mas at Corpus Christi Cathedral planning, preparation and a whole lot of Mary Cottingham South Texas Catholic
Spirit
Lights! Camera! Action!
T
he Christmas Masses at Corpus Christi Cathedral are some of the most well attended events year-round in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. People need to show up a half hour before the Masses, because the Cathedral fills up quickly, Father Pete Elizardo, rector of Cathedral, said. “There will be ‘The Lessons and Carols’ before the Midnight Mass, which begins at about 11:15 p.m., so people need to start showing up about 10:45 p.m.,” he said. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey will be the celebrant at the Midnight Mass and Father Elizardo will celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and the Christmas Day Mass at 10 a.m. The production of these events takes the concerted effort of a large cast of players. Father Elizardo, Lee Gwozdz, Cathedral choirs director and organist, and Marty Wind, general manager of KLUX Radio and their team of professionals, organize the liturgy, music and
broadcast of the Midnight Mass to make it available for everyone to see and hear, live, on the television, Internet and radio. In addition, hundreds of volunteers give their time and talent to make it a joyful occasion for all. The Cathedral choirs have been practicing since September and will sing at the Vigil, Midnight and Christmas Day Masses. In addition to the Masses, the choirs will sing at the Christmas pageant on Dec. 21-22 (see story on page 16). These efforts involve six different choirs and several teams of professionals. “The choirs are full to the max for the first time in history. We are ready. This is the earliest they have ever been
Lee Gwozdz takes members of the Cherub choir through some of the steps during rehearsals for the Christmas pageant. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic www.SouthTexasCatholic.com
DECEMBER 2012 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC
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