The winning team of the Paulist Open celebrates their eagle shot on Ram Rock Golf Course. ENLARGE PHOTO | START SLIDESHOW

Paulist historian Father Paul Robichaud, CSP, delivers the homily during Saturday evening Mass Nov. 7 at St. Paul the Apostle Chapel in Horseshoe Bay, served by Paulists. ENLARGE PHOTO

A more perfect day couldn’t have been ordered as some 90 golfers took to the links at Ram Rock Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay, Tex., for the first annual Paulist Open golf weekend Nov. 6-7.

After feasting on Texas barbecue the evening before, the golfers teed up in teams of four to tackle Ram Rock, a challenging par 71 course rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest and named one of the best courses in Texas by GolfWeek.

The laughter and camaraderie echoed through pristine greens and blue skies of Ram Rock as team members greeted old friends and made new ones while non-golfers had the opportunity to take a wine-tasting tour of several Texas Hill Country vineyards or enjoy the pools, spa and many amenities of the Marriott Horseshoe Bay resort.

The golfers included several Paulists, including Paulist president Father John F. Duffy, who celebrated the weekend Masses at St. Paul the Apostle Chapel in Horseshoe Bay, founded by the Paulists in 1972.

“Our founder, Servant of God Father Isaac T. Hecker, would have loved Texas,” Father Duffy said in welcoming the congregation. “It is filled with possibilities. It is great to have this time to spend together, to play together and to pray together.”

Everyone gathered that evening in the resort’s ballroom for the awards banquet, emceed by EWTN Rome bureau chief Joan Lewis.

“The Paulist are so dear to me,” said Ms Lewis, who serves on the board Paulist finance committee and as chairperson of the parish council at the Paulist-run Santa Susanna Church in Rome. “Their ministry is so important in the universal church today.”

Paulist president Father John F. Duffy (left) and Paulist Open chairman Bob Schweizer talk before the shotgun start of the Paulist Open. ENLARGE PHOTO

Paulist historian Father Paul Robichaud was on hand to preach the homilies at the Masses.

“We are so thrilled to be here in Horseshoe Bay, which is such an important part of the Paulist community,” he said, touching on some of the parish’s history.

After more than 20 years of service to the people of Horseshoe Bay, the Paulists left for three years, returning to St. Paul Chapel in 2007 at the behest of then-Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Austin (now the archbishop of New Orleans). Father Robert T. Scott began his second tenure as St. Paul’s pastor.

“The people are happy to have the Paulists back, and have been very supportive of the Paulists,” said Father Scott, who is now retired. “They are very appreciative of the Paulist presence here.”

With 200 registered families, the St. Paul faith community is small, but vibrant and growing.

Father Ruben Patiño, CSP, took over the reigns as pastor in June, and jumped at the chance to host the golf weekend.

“It was very good for us as a community to venture in to other areas and make new friends, to have people get to know the Paulists,” he said.

The hugely successful golf weekend will no doubt be on the lips of Horseshoe Bay residents and all those who traveled from across the country to attend.

“The [St. Paul Chapel] parishioners were so excited to have this event here,” said Francie Dix, who sings in the parish choir and served co-chair of the golf weekend’s silent auction. “It is so great to see so many people come out to support the Paulists.”

Adam Dawkins, executive director of financial development for the Paulists, thanked everyone for their participation in the Paulist Open during the awards banquet.

“On behalf of the Paulist Fathers, thank you for being with us and for your generosity and spirit,” he said. “We will definitely, definitely be back.”