Feb. 3-5: The Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference will be held at the Waco Convention Center. The mission of DCYC is to provide an opportunity for youth to encounter Christ through liturgy, sacraments, and engaging presentations that reflect the diverse needs of the youth of the Diocese of Austin.

Details: www.austindiocese.org/dcyc.

Feb. 11: Holy Family Catholic School in Austin will host its Gala from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin.

Details: gkerley@holyfamilycs.org.

Feb. 11-12: A special collection for Catholic higher education will be taken up in all parishes. This collection benefits Catholic campus ministries in the universities in the Diocese of Austin.

Feb. 17-18: Unbound: Freedom in Christ will be offered at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin. Matt and Jenn Lozano, founders of Heart of the Father Ministry, will lead this conference, which includes prayer, worship, teaching and personal testimonies about healing and deliverance.

Details: mogpc.org/events-1.

Feb. 18: The 11th annual Catholic Men’s Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. San José Parish in Austin. This year’s theme is “One Bread, One Body — Hombres con Cristo.” Speakers include Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, who is known as the “Dynamic Deacon,” and Tim Glemkowski, a Catholic evangelist.

Details: www.centexcatholic.com.

Feb. 20: The Knights of Columbus, Council 7197, will host its first annual Clergy Appreciation Banquet at St. Luke Parish in Temple. The banquet will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Clergy, please contact Matthew Ranney by Feb. 13 at (254) 316-8750 or send an email to mranney.ecolab@sbcglobal.net if you plan to attend.

Feb. 22: The liturgical season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Feb. 22: A special collection for World and Home Missions will be held in all parishes. This collection benefits U.S. missions as well as those in Africa and Europe who are serving the poor physically and spiritually.

Feb. 22: An Ash Wednesday Retreat will be held at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Temple. Father Harry Dean and Brian Egan will lead this day of prayer and presentations on the sacrificial love of Christ. The cost is $45, which includes lunch.

Details: austindiocese.org/cedarbrake or (254) 780-2436.

Feb. 24-25: St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs will host a Marriage Preparation — Together in God's Love Retreat in English. Engaged couples who are preparing for the sacrament of matrimony are invited. The retreat hours are Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To register visit stmartindp.org/tigl.

Feb. 26: Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Rite of Election at 3 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock.

March 11-15: The Father’s Heart, a silent retreat for young adults, will be offered at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. Based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, this retreat will include teaching on prayer and discernment of spirits, followed by three days of silence with individual spiritual direction and daily conferences.

Details: austindiocese.org/tfh.

March 17-19: A Silent Lenten Retreat will be offered at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Temple. Father Harry Dean and Brian Egan will each give a reflection. Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation will be part of this silent retreat. The cost is $280 for a private room and $230 for a shared room.

March 28: The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops will host the biennial Catholic Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.

Details: txcatholic.org.