Thriving Catholic Community in Central Texas Celebrates Easter

Good morning. Today’s edition will be a limited one. — The ATX Aggregator

A Faith Community on the Rise: Catholics in Austin and Central Texas

When people think of Central Texas, they often picture tech corridors, live music, and barbecue. But woven deeply into the fabric of the region is one of the most significant Catholic communities in the American South.

Today, Easter Sunday, that community is celebrating — and growing faster than almost anywhere in the country.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin spans more than 21,000 square miles across 25 counties in Central Texas, encompassing not just the state capital but also Waco, College Station–Bryan, and the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood corridor.

The diocese operates 129 parishes, missions, and university Catholic centers, and its membership is substantial: official figures put the Catholic population at somewhere between 700,000 and 750,000 — a number that has grown dramatically from just 75,495 registered Catholics when the diocese was formally established in 1947.

Infographic summarizing Catholic demographics in the Diocese of Austin, featuring '750K+ Catholics' and '129 Parishes, Missions & University Centers'.

Graphic showing '25 counties across Central Texas' and '53% expected increase in Easter 2026 converts'

Text outlining Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Austin, installed on September 18, 2025.

A portrait of a man wearing a magenta bishop's robe, glasses, and a silver cross necklace, with a neutral dark background.

The diocese’s growth reflects broader trends in Texas, where Catholicism has long been shaped by deep Hispanic roots and waves of immigration. Statewide, the Texas Catholic Conference estimates around 8.5 million Catholics — roughly 30% of the Texas population. The Austin Diocese’s makeup is notably diverse: parishes regularly offer Masses in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages, reflecting the region’s multicultural character.

Nowhere is that growth more visible than at Easter.

For Catholics, Easter is the most important liturgical celebration of the year — the feast of Christ’s resurrection and the culmination of Holy Week. At the Easter Vigil Mass (held on Holy Saturday night), new converts formally enter the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA. This year, that moment carries particular weight in Central Texas.

According to a nationwide survey by the National Catholic Register, the Diocese of Austin is expecting a 53% jump in the number of people entering the Church at Easter 2026 compared to last year — placing it among the top-performing dioceses in the country. This surge is part of a nationwide wave: the Register found that 66 of the 71 dioceses that responded to its survey are expecting increases in Easter converts this year, with some citing the influence of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, elected in May 2025.

Whether driven by demographics, immigration, campus ministry at Texas A&M and UT Austin, or a broader spiritual renewal, the numbers tell a clear story: Catholicism in Central Texas is not just holding steady — it is thriving.

This Easter Sunday, that vitality is on full display.

WOW! A drone show put on by a church in Manvel, Texas depicts our Savior Jesus on the cross.

One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Tomorrow, HE IS RISEN. pic.twitter.com/zlhWEnFzCZ
— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) April 4, 2026

A group of singers in a Methodist church during an Easter Sunday service in San Augustine, Texas, 1943. The image depicts women wearing hats and white gloves, with a historical church setting in the background.

A group of women in vintage dresses singing in a church, with stained glass windows in the background.

Easter sunrise. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/RjZmRdMuYo
— Derrall Stalvey (@Derrall) April 5, 2026

Sources

Diocese of Austin Media Kit: austindiocese.org/media-kit
Diocese of Austin Facebook Page: facebook.com/DioceseofAustin
Texas Catholic Conference: txcatholic.org/about
National Catholic Register, “Something’s Happening: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses”: ncregister.com/news/catholic-converts-surge-us
Wikipedia, Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin: wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Austin
Texas State Historical Association, “Catholic Diocese of Austin”: tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/austin-catholic-diocese-of

WEATHER

SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES

AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Temperature report for yesterday showing maximum of 78°F at 10:21 AM, minimum of 56°F at 10:15 PM, and average of 67°F.

CAMP MABRY

Weather report showing yesterday's temperatures: maximum 74°F at 10:21 AM, minimum 58°F at 1:50 PM, and average 66°F.

SATURDAY’S RAINFALL

The airport received over an 1.60″ of rain Saturday while Camp Mabry received about half that much.

AIRPORT

Table displaying precipitation data in inches: Yesterday: 0.19, Month to date: 1.68, Since March 1: 2.44, Since January 1: 3.76.

CAMP MABRY

Table displaying precipitation measurements in inches: yesterday 0.73, month to date 1.50, since March 1 2.92, and since January 1 4.80.

Tweet from NWS Austin/San Antonio forecasting rain showers and cooler temperatures for Easter Sunday, with highs in the 60s. Mention of cool weather for the start of the work week and increasing rain chances. #txwx

Weather forecast map for April 5, showing cloudy conditions and expected showers, particularly in the southern half of the region with temperatures in the upper 60s.

Weather forecast table displaying high and low temperatures as well as peak rain chances for the week of April 5, 2026 in Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS

Weekly weather forecast showing temperatures ranging from 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with conditions including morning showers, partly sunny days, and cloudy weather. — ***AccuWeather/Austin***

Scene of Texas wildfires with thick smoke and flames burning along a rural area. Firefighters and emergency vehicles are visible on the road, responding to the blaze.

Some good news…

Map of Texas showing various cities and locations marked with dots, including major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, as well as a border with Mexico.

There are currently no active wildfires in Texas. (Texas A&M Forest Service)

A modern podcast studio featuring a round wooden table with microphones, headphones, and recording equipment. The wall is adorned with a neon sign that reads 'SUNDAY PODCASTS' and there is a window showing a cityscape view.

As the United States’ space program is heading back to the moon — we hear from Eileen Collins — a retired NASA astronaut. Collins was the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and the first to command a Space Shuttle mission. A new documentary “Spacewoman” tells the story of this NASA pioneer. She tells us about her time in space and what the future might hold for space exploration.

(Episode from April 2, 2026)

Podcast episode title about a Texas solar factory producing 25,000 panels a day.

Texas leads the nation in new solar installations — and now, a massive factory just south of Dallas is churning out 25,000 Texas-made panels every day. Y’all-itics hit the road to meet Jaime Gualy, a former oil and gas guy turned solar exec, who says despite political headwinds, the future of solar in Texas is shining bright.

SPORTS

Texas flag with a baseball and football on a green field, under a sunny sky.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: After a rough start to the series in South Carolina, the Texas Longhorns battled back to take the last two of the three-game set.

Celebration of Texas Longhorns baseball team post victory with score 4-1 against an opponent, featuring players in orange jerseys, one wearing a helmet and smiling.

No. 2 Texas limited South Carolina to just two hits, as the Longhorns cruised to a 4-1 win at Founders Park on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, Texas (26-5, 9-3 SEC) is one of just two programs to win all four of its series in Southeastern Conference play. Dylan Volantis (4-0) tossed 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball, registering six punchouts along the way. For the second straight game against the Gamecocks (15-18, 2-10 SEC), the Longhorns’ starter retired the first 12 batters they faced. (Texas Longhorns)

ON THE SCHEDULE

Text display of event details including the date, location, and time: Tuesday, April 7, Austin, Texas, 6:30 p.m. CT.

An artistic graphic featuring a soccer ball surrounded by black and green flags, with the text 'FLosenic IFCC' and 'Alstittin FF FCC' prominently displayed.

MLS: The Verde & Black returned to action Saturday after having not played in two weeks.

Austin FC players celebrating a tie game with Inter Miami, final score 2-2. Goals by G. Biro and J. Nelson for Austin, L. Messi and L. Suarez for Miami.

Austin FC drew 2-2 with defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF on Saturday night in the first-ever match at Miami’s Nu Stadium. Austin remains unbeaten in three (3) all-time meetings against Miami, with a win and two (2) draws. (Austin FC)

MLS

ON THE SCHEDULE

Promotional graphic for an MLS match between Austin FC and LA Galaxy, scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at 1:30 PM at Q2 Stadium.

MLB: The Houston Astros blew out the Athletics in Sacramento Saturday.

Final score of the baseball game between Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics, showing Astros 11, Athletics 0, with attendance of 12,015.

The A’s new uniforms didn’t seem to help.

Los Athletics estrenan sus nuevas jerseys Sacramento Golds. pic.twitter.com/2DOX0w3UMz
— D/S Sports MX (@dssportsmx) April 4, 2026

Christian Walker homered, doubled and drove in two runs as the Houston Astros routed the Athletics 11-0 on Saturday. (Associated Press via The Score)

MLB

While the Astros pitched a shutout, the Texas Rangers got shut out themselves.

Final score of a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers, with the Reds winning 2-0. Attendance: 36,393.

Rhett Lowder allowed three hits over six innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Saturday night, giving the right-hander his first win since 2024 after missing all of last season because of injuries. (Associated Press via MSN)

MLB

ON THE SCHEDULE

Cincinnati Reds versus Texas Rangers game schedule showing date and time, team records, and betting odds.

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics game details with team records, betting odds, and game time.

STANDINGS

NBA: You can’t win ’em all…but you can come close.

Final score of the NBA game between San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets, with Spurs scoring 134 and Nuggets scoring 136 in overtime. Attendance was 20,039.

Nikola Jokic had 40 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, Christian Braun added 21 points and the Denver Nuggets beat San Antonio 136-134 in overtime Saturday to snap the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak. Victor Wembanyama finished with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots for the Spurs, who lost for only the third time in their last 30 games. (Associated Press)

NBA

ON THE SCHEDULE

Game schedule for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks at 6:30 PM, with Lakers favored by 1.5 points and an over/under of 232.5.

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors game details including time, spread, and over/under.

NHL: A goose egg for Easter for the Dallas Stars.

Final score of the hockey game: Colorado Avalanche 2, Dallas Stars 0, with an attendance of 18,532.

Martin Necas broke a scoreless tie midway through the third period, Nathan MacKinnon added an empty-netter and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche took a big step toward home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with a 2-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. (Associated Press)