The Essentials
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The Essentials is an 8-week mini-course on the basics of the Catholic Church with a concentration on What Makes Us Catholic or different from other Christian denominations.
Attend any or all sessions which interest you or fit your schedule! It's a smorgasboard of Catholic identity.
Concentrating on particular Catholic worldviews, beliefs, practices and church structures, the course assists Catholics who need a refresher course or an introduction to their faith or for those active Christians from another Church interested in learning what makes Catholicism different from their own upbringing.
On Select Tuesday nights, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
February 8 thru April 5, 2022Attend any or all sessions which interest you or fit your schedule!
No Registration required. Admission is Free!
Pick and Choose which sessions interest you!Course Schedule Date Topic Lecturer Location February 8 Catholic Worldviews Dr. John Osman February 15 How Catholics Read the Bible Mr Michael Ryan February 22 Ritual, Liturgy and the Sacraments Dr. John Osman March 1 A Walk Through the Mass Mrs. Cheryl Maxwell PAC March 8 Mary Fr. Brian McMaster PAC March 22 The Communion of Saints TBD March 29 Church Structure and Organization Mrs. Helen Osman PAC April 5 The Church's Social Doctrine Dr. John Osman -
Father Brian McMaster is a priest of the Diocese of Austin and our parish's Parochial Vicar. Ordained in 2001, he has served in several parishes in the diocese, including St. Helen in Georgetown and St. Mary's Catholic Center at Texas A&M. Father Brian authored Totus Tuus: A Consecration to Jesus through Mary with Blessed John Paul II, published by Our Sunday Visitor. This popular devotional book takes a fresh look at Marian consecration from the Catholic tradition and incorporates the teachings and insight of Saint John Paul II.
Michael Ryan is an IBM retiree. He and his wife Brenda have attended St. Vincent de Paul since 2007, and have two grown sons. Michael has been active with the RCIA for several years, as an aide, sponsor and catechist.
Mrs. Cheryl Maxwell is the former director of the Diocese of Austin's
Worship Office and Liturgy Director at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. She holds a B.S. in Education and an M.A. in Theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Cheryl currently serves as a Retreat Facilitator and Motivational Speaker.
Dr. John Osman specializes in catechesis with a special emphasis on inculturation and communication within the digital culture. Currently the Director of Evangelization and Catechesis at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin, Texas, he has worked on the parish and diocesan levels to create programs such as a 10-month training for catechists of adults and online retreats. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Rolla, an M.A. in Theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and his Ph.D. in Catechetics from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Mrs. Helen Osman is a church communication specialist having worked with multiple levels of church organizations. She is president of SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication) and was chief communications officer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, organizing media preparations for the visits of Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and of Pope Francis in 2015. She previously served as editor and communications director for the diocese of Austin.