Saint Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church — Attraction in Austin

To The Community of Saint Ignatius Mártir Church,

I am writing a letter to the church of Saint Ignatius Mártir to give my opinion on the men's retreat that took place on the 4-5 of June. I would like to give thanks to my stepdad who introduced me to the retreat and the men who sacrificed their time to volunteer and give this amazing experience, and to those who shared their testimonies with us.

To me it was a great opportunity, I am 18 years old and for me to experience it at a young age was a blessing from God he was the one who made me realize what I must do. I wasn’t the best son to my parents before, I had rough days that I just didn't know what else I could do. For me the men's retreat was great, the atmosphere of the place was amazing when I first walked in I didn't know what to expect nobody did but the people who greeted me were like people I have met in a long time like a family I never knew about. Their welcoming was like being at home which made me feel like I was in good hands. Through the whole first day of the men's retreat a lot came to me everything they were talking about wasn’t specifically directed towards me it may have to others but those scenarios made me think of what would happen to me if I would have committed those things. Also listening to the other men relating to the same things It made me feel like I wasn't the only one going trough those same problems we all came with a purpose, when I walked in there I was like a lost boy and when I left the retreat I left like a boy with a path to follow home a new person. I lived this experience, didn’t just hear about it. It was a transformative one. And the leaders spoke about vices a lot of men succumb to and destroy themselves with, but I fund it to be helpful moving forward with my life.

The retreat was wonderful and very persuasive every men that went there and lived the retreat with me were very pleased as was I we were satisfied with what we learned from it, I am great full that God showed me the way to the men's retreat because without going to it I would have still been the same 18 year old teenager making bad choices. I recommend other men my age and older to come to the next retreat it helped me and I'm positive it would help those who...

I stopped in today to see the church with my small black cloth wagon that I had with me since I am with out a car and walking. The church is big and beautiful and I saw church going on and felt happy and wanted go in but the security guard KEN said NO wagon allowed inside building. I saw plenty of spots in that large room that the wagon small would have been out of the way if I stayed for church and I was not even allowed in front area room with my little wagon he said put it out side. All my belongings have been stolen non stop as homeless lady and even my car was towed away and robbed all my computer stuff and phone several times and all my cloths. The little wagon is all I have and it was a gift. I felt like since I am homeless let's treat you like dirt and tell you to put it out side. Guess Ken needs a pay raise for this keeping church free of homeless lady with small wagon. I pray the Church treats people better than their...

I love St. Ignatius Martyr. I grew up there and have gone on and off for over 45 years. However, I wish the Masses were more traditional. The homilies seem lukewarm, there is really no talk about about traditional Catholic teaching ( the loss of souls, sin or hell) any longer. I know this is the standard in most Churches today, however I am holding out that in such an old grand building that Catholic traditional teaching and practices will come back to the church. It would be beautiful to kneel at the alter rail again, receive holy Communion, and hear some grand classic hymns on the organ. I know I am dreaming but maybe a Latin Mass. Sometimes I cannot take the lukewarm modernism in most Catholic Churches in South Austin. People are starving for truth. I feel the Church would be full day and night if...