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Most of our campus survived the historic weather of last week without any damage. Our one casualty was the water heaters affixed to the Parish Center by the kitchen entrance. These tankless heaters exploded causing water to flow into Johnson Hall. On Sunday, we found water flowing from the heaters and about ¼ of an inch of water on about 50% of Johnson Hall. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, we were able to remove the water quickly to avoid damage to the floor. For now, the Parish Center has no water until it can be repairs. We are grateful to the Knights for their help.

We are trying to be flexible and creative this year in the midst of the pandemic. We realize that not all parishioners may be able to physically come to the church to pick up reflection booklets. We have purchased a license for Ann Naffziger’s Words for the Weary: Embracing the Lenten Season after a Challenging Pandemic Year to make it available to the parish. Download these reflections for Lent and take a few minutes each day to think about our lives this year and entrust ourselves to God.

This has been such a difficult week for so many of our faith family. Many have lost power for bone chilling hours and now much of the City of Austin is dealing with the loss of water. The Church campus has been without water for two days and we do not expect water to be restored in time for our weekend Masses. Consequently, we cannot open the Church for this first weekend of Lent. Instead, we will livestream Masses at 5:00 pm on Saturday and 9:30 am and 1:15 pm on Sunday. There will be no Reconciliation on Saturday. Due to these Mass changes we will not be able to dispense any ashes this year.

All Masses and Services have been cancelled through Friday. (Ash Wednesday Services have been cancelled. As an alternative, distribution of ashes will be available BETWEEN the Sunday Masses on 2/21.) Parish Offices are currently closed. We will resume our normal Mass schedule on Saturday, Feb. 20, with Reconciliation, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Mass at 5:00 p.m. 

Due to the continued inclement weather, we have cancelled ALL Masses and Reconciliation on Tues., Feb. 16. (No Daily Mass, Reconciliation, or 7:00 p.m. Mass.) Ash Wednesday Services have also been cancelled. Parish Offices are closed until weather permits safe travel.

Parish Offices are closed today in observance of Presidents' Day. Due to weather concerns, there will be no Adoration or Daily Mass today. Stay safe.

Due to the continued inclement weather, Ash Wednesday services are CANCELLED. As an alternative, distribution of ashes will be available between the Sunday Masses on Feb. 21.

Parishioners have been receiving emails and text messages from me asking for money and gift cards, sometimes saying they will be given as charity or to hospitalized children. These messages are NOT from me! There is a nationwide scam going on targeting priests. Do not reply to these messages. Do not send money. Do not buy gift cards. I am sorry that you have been inconvenienced. Contact the Parish Office to report any texts or email. With Love, Fr. Pat

Senior Ministry is hosting a special live online presentation, "Spirituality for 2021: Finding God" by Paula D’Arcy on Thurs., Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. (This presentation will not be recorded.) Everyone is invited. To participate, register by Feb. 3.

All women are invited to an upcoming virtual retreat entitled "Who Am 1? Who Did God Create Me to Be?" It will be held Sat., Feb 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom. This morning of reflection will help you gain insights and clarity into your strengths and weaknesses in order to improve your relationships in your family, workplace and communities. Cost is $5. Register online on the parish website.

Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all. We will have rice bowls available in the narthex starting on Ash Wednesday.

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.