, and the Vehicle Donation Program. Society meetings are held at Queen of Angels Chapel on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
If you need assistance or know someone who does, call (512) 576-1744 and leave a detailed message.
If you would like to volunteer with this ministry, contact David Galvan at davidgalvan77@gmail.com or (972) 215-6242.