A Letter from the Bishop

My sisters and brothers,

For just a moment, I ask that you take notice of your current surroundings. You might be reading this in a busy office, on your mobile device as you wait for an appointment, or in your favorite chair in a comfortable corner of your home. Obviously, the four walls around you right now are protecting you from the heat, wind, and other elements of nature. Are you in an air-conditioned room? Are you able to look out your window to see the trees, the sky, the grass, and other parts of the landscape? Large or small, glamorous or well-worn, your indoor space is a protected place for reflection and, to be sure, a good vantage point from which to put things into perspective.

What if it all went away? What if your favorite chair suddenly became airborne, and the walls that surround you crumbled because of hurricane-force gusts of wind? This was the case when Hurricane Harvey barreled ashore on the South Texas coast back in August of 2017. Uprooted trees, downed power lines and damaged buildings were harrowing reminders of what this Category 4 hurricane left behind. The people of Rockport, Fulton, Aransas Pass, Refugio and Port Aransas endured the brunt of the storm, but everyone in our diocese was seriously affected.

Once the storm dissipated, we faced the daunting task of rebuilding. This involved repairing structural damage to buildings in the area that included over three hundred properties associated with the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Still, as faithful people of God, we are called to find hope in situations like this and embrace the process of rebuilding and restoration. As the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is a time for everything.” Now is the time for hope. Now is the time to rebuild. 

Hurricane Harvey disrupted and uprooted the lives of so many in our area. Yet, in its wake, it offered the call and the challenge to rebuild both physically and spiritually. We must find courage in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “They shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities.” (Isaiah 61:4).

Jesus never tires of offering us the opportunity to rebuild our relationship with Him, no matter how often we get swept away in the gusts of sin. Through patience, prayer and persistence, the process of restoration brings healing and comfort to those affected by any unexpected circumstances. The spirit of building and rebuilding sustains us in our faith because Jesus loves us and always wants to strengthen our relationship with Him. We must never lose sight of the fact that when we do find ourselves far away from Him and want to return, Jesus is always ready to rebuild our bond and heal our brokenness through forgiveness and peace.

The story of rebuilding and restoration featured in this issue may stir up uncomfortable memories of those days in late August of 2017. However, they are, in fact, an opportunity for us to glean hope and give thanks to God for the opportunity to rebuild, allowing His grace to restore us according to His will.

May God continue to bless you,

+Most Rev. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD
Bishop of Corpus Christi