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Are you age 55 or older? Would you like more social interaction—especially during this pandemic? “Lifetime Connections Without Walls” is a telephone program that provides opportunities for isolated older adults to connect with others. They offer social and educational sessions, friendly conversation and support—all over the phone. There are 33 different sessions to choose from. This free program is offered by Family Eldercare and is open to all U.S. Residents. Click on the title of this article for more information or contact Rhonda Smith in Community Ministries.

Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl challenged us this Easter season to share what we have with our global family. Please hold on to your rice bowls. We will collect them at a later time. Thank you for your participation in this program.

For the health and safety of the community, in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have decided to cancel the Parish Service Day. Many of the sites that were to be part of Service Day have already indicated that they will no longer allow volunteers to visit. This event will be rescheduled in the future.

This award, sponsored by the Amigos, recognizes outstanding academic achievement and provides financial support to qualified students completing the 5th, 8th, and 12th grades in the 2019/2020 school year. Deadline to submit an application is Thurs., April 23, at 5 p.m. Click here for more information.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. We hope you will join us for the following opportunities to celebrate a hope-filled Advent at St. Catherine, click here for details.

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.