Fall 2022- Vol. 57 No. 3

South Texas

Catholic

Rebuilding after Harvey

Keep up with the faith at southtexascatholic.com

Publisher

Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD Director of Communications and Public Relations

Katia Uriarte Philipello kuriarte@diocesecc.org

Assistant Director of Communications and Public Relations Jesse DeLeon jdeleon@diocesecc.org

Managing Editor

Mary Cottingham mcottingham@diocesecc.org

Theological Consultant

Father Richard Libby, Chancellor rlibby@diocesecc.org

Communications Specialist

Elizabeth Morales and Adel Sauceda emorales@diocesecc.org asauceda@diocesecc.org

Broadcast Technical Director Richard Luna rluna@diocesecc.org

Correspondents

Rebecca Esparza, Chloe Rodriguez Translator/Correspondent

Gloria Romero

Contributors: Thank you!

Father Brady Williams, SOLT, Deacon Thomas Swierc and Deacon Raymond Pendleton

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INSIDE

4 | BISHOP’S MESSAGE: Bishop Mulvey asks for patience, prayer and persistence during the process of rebuilding the diocese in the wake of Harvey.

6 | RESTORING OUR DIOCESE: Many structures continue to undergo improvements, renovations and upgrades that will bring back a much-needed sense of normalcy.

10 | VOCATIONS: Deacons Raymond Pendleton and Thomas Swierc share their vocation stories.

13 | JESUS SAYS: Through understanding St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Eph 2:8-10), Father Brady Williams explains that ‘grace through faith’ is not static, but transformative.

16 | WOMAN OF STRENGTH: St. Scholastica left material pleasures behind —even family, placing the love of God above all else.

18 | MUSIC MINISTRY, The Reyes family share their love for God by singing in churches throughout Corpus Christi.

21 | CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Teachers in diocesan schools attend a spiritual and professional day for their development.

24 | SPREADING THE LIGHT: Youth from different parishes help those in need at “Let’s Color the Community” youth track.

27 | SPECIAL EVENTS: Red Mass; National Eucharistic Revival; and State of the Diocese.

31 | NATIONAL NEWS: Catholic food pantries struggle with demand as inflation soars; Abortion ‘trigger laws’ will ban abortions in three states.

33 | WORLD NEWS: Faithful hold Marian procession in Nicaragua despite repression and persecution.

34 | A WORD: Pope Francis speaks about death and our destination.

COVER PHOTO

For much of 2020-2022 a major eyesore for parishioners inside Sacred Heart Church has been the 70 ft scaffolding set on the altar. The scaffolding was necessary to investigate the leaks emanating from a window hatch (broken seal) and dome (cupola) that had been hit by a tree during Hurricane Harvey. The assessment of damages has been completed and the contract has been signed by Bishop Mulvey to begin work immediately.

Mary Cottingham | STC

A LETTER FROM THE BISHOP

Us Rebuild

My sisters and brothers,

For just a moment, I ask that you take notice of your current surroundings. You might be reading this in a busy office, on your mobile device as you wait for an appoint ment, or in your favorite chair in a comfortable corner of your home. Obviously, the four walls around you right now are protecting you from the heat, wind, and other elements of nature. Are you in an air-conditioned room? Are you able to look out your window to see the trees, the sky, the grass, and other parts of the landscape? Large or small, glamorous, or well-worn, your indoor space is a protected place for reflection and, to be sure, a good vantage point from which to put things into perspective.

What if it all went away? What if your favorite chair suddenly became airborne and the walls that surround you crumbled because of hurricane-force gusts of wind? This was the case when Hurricane Harvey barreled ashore on the South Texas coast back in August of 2017. Uprooted trees, downed power lines and damaged build ings were harrowing reminders of what this Category 4 hurricane left behind. The people of Rockport, Fulton, Aransas Pass, Refugio and Port Aransas endured the brunt of the storm, but everyone in our diocese was seri ously affected.

Once the storm dissipated, we faced the daunting task of rebuilding. This involved repairing structural damage to buildings in the area that included over three hundred properties associated with the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Still, as faithful people of God, we are called to

find hope in situations like this and embrace the process of rebuilding and restoration. As the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is a time for everything.” Now is the time for hope. Now is the time to rebuild.

Hurricane Harvey disrupted and uprooted the lives of so many in our area. Yet, in its wake, it offered the call and the challenge to rebuild both physically and spiritually. We must find courage in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “They shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities.” (Isaiah 61:4).

Jesus never tires of offering us the opportunity to rebuild our relationship with Him, no matter how often we get swept away in the gusts of sin. Through patience, prayer and persistence, the process of restoration brings healing and comfort to those affected by any unexpected circumstances. The spirit of building and rebuilding sus tains us in our faith because Jesus loves us and always wants to strengthen our relationship with Him. We must never lose sight of the fact that when we do find our selves far away from Him and want to return, Jesus is always ready to rebuild our bond and heal our brokenness through forgiveness and peace.

The story of rebuilding and restoration featured in this issue may stir up uncomfortable memories of those days in late August of 2017. However, they are, in fact, an opportunity for us to glean hope and give thanks to God for the opportunity to rebuild, allowing His grace to restore us according to His will.

+Most Rev. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD Bishop of Corpus Christi

We must never lose sight of the fact that when we do find ourselves far away from Him and want to return, Jesus is always ready to rebuild our bond and heal our brokenness through forgiveness and peace.”

UNA CARTA DEL OBISPO Reconstruyamos

Mis hermanas y hermanos,

Les pido que por un momento sean conscientes de su entorno. Es posible que estén leyendo esta carta en una oficina, o en un dispositivo móvil mientras esperan una cita, o en su silla favorita en un cómodo rincón de su hogar. Obviamente, las paredes que les rodean en este momento los protegen del calor, el viento y otros elementos de la naturaleza. ¿Se encuentran en una habitación con aire acondicionado? ¿Pueden mirar desde su ventana y disfrutar árboles, el cielo, el zacate y otras partes del paisaje? Grande o pequeño, glamoroso o desgastado, su espacio interior es un lugar protegido para la reflexión y, sin duda, un buen punto desde el cual poner las cosas en perspectiva.

¿Qué pasaría si todo esto desapareciera? ¿Qué pasaría si de repente todo a su alrededor sale volando y las paredes que les rodean se derrumban debido a las ráfagas fuertes de viento de un huracán? Esto sucedió cuando el huracán Harvey tocó tierra en la costa sur de Texas en agosto del 2017. Los árboles arrancados de raíz, las líneas eléctricas caídas y los edificios dañados fueron un recuerdo desga rrador de lo que dejó este huracán de categoría cuatro a su paso. La gente de Rockport, Fulton, Aransas Pass, Refugio y Port Aransas soportaron la peor parte de la tormenta, pero todos en nuestra diócesis se vieron gravemente afectados.

Una vez que se disipó la tormenta, nos enfrentamos a la abrumadora tarea de reconstruir. Esto involucró la reparación de daños estructurales a edificios en el área que incluían más de trescientas propiedades asociadas con la Diócesis de Corpus Christi. Aún así, como pueblo fiel de Dios estamos llamados a encontrar esperanza en situaciones

como ésta y abrazar el proceso de reconstrucción y restau ración. Como nos recuerda el Libro de Eclesiastés, “Hay un tiempo para todo”. Ahora es el momento de la esperanza. Ahora es el momento de reconstruir.

El huracán Harvey interrumpió y desarraigó la vida de muchos en nuestra área. Sin embargo, a su paso, ofreció el llamado y el desafío de reconstruir tanto física como espiritualmente. Debemos encontrar coraje en las palabras del profeta Isaías: “Levantarán las desolaciones anteriores; ellos repararán las ciudades arruinadas.” (Isaías 61:4).

Jesús nunca se cansa de ofrecernos la oportunidad de reconstruir nuestra relación con Él, por más que seamos arrastrados por las ráfagas del pecado. A través de la paciencia, la oración y la persistencia, el proceso de res tauración trae sanidad y consuelo a aquellos afectados por circunstancias inesperadas. El espíritu de edificar y reconstruir nos sostiene en nuestra fe porque Jesús nos ama y siempre quiere fortalecer nuestra relación con Él. Nunca debemos perder de vista el hecho de que cuando nos encontramos lejos de Él y queremos regresar, Jesús siempre está listo para reconstruir nuestro vínculo y sanar nuestro quebrantamiento a través del perdón y la paz.

Las historia de reconstrucción y restauración que se presentan en este número pueden despertar recuerdos difíciles de esos días a finales del mes de agosto del año 2017. Sin embargo son de hecho, una oportunidad para que tengamos esperanza y demos gracias a Dios por la oportunidad de reconstruir permitiendo que Su gracia nos restaure de acuerdo con Su voluntad.

Que Dios te siga bendiciendo,

+Reverendísimo Michael Mulvey, STL, DD Obispo de Corpus Christi

Nunca debemos perder de vista el hecho de que cuando nos encontramos lejos de Él y queremos regresar, Jesús siempre está listo para reconstruir nuestro vínculo y sanar nuestro quebrantamiento a través del perdón y la paz.”

Healing

Rebuilding and renewal continues

BY JESSE DELEON South Texas Catholic

Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the South Texas coast in late August of 2017. How ever, the effects of the Category 4 storm were still felt long after the winds and rain subsided. South Texas coastal towns like Rockport, Fulton, Port Aransas, and Aransas Pass with stood the worst of the storm’s impact, but severe weather dramatically swept through the inland regions as well.

Five years after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the area, the rebuilding continues. Homes, businesses, and approximately three hundred properties associated with the Diocese of Corpus Christi, including churches and various parish buildings, were significantly damaged. The recovery has been slow but steady. Many structures continue to undergo improvements, renovations and upgrades that will bring back a much-needed sense of normalcy.

As this story went to press, Bishop Michael Mulvey approved for general contractors to begin work in more parishes significantly damaged by the storm.

Additionally, many Hurricane Harvey repair/replacement projects are either underway or are still set to begin. These include St. James Church and Religious Education Building in Refugio, which will soon have the bell tower, the choir balcony, and windows casements repaired. In the CCD building, crews are repairing ceiling cracks and installing new ceiling tiles.

“The people of the parish and I are deeply thankful for all the repairs taking place and for all the hard work that so many people have done to get to this point, says Father Bill Marquis, Pastor of St. James the Apostle Parish. “We are glad things are moving forward.”

St. Joseph Parish Hall in Port Aransas will have extensive

Father George Johnson Vallamattam (at right), pastor at St. Joseph in Port Aransas, meets with Mike Wilson, superintendent for Gourley Contracting, to discuss plans to begin the repairs to the parish hall.

RESTORING OUR

Hope and Healing

continues five years after Harvey

work done on its roof and replace the fencing surrounding the parish hall. Work to be done inside the parish hall includes repairs to the kitchen, the main hall area, and meeting rooms.

Father George Vallamattam, who has been pastor at the parish for three years, faced the challenge of repairing the church. Repairs were completed in October of 2019, followed by the construction of a new rectory and parish office, with the parish hall still needing a significant amount of work.

“The parish hall roof, walls, and electrical system will need to be updated to code,” says Father Vallamattam. “I am hopeful for the success of the project so we can have more parish activities.”

St. Therese of the Little Flower Church in Woodsboro will have work done on its entryway, balcony, and confessional. Additionally, the cry room, ceiling and sacristy will be repainted, and the window panels will be removed and reset. Also, the damaged pews in the church will be replaced.

Sacred Heart Church and School in Rockport is

Mike Wilson of Gourley Contracting assesses needed repairs in the parish hall at St. Joseph in Port Aransas.

JESSE

RESTORING OUR DIOCESE Hope and Healing

undergoing major changes as well. The school, parish hall and old convent are being rebuilt while repairs are set for the Activities Center, with a facelift of the exterior of Gregory Hall.

At Sacred Heart Church in Corpus Christi, the walls of the sanctuary were water damaged, necessitating the repair of several cupola windows as well as copper and roof tile

A worker patches up ceiling damage in one of the classrooms in the Sacred Heart Religious Education Center in Odem.

On July 26, General Contractor Michael Dodson and project manager, Fidel Mendoza, of Marshall Company met with subcontractors in Sacred Heart Church.

repairs for the church roof. The beautiful frescos created by Antonio E. Garcia that adorn the inside walls of the church are being cleaned and restored by Nicola Vigini, a San Antonio artist who was educated in Italy and did several projects in Europe.

Work is moving ahead at Sacred Heart Religious Education Center in Odem. The roof has been replaced,

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

MARY COTTINGHAM

STC

RESTORING OUR DIOCESE

Hope and Healing

The roof has been replaced on the Religious Education building at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Ingleside.

acoustic ceilings are being touched up, the walls have been repainted, and damaged smoke detectors replaced.

According to construction personnel, St. Peter Parish in Rockport was one of the most extensively damaged properties. The storm destroyed the church, the parish hall, and the surrounding fencing. The congregation was displaced, and Masses are temporarily being held in a

nearby building.

Amid structural assessments and planning, more construction projects are either set to begin or will continue in various parishes. Despite the obstacles, God’s spirit of rebuilding and renewal guides the work that will soon lead to the restoration of these once storm-battered but still vibrant parish communities.

Workers repair damaged walls and ceilings in the Parish Hall of Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Ingleside.

MARY

MARY COTTINGHAM

STC

Transitional Deacons share their

BY DEACON RAYMOND PENDLETON Contributor

Iam

28 years old, and I was born the second of nine children to Mark and Teresita Pend leton in Laredo and raised in Benavides. I am grateful to God for my big family and thankful for my parent’s Catholic faith.

I play tennis, spikeball, volleyball and board games. My favorite book is The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena, and anything written by St. Thomas Aquinas.

Like many teenagers, I didn’t appreciate my parent’s faith, nor was I fully committed to the life of a Christian. I wasn’t sure how the Catholic beliefs fit in with my daily life, and I was even less sure why I needed to preserve it to be successful or good —as a man. Still, I continued to attend Mass with my family, and I was an altar server until I graduated high school.

The day finally came when it was time for me to leave Benavides and attend Texas A&M University in Kingsville. I figured I wanted to teach English in high school since I always enjoyed assisting my classmates. Before leaving home, I will never forget my mom’s words: “Raymond, I don’t care if you don’t pack your toothbrush or flunk your classes; I want you to attend Mass every Sunday.” I brushed the words off, but the authority and the care with which she said those words stayed in my memory.

Mass. I immediately recognized and admired their devotion to God. I became used to attending Mass with my family while being one of the very few young people in attendance. I thought faith was irrelevant, but I was wrong.

Two years passed, and I had made myself a second home in the chapel of St. Thomas. I made some good friends there, and I had been attending daily Mass and picked up altar serving again. I fell in love with the Mass and began considering the priesthood as a possible vocation.

Without those words of my mom’s before leaving for college, I don’t believe I would have made it to Mass that Sunday. I would have believed that my parents raised me in a Catholic home just to get through high school. With the help of my friends and priests, my faith was nurtured further. I applied for seminary during my third year of college. Finally, I was accepted into the Diocese of Corpus Christi as a seminarian in the spring semester of 2015.

Deacon Raymond Pendleton

My first Sunday as a college freshman came around, and I did not intend to go to Mass, but I couldn’t forget my mom’s words. I couldn’t handle ignoring those words any longer, and I dressed up and attended Mass at the chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. My mind was blown. There were many young men and women there, and they participated in the

I was accepted–yes–but the journey was only beginning, as I have completed seven years of priestly formation. I have learned much since 2015, and I have grown to understand more deeply the life of the priest in relation to Christ on the Cross. I hope that I will come to embrace the Cross more dearly as I commit my life to all of you as a future priest.

I have already begun to look forward to giving up my life for you in my promise of celibacy I made at my diaconate ordination. I know it is mysterious to many: Why would anyone consign themselves to a lonely life? However mysterious or sad it may seem; I see it as a way to unite myself to Christ and in a special way to dedicate my life to bringing him to you and you to him.

I have the strong support of my family and many friends, but I ask that you all pray for me. Without spiritual strength, I cannot hope to do a fraction of what Christ calls his priests to accomplish.

their vocation stories

BY DEACON THOMAS SWIERC Contributor

Iwas born in San Antonio 29 years ago and raised in College Station. Growing up, my immediate and extended family were pretty close-knit, and our life was centered around the Catholic faith. My parents set a great example of what it looks like to make room for Christ in daily life. Whenever we were free from school, my sister and I regularly accompa nied our parents during their assigned hours at our parish’s Perpetual Adoration chapel.

I began to seriously discern the priesthood when I was a freshman studying mathematics in a junior college. Perhaps this realization stemmed from a seed planted in high school when I saw the Grassroots Films production, “Fishers of Men,” which illustrated fulfillment found in choosing a priestly vocation.

I met with the Vocation Director of the Diocese of Austin. He politely told me that I should spend more time discerning before attempting to enter the seminary to ensure I wanted to enter for the right reasons. After two years in junior college, I transferred to Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where I studied electrical engineering and switched to computer science. I also worked in the IT department on campus and as a residence assistant in a dorm. All the while, I continued to discern and pray. Eventually, through the counsel of the Catholic student chaplain, I finally felt ready to discern within the seminary walls.

While I pursue my vocation at St. Mary Seminary in Houston, there’s still room for my other passions. During my pastoral year, I befriended a stray dog. Being both a lover of dogs and music, I named her after St. Cecilia (the patron of music) and managed to get her and her puppies into a foster home, The Puppy House. In just a few months, they were placed into forever homes.

I enjoy collecting and listening to vinyl records in my free time. Classic Rock and Roll bands like

The Beatles, Tom Petty, and the Heartbreakers are my favorites to listen to —George Harrison from the Beatles is a hero of mine. Making music is fun, too: I play guitar and ukulele, and, since high school, I’ve sung in the church choir. Being a bigger man, people expect me to sing bass (the lowest male singing voice), so it surprises some that I’m a tenor (the highest male singing voice).

Deacon Thomas Swierc

Like many of my generation, I like the Harry Potter novels —much more than the film adaptations. For more serious reading, I particularly enjoy books on the Eucharist. Especially eucharistic miracles and books that explain scripture-based eucharistic theology. I have outdoor hobbies, too, like fishing, camping and canoeing.

Throughout my life, there have been several examples of people who motivated me toward the priesthood. First is Father Lawrence Swartz (born Thomas Swierc), my great-great uncle, a Trappist monk in Gethsemane, Kentucky, for over 76 years. I met him a few times as a child before he died in 2005. Despite being a contemplative monk, he was a humorous man who loved God and everyone he encountered. Then, there was Father Frank Kurzaj, a Polish priest from the Archdiocese of San Antonio. For many years, he’s been a very close friend of our family. He’s a fantastic homilist and a very compassionate man of the people.

Right before I entered the seminary, I met our own Msgr. Seamus McGowan —who has been a close friend ever since. In the last couple of years of getting to know him better, I came

to love his gentle, loving, compassionate and caring spirit —he is the kind of priest I want to be. I am now a Theology IV seminarian for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and I think my family is excited to see me on this path. They were all smiling and crying (tears of joy) at my diaconate ordination. There’s a possibility that my great-grandmothers would’ve been happier than Jesus Himself about me becoming a priest: I know they frequently prayed very hard for priestly vocations and that there might be one in the family.

Being in seminary has made me grow in several ways. I’m more thoughtful and contemplative than I used to

be, and my prayer life is stronger than ever. Though difficult, I’ve learned that the priestly vow of celibacy is a wonderful gift that one must pray to receive and then learn how to live out. Not everyone can do this. Celibacy requires the priest (or deacon) to sacrifice having a wife and family for the Church’s sake and the souls’ salvation. Through my formation, I desire to become a good priest who loves Christ, his Church and his people, who will never stop working to win souls for Christ. Perhaps, someday, I’ll be a college campus minister. But for now, I want to learn to be a good parish priest.

- 9:30 Our Shepherd’s View

- 10:30 Cathedral Sun Mass Live 10:30 - 11:00 Christopher Close-Up

- 11:30 Catholic Answers Live

the Gospel message

Saved by grace through faith

Faith and Works (Eph 2:8-10)

BY FATHER BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT Contributor

Ifyou’ve been bowling, you might have observed that little kids can always hit the pins and even get a strike at the odd time. Of course, they have assistance from the bumpers on each side of the lane to prevent their ball from falling into the gutters. Watching their bowling ball weave slowly back and forth from bumper to bumper and then gently knock all the pins down is jaw-dropping and, yes, a little bit humiliating.

Something of this happens in the interplay between faith and works. The relationship between them is quite fascinating and has even been the cause of great tension between Catholics and Protestants. Each of us, at different points in our spiritual lives, has probably veered toward the gutters of “everything is grace/once saved always saved” on the one side and “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), on the other. In his Letter to the Ephesians 2:8-10, St. Paul can help

us understand the relationship between faith and works and keep us from falling into the two’ gutters of heresy.’

St. Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God —not because of works, lest any man should boast…” (Eph 2:8-9). First, we must understand that the initial grace of salvation/justification that we received at the moment of our baptism is an absolute gratuitous gift of God. There is nothing we possess or have done that has merited it. Good looks, great talents, good deeds, a brilliant mind, a successful career, etc., none of that has merited the grace of salvation which makes us pleasing to God.

St. Augustine understood that God came to save us because we were not living in Communion with Him, which is the purpose for having created us. He says in such a penetrating way: “What God condemns, with the ultimate goal of saving men, is the evil deeds man has done, choosing in his free

“Pray as though everything depended on you, and act as if everything depended on God.”

SAYS

the Gospel

Salvado por la Gr

will to separate himself from his Maker and Creator and returning to evil. That is to say, God condemns what man has done and justifies what He (Himself) has done.” We cannot earn our salvation —this keeps us from relying too much on ourselves and becoming boastful.

St. Paul continues: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). This is the other side of the story. The initial grace of salvation -- a completely gratuitous gift -begins the divine life within us. We are now branches grafted to the Vine (Christ) by the Father. “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (Jn 15:8). The fruit we are to bear is good works, or better stated, works that are produced through a participation in the grace given to us. St. Augustine, in this vein, said: “God who created you without you, will not save you without you.” In other words, the grace given freely to us is not to remain fallow but to grow. The more our actions/works correspond to grace, the more evident the ‘handiwork of God is manifested in us.’ In fact, through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are able to perform even divine actions. Here, we are reminded that ‘grace through faith’ is not static —as if we receive it and just float to heaven on the lazy river, but it is dynamic and transformative, allowing us to produce fruit. A concrete way of expressing works issuing from faith is by doing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

To conclude, St. James states: “Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you my faith” (2:18). Faith and works live harmoniously together. There is an old saying: “Pray as though everything depended on you, and act as if everything depended on God.” If we put that into practice, we will definitely be able to navigate the lane of orthodoxy where faith and works beautifully weave together.

POR PADRE BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT Contribuyente

Sialguna vez ha jugado a los bolos (boliche), es posible que haya observado que los niños pequeños siempre pueden tirar los bolos e incluso lograr puntos o sorpresivamente hacer chusa. Por supuesto, cuentan con la ayuda de los parachoques a cada lado del carril para evitar que su bola caiga en las cunetas. Ver su bola de boliche moverse lentamente de un lado al otro de los parachoques y luego derribar suavemente todos los bolos, te deja con la boca abierta, resulta asombroso, pero también un poco humillante.

Algo de esto sucede en la interacción entre la fe y las obras. La relación entre ellas es bastante fascinante e incluso ha sido motivo de gran tensión entre católicos y protestantes. Cada uno de nosotros, en diferentes momentos de nuestra vida espiritual, nos hemos desviado y caído en una cloaca, de todos modos; “todo es Gracia/ porque una vez salvo, siempre te quedas salvo” eso por un lado y por otro como dice San Pablo “…obrad para vuestra salvación con temor y temblor” (Filipenses 2:12). En su Carta a los Efesios 2: 8-10, San Pablo puede ayudarnos a comprender la relación entre la fe y las obras y evitar que caigamos en cualquiera de las dos ‘cunetas de la herejía’.

San Pablo dice: “Porque habéis sido salvados gratuitamente por medio de la fe; y esto no viene de vosotros: es don de Dios; tampoco viene de las obras, para que nadie se gloríe…” (Efesios 2:8-9). Primero, debemos entender que la Gracia inicial de salvación/justificación que recibimos en el momento de nuestro bautismo es un don absoluto gratuito de Dios. No es por algo que poseamos o que hayamos hecho para merecerlo. No es por buena apariencia, grandes talentos, buenas obras, o una mente brillante, o una carrera exitosa, etc., nada de

acia a través de la Fe

eso ha merecido la gracia de la salvación que nos hace agradables a los ojos de Dios.

San Agustín entendió que Dios vino a salvarnos porque no vivíamos en Comunión con Él, lo cual es el propósito para lo que fuimos creados. El dice de manera muy penetrante: “Lo que Dios condena, con el último fin de salvar al hombre, son las obras demoniacas que el hombre hace, al elegir por su libre albedrío separarse de su Hacedor y Creador para volver al mal. Es decir, Dios condena lo que el hombre hace y justifica como si Él (Mismo) lo hubiera hecho”.- Nosotros no podemos obtener nuestra salvación-; esto nos impide confiar demasiado en nosotros mismos y volvernos jactanciosos.

San Pablo continúa: “Pues de Ėl somos hechura, creados (de nuevo) en Cristo Jesús para obras buenas, que Dios preparó de antemano para que las hagamos” (Ef 2,10). Este es el otro lado de la historia. La Gracia inicial de la salvación es -un don completamente gratuito-, con el que empieza en nosotros la vida divina. Ahora somos sarmientos injertados a la Vid (Cristo) por el Padre. “En esto es glorificado mi Padre: en que llevéis mucho fruto, y así seáis mis discípulos” (Jn 15, 8). El fruto que hemos de dar son las buenas obras, o mejor dicho, las obras que se producen a través de una participación en la Gracia que nos ha sido dada. San Agustín, en este sentido, decía: “Dios, que te creó sin ti, no te salvará sin ti”. En otras palabras, la Gracia que se nos da gratuitamente no es para que permanezca, sino para que crezca. Cuanto más correspondan nuestras acciones/obras a la gracia, más evidente es la “obra de la mano de Dios manifiesta en nosotros”. De hecho, a través de los Dones del Espíritu Santo, es que somos capaces, incluso de realizar acciones divinas. Aquí, se nos recuerda que la ‘Gracia a través de la fe’ no es estática: -la recibimos y flota simplemente hacia el cielo en el cause de un río perezoso, pero también es dinámica y transformadora, lo cual nos permite

producir frutos. Una forma concreta de expresar las obras que emanan de la fe, es haciendo obras de misericordia, corporales y espirituales.

Para concluir, Santiago afirma: “Muéstrame tu (pretendida) fe sin las obras, y yo por mis obras te mostraré mi fe” (2,18). La fe y las obras conviven en armonía. Hay un viejo dicho: “Ora como si todo dependiera de ti y actúa como si todo dependiera de Dios”. Si ponemos eso en práctica, definitivamente podremos navegar por el camino de la ortodoxia donde la fe y las obras se entrelazan maravillosamente.

The hidden life of

BY ELIZABETH MORALES South Texas Catholic

S

cholastica is derived from the word “scholarly,” with a Latin root meaning orator, rhetorician. Upon hearing the name, Scholastica, is it any wonder the notion of intelligence comes to mind? Yet, St. Scholastica (c. 480-547) lived out her name in a unique way. Not recognized for contri butions to academic findings and achievements, she is remembered for adherence to a spiritual discovery.

Born into a wealthy Italian family in the late 400s, Scholastica was consecrated to God in her infancy. Like most families, her brother Benedict, who also may have been her twin, had a profound impact on her life.

Benedict, an abbot of Monte Cassino in Italy, is credited with spreading monasticism in the west by developing the Benedictine Rule, which offers instruction for living a religious life and has been adhered to for centuries.

Scholastica followed Benedict’s example and denied worldly possessions, entering a Benedictine community of nuns. Observing the Benedictine Rule, Scholastica is associated with flourishing in the female Benedictine tradition. It meant a life of poverty, chastity, obedience, and remaining cloistered from the world. As abbess of the religious community, she led nuns in living out the Benedictine motto “ora et labora,” the Latin phrase for “pray and work.”

She is said to have lived in a convent about five miles away from Monte Cassino in a neighborhood called Piumarola.

During the century in which Scholastica was born, Rome had crumbled in the west, and

PHOTO

FURTHER ILLUSTRATED BY MARY COTTINGHAM | STC.

WOMAN OF STRENGTH St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica

power was centralized in the east at Constantinople. Not abandoning their Italian roots, Scholastica and Benedict carried on with their lives quietly devoted to a monastic existence, which by example was planting seeds of spirituality, order and balance in others.

Thus, in the proceeding centuries, monasteries were slowly being erected across Europe, contributing to the landscapes of horticulture, architecture, humanities, and customs that quietly created footprints on European soil until the Renaissance in the fifteenth century.

Veneration of Scholastica began in seventh-century. Anglo-Saxon poet, Aldhelm, wrote of Scholastica in his poem “De Virginitate,” highlighting her purity and the bond she shared with her brother.

Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) also wrote of her in his “Dialogues.” He pens the story of Scholastica visiting her brother at a nearby location for only one day a year. According to Benedict’s “Rule,” they would be able to share about God’s hand in their lives and spiritual matters during that one day.

was since he would not listen, perhaps God would.

One day soon after the storm, he noticed a dove flying into clouds, taking it as a sign that his sister had parted from this earthly pilgrimage. Informing his brother monks, he went to bury Scholastica in the resting place intended for himself.

According to Dialogues, St. Gregory wrote that Scholastica acted out of love for her brother, which is in line with the charity of God and surpasses the law of Benedict’s Rule: the love of a sister for her brother.

Here siblings both alike in a commitment to the Benedictine way of life are faced with mortality, an innocent request for humanity above rules, and a belief in God’s understanding for pure human connection in the form of their last goodbye.

— The above was written as a hymn to St. Scholastica by a Benedictine monk.

Despite many monastery cemeteries imbued with anonymity, for example, headstones identifying “a holy monk,” Scholastica’s tomb is etched with her name where the faithful can pray at Monte Cassino.

During a particular family visit, Scholastica sensed the end of her life was near and begged Benedict to stay longer than his Rule allowed, but he insisted that he must leave the same day. Realizing her brother’s resolve, Scholastica asked God to intercede. Soon a storm came down, and Benedict asked his sister what she had done. Her reply

Hidden during her earthly life, Scholastica is a woman of strength for her decision to leave material pleasures behind —even family, placing the love of God above all else.

St. Scholastica is the patron saint of cloistered and Benedictine nuns. Her feast day is Feb. 10.

“How little do we know revealing who you are: this silence, born of peace, perhaps speaks even more.”

MUSIC MINISTRY

the Word

The Reyes family shares their faith

BY MARY COTTINGHAM South Texas Catholic

Joseph and Irene Reyes’ love for music, culture, faith, and family bolstered an entire generation of children dedicated to sharing their love for God by singing in churches throughout Corpus Christi. And sing they do —all nine members of the family belt out songs and hymns of praise and worship. They sing Tagalog and pop, but mostly Christian music. They sing at home, in the car and in churches throughout Corpus Christi and Portland.

Both Joseph and Irene were cradle Catholics whose faith deepened over time. They were born in different areas of the Philippines and raised partly in the United States, specifically Corpus Christi. Both their fathers were U.S. Navy men —which is why they happened to meet, fall in love, court, marry and raise their children in our diocese.

Irene inherited her gift from her mother, Concordia Goce, who was a gifted vocalist. At age ten, Joseph started singing in the choir at St. Paul the Apostle Church after much encouragement from his mother, Guillermina Reyes, who was very involved with their church community.

Joseph and Irene served in choirs at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Most Precious Blood Church after marriage. “We had to step away for a while because we ran out of hands to hold our three youngest during Mass. During this time, we encouraged each of our children to participate actively in the Mass from the pew,” Irene said.

Father Bob Dunn, then pastor at Most Precious Blood, “used to tease us as ours was one of the only families he knew that could fill an entire pew from end to end. True Catholics living out our faith to be fruitful and multiply,” Joseph said.

All their children attended Flour Bluff Independent School District and were encouraged to learn an instrument in the band. In retrospect, Joseph acknowledged they were strict parents but never had to schedule practice time or force any of their kids to practice. “They each recognized the gifts they were blessed with and developed their abilities individually,” he said.

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

During special occasions, their children would put on a concert for them of songs they’d written. They have also been asked to perform at community events, like the Filipino-American Association and the Instituto of Cultura Hispanica. “We feel humbled and blessed by God for these wonderful and talented children,” Joseph said. “We hope one day they will put an album together for us.”

They are like the Reyes “von Trapp family” of singers, as all of them sing, but many play one or more instruments. Mother Irene plays the piano and clarinet, the eldest, Andrew, plays the keyboard, Carissa plays the

MUSIC MINISTRY

Singing the Word

faith and love for God through music

guitar, Daniel plays the trombone, and Jessica plays the piano and ukulele. Their fifth child, Nathaniel, plays the piano, acoustic and electric guitar, and ukulele; Matthew, child number six, plays the French horn and is currently improving his skills on the piano; Isabel, their youngest, plays the ukulele and piano. “She has an outstanding voice and is frequently the harmonizing backup vocalist for her older siblings,” Joseph said. They have all played

and sang together during Easter and Christmas Masses.

As their eldest children grew up and branched out on their own, Andrew, Carissa, Daniel and Jessica have served as music ministers at multiple parishes around the diocese. They currently serve at St. Thomas More, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland, and the Texas A&MUniversity Newman Center chapel. The family would go to support them at one or more of the Masses they served.

The Reyes family singing at Texas A&M-University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) Newman Center Chapel. Andrew is playing the keyboard (not pictured) and leading the singing during the Mass.

Reyes family united by faith and music stand together in TAMUCC Newman Center Chapel. They support each other in different parishes where they serve. Pictured in the back row, from left are Isabel, Angela, Daniel, Grace, Matthew and Andrew. In the front, from left, are Carissa, Jessica, Irene, Joseph, Edie and Nathaniel.

Still, parishioners of Most Precious Blood though, Joseph and Irene and their three youngest became part-time parishioners of the “roamin” Catholic Church.

They also sing together at special diocesan events like the “Feast of Corpus Christi,” where some of the family sang Tagalog Christian songs at the Mother Teresa Shelter, one of the stops during the eucharistic procession.

Carissa has gained most of the notoriety in the family because she is the family’s spokesperson for diocesan events. She spearheaded last year’s “Night to Adore” at Cole Park, and her brothers Andrew and Daniel played the keyboard, and trombone, respectively. She led the singing, and the rest of her family helped in one or another. They helped at the water stations, and her sisters took care of the youngest Reyes —Grace, daughter of Daniel and his wife, Angela. “Angela helped with a lot of the planning and gathering of materials. She designed our T-shirts,” Carissa said.

Nathaniel and Matthew take the reins in caring for their now 91-year-old grandpa, Irene’s father, Elpidio

“Eddie” Goce, who can still accompany them to most of the events. “They have a special relationship with our grandpa,” Carissa said. “They kid with him and attend to him. It’s just so beautiful.”

“It is an honor to be able to serve him in this capacity,” Joseph said. “Our Filipino culture places a great deal of importance on being able to care for our elders. We believe that no one can care for a loved one as well as family, and we will never be able to pay back what our parents have done for us.”

“We strive daily to live out our faith not in words but in our actions. We truly believe that our children are God’s treasured gift to us. As such, we follow God’s example as we try to provide for their needs, protect them from harm, and train them in the way they should go so they will not depart from it. Our faith and love for God are among the most important legacies we can pass on to them,” Joseph said. “Faith is not taught, it is caught. Our mission is to help as many people get to heaven.”

Preparing teachers for the new school year

BY MARY COTTINGHAM South Texas Catholic

The Office of Catholic Schools held their in-service, in-person, for the first time in three years. Some 300 diocesan and paro chial teachers had met virtually every year since the start of the pandemic. This year they gathered in the Cafetorium at St. John Paul II High School for two days of spiritual and professional devel opment on Aug. 8-9.

The event began with the celebration of Mass by newly

ordained Father Charles Silvas, who happens to be a product of Catholic Schools and an alumnus of St. John Paul High School.

In his homily Father Silvas compared the building of a bird’s nest to making the school a home, “You can’t have a home, a nest, if you can’t work with broken branches. Students come from different backgrounds, contexts, situations, difficult family dynamics, etc. It’s within our weaknesses, imperfections, and brokenness that the Lord

Teachers attending the Spiritual and Professional Development Day at St. John Paul II High School are praying as Father Charles celebrates Mass in the Cafetorium.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

• Knowledge • Service

has not only called us but wants to find a home and rest his head within us.”

“We have been entrusted with the special responsibility of helping our young people reach their potential: by meeting them where they are; educating them and building them up; and creating an environment where our schools can be a place where they can feel at home.”

“What we do here is very important because it’s through the young people who we teach and form that many others will be affected, people we don’t even know because our young people are the agents through whom God wants to make His good shown to the world and bring into to the world. And it begins with us,” Father Silvas said. Opportunities like this help us to once again encounter in a new way the Lord’s invitation to follow him and his presence in our lives so that we can be his presence.”

Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant from the Society of the Most Holy Trinity, gave two presentations in the morning and two in the afternoon. His first topic focused on what St. Thomas Aquinas said about living in the image and likeness of God. “All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, but do you think every person lives in the image and likeness of God?” Father Marsalek asked. “It’s a dynamic reality to be lived and not merely a static truth about who we are. St. Thomas says it is when we’re actually knowing and loving him and being in communion with him that we are living in His image and likeness.

“You can say your primary purpose —the reason why a Catholic school exists in the first place, is so that you can help them to know God, love God and live in communion with Him,” Father Marsalek added. “So that they will be

MARY COTTINGHAM

STC

Teachers gather for small group discussions following a talk given by Father Peter Marsalek, SOLT at the Spiritual Development Day at St. John Paul II High School.

maximizing their God-given capacity to live in the image and likeness of God,” Father Marsalek said.

Later that morning, he spoke about sharing God’s Word in Catholic education. His afternoon topics were Natural Law in Catholic Education and Catholic formation into authentic freedom.

On Aug. 9, guest speaker and licensed psychologist Dr. Richard Grant challenged teachers to learn about themselves and their personality types by answering several questions. Their answers aided them in discovering their personality type. They were then asked to share their strength and weaknesses with their cohorts.

Teachers learned that through self-discovery and sharing, teachers can collaborate with each other’s opposite to reach a broader range of students — especially those with similar opposite personalities.

Overall, teachers felt it was a great tool to learn about themselves and how to become more effective teachers.

After the completion of the in-service, ten diocesan and parochial schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi received STEM Lego Kits assembled for their various grade levels thanks to a grant written by Dr. Rosemary Henry, superintendent of Catholic Schools.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

“Con Permiso”

Programa

“We have been entrusted with the special responsibility of helping our young people reach their potential: by meeting them where they

educating them and building

and creating an environment where our schools can be a place where they can feel at home.”

—Father Charles Silvas

Teens become the hands and feet of Jesus

BY CHLOE RODRIGUEZ Correspondent

The culmination of the Eucharistic Congress Conference included a series of events aimed at the youth. The youth track, entitled “Let’s Color Our Community,” was led by Youth Minister Bea Romo, Director of Vocations Bob Cummings, and Director of the Office of Family Life Jaime Reyna.

Around 50 youth attended the track, several hailing from Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and as far as St. Gertrude Parish from Kingsville. After Mass, the youth became acquainted by participating in an icebreaker game. Dr. Michele Johnston,

the new director of Catholic Charities, gave a presentation, introducing teens to the social services that Catholic Charities provides to the community.

According to Johnston, Catholic Charities and Mother Teresa help over 300 people daily through shelter services and special programs. She explained that Catholic Charities offers a choice food pantry and an additional six pantries throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Catholic Charities provides emergency aid, immigration services, counseling, financial empowerment classes, and special programs such as Parents as Teachers and Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Disabilities.

Some of the teens from the Eucharistic Congress Conference youth track, “Let’s Color Our Community,” wait for instruction and the rest of their crew at the bottom of the escalator at the Omni Hotel.

SPREADING THE LIGHT Holy friendships

One of the teens from “Let’s Color Our Community,” assists a guest from Catholic Charities’ Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Disabilities program.

The Mother Teresa Shelter is a day shelter that offers breakfast, snacks, lockers, shower & laundry facilities, phone/internet, clothing, first aid, referral services, and a multi-purpose activity/therapeutic center for the homeless. The Shelter also has a transitional housing center for men who apply.

After the group became acquainted with the people they would be serving, they boarded two buses in evident excitement, one for Catholic Charities and the other for Mother Teresa Shelter.

At Catholic Charities, one group of teens assembled learning kits for families enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program; another group accompanied and assisted guests in making crafts as part of the Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Disabilities. And one group assisted in stocking the choice food pantry and putting together hygiene bags. The groups then came together to help carry out the curbside drop-off event. About 100 cars showed up at this event.

Daniella Muñiz, one team leader, remarked how she saw Jesus’ love in the Catholic Charities workers and how they loved their clients. One of her highlights was hearing the people with disabilities share their experiences and what gives them hope and strength; it was beautiful to see them praise God even in challenging circumstances.

Sarah Lichtenberger, youth leader at Holy Family Corpus Christi parish, noted how doing something outside of yourself can make people connect on a different level. A group of boys who didn’t know each other very quickly built friendships. Some teens hesitant to approach the clients became eager to bring papers and baskets to load the clients’ cars. The theme “You did it to me” and “Love one another” helped many participants come out of their shells and help clients. When one participant didn’t want to go outside to help, he thought that if he didn’t do it, he wasn’t doing it for Jesus. When he thought of Jesus, he felt he could do anything.

CHLOE RODRIGUEZ

STC

SPREADING THE LIGHT Holy friendships

At Mother Teresa Shelter, the groups prepared sandwiches and lemonade to serve on the patio during lunchtime. After preparation, one group would operate the kitchen and serve lunch and ice cream while the other would deliver care packages, accompany the homeless, and switch. The youth entertained the clients with games of cornhole, connect 4, and a spinning wheel. They helped over 50 clients at this event.

Romo noted that the clients began to help staff and the youth, which was a beautiful and Christlike way of being one together. One participant saw Jesus in another person when one of the clients decided to help us pack the things we brought.

To Michelle Gonzalez, a parishioner from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, who not only admired her group opening their hearts for God’s love, but how much love they all put into it and how they talked to clients with so much love and respect. “All participating teens showed their hunger for God’s love,” Gonzalez said. “It was so breathtaking to witness each of our youth open up their hearts and allow God’s love to flourish into each one of them as they without hesitation became the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Following the service work, the youth returned to the Omni, ate lunch, and received a talk from Bishop Michael Mulvey. He shared a personal testimony about discovering the presence of Jesus in people we encounter: after praying

for proof, a man showed up at his door begging for a pair of shoes. None of the shoes in the storehouse fit him except the bishop’s own shoes. Bishop Mulvey gave the man his very best shoes, knowing he was Jesus and deserved the best.

The youth then participated in some reflection activities before joining the Eucharistic Congress for the Adoration. During this period, some of the youth shared their testimonies of Jesus through their service work. One of the teens (Sebastian) who volunteered at Mother Teresa Shelter said, “they have suffered a lot of things and cannot do most of the things that we can do,” and was grateful he could lend a helping hand. Another youth (Armando), who volunteered at Catholic Charities, echoed a similar sentiment, noting, “we want to bring Him into everybody’s lives.” Yet another teen shared, “Living out the words ‘Loving one another’ taught me that you are doing this stuff not because you have to but because you want to.”

The youth leaders were proud of the success of this event and plan to host more events like this in the future. “The collaboration with parish and youth leaders from around the diocese was a very cool and meaningful way to serve together as one,” Romo said.

For more information on Catholic Charities, visit catholiccharities-cc.org.

For more information on Mother Teresa Shelter, visit motherteresashelter.org.

Teens from various parishes pray before helping clients and guests at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi.

CHLOE

RODRIGUEZ

| FOR STC

Red Mass unifies legal professionals

BY JESSE DELEON South Texas Catholic

The Red Mass is rooted in the traditions of faith and justice. The first recorded Red Mass took place in Paris in 1245. In 1310, the tradition began in England, where the Mass was held at Westminster Abbey and served as the official opening of the Judicial Year. It received its name because the celebrants’ vestments and the robes of the High Judges of the English Court traditionally were red in the symbolism of the Holy Spirit. The first Red Mass took place in the United States in 1877. Today it is celebrated in most dioceses throughout our country.

The Red Mass in the Diocese of Corpus Christi will be on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral. The Mass will feature remarks from the

keynote speaker, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales. After Mass, there will be a reception.

The Mass and reception are open to people of all faiths, with a special invitation to all members of the legal profession, including judges, lawyers, law school professors, law students, and government officials. The Red Mass emphasizes the legal profession’s vital role in promoting justice and peace.

“The Red Mass is a time for all those in the legal community to come together before God and reflect on what inspires us in our vocation,” says Marc Cervantes, General Counsel for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. “In so doing, we ask God and in particular the Holy Spirit to continually guide our notions of truth and justice.”

THE DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI CELEBRATES THE TRADITION OF

Red

SAVE THE DATE

ALL ARE INVITED Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.

The custom of a special Mass for the judicial community arose in France, England, and Italy in the early 13th century to mark the opening of the courts of law and to ask for guidance for all who seek justice. It became known as the Red Mass from the color of the priests’ vestments and judges’ robes. This tradition continues today in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, as a time for members of the legal community and for all the faithful to come together and pray for the cause of justice.

Keynote Speaker: David S. Morales, U.S. District Judge

SPECIAL EVENTS

From the Diocese

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We gathered as a diocese, united in faith, just a few weeks ago to celebrate our Eucharistic Congress, during which we explored and experienced what it means to be a Eucharistic people. Bishop Mulvey expresses his deep personal gratitude and appreciation to all who attended, volunteered, and coordinated the Eucharistic Congress, the 9 days of Adoration, the Annual Corpus Christi Procession, and the preparatory Eucharistic Talks given across the diocese. Throughout all of these events, it was clear that there is a strong desire not only to worship together, but also to deepen our understanding of our faith.

As we leave these events, inspired by the Holy Spirit and renewed in our love for the Eucharist, we must go forth as a Eucharistic people, telling others not just about the Eucharistic Congress, but about Jesus Christ himself, who revealed to us—that God is love—by giving himself in sacrifice. The fruits of this Eucharistic Congress will serve as a formidable foundation as we transition into the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Eucharistic Revival.

The National Eucharistic Revival, which officially began on Corpus Christi Sunday, is a three-year initiative to form, heal, convert, and unite the People of God through a renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and then to send them out to a hurting and hungry world. The Revival’s focus on formation and missionary discipleship begins at the grassroots level in individual parishes and dioceses along with other Catholic institutions:

• Year One is the Year of Diocesan Revival, in which U.S. bishops respond to the Lord’s personal invitation and empower their priests and parish leaders to host events with a Eucharistic focus.

• Year Two is planned as the Year of Parish Revival. Individual pastors will engage their staff and parishioners with communityspecific activities and events to better understand and enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery through the celebration of the Mass, and extended opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation.

• Year Three will be the Year of the National Eucharistic Congress and Missionary Sending and commences with a National Eucharistic Congress set to take place July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis.

This National Eucharistic Revival comes at crucial time as it responds directly to the fact that more than 70 percent of Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Through this Revival may we ourselves be healed, converted, and renewed through our encounter and relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and from there sent out on mission for the life of the world.

Yours in Christ, Deacon Santos Jones

Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Lead

Director of the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis

To learn more about the National Eucharistic Revival, sign up for weekly updates or to support the Revival through prayer visit: eucharisticrevival.org.

OF THESTATE DIOCESE

What is the State of the Diocese?

State of the Diocese on October 26, 2022 will be an evening where we can all come together as parishioners of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and disciples of our Lord. Bishop Michael Mulvey will update us on the state of our Diocese, where we are now and where we want to be. We will celebrate being Catholic together and thank the Lord for the great gifts He gives us every day. It will be an evening of fun for the whole family. We will provide dinner. Bring the kids. All we ask is that you register.

Why should I attend State of the Diocese?

There are several reasons why you and your family will want to attend. It will be an evening to celebrate —all of us together, in one room— being Catholic in South Texas. You’ll hear from Bishop Michael Mulvey about what is happening in the Diocese, and you’ll get to mingle and meet other Catholics throughout our 12 counties. You’ll learn about vocations, youth and young adults, communications, and so many other programs you may have heard about but want to know more about. You may even want to get involved.

What time does it start and where will it be held?

It starts at 6 p.m. at the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds in Ballroom B. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The program will begin soon after. Please come, even if you arrive late. We welcome you and your family.

Do I need to register, and how much does it cost?

Yes, you need to register. Use the QR code, at right, to register or go to diocesecc.org/state. No, it does not cost money. State of the Diocese is free.

We are many parts of the Body of Christ

FALL 2022 COLLECTIONS

— your support counts

SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2022

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA

The Collection for The Catholic University of America underwrites scholarships to assist financially deserving students in completing their education at CUA in over 50 disciplines. The collection for Catholic University is taken up in most parishes on the first or second weekend in September.

For more information visit catholic.edu/index.html

SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2022

DISASTER RELIEF

Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church.

The disaster response team –along with the knowledge and expertise of our member agencies – mobilizes quickly and effectively to aid those experiencing or recovering from disasters.that occur this year. Catholic Charities is known for its hard work that begins with direct relief efforts to meet immediate needs and continues, sometimes for many years, with long-term relief efforts that help individuals and families rebuild their lives.

For more information go to catholiccharitiesusa.org/ourministry/disaster-relief/

NOVEMBER 5-6, 2022

FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES

The National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), was first approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2012 and is scheduled to be taken every three years on the Sunday before Veterans Day.

For more information visit milarch.org/nationalcollection.

OCTOBER 1-2, 2022

RESPECT LIFE

Every year, the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) designates the first Sunday in October as Respect Life Sunday, and October itself as Respect Life Month. The conference’s ProLife Secretariat provides collateral materials supporting the annual theme. The materials, which are purchased for each parish and school by the Diocese of Corpus Christi’s Respect Life Office, assist clergy, principals, directors of religious education, teachers, catechists and parents in teaching adults, youth and children to respect all human life.

For more information visit usccb.org/committees/prolife-activities/respect-life-program.

OCTOBER 22-23, 2022

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

The funds gathered on World Mission Sunday are distributed in the pope’s name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—a Pontifical Mission Society.

For more information visit propfaith.net/onefamilyinmission.

NOVEMBER 12-13, 2022

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the national antipoverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ “... to bring glad tidings to the poor ... liberty to captives ... sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free.” (Luke 4:18)

For more information visit.usccb.org/committees/catholiccampaign-human-development.

Highlights, upcoming events and briefs

Catholic food pantries struggle with demand as inflation soars

BY JONAH MCKEOWN AND KATIE YODER Catholic News Agency

Amid the highest levels of inflation seen in the United States in four decades, food pantries across the country — many of which are run by Catholics — are seeing an increased demand for their services.

Catholic food pantries serve millions of Americans across the country — Catholics and non-Catholics alike — every year. For people in need, they make the difference between having food on the table and going hungry.

“If it were not for this pantry, there would have been times when we would not have had food,” said LaShanda Davis, a security officer who receives help from the Guadalupe Center food pantry in Houston, Texas.

Now, under the weight of inflation, many pantries are struggling. Grocery prices jumped nearly 11% in July 2022 compared to the previous year. Those increases impact the food pantries themselves as well as their customers.

People are turning to these food pantries not only for food but also for help with other needs, a spokesperson for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston told CNA. These include clothing, school supplies, rental and utility assistance, employment guidance, and education.

While demand at the pantries does not appear to be quite as sky-high as it was during the initial COVID-19 crisis in 2020, inflation seems to have created a more sustained high demand.

Catholic Charities, whose agencies manage over 1,000 food banks and pantries across all 50 states and five U.S. territories, serves over 8.4 million individuals each year.

Jane Stenson, the vice president of poverty reduction programs and services at Catholic Charities USA, told CNA that “many agencies have stated that they are having difficulty keeping food on the shelves.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food inflation

in the United States hit 10.9% in July 2022, the highest since May 1979. Food-at-home prices — meaning the cost of food at the grocery store — increased by 13.1%.

Stenson spoke about the impact of the current economic climate and inflation, noting that some corporate donations of food products have dried up, since it is more expedient for them to sell their products for a good price.

In addition, many of their individual donors — on which many food pantries rely — are not giving or are giving less, “since everyone is dealing with inflation,” she said.

Jane Stenson at Catholic Charities USA also told CNA that cash can help.

“Often cash is preferable which allows pantries to purchase selective items that they know they need,” she said.

At the same time, she stressed that right now, “any and all donations are very much welcomed.”

“Donations are very much needed, particularly items such as meat, dairy and produce,” she added. “Consider, where possible, adding some extra items to your weekly shopping and donating to a food pantry. Also, personal hygiene items such as shampoo, toothpaste, and diapers are very much needed since you can’t use the SNAP benefit to cover these items.”

The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston pointed to the Catholic reasoning behind providing help to those in need.

“Catholic Social Teaching urges us to treat one another with dignity and compassion,” a spokesperson for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston told CNA. “Catholics can continue to heed Christ’s call to care for the most vulnerable of God’s children by volunteering at food pantries and utilizing their networks and resources to help feed more families.”

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Abortion ‘trigger laws’ will ban abortions in three states

BY JONAH MCKEOWN Catholic News Agency

By the time this issue goes to press, “trigger laws” banning most abortions with limited exceptions will have taken effect in three states — Texas, Idaho, and Tennessee. When these laws go into effect, a dozen states in total will have banned abortion, most through “trigger laws” passed before the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24.

According to SBA Pro-life America, the laws going into effect could prevent as many as 69,000 abortions each year across the three states. Katie Glenn, SBAPLA’s state policy director, told CNA that the pro-life organization is “really excited that states can finally enact policies that reflect the values of their people.”

The states in question all have provisions in their trigger laws stipulating that the laws would come into force 30 days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s official judgment overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

Although the court’s opinion overturning Roe and giving states the authority to ban abortion was released June 24, its official judgment was not released until July 26, meaning that once each state’s attorney general certifies that the official judgment had arrived, the states’ trigger laws could come into effect 30 days later, on Aug. 25.

Texas, as the second most-populous state in the country, will be by far the largest state with a trigger law in effect. Under the law, all abortions will be illegal, though it does provide exceptions for when abortion may be necessary to prevent “serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.”

Since Sept. 2021, Texas has had a “heartbeat” abortion ban in place meant to be enforced through private lawsuits filed by citizens against those who perform abortions. John McNamara, who heads the Texas Pregnancy Care Network of pro-life pregnancy centers, told CNA that TPCN has seen 38% more pregnant clients than it did in the same period, pre-pandemic. He said he expects an even larger

Pro-lifers rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 1, 2021.

increase in pregnant women seeking help after the trigger law takes effect. The TPCN has 178 locations across the state to provide free counseling, classes, and items for pregnant families.

“In the last 12 months, TPCN has provided over 1 million items to new parents such as packages of diapers, wipes, and car seats. With the new law change this week, TPCN anticipates its services will be needed more than ever, and that it will continue to see a significant rise in clients served,” McNamara said.

All of the “trigger laws” have exceptions written into them for abortions that are deemed medically necessary to save the life of the mother. Medical professionals have pointed out that although certain lifesaving procedures may have the unintended consequence of interrupting a pregnancy, direct abortion is never necessary to save the mother’s life.

In addition, some states also provide explicit exceptions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, though these are not generally considered abortions.

A few states have previously unenforceable bans on abortion still on the books, some of which date back more than 100 years.

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Faithful hold Marian procession in Nicaragua despite repression and persecution

Catholic News Agency

Hundreds of faithful Catholics and the clergy of the Diocese of León, Nicaragua, a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Managua, took part on Sunday in the annual procession of the image of Our Lady of Mercy, the patroness of the diocese.

The procession was held in the midst of a succession of repressive acts against the Catholic Church by the dictatorial regime of Daniel Ortega in several cities in the country, especially in Matagalpa, where Bishop Rolando Álvarez was abducted by police in the middle of the night and is being held under house arrest in Managua.

On Aug. 21 at about 8 a.m. local time, the Marian image was brought out in procession from the Diocesan Shrine

of Our Lady of Mercy after being blessed by the shrine’s rector, Father Mauro Paniagua.

Upon leaving the church, hundreds of the faithful, members of the clergy, and a brass band accompanied the procession with the image held aloft on a litter by several men to the Fortín de Acosasco, an old military fort atop Acosasco Hill, today used as a weather station.

At approximately 1 p.m. the image arrived at the fort, and Holy Mass was offered by Paniagua. At the end of the celebration, songs were sung in honor of the Virgin.

An hour later, the image returned to the shrine accompanied by the multitude of faithful.

Our Lady of Mercy was proclaimed patroness of León on July 17, 1912, by then Bishop Simeon Pereira y Castellón.

The Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy holds the image, which was brought centuries ago from Barcelona, Spain, by the Mercedarian friars.

On Aug. 13, a large procession with the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima was to precede the closing Mass at the Managua cathedral for the Marian Congress titled “Mary, Mother of Hope,” but on that occasion the regime prohibited the event. Instead, a smaller procession was held in the atrium of the cathedral. Thousands were in attendance, many waving Nicaraguan and Vatican flags and crying out, “Mary is from Nicaragua and Nicaragua belongs to Mary!”

Faithful Catholics of the Diocese of León, Nicaragua, participate in the annual procession of the image of Our Lady of Mercy, the patroness of the diocese, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022.

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‘Our destination is heaven:’ Pope Francis speaks about death

BY HANNAH BROCKHAUS Catholic News Agency

PopeFrancis spoke about old age and the expecta tion of death at his gen eral audience Wednesday.

Reflecting on the Virgin Mary’s bodily Assumption into heaven, he recalled the hope Christians have in the resurrection of their own body at the end of time.

“We recently celebrated the Assumption into heaven of the Mother of Jesus. This mystery illuminates the fulfillment of the grace that shaped Mary’s destiny, and it also illuminates our destination,” he said at the Vatican on Aug. 24. “Our destination is heaven.”

The pope gave his weekly public audience in the Paul VI hall, where he noted that it would be his final catechesis on the theme of old age.

The 85-year-old pope, who has been experiencing difficulty walking, was brought onto the auditorium’s stage in a wheelchair. He remained seated throughout the hour-long event.

The audience began with a reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:22-24: “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees?”

“It is no coincidence,” Francis said, “that the Apostle Paul speaks of the pains of childbirth.”

“Just as, in the moment we come out of our mother’s womb, we are still us, the same human being who was in the womb; so, after death, we are born to heaven, to God’s space, and we are still ourselves, who have walked on this earth,” he said.

Pope Francis also recalled Jesus’ promise to his disciples before he left the earth: “And if I go and prepare a place

Pope Francis during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at Vatican City.

PABLO ESPARZA | CNA

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for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also (John 14:3).”

“The Risen One lives in God’s world, where there is a place for everyone, where a new earth is being formed and the heavenly city, man’s final dwelling place, is being built,” he said. “We cannot imagine this transfiguration of our mortal corporeality, but we are certain that it will keep our faces recognizable and allow us to remain human in God’s heaven.”

“It will allow us to participate, with sublime emotion, in the infinite and blissful exuberance of God’s creative act, whose endless adventures we will experience firsthand,” he added.

Francis explained that when Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God, he describes it as a wedding feast, as a party with friends; and the pope urged everyone to take Jesus’ words about the Kingdom seriously, keeping in mind the eternal “destination” of their earthly lives.

“In our old age, my dear contemporaries — I’m speaking to the old men and women — the importance of the many ‘details’ of which life is made — a caress, a smile, a gesture, an appreciated effort, an unexpected surprise, a hospitable cheerfulness, a faithful bond — becomes more acute,” he said.

“The essentials of life, which we hold most dear as we approach our farewell, become definitively clear to us.”

“The best of life is yet to come,” he said, addressing the elderly.

“Our whole life appears like a seed that will have to be buried so that its flower and its fruit can be born. It will be born, along with everything else in the world,” he continued. “Not without labor pains, not without pain, but it will be born.”

“And the life of the risen body will be a hundred and a thousand times more alive than we have tasted it on this earth.”

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