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(AUSTIN) — Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced the first round of student awards for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.

St. John Neumann Parish in Austin has experienced steady growth in young families in recent years, and that growth has helped inspire a new educational initiative. Light of Christ Catholic Montessori School will open on the parish campus in mid-August, offering a faith-centered Montessori environment designed to support the physical, social-emotional, and spiritual development of young children.

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today that applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program will be extended through 11:59 p.m. CT, March 31.

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today that more than 42,000 students applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) on Feb. 4, the first day of the program’s launch. The total represents a nationwide record for most enrollments for day one of a new school choice program, surpassing Tennessee’s 33,000 student applications in 2025.

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today the successful launch of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program. Shortly after noon, more than 20,000 students had applied for the largest year-one school choice initiative in the nation, including nearly 8,000 in the first hour.

The conversation around education in Texas has reached a pivotal moment with the introduction of the state’s school choice program: Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA). This initiative recognizes what the Catholic Church has always affirmed: parents are the first and primary educators of their children, and every family deserves the ability to choose the learning environment that best nurtures their child’s growth.

The challenges of teacher retention can be felt in schools all over the country, whether they are Catholic, public, or charter. In the Diocese of Austin, we are tackling this challenge by infusing collaboration and support through the Classroom Learning Lab. The Classroom Learning Lab (CLL) brings a cohort of teachers together each year to observe each other’s teaching, self-reflect on their instructional practices, and participate in collegial discussions as a reminder that we are not alone as Catholic school educators.

In an earlier blog post in this faith-formation series, I presented a challenge to PK–12 Catholic school educators. The challenge is to implement a discipling model of education and formation in Catholic schools. The word, “discipling,” is a verb that means to mentor someone who desires to become a disciple of Jesus.

We’re proud to share that St. Joseph Catholic School, Bryan, TX is featured in the latest issue of the National Catholic Educational Association's Momentum Magazine! This special highlight recognizes the incredible impact of Catholic education in the Brazos Valley and the strong faith-filled community at St. Joseph.

Most Reverend Garcia will be the sixth bishop of Austin. The installation date will be announced at a later time.

Congratulations, Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School for being voted Best Preschool, Best Private Elementary School, Best Private High School in the Best of Waco awards hosted by the WACOAN!

Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your journey! As you graduate from our Catholic schools, know that you are stepping forward not only with knowledge but also with a foundation of faith, integrity and mission.

When Anne Marie and Tom McNew asked the Blessed Virgin Mary if they should pursue their dream of a Catholic radio station in Central Texas, she responded “Yes, stop asking me and get busy!” she said in a “drill sergeant tone.” And busy they have been ever since.

Lent is traditionally a time when we give things up, but for fifth graders at St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School in Austin, Lent is about using their time and talents to walk with Jesus. It all started a few years ago when fifth-grade teacher Terry Ryan taught about the Stations of the Cross and had his students re-create the city of Jerusalem. It was such a success that they are building it again this year.

Editor’s note: This issue of the Catholic Spirit went to press before March 25. As the Diocese of Austin bids farewell to Bishop Joe Vásquez on March 25, many questions have arisen. Who will lead the diocese until a new bishop is appointed? How long will it take to name a new bishop? What we do know is that the process of selecting candidates for the episcopacy involves consultation, discussion and prayer. It is a process governed by strict confidentiality and involves several key individuals, including the apostolic nuncio and the Congregation for Bishops, with the final decision resting with Pope Francis.

The seven themes of Catholic social teaching are core components within the religion curriculum of Catholic schools throughout our country. But how do we integrate these components into an intentional series of lived experiences for our students so they will become more engaged, compassionate servant leaders after their time with us? Two years ago, the Office of Catholic Schools began designing social teaching experiences that build on one another throughout the years students are in Catholic schools. This alignment of experiences is an ongoing and ever-developing project that has allowed our diocese to create a Catholic social teaching vision for our students.

As the dog days of summer begin to dwindle and we start planning for our fall activities (and the early return of our favorite fall coffee flavors), it’s a great opportunity to take some time to plan for our family’s future as well. August is National Make-A-Will Month. No matter where we are in our life journey, it’s never too early to start planning, so if you have not created a will yet, perhaps this is a good time to begin the process or update an existing will.

The cornerstone of our faith is Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist. Melissa Kirking, the coordinator of Children’s Adoration at St. William Parish in Round Rock, is passionate about helping children realize the True Presence. So much so, she recently spearheaded a fascinating exhibit at St. William Parish.