News - April 2019 RSS Feed

Practically every day, I look out the windows of the rectory and see mothers dropping off their children for school or picking them up in the afternoon. To be fair, there are also fathers, grandparents, and other relatives who do the same, but I’d like to focus on the mothers since they are the majority who do so. I never cease to be amazed at the special skills these mothers possess that enable them to take special care of their children. There is no doubt in my mind about how influential they are and how these mothers are an indispensable gift to their children.

Alexis West was 13 years old when she and her two younger siblings had entered the foster care system in Michigan. Although an aunt and uncle eventually adopted them, she didn’t know them well, and there was still a time of adjustment.

The month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother.  When we look at her life, we see that Mary is the model of every “yes.” She didn’t know what was before her, but she trusted in God. Mary was already dedicated to the Lord, she was a servant of God in her personal life, but, in a pivotal moment in human history, God called her to trust him completely in becoming the Mother of Christ.

Es un decir que: “Cuando hacemos planes, Dios se ríe”, y Magdalena Rodríguez tenía un plan para sus cuatro hijos. Debían terminar high school, (preparatoria) ir a la universidad y casarse en ese orden. Está muy orgullosa de sus cuatro hijos, pero cuando iban creciendo, tuvo momentos difíciles y nos compartió: “cuando los hijos crecen y están fuera de tu control, solo Dios y María pueden cuidarlos.”

Many Catholics nowadays are seeking alternatives for family fun. Not an expensive pilgrimage to the distant Holy Land, but one that can be affordable and hassle-free. There are many missions and shrines right here in the state of Texas – some not even that far away.  

When 50 high school students wake up early enough to be at school, on a bus, at 5:30 a.m., that is an event worth noticing. Students from St. John Paul II High School, along with principals, staff, and administrators from theirs and other schools around the diocese, as well as a group of lay people, embarked on a mission March 26. They put their faith in action at the 2019 Texas Catholic Advocacy Day, hosted at the state Capitol by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

"Do you want to hear a funny story? I thought it was condemned.” Lee Lopez, Chancellor of the Knights of Columbus Council #8170 didn’t even know that St. Theresa (of the Little Flower) Church was a functioning parish, at first. While he was on retreat at Our Lady of Corpus Christi, he ran past it one morning and assumed that it was closed down because of the state of the structures and the landscaping. When a friend informed him that it was indeed open and operational, he knew he needed to help. “It’s amazing what you can do with four phone calls and two text messages,” he said.

Nieves Frazier recalls with great fondness seeing her grandmother and mother using a veil during Mass. Today, Frazier is proud to use her mother’s veil, which is now 60 years old. Churches across the country are seeing a resurgence of ladies wearing a veil during Mass, as a show of ultimate reverence for God, symbolizing the veiled bride of the church.

The film opens on Abby Johnson’s perfect life. She kisses her beautiful family goodbye, drives her perfect red convertible to her executive parking space at Planned Parenthood, exchanges friendly hellos with her coworkers, and hunkers down in her office to work. There are no hints that her life – and perhaps yours – is about to change dramatically. She is asked to help with an abortion. As she holds the ultrasound wand in place so that the doctor can complete the procedure, she is rattled by the sight of the baby writhing in pain and resisting the suction tube as it is dismembered piece by piece.

I was ordained a deacon in 2012, but my diaconate journey began long ago in three phases.

Bishop Michael Mulvey personally invites everyone, especially those who will be receiving their first Communion, to attend the celebration and procession of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on June 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Cathedral Knights of Columbus #11107 collected 1,303 pounds of canned food and dry goods thanks to the generosity of Cathedral parishioners and community. The donations went to the local food bank, pantries, soup kitchens, and other food banks throughout the city during the “40 Cans for Lent” campaign.

On April 25 the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis hosted their annual Parish Catechetical Appreciation Dinner at St. Pius X Parish Hall. Approximately 170 parish catechetical leaders from throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi were in attendance along with Vicar General Father James Stembler, who recognized those with 10-42 plus years of service with an appreciation award. PCLs enjoyed an evening of great fellowship and good food.

Catholics in the Diocese of Corpus Christi celebrated Good Friday by praying the Stations of the Cross at stations in their churches, processing inside parish halls or outside in their community streets as teens act out Jesus’ passion and crucifixion.

Father Joseph Lopez, pastor of St. Gertrude the Great Parish, celebrated Holy Week at St. Gertrude Church on April 20.

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated the Easter Vigil at Corpus Christi Cathedral on April 20. This most holy Mass is also known as the solemnity of solemnities and contains four parts. 

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated Holy Thursday Mass at the McConnell Unit on April 18 and following the example set by Christ, washed and kissed the feet of 12 men.

Father José Naul Ordonez, the pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Kingsville, celebrated Mass on Holy Thursday, April 18, ceremoniously washing the feet of twelve male parishioners, just as Christ did for 12 of his apostles at the Last Supper.

Catholics in the Diocese of Corpus Christi gathered with Bishop Michael Mulvey and their priests to celebrate the Chrism Mass on April 16.

Churches throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi celebrated Palm Sunday, the beginning of Hoy Week on April 14. Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus' joyful entry into Jerusalem as he arrives on a donkey and the crowd fans him with palms then lays them at his feet, just a few days before their change of heart and he is later arrested and crucified.