COVID-19 Response

Dear Parishioners and friends,
 
This is an official announcement on behalf of the Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Bishop Joe Vasquez issued a decree authorizing the parishes of the Diocese to begin to offer Masses and Sacraments with the people of the parish present. The celebration of public Masses will resume under very restricted conditions beginning on Tuesday, May 5.  The Bishop has also given a dispensation from attending Mass to those over 65, those who have underlying health conditions or those who feel unsafe attending, and to those who live with persons in these circumstances. The arrangements we are about to announce are temporary. (Click here to read Fr. Pat's complete letter.)

 

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is closely following information and directives from the Diocese of Austin and the City of Austin in regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please view below for the latest updates.

In order to serve our community in the best way possible, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is implementing ways to keep us connected in the weeks to come.

• We are live streaming the Daily Mass & Sunday Mass at the following times:

Daily Mass:           Broadcast daily at 12 p.m., Monday through Friday
Weekend Mass:   Broadcast at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m. on Sunday

• Give Online: With the recent changes to our worship life arising from COVID-19, St. Catherine is facing many concerns. Although our work at the church continues, we fear that tithing will diminish. Although public events may be cancelled or postpoed, we are still here for our parishioners and need to continue to pay our staff and meet all of our financial obligations.

• Mail checks to the Parish Office: 4800 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749
• ONLINE:  Establish an online arrangement though our Stewardship page. If you need assistance, please contact Erin Hummel at (512) 892-2420 or erin.hummel@stcatherine-austin.org

• Daily Mass:  Beginning Tues., May 5, we will begin to offer public Daily Mass at 12:00 p.m. We require all who attend to continue with social distancing. Those who attend Mass will be required to wear a mask. If you are not wearing a mask, you will be asked to leave. We will continue to live stream our Daily Masses and Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass.  We ask that there will be no gathering after Mass, Once Mass is over, we ask you to go to your car and depart immediately.

• Weekend Masses:  We will celebrate public Masses on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. with the following guidelines:
  • At maximum 25% capacity. (70 people in the Church, 50 in Johnson Hall, where the Mass will be broadcast to large screen.) Once we reach capacity, the Church and Hall will be closed. Those who arrive late will be turned away. 
  • People entering the Church will be required to wear a mask. We will exercise social distancing and public safety precautions. 
  • We ask that there will be no gathering in the narthex before or after Mass, Once Mass is over, we ask you to go to your car and depart immediately.
• Adoration Chapel and Day Chapel will be closed.  There will be no rosary before daily Mass. People will not be allowed to pray in these areas.

• The Church building and Church Offices will be closed to the public. 
• Out of an abundance of caution we have suspended onsite parish gatherings.
• The Parish Offices will continue to be closed to the public.  Staff will be working in the Church Offices and can be reached at (512) 892-2420 during regular business hours. All communications with the office will be conducted by phone and email. 

• Religious Education:

• Staying Connected to the Parish