Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued the following statement on the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki:
The United Nations designated July 30 as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in 2013 to raise awareness of the devastating impact human trafficking has on women, men, and children and to promote survivors’ rights and human dignity. The international day is observed annually in the United States and throughout the world. There are nearly 25 million individuals trapped in modern-day slavery, according to the International Labor Organization.
Catholic Charities Mother Teresa Shelter, in coordination with the Diocese of Corpus Christi, became a day and night shelter, receiving 27 area homeless people who sought refuge from the storm caused by Hurricane Hanna throughout the weekend of July 24-27.
Tropical Depression #8 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Hanna. Tropical Storm Hanna continues to move W-NW at nine mph over the Central Gulf. Locally heavy rain with dangerous flooding is the greatest threat with this system as it makes landfall somewhere over the Lower to Middle Texas Coast on Saturday. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from the mouth of the Rio Grande to San Luis Pass.
by Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS)
Tuesday, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), celebrated its 34th birthday, and it has received a big present from generous benefactors: more than $48,000 in donations for the Young Adult Ministry program.
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response to reports of increasing incidents of church vandalism and fires.
On Saturday, July 25, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, in collaboration with other offices at the USCCB and joined by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFYCM), will convene a yearlong intercultural process with young adults and ministry leaders.
Bishop Michael Mulvey ordained Deacon David Thomas Brokke, SOLT to the sacred order of the priesthood at Corpus Christi Cathedral on July 18. The ceremony included relatives, friends, fellow seminarians, formators, sisters and priests.
The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because they respect God's design for married love. In fact, NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning available to husbands and wives because these methods can be used to both attempt or avoid pregnancy. When learning about NFP, it is important to know that:
St. Paul the Apostle Parish broke ground on its new 4000 square foot religious education building site on July 16. Vicar General Father James Stembler led a small group in prayer for the occasion.
by Alfredo E. Cárdenas, South Texas Catholic Archives
Hundreds of faithful Catholics filled Broadway, Lipan and other nearby streets on July 17, 1940 waiting for the doors to open at their new Cathedral. It was a clear day with a few clouds in the sky. Minutes before 10 a.m. the bells in the two towers that shot up 97 and 125 feet into the sky began ringing and a large procession of priests led by Bishop Mariano S. Garriga, co-adjutor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, began to make their way into the newly completed sanctuary.
I’m frustrated. I’m also full of opinions about how everything’s been handled. What’s more, I can show you the experts who share my opinions. If you disagree with me — as many people do — you’re probably just as passionate, and you probably have experts just as big, if not bigger.
The Gulding family live out their Catholic faith every day. Steven and Kathryn Gulding are the parents of eight children, with the eldest being 19 and the youngest three. “When we were engaged, we never put a number on how many kids we wanted,” Kathryn said.
by Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD, Bishop of Corpus Christi
Dear Sisters and Brothers, as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, I want to recognize and pray for those who have recently died in your families, parishes, and communities. I assure you that I am praying for all who have died since the pandemic began several months ago.
by Rosemary Henry, Ph.D. and April Esparza RN BSN, Contributors
The ground beneath each of us trembles and crumbles under the immense weight of uncertainty and fear as well as universal suffering. The pandemic explodes with a toll of epic proportions. Even amidst the shaking ground, these ongoing health and safety struggles must be met with openness to new possibilities and ways of thinking. We must stand firm and all rise together to meet the COVID-19 challenges with mind, body and spirit. Our loving Lord never abandons. He blesses us with courage, perseverance, fortitude and vision.
by Kevin Dolliole, Regional Public Relations CHRISTUS Health
CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, in collaboration with the Coastal Bend Blood Center (CBBC), is asking individuals, who have recovered from COVID-19, to donate their plasma. Although there is no approved treatment for COVID-19, research indicates that plasma from these individuals may benefit patients currently combatting the virus.
Eight seminarians from the Diocese of Corpus Christi are living out their pastoral summer assignments by accompanying parish youth ministers, volunteers, and teens in growing a personal relationship with Christ. The assignment includes hands-on small group ministry to teens.