89.5 KLUX-FM, the flagship station of the Catholic Communications Network, has been navigating some rough conditions lately. On April 29, a dangerous storm with high winds sent the 1,000-foot tower that held the station’s transmitter for the last thirty years, crashing to the ground. As a result, areas outside Corpus Christi have not received the station’s programming of spiritual messages, community information and easy listening music.  

The document Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism was developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops as a formal statement of the same at its November 2018 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield, General Secretary, USCCB.

At the end of his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis addressed the situation that has now escalated in violence throughout our country due to the horrific killing of Mr. George Floyd.

The Feast of Corpus Christi, also called the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is a day of celebration. A celebration of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, for which our city and diocese was named. The Diocese of Corpus Christi invites all to attend part of the day’s events on June 11, which begin at noon in Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Pope Francis said Wednesday that he is praying for the soul of George Floyd and all victims of racism, adding that nothing is gained by violence.

Although their end of the school year experience proved a bit disappointing, like missing their proms and parties, seniors celebrated their graduations in coronavirus style by attending a Baccalaureate Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. Sixty-three seniors from Incarnate Word Academy and 66 seniors from St. John Paul II completed their high school journey at the altar of Corpus Christi Cathedral. The students were allowed to have two guests, and their ceremonies were livestreamed thanks to Catholic Communications Network.

Catholic laymen and women pursuing a graduate degree in theology or religious studies, serve their church in a professional capacity must submit applications for the Rev. Msgr. Larry J. Droll Scholarship by September 14, 2020.

Angela Sulik and her 82-year-old mother were among thousands of parishioners throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi returning to Mass after stay-at-home orders were lifted in Nueces County due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bishop Michael Mulvey issued specific guidelines for reopening parishes and the faithful flocked to churches after an unprecedented two-month long closure of public Masses due to the deadly virus.

Join Msgr. Michael Howell on social media as he guides you on a virtual tour of Corpus Christi Cathedral. Msgr. Howell’s charismatic and energetic personality will take you to areas of the cathedral that you may have never seen before. You will learn about the roots of the Corpus Christi Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself.

Deacon Amos “Stanley” Millsap, a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on May 15, 2020, at the age of 89.

Father A. Ferdinand Derrera, SJ, died May 15, 2020, in Grand Coteau, La. He was 96 years old, a Jesuit for 68 years and a priest for 58 years. The first part of Fr. Derrera’s apostolic life was spent in secondary education. He taught at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas 1964-67 and then spent a year in El Paso earning a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Texas, El Paso, and assisting at Sacred Heart Church, the Jesuit parish. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Minor Seminary of the Corpus Christi Diocese, where for six years he was rector of the seminary, principal and superior of the Jesuit community.

The Dominican Sisters of Peace are welcoming women who are discerning their call to religious life to a Virtual Mission for Peace Experience June 5-9, 2020. This free online discernment experience is open to Catholic women age 18-45 anywhere in the United States and will be conducted on the free Zoom video conference platform.

In a world where we see wars being played out on the evening news, threats of terrorism both foreign and domestic, and where the faithful are challenged and vilified by a secular society, the message of Fatima is still relevant today. Increasingly we live in a society that does not know God or that keeps him at arm’s length. 

Catholics, through tradition, around the world, have dedicated the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This singular devotion awakens hearts to Mary as the first disciple, the first to love the precious savior, and the first to lead people to Jesus.

Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class Jose Cruz, from Corpus Christi, assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, plays an electronic keyboard during a choir rehearsal on the fo’c’sle aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Atlantic Ocean May 6.

National Military Appreciation Month is celebrated every year in May. It includes Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day – both days honor the many brave men and women who served or continue to serve our country. Amid the heartfelt remembrances, the month-long celebration resonates with a strong affirmation for diocesan priests, Father Raju Thottankara and Father Tung Tran, who continue to serve as chaplains for the brave men and women who risk it all in service of our country.

UPDATE: Catholic Charities drive-thru food pantry at 615 Oliver Ct. converted to a walk-up pantry through the Memorial Rose Garden entrance. The path is clearly marked with social distancing markers on the sidewalk. Clients can enter through the garden side gate and exit through the wooden garden gate in the courtyard. Persons needing ADA assistance will be assisted at the curbside. Continue to register by calling (361) 929-0987.

Many of us may feel a sense of deprivation and separation, without a community. Empty pews remind us there’s not much to do, but we should see this as a time of retreat – of getting away from all the noise of this world.

Betty Lou Rutherford was 55 years old when she decided to pursue a new career in nursing. She had just been laid off from her engineering job of 30 years and needed to make a last-minute shift in her plans for the future.

As we prepare to return to public celebration of Mass, here are some guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.