“Anyone care for coffee and a doughnut?” That friendly invitation sums up the welcoming spirit of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. This Houston parish began with a vision to serve the growing west Houston community. Bishop John Morkovsky formally declared the parish of St. Catherine of Siena on May 14, 1975. He wanted to provide for the corporal and spiritual welfare of the people. Fr. Cliff Natho was assigned as the founding pastor.
For three years, St. Catherine of Siena held Sunday Masses in various locations. These included Congregation Beth Am Synagogue. They also included Spring Oaks Junior High and Fairhaven United Methodist Church. Imagine different faiths sharing spaces. It showed the community’s early spirit of cooperation.
In 1978, the initial construction of St. Catherine of Siena was completed. This included the community center. It doubled as the sanctuary. The building also housed offices and classrooms. The present sanctuary was completed in 1993. It stands as a testament to the generosity of the people. They gather to worship God under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena.
At the 25th anniversary celebration in 2000, the prayer plaza garden was dedicated. Auxiliary Bishop Curtis J. Guillory led the dedication.
Born small, St. Catherine of Siena parish has blossomed. It grew in the Holy Spirit. It started in what was once a distant Spring Branch prairie. Now, it is part of Houston’s ever-expanding metropolis.
Catherine of Siena herself lived from 1347 to 1380. She was the twenty-third child born to Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa. People recognized her as a lovely and highly intelligent youth. She was filled with a joyous spirit. No one expected her to become one of the great mystical doctors of the Church.
From an early age, Catherine demonstrated a desire to surrender herself to Christ. At eighteen, she entered the Dominican Third Order. She spent three years in seclusion and prayer. A group of followers gathered around her. They included men and women, lay and religious. An active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life.
During the Great Schism, Catherine became notable. This schism split the allegiance of Christendom. It involved first two, then three popes. She spent her last two years in Rome. She prayed and pleaded for the unity of the Church. She argued for the legitimacy of Urban VI. In 1380, she died at the age of 33. Catherine 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 is The Dialogue. It contains an ecstatic vision. The vision describes a conversation between a soul and God. This mystical work is often called her spiritual testament. She is the patron saint of Italy and Europe.
Today, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church continues to thrive. It maintains a loving, welcoming family spirit. If you visit, don’t be surprised by an offer of coffee and a doughnut. It’s just who they are. You can find St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 10688 Shadow Wood Drive. Consider joining Flocknote to receive parish news.