Meet Our Priests!
Hon. Rev. Dr. Jayme Mathias, Pastor
Father Jayme jokes that he comes "from the corn fields of Ohio, to the corn tortillas of Texas." Since studying Spanish in Mexico at age 19, he has served Spanish-speaking communities in Missouri, California and Washington, D.C. As a young seminarian in 1995, he was assigned to Cristo Rey Catholic Church in East Austin, where he returned for eight years of priestly ministry. As pastor of that community, Father Jayme grew Sunday Mass attendance from some 2,300 people to over 5,000 people every Sunday, making Cristo Rey the largest Spanish-speaking Roman Catholic faith community in Central Texas. He says, "For me, it is the most invigorating feeling in the world to lead the People of God in prayer. There is nothing more humbling than to celebrate the sacraments of the Church with God's People!"
Father Jayme is passionate about education. He was the valedictorian of his high school class. He possesses two undergraduate degrees, four graduate degrees, and a doctorate in leadership studies. During his years in Austin, he served as President of San Juan Diego Catholic High School "The School that Works," he helped to launch three adult learning centers in East Austin, he founded the Cristo Rey Institute of Spirituality, Theology & Organizational Leadership at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, and in 2013 he brought to birth the Holy Family Theological Institute. In 2012, Father Jayme was elected Secretary & District 2 Trustee of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees. For eight years, he was responsible for helping oversee 85,000 students and 11,000 employees in Austin's 130 public schools. He shares, "Stephen Covey is famous for admonishing others to 'live, love and leave a legacy.' As part of my legacy in this world, I hope to cultivate and empower leaders through education!"
In March 2012, Father Jayme was incardinated into the American Catholic Church in the United States by Presiding Archbishop Lawrence J. Harms. He was subsequently named pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Austin. He concludes, "We all yearn for that special feeling of being 'at home.' That's how I feel here at Holy Family, and I pray that others might continue to find a home and a Family here, too!”
Father Jayme jokes that he comes "from the corn fields of Ohio, to the corn tortillas of Texas." Since studying Spanish in Mexico at age 19, he has served Spanish-speaking communities in Missouri, California and Washington, D.C. As a young seminarian in 1995, he was assigned to Cristo Rey Catholic Church in East Austin, where he returned for eight years of priestly ministry. As pastor of that community, Father Jayme grew Sunday Mass attendance from some 2,300 people to over 5,000 people every Sunday, making Cristo Rey the largest Spanish-speaking Roman Catholic faith community in Central Texas. He says, "For me, it is the most invigorating feeling in the world to lead the People of God in prayer. There is nothing more humbling than to celebrate the sacraments of the Church with God's People!"
Father Jayme is passionate about education. He was the valedictorian of his high school class. He possesses two undergraduate degrees, four graduate degrees, and a doctorate in leadership studies. During his years in Austin, he served as President of San Juan Diego Catholic High School "The School that Works," he helped to launch three adult learning centers in East Austin, he founded the Cristo Rey Institute of Spirituality, Theology & Organizational Leadership at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, and in 2013 he brought to birth the Holy Family Theological Institute. In 2012, Father Jayme was elected Secretary & District 2 Trustee of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees. For eight years, he was responsible for helping oversee 85,000 students and 11,000 employees in Austin's 130 public schools. He shares, "Stephen Covey is famous for admonishing others to 'live, love and leave a legacy.' As part of my legacy in this world, I hope to cultivate and empower leaders through education!"
In March 2012, Father Jayme was incardinated into the American Catholic Church in the United States by Presiding Archbishop Lawrence J. Harms. He was subsequently named pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Austin. He concludes, "We all yearn for that special feeling of being 'at home.' That's how I feel here at Holy Family, and I pray that others might continue to find a home and a Family here, too!”
Father Roy Gomez, Vicar Emeritus
Father Roy 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.
Father Roy 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.
Father Brett Banks, Associate Pastor
Father Brett hails from a small town in West Texas, where he learned the value of community and the importance of loving others. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Christian Ministry from McMurry University, where he was blessed with various opportunities to travel and to learn about world religions. In addition to a passion for world religions, Fr. Brett has a deep love for New Testament history. His commitment to inclusive Christianity began at McMurry, where he published an undergraduate thesis on LGBTQ+ affirming theology and graduated as “the Distinguished Graduate.” Following his undergraduate studies, Fr. Brett went on to study at Brite Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary, and the Seminary of St. Oscar Romero of the Independent Catholic Ordinariate, where he earned his Master of Divinity. He also complete a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Father Brett was subsequently board certified as a chaplain and now works in hospice care. Father Brett considers himself an extremely fortunate dad to two dogs and several reptiles. His passion for inclusion led him to the Independent Catholic tradition and ultimately to Holy Family Catholic Church in July 2022.
Father Brett hails from a small town in West Texas, where he learned the value of community and the importance of loving others. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Christian Ministry from McMurry University, where he was blessed with various opportunities to travel and to learn about world religions. In addition to a passion for world religions, Fr. Brett has a deep love for New Testament history. His commitment to inclusive Christianity began at McMurry, where he published an undergraduate thesis on LGBTQ+ affirming theology and graduated as “the Distinguished Graduate.” Following his undergraduate studies, Fr. Brett went on to study at Brite Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary, and the Seminary of St. Oscar Romero of the Independent Catholic Ordinariate, where he earned his Master of Divinity. He also complete a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Father Brett was subsequently board certified as a chaplain and now works in hospice care. Father Brett considers himself an extremely fortunate dad to two dogs and several reptiles. His passion for inclusion led him to the Independent Catholic tradition and ultimately to Holy Family Catholic Church in July 2022.
Rev. Annie Cass Watson, Visiting Priest
Mother Annie is an ordained priest with the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests (ARCWP). She has served as a Visiting Priest at Holy Family Catholic Church since November 2022. Mother Annie previously served as Assisting Priest at St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was the first woman priest to serve the historic parish. Before St. Stanislaus, she served St. Mary of Magdala, a Roman Catholic Womenpriest (RCWP) community in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as the Bloomington Inclusive Community in Bloomington, Indiana. Mother Annie supports her husband, Dr. Jimmy Watson, pastor of Weimar United Church of Christ in Weimar, Texas. Mother Annie was ordained a deacon on July 13, 2014 in Indianapolis, and she was ordained a priest on May 15, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. Her presiding bishop is Bridget Mary Meehan of the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests.
Mother Annie is an ordained priest with the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests (ARCWP). She has served as a Visiting Priest at Holy Family Catholic Church since November 2022. Mother Annie previously served as Assisting Priest at St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was the first woman priest to serve the historic parish. Before St. Stanislaus, she served St. Mary of Magdala, a Roman Catholic Womenpriest (RCWP) community in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as the Bloomington Inclusive Community in Bloomington, Indiana. Mother Annie supports her husband, Dr. Jimmy Watson, pastor of Weimar United Church of Christ in Weimar, Texas. Mother Annie was ordained a deacon on July 13, 2014 in Indianapolis, and she was ordained a priest on May 15, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. Her presiding bishop is Bridget Mary Meehan of the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests.
Father Marek Bożek, Visiting Priest
A native of Poland, Father Marek was ordained by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri after studies at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University & the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw and at St. Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology in southern Indiana. He soon made national headlines when he stood with the people of St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri against an overreaching cardinal archbishop. Father Marek pastored St. Stanislaus, a vibrant Independent Catholic community, for 17 years before deciding to move to Central Texas in July 2023. He now serves as a hospice chaplain for Gentiva Health Services and assists at Holy Family when he is able. Father Marek enjoys teaching, preaching, and world travel, and he has attended the Utrecht Summer School, in the “Cradle of Independent Catholicism,” on three occasions.
A native of Poland, Father Marek was ordained by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri after studies at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University & the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw and at St. Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology in southern Indiana. He soon made national headlines when he stood with the people of St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri against an overreaching cardinal archbishop. Father Marek pastored St. Stanislaus, a vibrant Independent Catholic community, for 17 years before deciding to move to Central Texas in July 2023. He now serves as a hospice chaplain for Gentiva Health Services and assists at Holy Family when he is able. Father Marek enjoys teaching, preaching, and world travel, and he has attended the Utrecht Summer School, in the “Cradle of Independent Catholicism,” on three occasions.
