SANTA CRUZ CATHOLIC CHURCH - Key Persons

I'm Mitzi Ison, and I'm the adult faith formation coordinator. I am a retired middle school teacher. My husband and I have four kids who all went through RE. I also taught RE throughout the years and enjoyed getting to connect with the kids in a different way than at public school. We came to live in Buda and became members of Santa Cruz in 2009. I grew up in West Texas (Amarillo), where I grew up following my parents around as they worked tirelessly in service for the Catholic Church. I feel so privileged and blessed to be a part of helping others join our amazing faith. I want you to know that I will be here to support you and guide you on your journey. Thank you for your support, patience, and prayers! Soy Mitzi Ison, y soy la coordinadora de formación en la fe para adultos. Soy maestra de secundaria retirada. Mi marido y yo tenemos cuatro hijos que pasaron por ER. Yo también enseñé ER a través de los años y disfruté de llegar a conectar con los niños de una manera diferente que en la escuela pública. Vinimos a vivir en Buda y nos hicimos miembros de Santa Cruz en 2009. Crecí en el oeste de Texas (Amarillo), donde crecí siguiendo a mis padres mientras trabajaban incansablemente al servicio de la Iglesia Católica. Me siento tan privilegiada y bendecida de ser parte de ayudar a otros a unirse a nuestra increible fe. Quiero que sepan que estaré aquí para apoyarlos y guiarlos en su viaje. Gracias por su apoyo, paciencia y oraciones.

Fr. Jesse Martinez

Job Titles:

Pastor

Fr. Kirby Garner

Job Titles:

Member of the Building Committee

Fr. Sam Bass

Job Titles:

Parochial Vicar

Father Samuel Bass, age 33, is the only child of Stephen Bass and Kristin Turner. He joined the Catholic Church as an adult and considers St. Louis King of France in Austin to be his home parish. That is where he discerned his call to enter the seminary. Growing up in Austin, Father Bass had many interests, including reading, singing, baseball and model trains. After he graduated from McCallum High School, a scholarship led him to Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he studied English and earned a liberal arts degree in 2011. While away at college, he began to ponder the "bigger questions" of life and search for a sense of belonging. Friendships with Catholics and reading the Gospels led Father Bass to explore Catholicism. After graduation, he spent three years working as an apprentice on organic farms. During this time, he participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process and was baptized in 2013 at the Easter Vigil. Several months later, while working in Canada, Father Bass sensed that God was calling him to the priesthood or religious life. To discern his future, he moved back to Austin, lived with his parents, and worked as a carpenter's assistant. He said the guidance and encouragement he received from Father Will Straten, and the diocesan vocation directors, Fathers Brian McMaster and Jonathan Raia, were invaluable. Helping those in need through home visits with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul influenced his decision to become a parish priest. "I realized that it is more fulfilling to help others and accompany them in their difficulties than to pursue my own interests. This is part of the identity of a diocesan priest," Father Bass said. He attended Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving and then the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Father Bass appreciates those who brought him to the Catholic faith, and the priests, religious and parishioners who have supported him with prayer and encouragement. He also expressed great love and gratitude for his parents, whose generosity allowed them to be open and adjust their own vision of their son's future. That process has brought them all closer, he said. When asked what advice he would give to a man or woman considering the priesthood or religious life, he said, "Don't be afraid to let Jesus Christ into your life. He wants only your good and has a beautiful plan for you." He also advised them to pray, seek mentorship with priests and religious and get to know others who are discerning. Father Sam will introduce himself at Masses next weekend. El Padre Samuel Bass, de 33 años de edad, es el hijo único de Stephen Bass y Kristin Turner. Él se unió a la Iglesia Católica como un adulto y considera a St. Louis King of France in Austin como su parroquia. Fue ahí donde él discernió su llamado a entrar al seminario.