St. Ignatius Martyr 
Children's Faith Formation Program
Grades Kindergarten -8th Grade

Sunday Classes
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Kindergarten Classes (English Only)

3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
LCCII 3rd-8th Grade 2nd Year Sacramental Preparation Classes

Wednesday Classes
6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

1st - 8th Grade Regular Faith Formation
2nd Grade First Communion Classes
LCCI 2nd-8th Grade 1st Year Classes
Basic Faith Formation BEFORE Sacramental Preparation

Hello Folks,
​
My name is Fr. Tom Jones, CSC, or "Fr. Tom" as most people call me. I am very much looking forward to being at St. Ignatius. At 72 years of age, I feel God is inviting me to "do something different" before I won't be able to do much of anything! I have never been to Texas, so this is all "new" and "exciting" for me. It has been 39 years since I was an associate pastor, so here are many things I will have to learn all over again. I know Fr. Strach will be a good mentor for me. 

My hometown is Washington, D.C. I came to Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame in 1959 for high school.  I have pretty much stayed in northern Indiana ever since. I was ordained a priest in April of 1972. I have served at St. Joe Parish, South Bend as associate pastor from 1972-1978.  I became the Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend from 1978-1984.  I have been pastor at three parishes: St. Pius X , Granger IN (1984-1995); Christ the King, South Bend (1995-2007); Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame (2008-2017).

You have mentored deacons, pastors, and now even bishops, so I know there will be much I can learn from all of you. I love parish ministry and look forward to my new experience at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin. 

When time permits, I enjoy American history and visiting historic places; fishing (even "catching" sometimes!); music; traveling; reading; watching the news; moderate exercise (stationary bicycle); college and professional football; learning Spanish.  Most of all, I enjoy funny stories and a good laugh, most often at my own foibles and missteps. 

I look forward to meeting you,
Fr. Tom

Congratulations Bishop-elect Bill Wack, CSC.

AUSTIN – We announce with great joy that Pope Francis has appointed Holy Cross Father Bill Wack, pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, as the sixth Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida.

 “With joy I received the good news of Pope Francis’ appointment of Holy Cross Father William Wack as the new bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee,” said Austin Bishop Joe S. Vásquez. I know the faithful of Pensacola-Tallahassee are excited to receive their new shepherd. Father Wack is an exemplary priest who is well-respected by his brother priests and loved by those he serves. Father Wack has been of great help to me, and I express my deep appreciation to him for his years of service in the Diocese of Austin. As the people of Pensacola-Tallahassee come to know him, they will see his love for the Church and his desire to serve his flock with warmth and compassion. I offer my prayers for Bishop-elect Wack and the faithful of Pensacola-Tallahassee.”

Bishop-elect Wack will hold a press conference today in Pensacola and a second press conference at the Diocese of Austin Pastoral Center on June 1 at 3 p.m.

Bishop-elect Wack will succeed Bishop Gregory L. Parkes who was appointed as Bishop of St. Petersburg, Florida, on Nov. 28, 2016, by Pope Francis.

The date for the episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Wack has not been set.

Background information

William “Bill” Wack was born June 28, 1967, in South Bend, Indiana. He is the ninth of 10 children, born to Dr. James and Alice Wack, in South Bend, Indiana. He attended Christ the King Catholic Grade School, and then went on to LaSalle High School (public). He pursued an undergraduate degree in Government, starting at Holy Cross College and receiving his degree from the University of Notre Dame. His brother, Neil, is also a Holy Cross priest, serving as the Director of Vocations for the U.S. Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Father Bill entered the seminary at the University of Notre Dame in August 1985. During his formation he ministered in detention centers, a prison, homeless shelters, AIDS Services of Austin, and among the people of the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. He professed his final vows on Aug. 28, 1993, and was ordained a transitional deacon the next day. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1994, by Holy Cross Archbishop James McDonald in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame.

Before coming to the Diocese of Austin, Father Wack served three years as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs. Then he served five years as the associate director of vocations for the Congregation of Holy Cross Indiana Province, while assisting in campus ministry at Notre Dame. After that he spent six years as the director of Andre House, a center for the homeless in Phoenix, Arizona. In July 2009, Father Wack was appointed pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin. He has also served as a member of the Diocesan Advisory School Board, Dean of the Austin Central Deanery and as a member of the Presbyteral Council.

The Austin Diocese covers 25 counties in Central Texas and includes approximately 550,000 Catholics in 126 parishes, missions and student centers. The Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese covers the 18 counties of northwestern Florida and includes 67,000 Catholics in 50 parishes and 9 missions.

Department Categorization: 
Communications Office