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The Knights of Columbus are selling briskets for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7. Pre-order and pay in advance at kofc8156.org/bbq by Feb. 1. Briskets will be ready for pick up on Sun., Feb. 7 at the Knights of Columbus smoker at St. Catherine of Siena between 8:00 - 10 a.m.

Join with thousands of others from across the state for the 2021 Texas Rally for Life — as part of the Life Caravan around the Texas Capitol in Austin and/or via the Livestream — to memorialize the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s tragic Roe v. Wade decision that imposed legalized abortion on Texas and the entire nation throughout all nine months of pregnancy and to help turn the tide against this injustice. Find details and register to participate at www.texasrallyforlife.org.

This evidenced-based, award-winning program is designed to help older adults reduce the fear of falling and increase physical activity. Two virtual sessions of A Matter of Balance will be offered in February. The first session meets on Mondays, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. from Feb. 1 - April 5 (no class on 2/15). The second session meets on Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. from Feb. 3 - Mar. 31. Access to a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone is required. To register, contact Jessica Martone at (512) 916-6180 or jmartone@capcog.org. There will be a limit of 12 people in each workshop, filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jessica with any questions.

Fr. Pat has issued a statement regarding safety protocols and the commitment of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. At this time, parish offices will be closed to the public, all church business should be conducted by phone. To read his full statement, please click the title of this article.

This eight part online Bible study will begin on Sun., Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. "Hebrews: The New and Eternal Covenant" is an 8-week Bible study program that takes Catholics on a guided tour of what is considered the “Holy of Holies” of biblical theology. Presented by Dr. Andrew Swafford and Jeff Cavins, this study program draws out the meaning of the book of Hebrews in a simple way so Catholics can see, appreciate, and take hold of the riches God has given them in the New Covenant.

You are invited to take a packet home and bless your home for this coming year. This is an old German custom of marking the top of the front doorway to your home as a way to bless all who live in the house during this New Year. Mark the door frame with the initials of the Three Kings and the year, praying a blessing prayer and burning incense. Everything you need is provided for you in the packet!

Since we cannot have a Christmas Party this year, we invite you to join Fr. Pat on a video travelogue around the parish, including visits with our priests and staff, Christmas greetings from many of your fellow parishioners, special guests and more! Click this article for the link to the video. Merry Christmas!

Fr. Ray Pothireddy is requesting your help to support the Carmelite Sisters in Kurnool, India. This past year, the heavy rains in India caused the 50 year old Cloistered Carmelite Sisters Convent building to leak causing much damage to the building. Fr. Ray is accepting donations toward the repair of the roof. Click this article to read Fr. Ray's letter and find out how to make a donation for this worthy cause.

You can now sign up for the 2021 Altar Flowers and the Sanctuary Lamp candles online. Donate flowers in memory of a loved one or a special occasion. You may also sign up to have a sanctuary lamp lit for a week in memory of a loved one or for a special intention. Your intentions will be included in the weekly bulletin.

Sr. Martha Immaculata (formerly Crystal Odom) made her first profession on Sunday, December 6, 2020 in a small town in France.  We have posted a Facebook link to the service on the Church’s Facebook page. We congratulate her on this wonderful event. Click on this article for the link.

Knights of Columbus Council 8156 is hosting an Emergency Food Drive on Sunday, 12/6 for Abiding Love Food Pantry from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Abiding Love Church parking lot. Please remain in your car, the Knights will remove the bags from your vehicle. Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.

We will have our Parish Advent Penance Service this Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., immediately after the 7:00 pm. Mass. Pandemic precautions and social distancing will be observed. There are only a few Penance Services announced in our area at this time. Lines for the sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays get longer as Christmas approaches, so please plan accordingly!

St. Catherine of Siena Parish offers members the  opportunity to remember their loved ones by purchasing a Christmas Poinsettia to be used in decorating the church during the Christmas season. Your loved one's name will be printed on a beautiful poster that will be displayed in the church. Click here for more information. Deadline to purchase is Mon., Dec. 11.

Parish Offices will be closed Wed., Nov. 25 through Fri., Nov. 27. Daily Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. We will have our Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. All Masses will be livestreamed and can be accessed through the Watch Mass Live page. (There will be no Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on these days.) Have a safe and blessed holiday.

Our Giving Tree Program will be different this year due to COVID-19. We will not have tags to choose from or a food drive. Instead we are asking for donations of $25 Target, Walmart or Visa gift cards. These will be given to families in need chosen by our St. Vincent de Paul Society. We will also support five other organizations which include The Gabriel Project, St. Louise House, Casa Marianella, Posada Esperanza and Mary House Catholic Worker. If you prefer, you can donate online. The deadline to return your gift cards is Sun., Nov. 29. Find more details in this article.

In the November 2020 issue of the Catholic Spirit publication from the Diocese of Austin, our own Senior Ministry is highlighted. In cased you missed it, you can read the full article by correspondent Carla Smith.

As the Christmas Season approaches, we wonder how we will get through all those traditions, and how to prepare for the holidays if we have recently lost a loved one. Join us on Tues., Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. for an online presentation by Lori Kruczek on dealing with grief during the holidays.

Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks BACK 1 hour on Sun., Nov. 1 at 1 a.m. or you will be early for church!

All are welcome to bring a memento or photo of your loved one for the Dia de los Muertos altar to be displayed until In November, the "Book of the Dead" will be displayed in the Narthex for you to add the name of loved ones past.

One of our beloved parish customs is that on All Souls’ Day we offer an evening Mass to remember all the loved ones of our parish who have died in the last year. Families of recently deceased loved ones for whom we have prayed at weekend Mass or in a funeral liturgy have been sent letters confirming that their loved one’s name is on the list. If you wish to add a loved one to the list and have not already received a letter, contact Diane Bily no later than Fri., Oct. 23.