COMMUNITY NEWS & UPDATES
Sunday, August 9, 2020 - Week 19 in Ordinary Time
Holy Ones,
We here at St. Catherine of Siena Parish extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Elliott Edgar Hoelscher (died July 29, 2020) and especially to his wife of 67 years, Jeanette.
“He who we love and lose is no longer where he was before; he is now wherever we are.” ~ St. John Chrysostom
At the weekend Masses, the number of people attending is increasing, although not substantially. Rather, the numbers are increasing carefully as everyone is cognizant of the reality of how easily this terrible Covid-19 disease is spread. Let’s keep it that way; prevention is better than cure. The only Mass not expanding is, not surprisingly, the Sunday 7:00am Mass. Despite the greatest of intentions, this might be just a tad too early for us mere mortals; so beginning in September, if we have no appreciable increase in numbers, we will probably change the first Sunday morning Mass to 8:00am. We will play it by ear and go accordingly.
“No news is good news!” That’s how it is at the moment here at St. Catherine’s; all is well on the western front. I hope whatever front you are battling, be it preparing for back-to-school or college (or some variation thereof), trying to keep your sanity during this prolonged isolation and dislocation from the norm, keeping food on the table, or coping with too much time on your hands, that you are becoming more adept and flexible. We can come out of this the better and the stronger and even the wiser; but this won’t happen overnight – be patient and be kind.
Mass Protocols:
- Mass is celebrated in the Parish Hall.
- There are only 65 seats available per Mass to allow us to follow the required physical-distancing protocols.
- Registration to attend Mass is required, no exceptions.
- Face masks are required as is confirmation of registration (email) to enter the building. Gloves and sanitizer are recommended. You will be required to submit to a non-contact temperature check at the door before entering.
- The door (parish office entrance) will be opened 30 minutes before Mass and closed 5 minutes prior to the start of Mass. If you arrive later than this you will find that there will be no one at the door to open it, check you in and take your temperature - you will have to be on time.
- Please read the Scriptures for the Mass before you come, bring your own publication or download the Scriptures onto your electronic device, as there are no missalettes available.
- Cardinal DiNardo has mandated that Holy Communion not be offered on the tongue under any circumstances. Only Fr. Niall will distribute Holy Communion to each person at his/her seat; there will be no Communion line. Once Fr. Niall moves to the next person, then remove your face mask and consume the Eucharist and re-mask.
- Exiting will be row by row through the two fire doors to the right and left of the stage.
Please note that Cardinal DiNardo’s dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation remains in place. This is particularly important for those parishioners who are older (younger people are not immune as we are discovering) or may have underlying health conditions, making them more vulnerable to experiencing an adverse outcome should they become infected.
Mass Schedule
Saturday, 4:00 PM
Sunday, 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Registration opens only 24 hours prior to the specific Mass. This will ensure we have a record of those who attend Mass should we need to “Contact Trace.”
Click here to register for Mass.
Let us continue to be responsible for the health and well-being of one another.
God bless,
St. Catherine of Siena Parish Staff
Betty, Cathy, Jay, Michelle & Fr. Niall
Saint Catherine and a Follower by Andrea Vanni,
About St. Catherine Catholic Church
Our History
Our History
Our History
On May 14, 1975, Bishop John Morkovsky issued a formal Declaration establishing the parish of St. Catherine of Siena to help provide for the corporal and spiritual welfare of the growing west Houston community with Fr. Cliff Natho being assigned as the founding pastor.
Until the completion of construction (3 years later), Sunday Masses wer
On May 14, 1975, Bishop John Morkovsky issued a formal Declaration establishing the parish of St. Catherine of Siena to help provide for the corporal and spiritual welfare of the growing west Houston community with Fr. Cliff Natho being assigned as the founding pastor.
Until the completion of construction (3 years later), Sunday Masses were celebrated in neighboring churches and schools, including Congregation Beth Am Synagogue, Spring Oaks Junior High, and Fairhaven United Methodist Church.
The initial construction was completed in 1978, and included the community center (which doubled as the sanctuary), the offices and classrooms. The present sanctuary was completed in 1993 and stands as a living testament to the generous spirit of the people who gather to worship God under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena. At the 25th anniversary celebration in 2000, our beautiful prayer plaza garden was dedicated by Auxiliary Bishop Curtis J. Guillory.
Born small and committed to growth in the Holy Spirit, the parish family of St. Catherine of Siena continues to blossom in what was once a distant Spring Branch prairie but is now part of Houston’s ever-expanding metropolis. From the beginning, this community has fostered a loving, welcoming family spirit. And as with most families, the sharing of food occupies a very important place in all our gatherings; so don’t be startled if someone offers you a cup of coffee and a doughnut. It’s just who we are.
Our Patron
Our History
Our History
St Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380)
Born in 1347, St. Catherine of Siena was the twenty-third child born to Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa. Recognized as a lovely and highly intelligent youth, she was filled with a joyous spirit from an early age.
However, no one expected this lovely young girl to become one of the great mystical doctors of the
St Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380)
Born in 1347, St. Catherine of Siena was the twenty-third child born to Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa. Recognized as a lovely and highly intelligent youth, she was filled with a joyous spirit from an early age.
However, no one expected this lovely young girl to become one of the great mystical doctors of the Church. Yet, it was early in life that she demonstrated an uncommon desire to surrender herself completely to Christ. It is due to this desire and her willingness to live it completely that she is remembered and celebrated today. At the age of eighteen, she entered the Dominican Third Order and spent three years in seclusion and prayer. A group of followers gathered around her—men and women (lay and religious) – and an active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life.
But it was during the Great Schism (beginning in 1378) which split the allegiance of Christendom between first two, then three popes that Catherine became most notable. She spent the last two years of her life in Rome, in prayer and pleading on behalf of the unity of the Church and arguing for the legitimacy of Urban VI. In 1380, she died at the age of 33. She was canonized in 1461.
Along with Theresa of Avila, St. Catherine was named a doctor of the church in 1970 by Paul VI. Her most famous work, The Dialogue, contains an ecstatic vision of a conversation between a soul (who rises to heaven) and God. This mystical work is often called her spiritual testament.
She is the patron of Italy and Europe.