Emmaus Catholic Parish had its beginning 1963 when Monsignor Richard McCabe, at the request of Lakeway residents, began celebrating Mass at the Lakeway Inn and in parishioners’ homes. In the late 1960s, the Protestant congregation also began holding services in the homes of its members. The two congregations made the unique decision in 1972 to become an ecumenical church and, on June 9, 1975, the Lakeway Ecumenical Church was dedicated.

Twenty years later in 1995, due to the tremendous growth in the area, the two congregations agreed to separate. Their ties remain, however, in faith. Emmaus purchased land and began building.

In January 2001, our church was dedicated as The Church of the Resurrection of the Lord-Emmaus Catholic Parish. The new church was modeled after the Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

The name “Emmaus” comes from the town mentioned in Luke 24:13-35 in which Jesus appeared, after His death and resurrection, before two of His disciples while walking on the road to Emmaus. That evening when they broke bread, the two disciples recognized Him to be Jesus.

A parcel of land in Spicewood was donated to the parish and, in December 2004, Queen of Angels Chapel was dedicated. As a part of Emmaus Catholic Parish, the Chapel shares in all ministries and events for the entire parish and is administered by the staff of Emmaus Catholic Parish.

The Emmaus Parish Life Center, which includes classrooms for the Emmaus Early Childhood Education Program as well as our Faith Formation programs (for both youth and adults), a youth space, a fellowship hall, and kitchen, was dedicated in 2011.

As Pastor, I would like to welcome you to Emmaus Catholic Parish!

Father David M. Leibham (Leeb-ham) has been appointed by Most Reverend Joe Vasquez, the Bishop of Austin to be the pastor of Emmaus Catholic Parish. Since 2016, he has served as the pastor of Santa Cruz Church in Buda. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Austin on July 11, 1987. Father David has served in parishes in Austin, Bremond, Franklin, Giddings, Hearne and Waco.

He was born on December 14, 1961, the second of three children to David and Ann Leibham. His sisters are Barbara and Mary. He grew up in Crosby, Texas and in Brenham. After graduating from Brenham High School in 1979 and one year at Blinn Junior College, he entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas and after graduation from the University of Dallas he entered the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained as a transitional deacon in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 30, 1987. He returned home and ten weeks later was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John McCarthy at Saint Mary, Immaculate Conception Church in Brenham. In 1991 Father David completed the licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Father David was inspired to enter the priesthood by the example of his parents who instilled in their children an appreciation for the Mass, devotion to the Rosary and caring service to others. Also, he was encouraged by the example of priests and religious sisters whom he encountered as an altar server and a student in Catholic School. On May 25, 1987 he met Saint Mother Teresa and he is inspired to imitate her prayerfulness, simplicity and kindness.