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We are hosting a party for singers, players and music lovers of all ages on Fri., Nov. 15, 7 - 9 p.m. in Siena Hall! Fall Jam will be a ‘song circle’ where each singer or musician gets to ‘call a tune’ and have the others join in. Songs of any style or genre are fair game (as long as they are family-friendly) and musically anything can happen! The event is FREE and open to all! Come hang out and show our players and singers some love as they go ‘live without a net’! Click here to learn more!

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. 19, at 10 a.m. in room A202/A203 for a presentation by Cheryl Jordan on dealing with grief during the holidays. Cheryl has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Counseling and has vast experience in grief work. Please make plans to attend. For additional information, contact Jeanette Britt at (512) 892-2420.

The funeral for our beloved Fr. Oliver will commence with a Visitation and Rosary at St. Catherine of Siena on Sun., Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine on Mon., Oct. 14 at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow immediately after at Cook Walden Forest Oak. There will be a reception in Johnson Hall after the burial.  Please bring a dessert to share with the community.

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.

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!

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.

Every year the Austin Diocese Catholic Churches sponsor a house for a pre-qualified home owner.  As we approach the Lenten season, a time of reflection and giving of ourselves, this project will be rewarding and fulfilling and many ways. Our build starts March 3rd and continues every Saturday for approximately ten weeks. If you are interested in being the hands and feet of Christ and want to be involved with this year project in honor of Bishop McCarthy please click here for more information.contact me for the options in which you can help.  All levels of talent are welcomed.

Our Military Scrapbook, which honors all Veterans will be on display in the narthex this weekend. Pictures or messages may be added for all service members – living, deceased, active, inactive, and for all branches of service including National Guard. God Bless you for your service.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to make Christmas brighter for families in need. We will sort gifts on Wed., Nov. 28 at 2 p.m., and deliver gifts on Sat., Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. To help with the sort and/or delivery, please come to the church at the designated times. Thank you for your generous support!

On October 28th, St. Catherine’s will have a presentation/discussion on the devastating crisis in the U.S. foster care system. The Texas Catholic Conference is taking notice, and calling on the Church to love children who feel unwanted or left behind. Join us at 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Center, room 212 for a dynamic presentation and discussion of this new ministry at our church.

If you are a caregiver of a loved one, don’t miss this special event! This FREE workshop will include demonstrations by health professionals like transferring from bed-to-chair, bathing, exercises, communication and behavior tips for persons with dementia and more! Join us on Mon., Oct. 8, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in Siena Hall. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP for this free event by email to forum@caregivingcafe.com with subject line “HOW Caregiving Skills.”

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 29.

We need parishioners to help set up, serve and cleanup for various parish events. Requests for volunteers will be sent out when there is an event and you may sign up if it’s convenient for you. DO YOU ENJOY BAKING OR COOKING? We need volunteer cooks and bakers, too! Training is provided. Sign up for either or both at rhonda.smith@stcatherine-austin.org.

On Sat., June 16, the Knights of Columbus Council 8156 will host their 6th Annual Father’s Day Weekend Golf Classic tournament at Plum Creek Golf Club in Kyle. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee is $100/player. Proceeds will help support many charitable organizations in Central Texas. Click here for details.

We are delighted to inform you that Bishop Joe Vasquez will come to St. Catherine to officially open our New Parish Center! The official opening will take place on Sunday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. This will be followed with a simple reception. We are sending out an open invitation to anyone in the parish who would like to be present. At another date to be announced shortly, we will host an Open House weekend for all the parish to come and visit the New Parish Center at a more leisurely pace.

The Catholic Church is committed to ensuring the safety of children and young people and providing pastoral outreach to victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. The Church’s mission to protect and heal stems from the Gospel: the life and teachings of Jesus Christ provide us with the perfect foundation for our efforts to create safe environments for children. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt 19:14). Click here for more info.

Registration is now open for our licensed play-based program for children ages 2–5 years old. The program is in session from September through mid-May. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursday, with options for a 2-day or 3-day a week option. Click here for more information about the program.  

Community Ministries has limited space to store donations. We are able to collect white tube socks, toiletries (full size and hotel size), non-perishable food, very gently used baby items, new/gently used adult clothing, purses, shoes & costume jewelry.

Congratulations to our Prayer Shawl Ministry as they celebrate their 11th Anniversary and 4,700 shawls given to others Did you know there are about 30 people in the parish who knit or crochet “prayer shawls?” Would you like a prayer shawl or are you thinking about joining? Click here for more information.