Diocese celebrates Ash Wednesday

"The meaning of Lent is to have a good relationship with God," Bishop Michael Mulvey said at a noon Mass in the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10. The Cathedral, like all churches in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, was packed with the faithful coming for their ashes.

"Why Lent?" Bishop Mulvey asked. "To prepare ourselves interiorly to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us with his death and resurrection. Being reconciled with God is at the heart of Lent"

The Church also distributed ashes to many area homeless and disabled members of the community. Homeless clients who frequent the Mother Teresa Shelter and members of the staff from Corpus Christi Catholic Charities received ashes from Msgr. Seamus McGowan early Wednesday morning.

Msgr. McGowan, Sister Rose Paul Madassery, SABS and Sister Rency Moonjely, SABS then drove to the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center and administered ashes to individuals in their living areas. Afterwards the three headed over to the VFW Post 2397 where they joined Deacon Michael Rauen in a prayer a service.

Celia Méndez and Aurora Martinez with the Catholic Charities Office of Ministry and Life Enrichment for the Disabled helped assemble those who gathered and VFW Post 2397 cooked and served fish to those in attendance.

"Allow yourself to be reconciled with God, permit yourself to be reconciled with God," Bishop Mulvey said at the Cathedral. "God is waiting for us; waiting to throw his arms of mercy around us."