South Texas Catholic

The Office of Youth Ministry made a change in the High School Youth Spectacular format this year. The Youth Spectacular was a weekend retreat instead of a one-day event. From 1983 until 2016, the Youth Spectaculars have been held as a one-day event with games, speakers, fellowship, Mass and prayers at different venues. The Youth Office was challenged to see how to have youth experience a “deeper encounter” with Christ at the Youth Spectaculars. One way this might be able to happen is to offer a weekend retreat format so there is time for youth to process their experience and the talks that are given. 

Students at Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School held their 5th annual cancer walk on Oct. 12 to raise funds to donate to the American Cancer Association. The 1K walk around the campus was not only to raise funds but to raise awareness. This year’s theme was “Punch Out Cancer!" 

On a mild Saturday evening in September, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, some eight couples (one celebrating an anniversary) gathered for a light dinner and the opportunity to explore their marriages more deeply through the unique lens of the Schoenstatt Marriage Camino.

KLUX 89.5HD recently hired a new on-air morning personality Jesse De Leon who feels right at home behind the microphone. The Harlingen native and University of Texas graduate first got on the air in 1989 at KRIX-FM and KRGE-FM in McAllen before making the move to Corpus Christi where he was on the air at KMXR-FM from 1992 until 2011.

Abigail Alaniz says she has learned more about her own children, Zuri and Izel, by going through the Parents As Teachers (PAT) program offered by Catholic Charities Family Outreach. Alaniz joined several other parents and children to learn skills while playing at the PAT Group Connector on Aug. 22.

Sister Rosa Maria Ortiz, Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her religious profession this year.

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated Mass on Oct. 3 at the Corpus Christ Cathedral in honor of human dignity, especially for those most vulnerable, and to kick-off Respect Life month. Following Mass, the faithful in attendance took part in adoration and prayed the Holy Rosary for the sanctity of all human life.

Bishop Michael Mulvey presents a check to six diocesan priests from Kerala, India on Oct. 3. The check will be given to archdioceses in Kerala where recent monsoons were reported to have caused hundreds of deaths and over a billion dollars in property damage.