Meet Our Parochial Vicar
Father Roy Gomez was born and raised in East Austin, the son of first-generation immigrants from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He first became active in the Church in 1992, as part of the Saint Francis of Assisi Joy Group, a ministry to senior adults, the homebound and the bereaved at Cristo Rey Catholic Church in East Austin. For the next twenty years, he helped to lead the Joy Group and participated in a variety of ministries: He served as a Eucharistic minister and proclaimer of the Word, he coordinated the parish’s breakfast groups, and he served on the parish’s Pastoral and Finance Councils.
In 1994, after losing his daughter, Michelle, to domestic violence, Father Roy became an ardent crusader in Austin against domestic violence, providing counseling and referral information to victims of abuse, and serving as an advocate for SafePlace, a shelter for battered and abused women, for more than 15 years.
In February 2012, Father Roy worked with Father Jayme Mathias to establish Holy Family American Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. He has participated in the parish’s theological institute since its inception in June 2012. He was ordained to the diaconate on October, 26 2013 and to the priesthood on December 12, 2015. As parochial vicar, Father Roy assumed administration of Holy Family American Catholic Church in the absence of the pastor. On December 31, 2020 retired from active ministry in the Church, but he continues to visit and serve Holy Family Catholic Church—now as our Vicar Emeritus.
In his own words, Father Roy feels his mission is to “live a life of service to those who are most in need: the elderly, immigrants, and victims of social injustice.” He says that his greatest satisfaction comes from leading a life of service to others and witnessing the joy they receive as a result of the Church’s ministry.
In 1994, after losing his daughter, Michelle, to domestic violence, Father Roy became an ardent crusader in Austin against domestic violence, providing counseling and referral information to victims of abuse, and serving as an advocate for SafePlace, a shelter for battered and abused women, for more than 15 years.
In February 2012, Father Roy worked with Father Jayme Mathias to establish Holy Family American Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. He has participated in the parish’s theological institute since its inception in June 2012. He was ordained to the diaconate on October, 26 2013 and to the priesthood on December 12, 2015. As parochial vicar, Father Roy assumed administration of Holy Family American Catholic Church in the absence of the pastor. On December 31, 2020 retired from active ministry in the Church, but he continues to visit and serve Holy Family Catholic Church—now as our Vicar Emeritus.
In his own words, Father Roy feels his mission is to “live a life of service to those who are most in need: the elderly, immigrants, and victims of social injustice.” He says that his greatest satisfaction comes from leading a life of service to others and witnessing the joy they receive as a result of the Church’s ministry.
