As one of their acts of service to others, students and teachers from every grade level at St. Pius X School donated boxes of joy to children in developing countries. They filled the boxes with toys, clothing, school supplies, a rosary and the story of Jesus.

St. Pius X School celebrated Veterans Day, Nov. 11 by honoring veterans. Nov. 11. Guest Speaker Lieutenant Commander Margaret Brown, USCG shared her inspiring story and reminded students to ask other veterans to share their stories.

Cuando las clases de catecismo empiezan en la parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, el barrio de Molina se transforma: es como si todos acudieran a una fiesta. Cada domingo por la mañana, poco antes de que las campanas de la iglesia llamen a Misa, las calles y los terrenos de alrededor de la parroquia se llenan de autos de donde niños y jóvenes, acompañados por sus padres, salen para comenzar los cursos que los prepararán para recibir los sacramentos y aprender más sobre su fe católica.

ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University recently was named by Military Times as the No. 1 university in the country for educating veterans. Saint Leo ranked first in the nation in the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 in the Online & Nontraditional Schools category. 

While they sometimes seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, generosity and thankfulness are more connected than they might initially appear. With a selfless act of kindness to a stranger, without expectation of repayment or recognition, a genuine spirit of giving is created. That spirit was genuinely present when Bishop Michael Mulvey chose to participate in the Be the Match marrow registry. The registry connects patients searching for a cure with life-saving bone marrow donors.

Carlos De La Rosa, 24, was a young child when he first thought about becoming a priest one day. As he grew older, the feelings waned and he didn’t think much more about it. But as a sophomore at St. John Paul II High School, he began reflecting on it again and then had a powerful experience in the sacrament of reconciliation.

For Bob and Peggy May, parishioners at Most Precious Blood, age is just a number, and their faith in God is bigger than any perceived limitations. Last fall, the couple walked 10-12 miles every day for a total of 500 miles in five weeks. As pilgrims on the El Camino de Santiago in Spain, they trekked up steep hills, down treacherous trails, in the stifling heat, pouring rain and across mountainous terrain.

When religious education classes begin at Our Lady of Pilar Parish, the Molina neighborhood is transformed – it’s as if everyone has come to attend a party. Every Sunday morning, church bells ring, and the streets and grounds are filled with cars arriving. Children and youth, accompanied by parents, spill out of cars to begin the courses that will prepare them to receive the sacraments and learn more about their Catholic faith.

On a Monday evening in a Corpus Christi Cathedral classroom, seminarian Charles Silvas is teaching the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for his first time. While many seminarians are studying away at college or seminary, Silvas is currently in his pastoral year of formation, wearing a Roman collar, but not yet ordained and embracing the challenges and rewards of parish life.

Carlos Gonzalez remembers attending St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in Premont since he was a young child. He and his twin brother, Alex, have been altar servers since shortly after they moved to the area in elementary school.

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of what Blessed Solanus Casey, an American priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, encouraged us to do: “Thank God ahead of time.” Trusting that God has our good at the center of all that he does or permits enables us to let go and let God take care of every situation and with thanksgiving, take all our petitions to him. 

It’s neither a well-kept secret nor a secret society, but a growing number of Catholics in the Diocese of Corpus Christi have made a faith-filled commitment to support Christians in the Holy Land. They are part of a lay apostolate known worldwide as the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The order is an international group of Catholics dedicated to the propagation of the faith, defense of the weak, and it is especially focused on charity toward Christians in the Holy Land.

Supporters and staffers of Corpus Christi Hope House and Corpus Christi Birthright joined Bishop Michael Mulvey as he blessed rooms in the new St. Gianna Molla Home for pregnant mothers, and single mothers and their children on Oct. 29.

Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and the Schoenstatt Family of Texas hosted a celebration in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Confidentia Shrine in Lamar on Oct. 19. The event included a welcome, information, games, barbecue and ended with Bishop Michael Mulvey concelebrating Mass with Father Ray Yrlas, pastor of Sacred Heart in Rockport, Schoenstatt Father Christian Christiansen and Our Lady of Corpus Christi priest, Father John Gaffney, SOLT.

I remember as a young priest traveling south with Msgr. Richard Shirley to take an elderly Msgr. George Gloeckner to visit his old friend Father Peter Smith in his parish in the Valley. Father Smith was ordained for the Diocese of Corpus Christi and later became a priest for the Diocese of Brownsville after its formation in 1965.

Bishop Michael Mulvey installed 13 men in the ministry of acolyte during Mass at St. Philip the Apostle Parish on Oct. 18. These men are from parishes throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi and have been instituted as candidates and lectors. As acolytes, they can assist priests and deacons with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

A corsage of white roses was pinned to each of the red jackets worn by the six Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, celebrating anniversaries of religious profession this year. The IWBS Sisters who were honored were Sister Agnes Marie Tengler celebrating 75 years, Sister Catherine Brehony celebrating 70 years, Sister Mary Paul Hon celebrating 60 years, Sister Jude Janecek celebrating 60 years, Sister Maria Irma Gonzalez celebrating 50 years and Sister Anna Marie Espinosa celebrating 50 years.

27th Annual Clergy and Religious Banquet, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, brought parishioners, brothers, sisters and priests together at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown on Oct. 16. Johnny Soliz, Corpus Christi chapter president of the Knights of Columbus thanked priests and religious for devoting their lives to bringing the Body of Christ and the sacraments to Catholics everywhere in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. “We appreciate you,” Soliz said.

Up to 18 boxes at a time were delivered for days to the home of Patsy Cueva Philipps, OFS, in Corpus Christi. The spending spree on Amazon was fueled by a response to a call to help refugees being released from detention centers in Laredo, McAllen and San Antonio.

Under a domed ceiling depicting Christ feeding the multitude, Bishop Michael Mulvey shared spiritual food with Secular Franciscans as he helped them launch their National Chapter, held Oct. 15-20 at Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center. It was the first time the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States held its national gathering in Corpus Christi, with some 80 participants from across the country and Guam.