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.”

When Matthew Schmidt was brought to the CHRISTUS Spohn Trauma Center, he was in bad shape after suffering a seizure, having broken most of his teeth on the sidewalk at a bus stop.

Raul and Daniela Trevino believe in building family traditions that will last a lifetime. And for this young family, the Advent season is one of the most meaningful times of the year that help them create these Christ-centered memories.

On the Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1, Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated Mass and performed the Rite of Dedication in the newly constructed chapel and altar in the Blessed John Henry Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 

Christmas has been so misunderstood over the years. The Separatists (aka Pilgrims) and the Puritans thought that celebrating Christmas was sinful because it was not in the Bible. The Puritans believed it was wrong to make one day more important than the others. They banned Christmas in their colony from 1659-1680. Dec. 25 was even a required work day.

Bishop Michael Mulvey presided over the Diocese of Corpus Christi Altar Server Recognition Ceremony at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Sunday, Nov. 18. The bishop recognized servers in three categories, Eucharistic Cross Bearers, Outstanding Servers and Ten Years of Service.

Incarnate Word Academy Elementary Level fourth and fifth-grade students will put their math, science, and engineering skills to the test by participating in the school’s S.T.E.M. Olympics on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 1-2 p.m. in the school’s James R. Dougherty, Jr. Center.

Some 100 deacons joined Bishop Michael Mulvey on the altar Nov. 18 at Corpus Christi Cathedral in recognition of permanent deacons in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, who along with the rest of the U.S. dioceses, celebrate 50 years since the re-institution of permanent deacons. Cathedral pews were filled by family members and friends and Father James Stembler, Vicar General of the diocese, concelebrated with Bishop Mulvey.

Six charitable organizations in the Coastal Bend were the recipients of this year’s CHRISTUS Fund, which is providing more than $260,000 in donations to area community groups.

Following the tragic shooting yesterday in Chicago, Illinois, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for prayers and steps to curb gun violence.

Millions of Texans were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. While most people have found the means to recover using their own insurance, savings, and help from friends and family, many people are still struggling. For survivors without these means, recovery can be a long and complicated road to navigate. 

Sister Kathleen McDonagh (Catherine Ann) died Nov. 13, 2018. She was born in Dublin, Ireland, August 12, 1930, to Francis McDonagh and May Duignan. She entered the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Congregation on Aug. 26, 1947, at age 17.

Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody and pastor Father Naul Ordonez concelebrated the Sunday noon Mass on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11. This was a day to celebrate the life of the parish's patron saint and honor the community's veterans. Bishop Carmody praised the dedication and sacrifices made by those parishioners who answered the call while reminding all present of those men and women who never came back.

In 1956 at the invitation of Bishop Mariano Garriga, Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi which included what is now the Diocese of Brownsville, the Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph came to Texas from Spain.