By Anne DeVries
On Wednesday, April 15, the Schoenstatt University Men (SUM) of Austin hosted their 4th Annual Fundraiser Dinner. Held at the beautiful Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, located at 225 Addie Roy Road in Westlake, dinner was graciously served by the group’s members. The evening at the Marian Shrine brought together community supporters to fuel the growth of a Catholic men's ministry at the University of Texas, Austin.
Guests arrived to cocktails and appetizers and were welcomed by Fr. Jeff Roedel. Dinner, featuring a New Orleans-inspired menu, provided a festive atmosphere for the gathering.
The evening provided a sense of fellowship and included personal testimonies about how the organization has shaped members’ lives. Musical performances by SUM members Zeke Pyle, Mark Leatherman, and Fr. Gonzalo Villaseca warmed attendees’ hearts with spiritual songs composed by Pyle and Fr. Villaseca. A silent auction gave guests an opportunity to support the group’s endeavor to secure funds for a house on the University of Texas campus.
The Schoenstatt University Men is an Austin-based Catholic ministry dedicated to helping university students grow in their relationship with God through freedom, fraternity, and self-knowledge. Rooted in Schoenstatt spirituality and the mission of "Transforming hearts with Mary," SUM provides a structured but welcoming community for young men seeking deeper faith and lasting brotherhood.
Each week, small groups called Life Groups meet to share a meal, pray, and grow together in their faith. They participate in an annual mission trip each December, with 90-100 young men and women moving out to a Parrish community to serve in various capacities, including serving youth, religious education, and bringing communion to the sick. Local charities are also served by the group during the 5 days of the mission.
Louis-Raphaël spoke to the crowd about his experience as a member of SUM, stating, “SUM is a wonderful brotherhood. It has provided a home where we know we can be vulnerable and not judged; we can be reprimanded and also educated. It’s a place where we may not hear what we want, but hear what we need.”
SUM is seeing tremendous growth in UT student participation, with the number of life groups increasing from 28 to 39 over the past two years. Their next step to maintain momentum and allow for further growth is to move from their current home base, a 2nd-floor condo on West Campus, to a house. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards this goal.
Whether you are a West Austin neighbor curious about the group, a parent of a UT student looking for community for your son, or simply someone who wants to invest in the formation of the next generation, SUM welcomes your involvement. To learn more about joining, volunteering, or donating, visit sumatx.us. A donation tab is available at this site.
