More than two years after Hurricane Harvey cut a path of destruction through the Coastal Bend, the need to help victims of the storm still exists. In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues to assist families in getting back on their feet.

A group of 22 Holy Family Connectors* and four youth from other parishes embarked on a one day pilgrimage to the Diocese of Brownsville to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle and Catholic Charities Respite Center on Dec. 8. According to Youth Minister Bea Romo, the group started their journey at 6:30 a.m. that morning. She said that from the outset, they reminded each other that they were leaving behind their everyday comforts in search of graces that God had in store for them, and a deeper relationship with him and with his mother, Nuestra Señora de San Juan del Valle.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio today led some 40 members of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS), in the annual National March for Life on the National Mall. The delegation included a group of Catholic cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, active-duty service personnel, Catholic military chaplains, and AMS staffers. The peaceful, pro-life demonstration was joined by tens of thousands on the one-mile route from 12th Street at the Mall, where President Trump spoke to a pre-march rally, to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, where the Roe v. Wade decision, legalizing abortion, was handed down 47 years ago this week. The theme of the National March for Life 2020 was “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.”

CHRISTUS Physician Group is pleased to announce the opening of its newest clinic on Padre Island. CHRISTUS Family Medicine – Padre Island is now open and accepting new patients.

This is the motto used by the ten young adults and their parochial vicar, Father David Roman, who came to our diocese Jan. 2-6 to work for Hurricane Harvey victims and the homeless in our diocese. They came here at the urging of Corpus Christi diocese’s seminarian Carlos De La Rosa, a good friend of Father Roman. 

KJZT Family Life is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Sylvester as Vice President/Insurance Services, effective Jan. 1. Sylvester began her career with KJZT Family Life as a college intern in 2006. After she graduated from Texas State University in December of 2008, she was offered a full-time position as an Insur¬ance & Annuity Specialist.

I promised you last month a more detailed letter describing the vision for the renewal of ourselves as well as the renewal of our diocese. I am happy to announce that that letter has been sent to your pastors, and they will be studying it to provide each parish direction over the coming year. This letter will also be available to you via the diocesan website at diocesecc.org/EC2022 and on a thumb drive to be made available later in January. I invite all of you individually and as organizations and ministries to meditate on the document to ensure that by the time of our great Eucharistic Congress in 2022, our vision of renewal will have begun to take place throughout our entire Diocese.

Michelle Mirabal’s two sons will attend their second Texas Rally For Life in on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the State Capitol in Austin. She could not be more proud of their commitment to defend human life, from conception to natural death.

In July 1969, Gerald Hill saw a once in a lifetime opportunity to propose marriage to his sweetheart, Leona. His quick thinking memorialized a special moment forever. The two were seated on the couch at his parent’s house, watching the historic landing on the moon. Neil Armstrong had just made his celebrated statement: “It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The Diocese of Corpus Christi partnered with Dismas Charities and Prison Fellowship to host the annual Angel Tree Children Christmas party for over 170 children and their families on Dec. 18.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Social Ministry worked with the staff at the Bokencamp Children’s Shelter to provide a Christmas Mass and party for 40 youth on Dec. 14. Presents were donated by many "Angels" and by the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. kicked off the season of giving at their 53rd annual Christmas distribution of food baskets and toys on Dec. 17. Bishop Michael Mulvey gave the ecumenical blessing and a warm welcome to those coming to receive, those ready to give.

Responding to the spiritual needs of both the local and global Church, Franciscan University of Steubenville launched a passionately Catholic and dynamically orthodox School of Spiritual Direction during the fall 2019 semester.

Four of Simon and Christina Purnell’s five children have been or are currently altar servers. For the Purnell family, it’s about giving back and serving the Catholic community they hold dear to their hearts.

For 41 years, the Moody High School baseball team has volunteered to help Catholic Charities with their annual Christmas Food Baskets and Toys for Tots program by assembling and filling approximately 1,500 food boxes each year, according to information received from Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc.

As the days become shorter and the temperature falls, our hearts turn with anticipation of the Christmas season. We enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. We watch children and grandchildren and revel at their wonder of Christmas lights, and at the beauty this time of year brings. For all Christians, this period of Advent, a waiting time of expectation, is a reminder to prepare hearts and souls for the celebration of the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent begins today. Through liturgy and prayer, this time of conversion prepares us to joyfully anticipate the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem of Judea.

Advent is a time of expectation, of hope and of preparation for the celebration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. As I contemplate all that advent is, I am drawn to the saints that have feast days during Advent. Mary, of course, is always top of mind – the Mother of God.

Entre sonidos de tambores y silbidos de caracoles llegaron los matachines danzando frente al estandarte de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a la Catedral de Corpus Christi.

For Veronica Maxwell and her family, the Live Nativity at St. John Paul II High School has been a family tradition to kick off the Christmas season for many years.