The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the diaconate as a full and permanent order in the Universal Church. In 2018, the diaconate will observe 50 years in the United States. It is interesting to look at these two dates in conjunction with this restoration of the diaconate as a permanent Order in the Church.

Pope Francis reflected on the May 13 canonization of the child visionaries St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto, saying that their faithfulness—despite their young age—reminds us to pay special attention to children in the ministry of the Church.  

For those in the capacity crowd attending the installation of Msgr. Louis Kihneman as the new bishop for the Diocese of Biloxi, the general sentiment was he is well worth the wait. Bishop Kihneman, formerly the vicar general of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, was chosen late last year to replace Bishop Roger Morin, who had reached retirement age. Until Bishop Kihneman could take over his new post, Bishop Morin served as apostolic administrator.

Fifteen Mission Council members were commissioned at a ceremony on May 30 at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital on Shoreline. The council members’ role is to inspire the hospitals staff and the rest of the providers and volunteers to continue the tradition that they received from the sisters.

Founded on April 13, 1947 by 50 families, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Corpus Christi recently celebrated its 70th year with great jubilation. Comprised as a multi-generational parish with strong faith and family ties, St. Theresa is home to an array of heritages with many of the original family members still present. Although some descendants have relocated, the parish culture is rich in long-standing tradition and imitating Christ in serving others. 

Three Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament were honored by Bishop Michael Mulvey and the Diocese of Corpus Christi in February at the annual Consecrated Life Day at Corpus Christi Cathedral; by Incarnate Word Academy at the 2017 Gala in March; and in a school wide Mass at Incarnate Word Academy, where all three served on the teaching staff. The congregation will celebrate the sisters’ jubilee with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church. Completing 60 years of consecrated life, Sister Mary Juliane Kuntscher celebrates her jubilee of religious profession this year with golden jubilarians Sister Judith Marie Saenz and Sister Annette Wagner.

Eighty-year-old Victoria Elizondo has lived a stormy life. She had a strict upbringing and her mother left the family when Elizondo was just nine. At 17, her father married her off to a stranger in the military who took her from her home in Rosebud, Texas to a military base in Hawaii.