Spring 2023 - Vol. 58 No. 1

South Texas

Catholic

A family's journey of faith

Keep up with the faith at southtexascatholic.com

VOL. 58 NO. 1

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 Adel Sauceda asauceda@diocesecc.org

Social Media Coordinator and Videographer Elizabeth Morales emorales@diocesecc.org

Broadcast Technical Director Richard Luna rluna@diocesecc.org

Correspondents

Rebecca Esparza and Jessica Rohr

Translator/Correspondent

Gloria Romero

Contributors: Thank you Rev. Brady Williams SOLT, Lisa McKelvey, Merci McCoy, Luis Lozano, Jr. and Javier Ebertowki

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INSIDE

3 | LETTER FROM THE BISHOP:

During our Lenten Journey: Bishop Mulvey encourages us to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, service, reflection and forgiveness.

5 | DIOCESAN NEWS: Make Growing in Grace: Reflections with Bishop Mulvey a part of your Lenten Journey.

On page 6: Bishop Mulvey is asking parishioners to prayerfully consider a gift to support our neighbors throughout the diocese.

11 | JESUS SAYS: Explaining the Gospel Message: Father Brady Williams reflects on the theme, “No thorn without a rose.”

18 | THE GIFT OF ART: Artist Merci McCoy shares reflections on her painting for the diocesan Synod on Synodality.

21 | CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Theology class connects students to God’s mission.

24 | VOCATIONS: Seminarians Luis Lozano, Jr. and Javier Ebertowski believe youth are our hope.

26 | MARRIAGE: A couple's journey to love is rooted in faith, trust and hope.

28 | WOMAN OF STRENGTH: St. Teresa of Avila sought to remain faithful to Catholic teachings.

30 | NATIONAL NEWS: Atlanta airport gets a 24/7 eucharistic chapel.

31 | WORLD NEWS: Venezuela is falling back into ‘extreme poverty,’ archbishop says.

33 | A WORD: Pope Francis urges support for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

33 | IN MEMORIAM: Sister Patrice Floyd, IWBS, Sister Maureen Abbott, SP and Father Simon P. Brzozowski, Jr., MSF were welcomed into eternal life by their loving God.

COVER ILLUSTRATION CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

13 | SPREADING THE LIGHT, Prayer and love help the Weaver family stay strong for their son and each other. The Weavers remain steadfast in their commitment to prayer and share their journey on the Facebook page HOLDENSTRONG.

LETTER FROM THE BISHOP

Let’s Deepen Our Lenten Journey

My sisters and brothers,

The Lenten journey we share is one that is filled with opportunities. The most dramatic of these is the challenge to see beyond the surface and gain a deeper knowledge of God and a less superficial relationship with him. Often, we tend to view the season of Lent as a time to give up something we enjoy. While the practice of self-denial is indeed important, too often, we tend to focus on what we are giving up and lose sight of what that sacrifice will mean for us as spiritual people. Lent is not only a time for reflection and self-denial, but it is also a time for us to see how prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the disciplines of Lent, are much like the thorns on the stem of a beautiful rose. Before the rose opens to display its beauty, the thorns remind us of the pain Jesus endured before He conquered death to show us the beauty of his glorious resurrection.

During Lent, we must devote ourselves to prayer, recognizing that it is the conduit through which we connect more deeply with God. If we go to an interior room and close the door to pray quietly, we are not doing so in isolation. While we may choose to pray in solitude, we are never alone. God is always with us, hearing us, walking with us, and offering us comfort despite our many challenges. During Lent, our prayer life can assure us of God’s continuous presence in our lives.

While fasting is strongly associated with Lent, sometimes we can miss its deeper purpose if we only see it at face value. The most common idea of fasting is giving up something such as candy bars or chocolate. While this may have an obvious health benefit, and we may make an effort to practice self-denial, fasting

can also be practiced in ways that can greatly benefit our spiritual lives. For example, how different would our Lenten journey be if we chose to fast from judging people? If we fasted from gossiping? If our choice was to fast from making negative remarks or having a difficult attitude? When approached from that perspective, fasting can lead us to clear our hearts and minds of the clutter we sometimes carry. Once it is out of the way, we can encounter Jesus’ presence clearly in ways that are simple and right in front of us. With a clear mind and heart, we can be “surprised” by God.

Finally, the practice of almsgiving can help us this Lent to widen our perspective. Most people think of almsgiving as making a monetary contribution. While that falls in line with our collective commitment to tithe and to be good stewards of God’s blessings, we can give alms in ways that go beyond the pocket to the plate. When we truly give of ourselves, whether it is time, talent, or treasure, we practice almsgiving. It might be something like offering our time to help a neighbor, tutoring a young student, or helping build a wheelchair ramp. Whatever the situation may be, when we practice almsgiving by giving of ourselves, we can discover who we really are as we move ahead on our Lenten journey, from darkness to light, from thorn to rose, and ultimately, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

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

CARTA DEL OBISPO

Profundicemos nuestro camino de Cuaresma

Mis hermanas y hermanos,

El viaje de Cuaresma que compartimos está lleno de oportunidades. La oportunidad más dramática; es el desafío de lograr ver más allá de la superficie, para obtener un conocimiento más profundo de Dios y una relación menos superficial con él. A menudo, tendemos a ver la temporada de Cuaresma como un tiempo para renunciar a algo de lo que disfrutamos. Si bien la práctica de negarse de sí mismo, es realmente importante, sucede que con demasiada frecuencia tendemos a centrarnos en aquello a lo que estamos renunciando y perdemos de vista lo que ese sacrificio significará para nosotros como personas espirituales. La Cuaresma no es solo un tiempo de reflexión y sacrificio, sino que también es un tiempo para que veamos cómo la oración, el ayuno y la limosna: disciplinas de la Cuaresma, son como las espinas en el tallo de una hermosa rosa. Antes de que la rosa se abra para mostrar su belleza, las espinas nos recuerdan el dolor que soportó Jesús antes de vencer a la muerte para mostrarnos la belleza de Su gloriosa Resurrección.

Durante la Cuaresma, debemos dedicarnos a la oración, reconociendo que es el conducto a través del cual nos conectamos más profundamente con Dios. Si vamos a una habitación interior y cerramos la puerta para orar en silencio, no lo estamos haciendo aisladamente. Si bien podemos elegir orar en soledad, nunca estamos solos. Dios siempre está con nosotros, escuchándonos, caminando con nosotros y ofreciéndonos consuelo a pesar de nuestros muchos desafíos. Durante la Cuaresma, nuestra vida de oración puede asegurarnos la presencia continua de Dios en nuestras vidas.

Si bien el ayuno está fuertemente asociado con la Cuaresma, a veces podemos perder de vista su propósito más profundo, si solo lo vemos como un simple ayuno. La idea más común de ayunar es renunciar a algo como las golosinas o el

chocolate. Si bien esto puede tener un beneficio obvio para la salud y podemos hacer un esfuerzo por practicar la abstinencia, el ayuno también se puede practicar de maneras que pueden beneficiar enormemente nuestra vida espiritual. Por ejemplo, ¿cuán diferente sería nuestro viaje de Cuaresma si elegimos ayunar para no juzgar a las personas? ¿Si ayunáramos de chismes? ¿Si nuestra elección fuera ayunar para no hacer comentarios negativos o tener una actitud difícil? Cuando se aborda desde esa perspectiva, el ayuno nos conduce a despejar nuestros corazones y mentes del desorden que a veces llevamos. Una vez que lo sacamos del camino, podemos encontrar la presencia de Jesús claramente de manera simple y justo frente a nosotros. Con una mente y un corazón claros, podemos ser “sorprendidos” por Dios.

Finalmente, la práctica de la limosna puede ayudarnos esta Cuaresma a ampliar nuestra perspectiva. La mayoría de la gente piensa que la limosna es una contribución monetaria. Si bien eso está en línea con nuestro compromiso colectivo de diezmar y ser buenos administradores de las bendiciones de Dios, podemos dar limosnas de maneras que van más allá del bolsillo a la mesa. Cuando verdaderamente damos de nosotros mismos, ya sea tiempo, talento o tesoro, practicamos la limosna. Podría ser algo como ofrecer nuestro tiempo para ayudar a un vecino, dar clases particulares a un joven estudiante o ayudar a construir una rampa para sillas de ruedas. Cualquiera que sea la situación, cuando practicamos la limosna al darnos a nosotros mismos, podemos ir descubriendo, quiénes somos realmente a medida que avanzamos en nuestro viaje de Cuaresma, al caminar de la oscuridad a la luz, como de la espina a la rosa y, en última instancia, del Viernes Santo al Domingo de Pascua.

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

BY JESSE DELEON South Texas Catholic

As Lent continues, everyone is invited to make Growing in Grace: Lenten Reflections with Bishop Michael Mulvey, a part of their journey. This series is made up of weekly video reflections from Bishop Mulvey that serve as both a steady guide and comforting presence as

we all walk together out of the darkness of Lent and into the light of Easter.

Growing in Grace is a 6-part series that features Bishop Mulvey sharing both scriptural reflection as well as his own thoughts about making the season of Lent a meaningful and transformational experience.

Bishop Mulvey examines the three pillars of Lenten devotion by discussing prayer, fasting and almsgiving. He not only underscores the importance and tradition of these practices, but he also connects them into ways we can make part of our everyday lives and how relying on them can deeply impact the ways we interact with our families, friends and coworkers.

Each video will be released every Sunday during Lent and will be available on the Diocese of Corpus Christi’s webpage and YouTube channel. Each video guides viewers on a spiritual journey through self-awareness and sacrifice, leading them to the light of the Resurrection.

The series culminates as Lent draws to a close and Holy Week begins.

“Holy Week offers us the experience of the Paschal Mystery,” says Bishop Mulvey. “It helps us to live the mystery of dying and rising, and we rise by loving others.”

Bishop Mulvey shares a reflection at St. John Vianney Chapel for the recording of Growing in Grace.

WILLIAM JOHNSON

Latest News from the Diocese of Corpus Christi

The theme for the 2023 appeal is ‘Love

BY LISA MCKELVEY Contributor

Each year, thousands of Catholics come together to fund ministries and Catholic programs throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi. In 2022, $1.25 million was donated through the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal to support faith formation programs and people in need. For example, the appeal supported:

More than 300 people who attended the Eucharistic Congress Conference to grow in their faith and shape the future of the Church in South Texas.

A “World Youth Day” event featuring speakers, activities, Mass and small group discussions for more than 140 young people.

Confirmation program, retreat and Mass for 50 adults who received their final sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church. Hundreds of individuals being served each day through Catholic Charities and at the Mother Teresa Shelter.

These ministries and more are funded each year in part through generous gifts to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal. There are six major areas of focus for the appeal: faith formation, those in need, youth and young adults, families, clergy and parishes.

Faith Formation

People at every parish are impacted through faith formation programs. Funding from the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal provides resources, education and training for faith formation leaders and teachers. This includes everyone from the youngest students to adults wanting to learn

more about their faith and joining the church through RCIA programs. Gifts to the appeal are helping ensure that the good news of Jesus Christ is shared with our neighbors.

Those in Need

Through Catholic Charities, gifts to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal provide crisis assistance, emergency aid, food pantries, life enrichment programs and counseling at multiple locations throughout the diocese. Ministries like Catholic Charities and Mother Teresa Shelter provide hope to those most vulnerable in our community.

Youth and Young Adults

Youth give hope for the future of the Catholic Church. Through the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal, youth and young people in the Diocese are educated and supported through programs at our Catholic schools, parishes, college campuses and more. The appeal helps to reach and engage youth and young adults in a vibrant experience of the Catholic faith.

Families

The domestic church is the family, the building block of society. The Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal funds ministries like marriage preparation and enrichment programs.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Latest News from the Diocese of Corpus Christi

Your Neighbor as Yourself’

Parishes

Gifts to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal support shared ministries that benefit each parish across the Diocese. Parishes receive support through building and construction management to aid in expansion, repairs, updates, and even rebuilding efforts as the result of natural disasters.

Clergy

Priests join parishioners at some of the happiest and hardest moments of their lives, from weddings and baptisms to funerals. They also provide the Eucharist at each Mass and help us grow in our

faith through each of the sacraments. The Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal supports priests through formation programs, continuing education and retirement.

Donors to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal are impacting people and ministries across the Diocese. This good work will continue in 2023. The theme for the 2023 appeal is “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself,” a beautiful reminder of what can be accomplished by working together to care for and love our neighbors, as Christ did.

Bishop Mulvey is asking parishioners across the

Volunteers and staff help prepare meals at the Mother Teresa Shelter.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Latest News from the Diocese of Corpus Christi

Diocese to prayerfully consider a gift to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal and support neighbors throughout the diocese. To learn more about the appeal or make a gift, visit www.diocesecc.org/bsa

For any questions about the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal or the ministries it supports, please call (361) 693-6658 or email lmckelvey@diocesecc.org, the Director of Stewardship and Development, Lisa McKelvey.

Father Bill Marquis and other parish volunteer teachers train to teach children Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Students from Sacred Heart in Rockport give a thumbs up for Catholic Schools.

NOTICIAS DIOCESANAS

Últimas Noticias de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi

El tema del llamamiento de 2023 es 'Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo'

POR LISA MCKELVEY / TRADUCIDO POR GLORIA ROMERO

Contribuyente

Cada año, miles de católicos se unen para financiar ministerios y programas católicos a través de la Campaña diocesana en la que el Obispo nos llama a compartir.

Mediante esta campaña, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi reúne fondos para distribuirlos entre seis ministerios principalmente, que son a los que se dirige esta apelación: formación en la fe, los necesitados, jóvenes y adultos jóvenes, familias, clero y parroquias.

El tema de la campaña del 2023 es “Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo”, un hermoso recordatorio de lo que se puede lograr trabajando unidos para cuidar y amar a nuestro prójimo, a la manera de

Cristo. El Obispo Mulvey está haciendo un llamado a los feligreses de toda la diócesis para que, en oración, consideren una donación a la Campaña del llamado a Compartir del Obispo, o (“Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal”), una acción responsable para que apoyemos a nuestro prójimo en toda la diócesis. Para obtener más información sobre la apelación o para hacer una donación, visite: www.diocesecc.org/bsa

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la Apelación de corresponsabilidad del obispo o los ministerios que apoya, llame al (361) 693-6658 o envíe un correo electrónico lmckelvey@diocesecc.org a la Directora de Corresponsabilidad y Desarrollo, Lisa McKelvey.

ARCHIVED PHOTO

El obispo Michael Mulvey ordena a los seminaristas Raymond Pendleton y Thomas Swierc al diaconado de transición.

No thorn without a rose A reflection on John 16:7,22

BY FATHER BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT Contributor

E“very rose has its thorn.” For many of us who grew up in the 80’s this saying will recall the old song by Poison, Every rose has its thorn; and we might initially agree with the basic premise: every beautiful and good thing in life has its flaws and/or is likely to cause or be proceeded by something negative or even painful. The phrase itself in all likelihood was first coined in Italian (non c’è rosa senza spine), and it is the Italian teacher and foundress of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, who flipped the old axiom on its head, and by doing so uncovered a deeper truth: “no thorn without a rose” ( non c’è spina senza rosa ). The phrase and its mirror opposite have something to do with the relationship between sorrow and joy.

On the eve of his passion, Jesus tried to console his Apostles with these words: Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy … So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you (Jn 16:20-22).

The grief that they are experiencing will become an enduring joy. What is more, the sorrow and joy of the disciples is deeply connected with the presence of Jesus. The ‘thorn’ of grief, anguish, and separation will later blossom into the exhilarating joy of the resurrection.

Earlier that evening Jesus had said: “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For

DEPOSIT PHOTOS

JESUS SAYS

Explaining the Gospel message

if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:7). Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical on the Holy Spirit, Dominum et vivificantem, elucidates the meaning of Jesus’ words: “[A]ccording to the divine plan, Christ’s ‘departure’ is an indispensable condition for the ‘sending’ and the coming of the Holy Spirit” (11). It is only in Jesus’ departure that the new salvific presence of Holy Spirit can be clearly manifest.

Even in our own spiritual lives, we come to recognize this amazingly beautiful truth. We all experience ups and downs in our spiritual life, what we call spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation, – glorious movements in our hearts when we could say with St. Paul, ‘nothing can separate me from the love of Christ’ (consolation) and then painfully sorrowful movements when we could say with St. Peter, ‘save me, Lord, I’m perishing’ (desolation). Yet, through the vicissitudes of both spiritual consolation and desolation, we become more confident in the enduring presence of the Lord. Even more, we begin to recognize the benefit of the “departure” of the sensible presence of Jesus in spiritual desolation and if we learn to resist the heaviness and negative suggestions of spiritual desolation, our spiritual “muscle” is strengthened. Just as our bodies become stronger and more fit through exercise – essentially resisting gravity – so our spirits are strengthened by resisting spiritual desolation and learning to trust in the Lord.

The Pixar film Inside Out offers an interesting perspective and insight. The character Riley is a young girl who is growing and maturing. The emotion of joy acts as the leader of her emotional life and attempts to limit the influence and effects of sadness, only to discover that Riley’s memories that have been touched by sadness provided opportunities for her to experience a greater and deeper joy. These ‘mixed’ memories, in fact, were essential to Riley’s growth and maturity. Similarly, God allows spiritual desolation to help us mature in our spiritual lives. The sadness of His ‘going away’ yields to the awareness of a deeper, more joyful presence of the Holy Spirit. “No thorn without a rose” reminds us that it is through experiences of the apparent ‘departure’ of God’s presence in spiritual desolation that we have the potential to live at a higher level of faith, hope, and charity. Rather than seeking the consolations of God, we seek the God of all consolations. The ‘desolations’ we experience in our spiritual lives become stepping-stones in our relationship with God and, ultimately, we come to recognize that the roses are truly more beautiful as a result of the thorns.

Father Brady Williams, SOLT

Prayer leads a family on path to recovery

BY MARY COTTINGHAM South Texas Catholic

Facebook page HOLDENSTRONG shares the roller coaster story of a family and a community deeply rooted in their faith. Through the writings of Blaine and Cortney Weaver, friends and family, the Facebook page created for their son tells their story of enduring faith. Spanning six months, it reveals their journey through what began as perhaps the darkest night of their lives.

The night was Sept. 23, 2022, when their eldest son, Holden, was rushed to Spohn Shoreline Hospital after a horrible UTV (utility terrain vehicle) accident. He was unresponsive on arrival, and the doctors performed extensive surgery to repair damage to his brain, head and face. He also suffered breaks to his femur and patella.

Holden’s recovery started in Trauma ICU for one month at Spohn Shoreline. He was then transported by ambulance to Texas Neuro in Austin. Then he was flown to Denver to Craig Hospital. Parents Blaine and Cortney have never left his side.

The Weavers have never lost faith as they shared their son’s steady progress, never veering from their goal of 100% recovery for their son, touching the community with their faith and requesting prayers. Their commitment to Holden’s healing and requests for prayers has touched the community in a truly remarkable way.

A little background on the couple reveals that Blaine is

a fourth-generation farmer with his brother Blake as his business partner. Blaine and his wife, Cortney, were born and raised in Corpus Christi. Cortney attended Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church and graduated from Calallen High School. She then went on to graduate from Texas A&M University-College Station. She firmly believes in “God winks” or occurrences similar to coincidences, and she continues to see them daily.

Blaine grew up in the Methodist and Baptist churches and graduated from Mary Carroll High School. He then converted to Catholicism in 2012. Since then, they have been members of St. Pius X, St. Philip the Apostle, and Most Precious Blood Parishes. He is described as a “hard-working, tennis-playing farmer” by close friend Joanna McCain-Busenlehner. Blaine “helped fill a home with the sweetest giggles, kissing skinned knees, washing chubby little dirty hands before meals, doling out goodnight kisses after reading books... always reading books,” Joanna said of Blaine.

They have two sons, Holden, 16 and Hudson, 13. Their sons attended school at London Independent School District, and the entire family has been very involved in the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show and will begin again soon.

Holden is an old soul who likes to work with his hands and be outdoors. He likes to hunt, fish and participate in the rodeo, calf and team roping. He has a deep voice and

Hudson Weaver comforts his brother Holden in the Colorado hospital room.

is very polite, saying “yes ma’am” or “yes sir” to everyone he meets. In spite of debilitating injuries, Holden continues to work hard to regain his physical and mental capacities. “Loyal, respectful, mechanically minded, funny, hardheaded, diligent, fearless in the pursuit of new adventures, steadfast, and loved by all” is how Joanna, describes him.

Hudson, his younger brother, adores his older brother. He participates in basketball, football, tennis, and the Junior Livestock Show. During the past few months, he has been an older brother to Holden, instilling confidence and encouraging him to be positive by lifting his spirits.

When Hudson visited Holden for the first time at Craig Hospital in Colorado, “Holden’s eyes immediately lit up, and his overall mood changed. You could tell he was happy,” Blaine said. “It is so awesome to watch Hudson interact with him. It’s like he has the little brother he always wanted but treated him with the respect of the big brother.”

“We wouldn’t be able to stay this strong if it were not for our Christian community who has supported us, loved us, comforted us and prayed for us since day one,” Blaine said. While Holden was in critical but stable condition in Corpus Christi, their community had weekly candlelight vigils and prayer walks near Spohn Shoreline.

Prayer outreach continued at a well-attended Holy

Hour at Most Precious Blood Church, where their church community prayed the rosary.

“Our Christian community set up a 48-hour prayer vigil where individuals came to the hospital waiting room and prayed in 30-minute shifts —family, friends and complete strangers participated in this touching event,” Cortney said.

“Many members of our Christian community post prayers on Holden’s Facebook page that uplift us and everyone in the group. Thanks to the power of prayer, we believe Holden will make a 100% recovery. That is OUR expectation. It doesn’t matter how long it takes —we are patient,” Blaine said. “‘When the time is right, I the LORD will make it happen’ (Isaiah 60:22).”

The Weavers remain steadfast in their commitment to praying for Holden’s recovery. He is on countless prayer lists worldwide and enrolled in over a dozen Catholic associations that pray for him at their holy Masses. Additionally, novenas, Padre Pio’s daily Miracle prayer and holy water from Lourdes have all contributed to his recovery.

“We have been saying the rosary together every night since the accident,” Blaine said. Praying together has been a huge part of our success in staying faithful, strong and patient. We can sit down and pray together at the end of

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

In the photo above, Hudson gets a buzz cut in solidarity with his older brother, Hudson who had brain surgery after a UTV accident. “Those who know Hudson know that he kind of loves his hair,” his father said. In the photo at right, Holden carries Hudson’s uniform at a London football game before the accident.

a rough day, and everything immediately improves. It’s just a great way to finish the day, knowing that we get to start a brand new one tomorrow.”

“We have the best family and friends one could

FAMILY OF FAITH HoldenStrong

ask for. We never realized that we had so many great people in our lives. The support they have shown has been hard to fathom.”

Amistades Santas

La oración encamina a una familia a su recuperación

POR MARY COTTINGHAM / TRADUCIDO POR GLORIA ROMERO

South Texas Catholic

Una familia y una comunidad, sostenidos por su fe profunda, comparten su historia de altibajos en una página de Facebook llamada ‘HOLDENSTRONG’. A través de los escritos de Blaine y Cortney Weaver, así como de amigos y familiares, la página de Facebook, creada para su hijo, cuenta su historia. En ella revelan su viaje de fe, que comenzó hace seis meses, en lo que quizás fue, la noche más oscura de sus vidas.

Fue la noche del 23 de septiembre de 2022, cuando su hijo mayor, Holden, tuvo que ser trasladado a la sala de emergencias del Hospital Spohn Shoreline a causa de un horrible accidente, en un vehículo UTV (vehículo de utilidad para todo terreno). A su llegada, no respondía a ningún estimulo y los médicos realizaron una cirugía extensa para reparar el daño en el cerebro, la cabeza y la cara. También sufrió fracturas en el fémur y la rótula.

La recuperación de Holden empezó en la unidad de cuidados intensivos por trauma, del hospital Spohn Shoreline, donde estuvo un mes. Luego fue trasladado en ambulancia al hospital ‘Texas Neuro’ en Austin y después por avión al Hospital Craig de Denver. Blaine y Cortney, nunca se han apartado de su lado.

Los Weavers han mantenido la fortaleza de su fe al mismo tiempo que han compartido el progreso casi diario de su hijo, nunca se han desviado de su objetivo, que es obtener la recuperación total, del 100 % para su hijo. Han contagiado a la comunidad con su fe y piden oraciones.

Un poco de antecedentes e historia sobre la pareja, revela que Blaine es un agricultor de cuarta generación junto a su hermano Blake como su socio comercial. Blaine y su esposa, Cortney, nacieron y se criaron en Corpus Christi. Cortney asistió a Misa en la Iglesia Católica St. Thomas y se graduó de la Escuela Preparatoria de Calallen. También es graduada de la Universidad, Texas A&M-College Station. Ella cree firmemente en los “guiños de Dios” y sigue viendo Sus señales a diario.

Blaine creció en las iglesias Metodista y Bautista, se graduó de la escuela Preparatoria Mary Carroll y se convirtió al

catolicismo en 2012. Desde entonces, han sido miembros de las iglesias católicas San Pío X, San Felipe Apóstol y la Preciosísima Sangre. Su amiga cercana Joanna McCain -Busenlehner lo describe como un “granjero trabajador que juega al tenis”. “También ayudó a llenar su hogar de dulces risas, besando rodillas desolladas, lavando manitas sucias y regordetas antes de cada comida y repartiendo besitos de buenas noches, después de leer algún libro... siempre leyendo libros”.

Tienen dos hijos, Holden, de 16 años y Hudson, de 13. Sus hijos asistieron a la escuela en el Distrito Escolar Independiente London, y toda la familia ha estado muy involucrada en la Exhibición de Ganado Juvenil del Condado Nueces y lo seguirán haciendo de nuevo.

Holden es un alma vieja, a quien le gusta trabajar con las manos y estar al aire libre. Le gusta cazar, pescar y participar en el rodeo, el becerro y el lazo en equipo. Tiene una voz grave y es muy educado, siempre dice: “sí, señora” o “sí, señor” a todos cuantos conoce. A pesar de las lesiones debilitantes que tiene, Holden continúa trabajando duro para recuperar sus capacidades físicas y mentales. “Es leal, respetuoso, con una mentalidad mecánica, divertido, testarudo, diligente, intrépido en la búsqueda de nuevas aventuras, firme y amado por todos”, así lo describe su amiga cercana, Joanna McCain.

Hudson, el hijo menor, adora a su hermano mayor. Gusta de participar en baloncesto, fútbol, tenis y en la ‘Exposición Ganadera Junior’. Durante los últimos meses, se ha convertido en el hermano mayor de Holden, lo cual le ha infundido confianza y entusiasmo para ser positivo y poder levantarle el ánimo a su hermano. En un acto de solidaridad, Hudson se cortó el pelo. “Aquellos que conocen a Hudson saben que él ama su cabello”, dijo Blaine.

“No hubiéramos podido mantenernos tan fuertes, sin el apoyo de nuestra comunidad cristiana, que nos amó, nos consoló y oró por y con nosotros desde el primer día”, dijo Blaine.

Mientras Holden se encontraba en estado crítico pero estable en Corpus Christi, su comunidad realizaba vigilias

semanales con velas y caminatas de oración cerca del Spohn Shoreline.

La fuerza de la oración alcanzó la Hora Santa, la cual es muy concurrida en su parroquia de la Preciosísima Sangre, donde la comunidad de la iglesia rezó el rosario.

“Nuestra comunidad cristiana organizó una vigilia de oración de 48 horas donde las personas acudieron a la sala de espera del hospital y oraron en turnos de 30 minutos: familiares, amigos y completos extraños participaron en este conmovedor evento”, dijo Cortney.

“Muchos miembros de nuestra comunidad cristiana publican oraciones en la página de Facebook de Holden, eso nos anima a nosotros y a todos en el grupo. Gracias al poder de la oración, creemos que Holden se recuperará al 100 %. Esa es NUESTRA expectativa. No importa cuánto tiempo tome, somos pacientes”, dijo Blaine citando las Sagradas Escrituras: “Cuando sea el momento adecuado, ‘Yo, el SEÑOR, haré que suceda’ (Isaías 60:22).”

DIFUNDIENDO LA LUZ

Amistades Santas

Holden está en innumerables listas de oración alrededor del mundo y está inscrito en más de una docena de asociaciones católicas que oran por él en sus Santas Misas. Las novenas, la oración milagrosa diaria del Padre Pío y el agua bendita de Lourdes, tampoco faltan. Todo ha contribuido a su recuperación.

“Desde el accidente, hemos estado rezando el Rosario cada noche. Orar unidos ha sido una parte importante del éxito obtenido para mantenernos solidarios en la fe y la paciencia. Al final de un día difícil, nos sentamos y rezamos juntos e inmediatamente toda mejora. Es tan solo una manera gratificante de terminar el día, sabiendo que estamos listos para un nuevo mañana”. Dijo Blaine.

“Tenemos la mejor familia y los mejores amigos que uno pudiera desear. Nunca nos dimos cuenta de que teníamos tanta gente maravillosa en nuestras vidas. El apoyo sin medida que nos han mostrado ha sido difícil de asimilar y corresponder”.

La fuerza del amor y la oración, es la que ayuda a la familia Weaver a mantenerse positivos para su hijo. Los Weavers, sostienen su compromiso orando por su hijo y comparten su viaje en la página de Facebook HOLDENSTRONG.

THE GIFT OF ART

Who is in this Painting?

Synod on Synodality

PAINTNG CONCEPT

To capture the spirit of the Synod on Synodality. To reflect unity in diversity and show the Diocese of Corpus Christi “walking” and journeying together with Jesus Christ, Our Lord, in a familiar setting with familiar faces.

“And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just

Sr. Sibi Varghese, SABS, Mother Teresa Shelter

Scott McCoy

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio (ambassador) to the US

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD

Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, D.D.

Fr. General

Our Lord Jesus Christ Imagined Likeness

Pope Francis

Merci McCoy & her cat, †Sam

Synod Committee Member

Sr. Rency Moonjely, SABS, Mother Teresa Shelter

Paul Hicks, KOFC

Rudy Ortiz Jr., KOFC

Rudy Ortiz III, KOFC

Interior of Corpus Christi Cathedral Dome

Texas State Flower Bluebonnets

Bertha Ortiz

Sr. Dorothy Anhaiser, IWBS

Monica Gatlin

Carlos & Janida De La Rosa

Donald Harris

†Cecil Lira

Lonnie Gatlin

Fr. Alfredo Villarreal, Rector St. Martin of Tours

ARTIST STATEMENT

THE GIFT OF ART Synod on Synodality

Artist’s unique work combines familiarity and unity

BY JESSE DELEON South Texas Catholic

To call Merci F. McCoy an artist would be an understatement. Her gift for creating spiritual images has been her vocation. She prefers to think of herself as a paintbrush in the studio of the Holy Spirit. McCoy began her career as a civil engineer. However, when she moved to Corpus Christi in 2015, her life as a full-time liturgical artist finally began.

Her ability to create distinctive spiritual art set her on a course that would lead her to paint images uniquely illustrating synodality, the Church’s call to unity. Her work came to the attention of Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) and diocesan team leader for the synod. Father Marsalek commissioned Merci to create a painting that would portray the Synod on Synodality in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Her work was to commemorate the closing of the synodal encounter sessions in the diocese. After many painstaking hours in her studio, the finished painting was unveiled after Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey at Corpus Christi Cathedral on May 29, 2022.

The artist’s title for her vibrant creation is John 17:11, a Biblical passage that reads, “And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me so that they may be one just as we are.”

“I focused on a positive message of walking together, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit towards Christ, following Him, in unity and synodality, journeying together as one,” McCoy said. “I knew it had to involve Corpus Christi Cathedral to represent the Diocese of Corpus Christi somehow. I’ve always admired the mural above the altar and realized it would be the perfect setting for this portrait.”

Upon setting that familiar scene, Merci chose to emphasize even more familiarity. Her renderings placed Jesus as the focal

am coming to you. Holy Father, just as we are.” – John 17:11

“All glory and honor belong to God!! It was truly an honor to be a paintbrush in the studio of the Holy Spirit,”

†Mary Pham

Dorothy Garza

Ray Garza

Edmond

Fr. Peter Marsalek, SOLT General Priest Servant

Fr. Richard Libby, Pastor of St. Helena of the True Cross

Fr. Pete Elizardo, Rector of Corpus Christi Cathedral

Fr. Hanh Van Pham, Pastor of St. Andrew By The Sea

point alongside the Holy Father Pope Francis, Bishop Mulvey, and other familiar faces that give the painting a sense of unity and community.

Depicting actual people was essential to the concept so that the viewer could also imagine themselves in the painting, perhaps in the crowd following Jesus. There were also dual meanings to them: the toddler that Jesus is carrying represents the future. Ray and Dorothy Garza, who were coordinators of the Synod on Synodality, were depicted as young people. Ray is a college student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Newman Center (wearing an Islander Catholic Newman Center T-shirt), and Dorothy is a high school student. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help painting they both carry represents one of the parishes of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

To honor all the faithful souls from the diocese as well as the parents of the clergy, Merci chose Father Hanh Van Pham’s mother, †Mary Pham, with his permission, to represent them. Rudy, Jr. is the Diocesan Deputy of the Knights of Columbus (KOFC). The KOFC also represents all the Catholic ministries in our diocese. Rudy’s wife, Bertha, is also included, along with their son, Rudy III. The three of them together represent the domestic Church – the families in our diocese.

“It was truly an honor to be asked to paint this,” says Merci. “I had wanted to remain anonymous for this painting –hiding my signature on the back of the canvas – because it’s not about me, none of my paintings are —it’s about spreading the Gospel through beauty in the form of a painting. That is truly my reward.”

Theology class connects students to God’s mission

BY MARY COTTINGHAM South Texas Catholic

St. John Paul II High School teacher Mr. Ben Nye is committed to teaching his students Catholic theology. In addition to reading theological works and offering reflection and discussion, he provides his students an opportunity to live out the Gospel by serving others. Every Monday since Jan. 23 and continuing until May 15, Mr. Nye invites seniors taking his dual credit course to help serve at the Mother Teresa Shelter. After they serve breakfast, they

chop vegetables for the lunch crowd and prepare the breakfast for the next day.

“It’s an opportunity to see Christ in all our brothers and sisters,” Nye said. “Jesus reminds us that whatever you do for the least of our brothers, you do for me.” He said the class is optional, and the students collectively decide what they want to do. “We did it with last year’s seniors, and we plan on doing it every year moving forward,” he said.

From left, seniors Carolina Resendez, Ysabella Rodriguez and Elizabeth Arnolds serve the homeless at the Mother Teresa Shelter.

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Faith • Knowledge • Service

During National Catholic Schools Week (NCSW) on Jan. 30, nine of his students volunteered to serve others at the Mother Teresa Shelter. Seniors from St. John Paul II High School serving that day were Anastacia Ramos, Larry Roberts, Victor Chapa, Ysabella Rodriguez, Elizabeth Arnolds, Carolina Resendez, Ethan Miranda, Andrew Edghill and Will Lee Sang.

According to Nye, serving our brothers and sisters at the shelter is an opportunity for self-reflection. “Sometimes we are consumed with what we have, what we don’t have and what we want —the next newest, shiniest, flashiest thing,” he explained. “So just taking 30 minutes here reminds us of so many rich blessings we take for granted.”

Ethan Miranda, a first-time volunteer, says serving

others is an opportunity to make him a better person. “It reminds me to be more like Christ and experience the beauty of doing something nice for someone else.”

Senior Andrew Edghill also likes to serve at another shelter, the Station downtown. “They make huge batches of broccoli cheese soup and it is satisfying seeing the joy on people’s faces after serving. They are very appreciative,” Andrew said. “We are called to be like Christ.”

According to Nye, serving at the Mother Teresa Shelter is an opportunity for students to broaden their horizons. “Sometimes you see mission as going to a third-world country, but you can see it right here in our own backyard,” he says. “Serving others starts here. You don’t have to go across the world to help those in need.”

Before serving the homeless at the Mother Teresa Shelter, the staff, volunteers and St. John Paul II High School student volunteers read the day's readings from the breviary as they pray outside the cafeteria. Pictured from left are Sister Rency Moonjelly, SABS, Will Lee Sang, Andrew Edghill, Larry Roberts, Ben Nye and Ethan Miranda.

MARY COTTINGHAM

STC

VOCATIONS Seminarian’s Corner

The youth are our hope

BY LUIS LOZANO, JR. Contributor

As part of my seminarian formation, I volunteer every Sunday at the Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in San Antonio. This parish is unique not only because it’s a national parish for Vietnamese people living in the San Antonio area but because the parish is so young and vibrant. I teach the faith to eighth-graders whose parents are Vietnamese and, for the most part, born in the United States.

I was recently asked, “where do I find hope?”

I considered the question for a while, and what first came to mind was seeing the faith of these Vietnamese people in the parish. In many ways, they are like average American teenagers, but one thing I have found profoundly uplifting is their involvement in their church and parish activities.

The youths and children run around a shared space: parish hall and temporary chapel, where they hold religious education classes. They vastly outnumber the adults in the parish. These youths are engaged. When I asked them to write down their favorite thing about Sundays, to my surprise, nearly all of them wrote down “participating in their local parish youth group.”

Luis Lozano, Jr.

Sometimes we get the impression that teenagers don’t like

to do churchy stuff. However, these youths are involved in an international organization that began in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement. Today it is part of their everyday life and the Catholic expression of their culture for many Vietnamese in the United States. For them, it connects them to the generations of faith that have been passed down to them, and it unites them with peers their own age who often attend different middle schools and high schools across the city.

These motivated youths come together with their focus on Christ to celebrate and share the beauty of their faith in the Eucharist and learn from each other virtues and values from their culture and their Catholic faith that will sustain them through life.

I am thankful to be able to learn their culture and values firsthand. Not only do I participate in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement gatherings, but I’ve begun taking Vietnamese language classes with the teenagers to learn their language and culture. For them being Vietnamese goes hand in hand with being Catholic.

It may be easy for us in these times of the 24-hour news cycle to over-focus on all the negative things in the world: wars breaking out, disease and loss of faith that we can easily despair if we do not find hope.

When we are united in Christ, we can help restore the Kingdom He established while He was on earth. He is where I find hope because He is where these youths find their hope, their joy and their strength.

BY JAVIER EBERTOWSKI Contributor

On October 22, 1978, after his first angelus, Pope John Paul II addressed many young people: “You are the future of the world, the hope of the Church. You are my hope”.

Today’s youths crave communion: Communion with God and communion with others. I have seen it in places as remote as border-town countries in Central America to university students living in Rome. The youth today are hungry for something more.

Sure, some youths and young adults are still preoccupied with phone and social media addictions. Still, many are seeking faith-filled, joyful communities and seeking to live out their Catholic faith in such a counter-cultural way that it leaves me nothing less than inspired and hopeful.

I saw an example of inspiration and hope while serving on a mission in Mexico a couple of years ago, where a handful of freshly graduated highschool boys gave up a year of their lives to serve the poor, lonely and forgotten. They didn’t care about “getting ahead” or trying to chase some materialistic dream. They wanted communion. They wanted to give and receive love —and they were not alone.

Here in Rome, I had the privilege of serving students from Ave Maria University and found something similar. Often, when we would walk onto the campus, we saw students gathered, laughing, studying, talking or just sitting with each other.

On one occasion, one of the students mentioned to me how she couldn’t wait to graduate from college and start working at a pro-life organization. Pro-life organization?

When I was in college, all I thought about was how I could get a great job and make lots of money. These young people are impressive, and they encourage me to keep up the good fight, especially when things seem bleak —in the Church, the culture, or even our personal lives.

As I grow older and experience more of the Church in her different countries and cultures, I must agree with Pope St. John Paul II that the youths give me hope for the Church today.

Javier Ebertowki

El obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina del Medio Ambiente Seguridad y Recursos para Niños y Familias están comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido abusos de cualquier tipo. Para asistencia inmediata, apoyo e información de referencia, llame al Coordinador de Asistencia a Víctimas Stephanie Bonilla al (361) 693-6686.

Witnessing God’s love to one another

A love story rooted in faith, trust and hope

BY REBECCA ESPARZA Correspondent

Regina Garcia-Posada and her husband, Louis Posada, had an idyllic wedding ceremony surrounded by the love of their family and friends at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Oct. 24, 1998, after years of courtship that began as a simple friendship during a high school baseball game. This year, they celebrated their landmark 25th wedding anniversary with 91 other couples on Feb. 12.

But their story is so much more than their 35-plus years in each other’s lives. It’s about a couple’s complete faith in God, trust in each other and immense hope for the future.

“Marriage isn’t all roses and sunshine. Our faith has kept us pushing forward when it might have been easier just to quit,” noted Louis. “It might have been easier for us to say: ‘Alright, we gave it our best, but let’s call it.’ The ACTS Retreat especially helped us understand what unconditional love means. And not just say it but truly understand it. We are flawed, we both make mistakes, but if we believe there is love in our hearts for each other, we must consistently trust God’s plan for us.”

The couple has one son, Riel, who is almost 22. They made sacrifices over the years to ensure their son received a Catholic education and helped pave the way for opportunities they could have only dreamt of when growing up. Throughout their years together, one thing remained constant: their faith in God.

The Posadas also spent years donating their time and energy to the ACTS Retreat and Marriage Encounter retreats. The family spent time in various ministries at St. Pius, St. Phillips and Most Precious Blood, and their son was an altar server at St. Pius for 13 years.

“In our family, God has always been first,” Regina said. “If I had to give advice to anyone trying to discern if the man or woman they are with is ‘the one,’ I would tell them to know what it’s like to receive grace, so you can know how to give it to someone else one day.”

Louis added one of the most important things they did together was the Pre-Cana program, or the marriage preparation course, with their parish priest at Our Lady

of Perpetual Help since they began their quest to not only find out more about each other but also where they wanted to go together.

“The priest brought the results from the inventory tests and said we were not compatible,” he recalled. “Of course, that was hard to hear, but obviously, we didn’t listen. Stunned, I asked him what this meant for us. The priest said all it means is that our marriage might not last, but he said it with a loving heart. It definitely opened our eyes to the fact marriage would be something we would need to work at.”

For couples currently struggling to hold their marriage together or trying to decide if their lives are better spent apart, the Posadas have words of wisdom to share, wisdom that has been learned the hard way.

“Ask yourself: what are you willing to sacrifice for the other person? God did not create the sacrament of marriage for us to fail. It’s here to make us better people, together as a couple,” Regina said. “It’s a cross we will carry to the end.”

And in a world where men, in particular, find it difficult to open up with their male peers about their personal relationships, Louis said there is absolutely no shame in opening up to others.

“When you’re lost, it’s hard to get to the other side. There is no shame in asking for help “or even asking others to pray for your marriage,” Louis said. “We need to quit being so selfish.”

Regina said they have learned what commitment really means.

“We’re growing with each other and have been getting to know each other for the last 25 years. We are there to celebrate wins and help each other through the losses; whether it’s about our jobs or losing a loved one, it’s really about growing with each other and our son as the years go by.”

Louis Posada and Regina Garcia-Posada celebrate 25 years of marriage this year. They are parishioners of Most Precious Blood Church.

‘God alone, suffices’

BY ELIZABETH MORALES South Texas Catholic

St. Teresa of Avila did not fit in the box. Although there were many worldly changes around her, Teresa sought to remain faithful to the Catholic Church’s teachings. She spread the truth about God’s love, allowing Him to use her in a way that extended beyond her lifetime. She contributed to new thoughts on living a spiritual life. By remaining close to God, her guidance on prayer and her vulnerability while sharing her spiritual experiences have been a help and source of comfort to many.

One of the many intriguing qualities of St. Teresa of Avila is the admittance of her flawed humanity. She wrote of her imperfections in the writings she was asked by superiors to undertake as a religious.

Much can be learned through reading her spiritual texts, The Way of Perfection and Interior Castle. Behind the scenes was an individual who faced much adversity throughout her lifetime.

With Teresa, the faithful celebrate a great saint, someone who, along with St. Catherine of Siena, was named as one of the first two women Doctors of the Church, proclaimed by Pope Paul VI in 1970.

Teresa was born Teresa Sanchez de Cepeda y Ahumada in 1515. She grew up with a pious father and a mother who loved to read romance novels during a time when the world was being explored and colonized by European powers and while the Protestant and CounterReformation were happening within Christianity.

Change has always been a constant in life, and Teresa was no stranger to it. Her mother’s death during her youth led her to the care of the Blessed Mother, but due to visits from a female cousin, she became interested in boys, fashion and rebellion.

Teresa’s father did not like the direction his daughter was headed and sent her to live with an Augustinian religious order where young ladies of her class received an education. Soon, Teresa was faced with a decision: to choose a path of married or religious life. Reflecting upon her time spent with the religious order and not particularly drawn to the consecrated life but not desiring a lousy marriage, Teresa chose the Carmelite order, which

during the 16th century was a lax order. At that time, Teresa was okay with this.

During her first years, Teresa fell ill with painful paralysis (malaria). Eventually, her health was somewhat restored, and she returned to the convent.

Upon her return, she continued to learn about different forms of prayer, a practice she picked up from a book entitled, Third Spiritual Alphabet, which her devout Uncle Peter had given her. This study became a vital exercise for Teresa. Still, for several years she actually became negligent in her prayer life partly because of her weakened health, and the Carmelite order she belonged to had an atmosphere that did not enforce strict adherence to the contemplative life.

After some time, she focused on her prayer life again. Despite the initial struggles to concentrate and her feelings of unworthiness, Teresa continued with the practice and grew in her devotion to prayer life.

Teresa’s unique experiences in prayer became the subject of much attention as she encountered mystical experiences with Jesus and angels. She even levitated. Spiritual directors observed her, and some concluded that her experiences were not of God, but Peter of Alcantara, supported her, believing that God was behind Teresa’s recollections. Amid these occurrences, others accused Teresa of being led by the devil.

Despite these accusations, in the 1550s, she discerned that a new order within the Carmelites should be established with its original observance of poverty and prayer. In 1562, she established St. Joseph’s convent in Avila which became the first convent of Discalced Carmelite nuns.

Teresa established 16 more convents of the Carmelite reform throughout Spain during the remainder of her life.

Elizabeth Morales

Her mission was to love and obey God, but other Carmelites persecuted her. She faced such hostility that others subjected her to the Spanish Inquisition; even the papal nuncio denounced Teresa. Eventually, King Philip II of Spain issued a decree in support of Teresa, and charges were dropped, but opposition towards her remained.

Towards the end of her life, she became wholly centered on God, which she describes in her reflections, Interior Castle. She describes the soul as having seven levels, like an interior castle. Once an individual develops the seventh and highest level of prayer, one can achieve ecstasy and union with God.

Also found within her breviary was the famous Let Nothing Disturb You prayer attributed to Teresa: “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God, you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.”

Teresa passed from this world in 1582, and her final words expressed a longing for God, to who she devoted her life, “My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time to meet one another.”

Her love for God continued to spread after her death. When her body had been exhumed, it was found incorrupt. Her body remains in Alba de Tormes,

WOMAN OF STRENGTH

St. Teresa of Avila

and relics of her corpus are in other parts of Spain, Italy, Portugal and France.

She was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

Teresa’s unique experiences in prayer became the subject of much attention as she encountered mystical experiences with Jesus and angels.

This portrait of the Spanish mystic St. Teresa of Jesus also called St. Teresa of Avila by Eduardo Balaca is in the public domain. This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.

EDUARDO BALACA

Highlights, Upcoming Events and Briefs

Atlanta airport gets a 24/7 eucharistic chapel

BY PETER PINEDO Catholic News Agency

Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer of Atlanta dedicated and blessed his archdiocese’s newest chapel while on his way to catch a flight on Feb. 13.

Airline workers and travelers flying through the busiest airport in the world can now spend time in the real presence of Christ thanks to the efforts of the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport’s chaplains and the cooperation of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Located in the international terminal, the eucharistic chapel will be a permanent fixture at the airport and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The chapel was sorely needed and perfectly located given the sheer number of people arriving from all over the world to make connecting flights, chaplain Father Kevin Peek told CNA.

The Atlanta airport sees an average of nearly 300,000 passengers flying through daily, according to Business Insider.

“There's about 64,000 employees at the airport at any given time,” Father Peek told CNA. “That’s like a small town or city.”

The chapel has already touched many lives, allowing them to encounter Christ in the most unexpected place, Peek said. Since the eucharistic chapel opened, Father Peek has already seen visitors weeping and even jumping for joy to find the presence of Christ in the airport.

The chapel allows airline workers and travelers to “bring Christ out into their lives and into the world,” Father Peek said.

Two Catholic chaplains, who are deacons hold Communion services at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, while Masses are offered at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“I go out there and offer Mass on Saturday and Sunday night for all the travelers in order to give them two

opportunities to make their Sunday obligation.”

Blair Walker, head of the Atlanta Interfaith Airport Chaplaincy, worked closely with Father Peek to make the idea of a permanent eucharistic presence at the airport a reality.

“The space is designed for shared sacred use,” Walker told CNA, “so we don’t want any one thing in there that overpowers the faith groups that are using it.”

Multiple design ideas were proposed but didn’t work out. Finally, one day while Father Peek was reflecting in the airport chapel, he realized an area being used for storage that was covered by frosted glass could be used to house the Eucharist.

“We realized, ‘Oh, we can remove the frosting off it,’” Walker said.

Now just behind the cleared glass is a tabernacle and a lamp to signal Christ’s presence.

The final design of the chapel serves the dual purpose of keeping the interfaith sense of the space while also protecting the Eucharist from any who would potentially abuse it.

For Father Peek, whose father, Joseph Peek, was an airline pilot, the project became a labor of love.

“I did it really for the airline personnel,” he said. “My dad was a commercial airline pilot and flew out of Atlanta for many, many years. He had a great devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist.”

In the chapel’s sacristy area, Father Peek placed a few pictures of his father, one of him with his mother in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, another of him at the helm of a Boeing 727, and another shows his father giving Peek Communion.

“I put all that there kind of as a statement to summarize how much he incorporated faith and family into his life and in his work, and to inspire other aircrew to do the same,” Peek said.

DEPOSIT PHOTOS

Venezuela is falling back into ‘extreme poverty,’ archbishop says

BY ANA PAULA MORALES Catholic News Agency

Ulises Gutiérrez, the archbishop of Ciudad Bolívar and second vice president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, lamented that the country is falling back into “extreme poverty.”

In a statement to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Gutiérrez noted that “hunger is more acute every day; there is great need in all sectors of the country.”

“We have six soup kitchens where 100 meals a day are given to children and the elderly,” he said, adding that “maintaining these soup kitchens is extremely expensive and we’re looking for resources,” most of which “come from the outside with the support of Cáritas.”

To demonstrate the seriousness of the situation in the country, the prelate pointed out that the salary of a doctor “is seven dollars a month” while “basic nutrition is 400 dollars.”

“It’s impossible to sustain yourself with these starvation wages,” he stressed.

After more than 20 years of the socialist dictatorship initiated by former President Hugo Chavez and continued by his successor, political ally Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela is suffering from a social and economic crisis that many compare to Cuba’s.

A recent report from the Venezuelan Economic Finance Observatory reported that the annualized inflation rate in the country was 440%.

The archbishop of Ciudad Bolívar told ACI Prensa that in the country, “the economy has not improved at all; rather, it’s getting worse.”

“They kept the currency stable, more or less, injecting dollars into the Central Bank. But this fell apart beginning in the month of

December,” he continued.

The prelate lamented that currently “there are 8 million Venezuelans outside the country.”

“We receive a lot of aid from abroad, but sometimes it’s [only] for periods of time,” he said.

“Unfortunately, hopelessness remains very deep-seated and there is a great sadness among the population,” he said.

With presidential elections expected to be held 2024, some believe it could mean the end of the Chavista regime. There are many obstacles to overcome, however.

Gutiérrez opined that “there is still no strong candidate. Nor do we see in the distance a rebound so the population could once again have hope.”

For the archbishop, it’s evident “that the opposition agrees with the government.”

“There are some leaders who are really against the government, but the people have lost faith,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

A Pray for Venezuela banner at Campo Santa Maria la Antigua in Panama City, Jan. 24, 2019.

JONAH MCKEOWN | CNA

Pope Francis: Bring the Gospel into the world without becoming worldly

BY COURTNEY MARES Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis said Wednesday that Christians are called to bring the Gospel into the world without becoming worldly.

“For the Church, falling into worldliness is the worst thing that can happen,” the pope said.

Speaking in his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Feb. 15, Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep among wolves” (Mt. 10:16).

Many Christians will be tempted to think “let us become relevant, numerous, prestigious, and the world will listen to us and respect us and we will defeat the wolves,” the pope said, but instead, the Lord asks us to “be humble.”

“He asks us to be like this, to be meek and with the will to be innocent, to be disposed to sacrifice. This is what the lamb represents: meekness, innocence, dedication, tenderness. And he, the Shepherd, will recognize his lambs.”

Pope Francis quoted a homily by St. John Chrysostom in which the late fourth-century Church Father wrote: “As long as we are lambs, we will conquer, and even if we are surrounded by many wolves, we will overcome them.”

“But if we become wolves … we will be defeated because we will be deprived of the shepherd’s help. He does not shepherd wolves, but lambs.”

The pope also noted that it is striking that Jesus told his

disciples “what not to bring” rather than what to bring on a mission: “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick” (Mt. 10:9-10).

“The Lord makes you lighten your load. … He says not to lean on material certainties, but to go into the world without worldliness. That is to say, I am going into the world, not with the style of the world, not with the world’s values, not with worldliness,” Francis said.

The livestreamed address was the fourth in Pope Francis’ cycle of catechesis on “the passion for evangelization.”

Pope Francis said that the Church is “completely missionary and in the mission it finds its unity.”

“So, go forth, meek and good as lambs, without worldliness, and going together,” he said.

At the end of the audience, Pope Francis asked Catholics not to forget to pray for the people of Ukraine that “their cruel suffering” may soon be over and protect them from the wolves,” Francis said.

He also thanked musicians from a youth orchestra who performed at the general audience and greeted pilgrims who traveled from England, Vietnam, France, Portugal, Italy, the United States, and other countries.

“Inspired by Sts. Cyril and Methodius, apostles of the Slavs and co-patrons of Europe, whose liturgical feast we celebrated yesterday, I invite you to witness daily to the Gospel, spreading around you the fragrance of Christ’s charity, which wins hearts over for the good,” he said.

In the spirit of proper stewardship, the Diocese of Corpus Christi encourages the reporting of any financial abuse concerns or related issues. Report confidentially to: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org

En el espíritu de una administración adecuada, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi alienta a informar cualquier inquietud de abuso financiero o problemas relacionados. Informe confidencialmente a: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org

From our Holy Father

Pope Francis urges support for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

BY COURTNEY MARES Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the people of Turkey and Syria who are suffering after devastating earthquakes killed more than 28,000 people.

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to be close with prayer and concrete support to the earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey,” the pope said in his Angelus address on Feb. 12.

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis described how he was moved by the

images of pain and suffering from the catastrophe that he saw on television and urged people to “pray and think of what we can do for them.”

The pope spoke as rescue efforts continued over the weekend with rescuers pulling more than a dozen survivors out of the rubble on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

Among the survivors, a Syrian man who was trapped under rubble for nearly five days said that he survived by drinking dirty drips of water until he was rescued

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience on Feb. 15, 2023.

A WORD

From our Holy Father

on Friday night.

The United Nations reports that millions have been left homeless after two back-to-back earthquakes on Feb. 6 led thousands of buildings to collapse in parts of Turkey and Syria.

Catholic charities are working to respond to the disaster by providing shelter, food, and other humanitarian aid.

According to the director of Caritas Syria, the earthquake heavily impacted northwest Syria where 4.1 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance after more than a decade of civil war. The charity is opening shelters in Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia to help protect those who lost their homes from the cold and the snow.

The Catholic humanitarian organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has pledged more than $500,000 to help local Churches in Syria to provide aid after the earthquake at a time when international aid organizations are facing difficulties getting help into Syria.

“We are working with the Franciscans in Lattakia, who are providing blankets and food for displaced families,” said Xavier Bisits, head of ACN’s Lebanon and Syria section, who traveled to Aleppo immediately after the earthquake.

Joop Koopman, a spokesman for ACN, told CNA that the charity is focused on providing blankets, milk for infants, and medical supplies. In addition, engineers are inspecting houses making sure families can safely return to their homes, while many shelter in churches and church buildings.

At the end of the Angelus address, Pope Francis also asked people not to forget to pray for the “martyred Ukraine” that the Lord may “open paths of peace and give those in charge the courage to walk them.”

The pope said that he was “grieved” by the news coming from Nicaragua after the dictatorship of

Daniel Ortega sentenced Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lago of Matagalpa to 26 years in prison on Feb. 10.

“We also ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, to open the hearts of political leaders and all citizens to the sincere search for peace, which is born of truth, justice, freedom, and love and is achieved through the patient exercise of dialogue,” he said.

In his reflection on the Gospel, Pope Francis encouraged Christians not to settle for doing “the bare minimum” of formal religious observance, but to be like God who loves “to the maximum.”

“True love is never up to a certain point, and is never satisfied; love goes beyond,” he said.

“The Lord showed us this by giving his life on the cross and forgiving his murderers (cf. Lk 23:34). And he entrusted to us the commandment most dear to him: that we love each other like he loved us (cf. Jn 15:12). This is the love that gives fulfillment to the Law, fulfillment to faith, fulfillment to life.”

Pope Francis encouraged people to reflect on whether they are “keeping up a facade” or truly trying to grow in love for God and love for others.

“And every now and then, do I check myself on Jesus’ great commandment? Do I ask myself if I love my neighbor as he loves me? Because perhaps we are inflexible in judging others and forget to be merciful, as God is with us,” he said.

“May Mary, who observed the Word of God perfectly, help us to give fulfillment to our faith and our charity.”

The need of the people in Syria and Turkey is enormous. However, to facilitate the flow of donations to people affected by the earthquake, please donate through caritas.org/earthquake-syria-turkey.

Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting those who have faced abuse of any kind. For immediate assistance, support and referral information, please call Victim Assistance Coordinator Stephanie Bonilla at (361) 693-6686.

Sister Patrice Floyd, IWBS

Oct. 18, 1938 - Jan. 18, 2023

Sister Patrice Floyd, with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. She was born to Franklin Jay and Rita Gollihar Floyd on Oct. 18, 1938.

Sister Patrice entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word on Sept. 8, 1962, and made first profession of vows on June 5, 1965. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 2, 1969.

In 1965, she graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a bachelor’s degree in science and in 1975, she received a master’s degree with a major in education. She also completed graduate work in counseling and theology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

Sister Patrice served in three dioceses over her career as a teacher, principal and administrator.

In 1985, she was awarded the National Award for Excellence in education. She was nominated for the top 100 USA Principals in Today’s Catholic Teacher.

Read her full obit at diocesecc.org/news/sr-patrice-floyd.

Sister Maureen Abbott, SP

Jan. 23, 1939 - Jan. 26, 2023

Sister Maureen Abbott, with the Sisters of Providence, was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on Jan. 26 in Providence Health Care, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on Jan. 23, 1939, in Buffalo, NY, to Francis and Winifred McCarrick Abbott.

Sister Maureen entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on July 22, 1956. She professed Final Vows on Aug. 15, 1964. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and master’s degrees from the University of Washington and the University of Notre Dame.

During her 66 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher and principal for 28 years in education in Indiana, California, Illinois and Texas. In 1983, when she moved to Texas, she served as Director of Ministries and Vicar of Education for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Sister Maureen had a quiet and peaceful demeanor, and her words often disclosed inner wisdom and deep compassion.

Read her full obit at diocesecc.org/news/sr-maureen-abbott.

IN MEMORIAM Rest in Peace

Father Simon P. Brzozowski, Jr., MSF

Dec. 10, 1923 - Feb. 7, 2023

Father Simon Brzozowski, a priest with the Missionaries of the Holy Family (MSF), passed away on Monday, Feb. 6, at Padua Place in San Antonio. He was 99 years old.

Simon Peter Brzozowski, Jr., was born and raised in Gonzales to Simon Peter and Mary Ann (Wostal) Brzozowski.

He served in the Army Air Corps for more than nine years during World War II and post-war at the Army Finance School.

Years after the war, Father Simon was ordained on Mar. 14, 1964, as a priest with the Missionaries of the Holy Family Order.

Father Brzozowski served in the Diocese of Corpus Christi from 1970–1995 with assignments at St. Joseph Parish in Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, and St. James Beeville. While in Corpus, Father Simon served 12 years as a hospital chaplain at Memorial Hospital and two nursing homes nearby.

Father Simon served as Chaplain for eight years at the Little Sisters of the Poor Hospital in St. Louis. Then in Louisville, Kentucky where he served as Chaplain for 14 years.

Read his full obit at diocesecc.org/news/father-simon

SPRING 2023 ISSUE

South Texas Catholic

555 N Carancahua St, Ste 750 Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824

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STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION: 2022 Annual Report

DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Gifts to the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal for the Diocese of Corpus Christi directly support 94 parishes and missions and 21 diocesan ministries, keeping the Catholic faith alive and flourishing in our Catholic community.

To learn more about the many people and ministries supported by the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal, check out the 2022 Annual Report for the Diocese of Corpus Christi at diocesecc.org/stewardship or scan the QR code.