The Federation of Our Lady of  Guadalupe Societies of the Diocese of Corpus Christi celebrated her feast day in the evening hours of Dec. 12. Father Christopher Becerra, Spiritual Director for the Federation and parochial vicar from St. Patrick, led the colorful and lively procession from Sacred Heart Church on Comanche to Corpus Christi Cathedral on Upper Broadway.

For many years now, I’ve tried, but have been unable to see them. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong, but I have always been completely oblivious to the hidden images in stereograms.

For more than 10 years, the Missionaries of Christ Charity, as the extended arm of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, continues its mission of serving infants and elderly in the diocese of Corpus Christi.

During the Christmas season, it is easy to get caught up in the business of Christmas parties, family time and gift giving. Many times in the rush to get everything done, we forget to remember what we are celebrating. Christmas is the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ, the gift of Life that was given to us. Here at Refuge of Hope, we have the opportunity to share this gift with others who do not know Him.

On the Feast of the Incarnation we celebrate Almighty God’s decision to become man by assuming the body of a human being. The Heavenly Father announced to Mary that she was chosen to be the Mother of God’s only Begotten Son. Mary had been Immaculately conceived in her mother womb, and was made ready from her conception for this supreme moment in the History of the world.

Incarnate Word Academy seniors arrived at CPS on two gift-filled buses to hand deliver the presents on Dec. 11.

The Diocesan Prison Ministry under the office of Multicultural and Social Ministry along with Dismas Charities brought a Christmas party to children whose parents are incarcerated at St. Joseph Parish Hall on Dec. 13.

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi gave over 1250 food baskets and toys to those in need on Dec. 17 at their offices on Oliver Street. The annual event is in its 52nd year of giving, receiving a large portion of donations from the Kenedy Memorial Foundation, H.E.B. and Toys for Tots.

The Incarnate Word Academy varsity boys’ basketball team invited fans and members of the IWA community to join them during their third annual Toy Toss Basketball Game on Dec. 14.

Middle school students from Janida De La Rosa’s Religion Class at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy have been looming winter hats after school from September through December for the homeless who frequent the Mother Teresa Shelter.

The Catholic Communications Network proudly presents the 33rd annual broadcast of the Christmas Midnight Mass, LIVE, from Corpus Christi Cathedral beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.  

Victoria Fuentes, a student from St. John Paul High School (class of 2019), has been awarded the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Presidential Scholarship in the amount of $16,000.

In October, the Sacred Heart School banner from Rockport was displayed at the geographic South Pole by Wayne White, husband of art teacher Melissa White.

Incarnate Word Academy fourth and fifth grade students put their math, science, and engineering skills to the test as they participated in the Elementary Level’s S.T.E.M. Olympics on Thursday, November 29, 2018 in the James R. Dougherty, Jr. Center.

As part of the Christmas celebrations, many parishes include the re-enactment of the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem—Las Posadas. Have you ever wondered about its origin? If you have ever taken part or just watched, you are in for a beautiful history lesson.

Over 150 high school students attended “Sisters Rock” at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice on Nov. 7. Sisters Rock is the brainchild of the Vocation team spearheaded by Sister Gloria Rodriguez, MJMJ Director of Consecrated Life and Women's Vocations for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

I would like to wish a very blessed and holy Advent and Christmas season to all of you reading this and to your families. I am particularly struck this year by the words from I Thessalonians in the second reading from the first Sunday of Advent: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.” For many, Christmas is traditionally a time spent with family and friends, and these words might pass our ears without really penetrating our hearts. The truth is that many don’t experience good family relationships, and even more have experienced broken relationships and hurt during the past year. 

As our parish looks back on the one hundred years of its existence, our hearts rise in gratitude to Almighty God for the countless blessings He sends our way. St. George Church in George West was blessed and consecrated for worship in 1918. It was a rather tiny church in the newly created township of George West. The church, however, has a rather long story to tell, about its coming into existence, which began way before the first brick was laid.

As we approach the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, it is important to consider some of the inroads that have been made in pro-life efforts in our own community. At one time there were five abortion clinics in the city of Corpus Christi. Now there are none. There are also numerous pregnancy resources centers throughout our diocese that offer resources and care for pregnant moms and their babies. Good news abounds in our South Texas region.

Women across the Diocese of Corpus Christi are picking up their weapons and preparing for battle. The Corpus Christi Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (CCDCCW) held their 2018 Biennial Convention on Nov. 10 at the Newman Center at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The theme for the gathering was “CCDCCW: Missionary Disciples, Mission Possible.”