What we do together, and what we used to do

Still part of our life

Mentioned in the 2025-26 school year, or on the 2026 calendar.

At church

• All Souls remembrance

  In our records since 2011

  Remembering the dead around All Souls Day. In 2011 and 2013 the parish offered the “All Souls Day Memorial Rose,” a rose placed in church in the name of a loved one. On November 2, 2025 it held “Vespers for the Souls of the Faithful Departed.”

• Breakfasts after Mass

  In our records since 2006

  Coffee, donuts, pancakes or tacos in the Family Center after Mass. The 2006 website describes “coffee/donuts, pancakes, or taco breakfasts served in the Family Center after designated masses.” On Shrove Sunday 2024 the parish served pancakes in the gym, and in 2026 the Knights of Columbus hold a monthly breakfast taco fundraiser after the 7:30 and 9:00 Masses.

• Catalyst men’s ministry

  In our records since 2015

  A men’s ministry that meets early on Wednesday mornings. In 2015 the pastor wrote that every week “75 to 100 men can gather early on Wednesday mornings.” In 2024 it met in the Family Center from 6:00 to 7:20 a.m. during the school year, with a breakfast at a nearby cafe in summer.

• Christmas Angel Tree

  In our records since 2024

  A Christmas giving program with St. Vincent de Paul. In Advent 2024 the parish offered “three options for our Angel Tree,” including adopting a family, and in Advent 2025 it collected gift cards. We found only these two years, so it may be older.

• Early Bird Taco Ministry

  In our records since 2007

  Volunteers make breakfast tacos and take them to people who are homeless or looking for day work. The 2007 website says the team served them “outside of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.” The parish says the ministry has run “since the 1990s,” and today it furnishes “about 200 tacos every Friday morning” to two shelters.

• Easter egg hunt

  In our records since 2015

  An Easter egg hunt for children: on Holy Saturday in 2015, after the 9:00 Easter Mass in 2024, and in front of the St. Theresa statue on Easter Sunday 2026, when the parish site said it needed “about 3,000 eggs.”

• Fat Tuesday pancake dinner

  In our records since 2026

  A pancake dinner for Mardi Gras, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The parish site called the February 17, 2026 dinner “our first Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner.” Earlier Mardi Gras celebrations are remembered too: the Ladies Club managed “parish celebrations like Mardi Gras.”

• Lenten Friday fish fry

  In our records since 2009

  A Friday-night fish fry in the Family Center during Lent. A 2009 page says “our first Fish Fry was a huge success.” The Knights of Columbus have cooked the dinners. Dinners were to-go only in 2021, and the 2026 menu offered fried fish, shrimp or fish tacos.

• Lenten soup suppers

  In our records since 2002

  Lenten soup meals. In March 2002 the Adult Faith Formation team hosted a “Lenten Soup Supper” before the 5th graders’ Stations of the Cross. In 2016 and 2019 it was “Soup and the Spirit” on Thursdays in Lent, and in 2026 “Lenten Soup & the Spirit” ran Thursdays in the Family Center, called “a St. Theresa Lenten Favorite.”

• Ministry Fair

  In our records since 2002

  A fair where parish ministries invite people to join. In 2002 it was the “Fall Festival of Ministries.” In 2019 the gymnasium was to be full of parishioners representing “more than 50 parish ministries.”

• Overflow Masses in the gym

  In our records since 2004

  When the church is too full, Mass is also said in the gym, once called Jordan Hall. Easter Sunday 2004 had Masses “in the Church and Jordan Hall,” a 2008 facility report calls the gym a “temporary sanctuary during Easter and Christmas,” and Easter 2026 listed “Church and Gym Overflow.”

• Parish mission

  In our records since 2003

  A few days of preaching by a visiting priest, often in Lent: late September 2003, January 2008, and a Lenten mission on March 30 and 31, 2025, with a family dinner on the first night and a talk with adoration on the second. Not annual, but it keeps coming back.

• Parish penance services

  In our records since 2016

  Penance services in Lent and Advent, with visiting priests helping: March 2016, March 2024, and an Advent service on December 9, 2025.

• Parish picnic

  In our records since 2000

  An all-parish picnic around the feast of St. Theresa on October 1. A school newsletter already mentions “St. Theresa’s parish picnic” in September 2000, and the Ladies Club managed it in the early decades. By 2023 it had a cakewalk, carnival games, inflatables, a petting zoo and bingo. On October 5, 2025 it celebrated the patroness’s feast day and the 100th anniversary of her canonization.

• Senior Adult Appreciation Banquet

  In our records since 2015

  A fall banquet to honor senior adults. The 2015 ministry booklet lists “Senior Adult Appreciation Day,” the 2018 banquet was on a Saturday in October, and in October 2023 the bulletin reports the “annual Senior Appreciation Banquet” with barbecue and 1950s music.

• Sewing Ministry

  In our records since 2005

  Parishioners who sew for the church and the community. The 2005 website lists the ministry, and a 2021 bulletin offers prayer blankets “lovingly sewn and quilted by our Sewing Ministry.” Today the ministry lists vestments for the priests and deacons, altar cloths, prayer blankets and baptismal bibs among its work.

• Stations of the Cross, indoors and out

  In our records since 2009

  Every Friday in Lent the Stations are prayed in church. The parish also keeps an outdoor Stations trail behind the sand volleyball court, open from noon on Holy Thursday to Easter Monday. A 2009 newsletter calls them “our unique outdoor ‘hiking’ Stations of the Cross.”

• Tenebrae in Holy Week

  In our records since 2024

  A Holy Week service of readings in which a candle is put out after each, ending in near darkness. The parish’s pages list it at 7 pm on the Tuesday of Holy Week in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Older Lent calendars sent people to a neighboring parish for Tenebrae, so this looks like a recent addition.

• The Advent evening

  In our records since 2012

  An evening that begins Advent, under several names. In 2012 it was “A Gift of Light,” a production of choirs, dancers, actors and volunteers. In December 2015 it was “The Gift of Light: Lessons and Carols” with a Festival of Lights and wassail party. Since 2021 it has been “Celebrate Advent!” with pizza, a mini-Posada and caroling, and the tree lighting continues with cocoa and carols.

• Vacation Bible School

  In our records since 2005

  A week of Vacation Bible School each June. The 2005 website lists it among the children’s ministries, it ran June 10 to 14 in 2019, and the 2026 session is June 8 to 12.

• Walk for Life

  In our records since 2019

  Each June parishioners join the Texas Alliance for Life Walk for Life. The walk is run by an outside group; the parish sends a team. The 2019 bulletin invited the parish to the June 15 walk, and the June 2026 Tiger Times says “Join Team St. Theresa” for June 20.

• Welcome for newcomers

  In our records since 2007

  Welcoming new parishioners with packets, orientation and luncheons. The 2007 website says “newcomer luncheons are held twice per year,” and over 50 people came to one in March 2009, with a parish history talk and a walk around the campus. New parishioners are still asked to fill out a card at the Welcome Desk.

At school

• Book Fair

  In our records since 1998

  A school Book Fair. A 1998 school page lists it among the school’s yearly events. On Sunday, October 23, 2022 the Fall Book Fair was opened to parishioners in the newly remodeled library, and in October 2025 the Tiger Times listed one for October 24 to 31.

• Catholic Schools Week

  In our records since 1998

  The national Catholic Schools Week in late January. A Pre-K newsletter of January 1998 celebrates it, in 2003 each day had a theme with a Mass, an open house and a sock hop, and in 2026 the week was January 25 to 31.

• Chrism Mass with the diocesan schools

  In our records since 2024

  Eighth graders attend the diocese’s Chrism Mass: twenty-one St. Theresa 8th graders in 2024, and on March 31, 2026 students celebrated it with other diocesan schools and prayed a school rosary.

• Daddy-Daughter Dance

  In our records since 2019

  A Father-Daughter dance, now the Daddy-Daughter Dance, in the gym: February 2019, February 2020, May 2021 and January 23, 2026. A Mother-Son Dance was on the calendar for November 7, 2025.

• Fairy Tale Ball and Parade

  In our records since 2019

  The Little Flower Academy’s ball and parade for the pre-kindergarten. The 2019 bulletin announced “the first ever” for October 4, 2019, and a “PreK Fairy Tale Ball Parade” was on the September 24, 2025 calendar.

• Field Day

  In our records since 1999

  An end-of-year Field Day. It appears on a third-grade calendar captured in 1999, a kindergarten newsletter lists “Field day from 8.00-10.45 a.m.” in May 2000, and the May 2026 Tiger Times lists Field Day Awards.

• Followers of the Little Way

  In our records since 2022

  The school calls its students “followers of the Little Way.” In October 2024 the 5th graders held a “Followers of the Little Way Ceremony” at school Mass and received a blessing on the sacrifice beads they made, and in October 2025 on a decade-of-the-rosary keychain they made.

• Golf tournament

  In our records since 1997

  A school golf tournament. In August 1997 the Home and School Association had two chairs for it, and in 2002 the board minutes called it “a big success raising over $11,000.” Today the school holds the Tiger Cup golf tournament (May 2023, June 2026), probably the same tradition under a new name.

• Graduations

  In our records since 2000

  End-of-year graduations. In May 2000 the kindergarten graduated at 8:15 a.m. in Jordan Hall. In 2026 the 8th grade held a Mass and Graduation Ceremony on May 14.

• Grandparents’ Day, now GrandTigers

  In our records since 2003

  The school hosted its first Grandparents’ Day on November 25, 2003. Today it is “GrandTigers Day” (November 21, 2025, and on the calendar for November 20, 2026).

• Little Way Day

  In our records since 2024

  A 24-hour giving day for the school on the feast of St. Thérèse, October 1. The school’s Little Way Day page calls the 2024 one “inaugural,” and the school’s 2026-27 calendar lists it again for October 1.

• School Mass, parents welcome

  In our records since 2011

  Mass for the whole school with parents welcome. On November 1, 2011 Msgr. Brooks celebrated the all-school Mass for All Saints Day, when 44 first graders dressed as saints. The 2026 calendars list “School Mass - Parents Welcome” on many Fridays.

• School plays and musicals

  In our records since 2022

  The 4th-grade Texas History Spring Musical, a Mainstage Fall Play for grades 5 to 8 (“Little Women” in November 2025), and a Spring Musical, “Newsies,” on April 10 and 11, 2026.

• Spirit Days

  In our records since 1998

  Spirit days, from the “last spirit day before Gala” in October 1998 to the many Spirit Days and spirit passes in the 2025 and 2026 Tiger Times.

• St. Nicholas Feast Day

  In our records since 2000

  St. Nicholas Feast Day, December 6, at school: on the Pre-K calendar of 2000 and in the December 2025 Tiger Times.

• The annual school gala

  In our records since 1998

  The school’s annual fundraising evening, with a new theme each year: “Gala 98,” the Bluebonnet Ball (2003), the Boogie Ball (2004), the “Black Tie and Boots Cowboy Gala” (2024), “Crewe of Lisieux” (2025) and “Forever 1986” (February 21, 2026, in the school’s 40th year).

• The Christmas program, now the Christmas Pageant

  In our records since 2000

  The all-school Christmas program was on the Pre-K calendar for December 14, 2000, in Jordan Hall. It is now the Christmas Pageant, held December 19, 2025 in the church.

• Tiger Rally Day

  In our records since 2021

  The morning before the first day of school, when families drop off supplies and meet teachers: August 2021 and August 11, 2026.

Church and school

• Blessing of the Animals

  In our records since 2011

  Pets are blessed around the feast of St. Francis, October 4. The school held its “annual Blessing of the Animals” in 2011, and the whole parish gathered for it in later years. The 2025 blessing was on Saturday, October 4, in the courtyard.

• Flowers for St. Theresa

  In our records since 1998

  Flowers for “the Little Flower” on her feast day. In October 1998 the school was “blooming with flowers, in honor of St. Theresa.” In 2016 each child brought a flower to the feast-day Mass, and on October 1, 2025 students “showered our patroness with flowers.”

• May crowning of Mary

  In our records since 1999

  Crowning a statue of Mary in May. A school newsletter from 1999 mentions “the Mass and May Crowning.” In 2025 the May 1 school Mass was the May Crowning, with a flower for Mary and a visit to the grotto after Mass, and it is on the 2026 calendar again.

• Veterans Day program

  In our records since 2018

  In 2018 the school invited veterans and their families to a morning celebration in the gym, with a reception in the Elmer Hall Great Room. It was repeated in 2022, and on November 11, 2025 the school held a celebration with a guest speaker and flags around campus.

Ended

A parish publication says these have come to an end.

• Ladies Club

  In our records, 1968 to 2022. At church

  The parish’s first organization, begun in 1968 at the request of the first pastor, Msgr. Charles Elmer, “before there was even a church building.” Members met on first Fridays, often with a guest speaker, hosted funeral receptions, served coffee and donuts after Mass, and managed celebrations such as Mardi Gras, a Valentine dance and the annual picnic. They began the parish library and a bereavement program and made the Chrismon ornaments still hung on the altar Christmas trees. The club held its final meeting in May 2022.

• The parish zoo

  In our records, 1976 to 2009. At church

  A zoo on the parish grounds, remembered by people who were here in the 1970s. The parish history says it was “established in 1976.” A 2009 newsletter said newcomers on a campus tour were unaware “that we used to have a zoo on the grounds.” We have found no document that says when or why it closed.

Not seen lately

We found nothing recent. Some may have stopped, changed their names, or simply not been written about.

• Advent Parents’ Night Out

  In our records, 2022 to 2024. At church

  A free evening of child care at Christmas time, “an early Christmas gift from St. Theresa.” Children had pizza, a Christmas movie and games in the Family Center while their parents had the evening. It ran in December 2022, 2023 and 2024.

• Annual art show

  In our records: 1970s. At church

  An “annual art show” that people who were here in the 1970s remember, according to the parish history. We found no other record of it.

• Blessing of throats

  In our records, 2020 to 2025. Church and school

  On the feast of St. Blaise, February 3, children receive the blessing of throats: students of the Little Flower Academy in 2020, and in 2025 two of the priests blessed students with candles. We found it only twice, so it may be annual and just rarely written about.

• Living Stations of the Cross

  In our records, 2014 to 2016. At church

  High-school youth presented the Stations of the Cross as a live drama with music. A 2014 newsletter lists the “28th Living Stations of the Cross.” The last one we found was Friday, March 4, 2016, in the gym.

• Paint Fest

  In our records, 2001 to 2002. At school

  A Lenten service project, Paint Fest for Hospital Art, on March 5 to 7, 2002: “over 700 ceiling tiles were painted for 14 health care facilities.”

• Parish pilgrimages

  In our records, 1999 to 2023. At church

  Occasional pilgrimages, not annual: a Holy Land and Rome trip offered in 1999 “with our new Pastor,” a Jubilee Year of Mercy pilgrimage in June 2016 by choir members and parishioners to Budapest, Vienna, Assisi and Rome, and a Holy Land pilgrimage in Lent 2023 that several parishioners joined with people from two other parishes.

• Sacred Music and Arts Camp

  In our records, 2013 to 2020. At church

  A week-long summer camp in sacred music, dance and drama for children from 2nd grade through high school. The 2016 camp was the 24th annual and the 2018 camp was “in its 26th year.” In 2019 it was MUSIC ALIVE! Sacred Music Camp, and in 2020 it ran online. We found no camp after that.

• Saints parade and Living Wax Museum

  In our records, 2000 to 2023. At school

  All Saints Day at school: a “Saint parade” for the Pre-K in 2000, a November 1 parade of children dressed as saints in 2015, and a 3rd-grade “Saints Living Wax Museum” on November 1, 2023. We have not seen it in the 2024 or 2025 Tiger Times.

• San Saba food and clothing drive

  In our records, 1970s to 2006. At church

  A food and clothing drive that people from the 1970s remember. The parish’s 2006 website still lists a “San Saba Clothing Drive” under Community Outreach.

• Science Fair

  In our records, 2003 to 2018. At school

  The first annual Science Fair was held on January 28, 2004, during Catholic Schools Week. A school page captured in September 2018 says its Learning Fair “features a Science Fair competition.” We have not seen one in the 2023 to 2026 Tiger Times, but it may go by another name.

• Walk-a-thon for Lifeline

  In our records, 2004 to 2015. At church

  A spring walk-a-thon for Lifeline, the parish ministry for pregnant women and their babies. The students and the parish held a “Family Walk-A-Thon for Lifeline” in spring 2004, and the parish’s Lifeline page (2007 through 2015) says “in the spring of each year, parishioners participate in a Little Walk-a-thon for Lifeline.” The page may simply never have been updated.