A Letter from our Pastor: Entering into the New Year

Dear Beloved Parish Family of St. William,

Dear Beloved Parish Family of St. William, During my sabbatical in the fall of 2025, the anchors of our parish came to life for me in a tangible way. Our first anchor focuses on facilitating an encounter with Christ. During the 30-day spiritual exercises, I encountered the Lord profoundly in the wounds of my past. In that encounter, the Lord met me in my brokenness and transformed it into freedom—true freedom that comes only from Christ. I came to know tangibly that I am not bound by my past, but that I am deeply loved by our God in spite of my shortcomings. This is what the Lord and I desire for all who come to Saint William Catholic Church in Round Rock, Texas. All liturgy, ministry, and service should provide an environment conducive to an encounter with Christ and His merciful love.

In the silence, the Lord also made me aware that the gifts of renewal, freedom, and transformation were not only for me, but for the building up of our parish. This means that when we encounter Christ, it should lead to the strengthening of our parish as a reflection of Jesus’ love—that we commit our time, talent, and treasure to our parish in service to all who come here. We all have gifts to offer. Do we recognize them—and are we making that offering? This is our second anchor.

Third, part of the silence involved reflecting on what God has gifted me with, the priesthood in particular. I have known since the night before my ordination that this gift was for you, the People of God. It was not for me. I am called to serve our parish and beyond. Again, this is an invitation for us to reflect personally and honestly: Do we work to make disciples of Jesus Christ within our parish and beyond?

These anchors are the focal point of all we do at St. William; that is, that we are people who have encountered Jesus Christ and are on a mission to bring Him to the world. The St. Joseph the Worker Maintenance Shop, which is scheduled to begin construction in early 2026, will help to serve this mission. I am grateful for your generous support, which reflects your awareness of our parish’s needs as we care for our 20-year-old campus and community.

I have returned from my sabbatical refreshed and renewed. I needed it more than I realized. I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve as your pastor, and my time away has allowed me to fall more deeply in love with Christ and to recognize the ways I need to grow in order to better serve you. You are a gift to me, and, as we enter into 2026, may we encounter Christ in new ways that lead us and others to greater unity within our parish and to a missionary heart that goes forth to make disciples.

Happy New Year!

Rev. Francisco Rodriguez III
Pastor