Bishop Michael Mulvey and Parochial Administrator Father Patrick Higgins concelebrated morning Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ingleside on the Feast of Christ the King, Nov. 22.

These are unprecedented times. Even in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, teachers are faced with more challenges than ever before. Along with teaching students through a mixture of hybrid and blended learning, they are tasked with elevating student’s emotional intelligence. But this, According to Superintendent Dr. Rosemary Henry, is what Catholic teachers are called to do, “form the whole child – not just spiritually, intellectually, morally, socially and physically, but also focus on their social and emotional needs, their psychological needs. We are called to help them feel well equipped to negotiate chaos and uncertainty,” Dr. Henry said.

Students from Sacred Heart School in Rockport offered gifts of food from their Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive during a Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 20. The Mass was celebrated by Father Ray Yrlas.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 12-13. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) coordinates this annual appeal and distributes the proceeds to assist eligible U.S. religious communities with their retirement needs. Nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests benefit. 

For 54 years Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi has been providing Christmas food baskets to those in need in the 12 counties of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. For 39 years, they have partnered with the Toys for Tots Program providing toys to children in Nueces County. In keeping with this year of change, 2020, the Annual Christmas Food Basket and Toys for Tots Event will now be called Community Christmas.

On Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Franciscan University of Steubenville will host its second “Night of Hope” adult conference. The night of prayer, worship, and empowerment will be livestreamed from Finnegan Fieldhouse from 6 p.m.–8 p.m. CST. There is no charge for this online event.

Incarnate Word Academy teachers, Mrs. Laura McCracken, Mrs. Suraida Nanez-James, and Mr. Robert Orta, were each awarded the $500 Teacher Excellence and Innovation Grant by the Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Catholic Schools.

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament are kicking off a donation drive, "Project Restoring Human Dignity." Border Fund Project to assist Sister Norma Pimentel for the needs of immigrants.

What will Thanksgiving mean this year, in the face of so many challenges and so much loss? What will we find to be grateful for? How can we celebrate while our lives are still so thoroughly disrupted, and our wings and spirits remain clipped? 

James Hunt, Sacred Heart School fifth-grader, broke the school’s student record of 36 words per minute with 90% accuracy on Nov. 10. 

On the occasion of Veterans Day, when the Nation pauses to honor those who have served in war or peace, living and deceased, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA is calling on the faithful to show their gratitude “for the sacrifice service members, veterans, and their families make for the benefit of us all.”

My vocation story is a simple one.  In 2008, I attended an ACTS Retreat   It was on this retreat when I first felt a call to serve.  I remember a strong pull to serve the Church.  I had turned down many invitations to attend an ACTS retreat because I did not want to give up my weekend.  Little did I know God was calling me to not only give him that weekend but five years of weekends, as well as the rest of my weekends.  This call, together with the influences at St. Patrick and Christ the King, led me to the diaconate program.  

Thirteen men from the Diocese of Corpus Christi were ordained deacons by Bishop Michael Mulvey at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Corpus Christi Cathedral.  "These men and their families have made a journey for five years to arrive at this point," said Deacon Michael Mantz, Director for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. 

My mother was the first, as most mothers are, to start to bring me up in the Church. I was a typical kid – not wanting to wake up for Mass, hoping that she would just go herself and leave me behind. But little did I know she would wake up extra early and make it seem like she was running late, drag me out of bed, and take my little brother and me to church. To my amazement, we always arrived on time. My mother laid the foundation of my faith even though I did not realize it at the time.

When I was about ten years old, my relationship with Jesus deepened during a three-day youth retreat. My parents and grandparents stressed that we should always help everyone in need. Helping people is a great joy and experience in my life. 

An early memory I have is going to Mass with my grandparents at San Jose Mission near Benavides. I remember all the elderly ladies singing loudly. What I remember most about the San Jose Mission was the humility of those attending Mass. These memories made an impression and helped form the foundation of my faith very early on. I believe these early memories have allowed me to remain connected to the Church.

My name is Joseph Ruiz, and I was born and raised in Kingsville. I am married to my beautiful wife, Elvira, and I have three children Jose, Vivian, and Nicholas. I am blessed to work at Del Mar College as the Director of Financial Aid Services, where I can help students finance their education and achieve their educational goals.

I was born in Corpus Christi. I grew up in a Catholic family, and my great uncle was a Catholic priest. At a young age, I served as an altar server and lector. I attended Little Rock Catholic High School in Arkansas, and it was tough, but it taught me more than I realized even back then. 

My story is not of an easy path, nor should I be looked at like a role model. I relate to Saints like Paul, Matthew and Augustine. My road to ordination was rocky, rough and took many turns to bring me here. 

My journey to the Permanent Diaconate began years ago without even realizing it, as later I learned I was being formed even before I was accepted into the diaconate formation.  I was raised Catholic and had been what some would call a cradle Catholic. When I was young, I attended church, what I considered by force because Mom said, “Get ready, let’s go.”