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Join us at the upcoming Parish Ministry Fair during Coffee & Donuts on Sun., Aug 18 after the morning Masses. The ministries and organizations of St. Catherine will be on hand in Johnson Hall to share their ministries, answer questions and tell you how you can join. If you would like your ministry to have table space, please contact Community Ministries at (512) 892-2433.

The Secretariat of Life, Charity and Justice of the Diocese of Austin will host a gathering at St. Catherine of Siena that will bring together parish leaders whose faith inspires them to respond to current challenges relating to evangelization in contemporary society, lay leadership, poverty, injustice, and the promotion of human life and dignity. Join us on Sat., Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Johnson Hall. All are welcome! Cost $20. Please register at www.austindiocese.org/christ-our-hope. Call Rhonda Smith at (512) 892-2433 if you have any questions. Deadline to register is Aug. 16.

On July 16, 2019, Bishop Joe Vasquez presented the 2019 Lumen Gentium Awards to persons nominated by the pastors and staffs of Diocese of Austin parishes. This year, Fr. Pat nominated Gloria Rodriguez for her service to our parish. Gloria was a catechist in our parish for the last 22 years. She recently moved to a new life in New Mexico.  She educated many of our children in the faith and is a role model to all catechists. Fr. Pat, Fr. Ray and members of staff traveled to the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple, TX to honor Gloria as she was presented the Lumen Gentium (People of Light) award. Well done, Gloria!

We are excited to announce the Edge Middle School Program & Life Teen High School Programs are coming this fall! We are seeking Core Team members to help plan and implement this program. No experience is necessary! If you are interested in learning more, please send an email to Livia at livia.telles-rodriguez@stcatherine-austin.org.

Back to school can be a stressful time of year for many families. For children, the prospect of returning to school is daunting if their families cannot afford the required school supplies. We will be collecting new backpacks and school supplies for students that live in Foundation Communities’ affordable housing apartments in southwest Austin and also for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Please consider purchasing a backpack and/or school supplies for these children. Pick up a school supply list on the table in the narthex. Please return your donations by Sunday, July 28. Thank you!

Dr. Carl Pickhardt will speak at St. Catherine on Sun., July 21 at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Pickhardt is the author of "Who Stole My Child?" and "Surviving Your Child’s Adolescence." He’ll discuss parenting through the stages of adolescence and will take your questions. The presentation is free. Click here for more information and registration. Childcare is available with reservation.

In May, our Ablaze high school students hosted a Bake Sale to benefit Fr. Ray’s mission in the Diocese of Kurnool, India. The funds they raised by selling muffins, cupcakes, and cookies were donated to one of the schools. The school was able to purchase 20 desks for the students who had been sitting on the rough floor of the school. Now the students and the teachers are very happy with their desks. Fr. Ray received some pictures of the school to share with our parish. Job well done! 

We are excited to introduce the parish to our new Youth Minister, Livia Telles-Rodriguez. She will be working with our Middle School & High School Youth. Livia has been involved with faith formation for children and youth since 2014. Originally from El Paso, she has lived in Austin since 2000. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Livia has been working towards her certification as a Youth Minister and Director of Religious Education through the Diocese of Austin. Livia joined the staff at St. Catherine’s at the beginning of June, and is excited to work with our Youth. You can contact her at livia.telles-rodriguez@stcatherine-austin.org.

All parish offices will be closed on July 4 & 5 in observance of the 4th of July holiday. On these days, daily Mass will be at 9:00 a.m., there will be no noon Masses. On Fri., July 5, we will have the Anointing of the Sick at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. There will be no evening Mass. Have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Greetings from Fr. Ray! After my short visit to India, I am back in the parish. I spend good time in the village where we are constructing the prayer hall. The work is going on well. So far from the ground level 3 feet high basement is completed and the main entrance doorpost is fixed. People of the village are exited and eagerly waiting to see the completion of the work. If everything goes well, we will complete the construction and have the dedication in Summer 2020. Here are some more pics for the site.

VBS at St. Catherine was held June 10 - 14. We had 173 children participate in Athens: Paul's Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth. A special “THANK YOU” to the 107+ volunteers, including the core team members, who have been meeting and planning since February. Also, thanks to the many families that donated supplies, food and money. VBS could not happen without your continued support! It's true!

Make plans to attend our Summer Dance, Live Music & Silent Auction on Fri., June 21. Music will be provided by Duck Soup, the Austin-based dance band playing all of your favorites! Tickets are $30/person or $60/family. All proceeds will help pay down the debt on our Parish Center. Tickets for the dance may be purchased in the Café or the CMO office. If you have any questions, please contact Sylvianne or Rhonda at (512) 892-2433 or sylvianne.mariotti@stcatherine-austin.org.

On Sunday, May 26, Fr. Ray updated the parish with the progress of his Prayer Hall Construction project in India right before he left for his visit to India. Read his full letter and see the pictures of the early construction prep. There are more photos in the photo albums on this page.

Summer is here! Come to the Pomegranate Café where is it nice and cool for you to spend some time with your friends. Want to read a book or catch up on all those emails that are still in your inbox since last month? Come and try our new summer menu that will include Iced Coffee and Frapuccinos! 

The Amigos Club is proud to announce the recipient of the 2019 St. Catherine of Siena Outstanding Achievement Award is Vanessa Garlepp, a senior at St. Michael's Catholic Academy. This scholarship is recognizes outstanding academic achievement and provides financial support and is awarded to a qualified student completing the 12th grade. We are proud to contribute to the fulfillment of educational dreams and aspirations of students in our community.

Join us in ancient Athens where we'll explore what life was like for the Apostle Paul on his dangerous journey to share the truth. VBS will be held June 10-14th from 9:00 AM to Noon. Open to children entering kindergarten through 5th grade. Deadline to register is May 19. For information and to register, please click here or visit the Summer Programs section of Children and Youth Faith Formation.

Our Parish Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will begin on Fri., May 17 at the daily Noon Mass, and will culminate with a celebration at the Vigil Mass on Sat., May 25. Everyone is invited to join in praying the Novena, whether present at the liturgies or as a private devotion! Novena booklets will be available in the narthex and on the website.

May is finally here and the Pomegranate Café will be celebrating all the mothers & grandmothers of the parish during our "Afternoon Teas." Join us for our Wednesday afternoon teas on May 1, 8, and 15th. See you at 1 p.m. in the Café! Don't forget your hats and pearls!

All parish offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Daily Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m., there will be no Noon Mass. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

I want to sincerely thank you for all the kind words and condolences around the death of my mother on March 27. She had a peaceful death on her own terms. “I am really finished here” were her words to me five days before she died. I talked with her the day before she died. Her words then, “Don’t worry, everything is just fine. Don’t worry.” Again, thank you for all your prayer and support. Sincerely, Fr. Lou