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.

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.

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.

Sister Anna Marie Espinosa (Anna Marie) was born on Oct. 21, 1947, to Ernest and Beatriz Espinosa. She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy, Corpus Christi in 1966, and then entered the congregation the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 8, 1966, and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 1, 1969.

Sister Maria Irma Gonzalez (Maria Irma) was born in Brownsville on April 5, 1947. She is the daughter of Juan Gonzalez and Maria H. Gonzalez. She graduated from Brownsville High School in 1965 and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 8, 1967, where she made first profession of vows on Aug. 1, 1970.

Born June 27, 1938, in Brownsville to Marion Edward Hon and Pilar Padilla Hon, Sister Mary Paul (Marjorie Hon) was taught by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and graduated from Villa Maria High School in Brownsville. She was challenged to serve in ministry by her pastor, who assigned her to teach all ages in religious education before she entered the convent. In September 1958 she entered the congregation and made her first profession of vows in August 1960.

Sister Jude Janecek (Mabel Gertrude), was born July 31, 1939, in Victoria, Texas, daughter of Cyril Methodius Janecek and Ruth Pearl Bracht Janecek.  Taught by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, she graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1957 and entered the Order in September of that year. She made her first profession of vows on June 3, 1959, and professed final vows in 1962.

Sister Catherine Brehony, a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, celebrated the seventieth anniversary of her religious profession on Oct.19, with Mass at St. Patrick Church and reception at the Incarnate Word Academy Dougherty Center.

Sister Agnes Marie Tengler celebrated 75 years of profession of vows as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament with a Mass at Incarnate Word Convent, Oct. 12. 

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.

Bishop Michael Mulvey kicked off Respect Life Month by celebrating Respect Life Sunday Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Oct. 6. After Mass hundreds of Catholics were treated to coffee and donuts. Resource tables were also on display from various pro-life groups.