St Austin Catholic Church — Local services in Austin

Pros: Father Steve is a dynamic, "gospely" priest who makes every mass enjoyable. The choir is amazing and we sing very upbeat songs. There is a strong sense of community inside the church, which I have found to be hard to come by in other churches. It is a very welcoming community. The altar is really pretty.

Cons: The building is ugly. Masses usually run long (anywhere from 1 hr. 15 min. to 1.5 hrs. If you come late, you usually have to sit on the left or right aisles that have fold up chairs as seats. The columns inside the building make it hard to see what's going on.

All in all, I have really enjoyed my 4 years at St. Austin's and I wish I didn't have to leave the city! The long masses were completely worth it, because I actually enjoyed going. Usually I find myself bored and zoning out, but this happened rarely with Fr. Steve as the celebrant. I highly recommend this church to anyone...

I joined St Austin’s because I had been interested in trying out the parish for a while, but ultimately did because they take the pandemic very seriously. When the Diocese lifted the dispensation for in-person Mass attendance I was very concerned as masks and attendance limits were no longer enforced or required and I am not comfortable going to a church where masks are not being consistently worn. I personally haven’t seen or heard them turn people away for being unmasked (my son doesn’t always keep his on) but 95% or more do and as a parent of a young child it’s very important to me and they understand that. I also love the homilies and the atmosphere and the offering of home-based Faith Formation, but I think it’s important and valuable that there is a Catholic church you can attend and feel comfortable with if you are cautious...

I tried to attend the 1130 Mass yesterday but was turned away at the door by the priest because I did not have a mask on. The CDC, State of Texas, and the Austin diocese dropped the mask mandate 3-4 weeks ago, yet, St Austin still requires parishioners to wear one. I don't get it.

I asked the priest why this is so and also told him that I was looking forward to Mass because I've had a tough week. Instead of offering any support, he showed me the door. I will never go back. The Catholic church is bleeding parishioners and this priest is turning people away. How out of touch.

I went to the noon Mass at St Mary's instead and talked with the priest after about the incident. He was concerned...