Is the HCl a catalyst for this reaction?

Question

C2H4O+NaOH=>H2O+NaC2H3O

Answer 1

I don't see any HCl in the reaction, nor is a reaction mechanism provided. It's difficult to imagine that HCl could act as a catalyst because it would react with the NaOH to produce NaCl and H2O. This would make it unsuitable as a catalyst. It may be that addition of HCl would increase the rate of the reaction, but if it is in fact used up (which appears likely), then it does not qualify as a catalyst.