“Looking back at the priests, religious and lay people and what it took to build this diocese… we thank God for their dedication and commitment,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey said at the Clergy and Religious Appreciation Banquet at the Solomon Ortiz Center on Oct. 27.
More than 800 people attended the celebration that honored, religious, priests, deacons, brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
“We are very blessed to have so many religious in our lives,” Master of Ceremonies Ron Alonzo said. Alonzo, who is Diocesan Deputy and Corpus Christi Area Chapter President of the Knights of Columbus, thanked diocesan priests for ministering in our time of need, inspiring us with their homilies and kind words of wisdom, for listening, comforting and caring for us when nobody else would.
“We appreciate and thank all of you for your passion and unselfish commitment in service to our Catholic Church; for leading us to Christ through the sacraments; whether it’s hearing a two-minute confession or a one-hour confession or sitting in an empty confessional wondering if somebody will show up.
“Thank you for waking up at all hours of the night and dropping everything to rush to the bedside of our ailing or dying loved ones or just to listen to us, because we really need someone to talk to.
“Thank you for bringing Christ into our lives. With His infinite Grace you make His body and blood present to us on our altars and tabernacles everyday. All of you make a difference,” Alonzo said.
The theme of the night’s event was celebrating the Centennial Jubilee. Bishop Mulvey expressed a desire to begin the year with a new evangelization and ministry of the church; to strengthen parish life; to have some structure within the diocese to continue to support pro-life from conception to the end of life; to strengthen family life; and to focus on four college campuses within the diocese.
“We want to be a real strong presence at the Newman Centers. Vocations are coming from this group,” Bishop Mulvey said.
“It’s a great joy to be here especially among priests, religious, sisters, brothers and deacons and their wives. The mosaic has become more and more important to us as every tiny piece is important. So I want to thank all the leaders of the diocese,” Bishop Mulvey said.
The Knights of Columbus donated a $30,811 check to Bishop Mulvey who in turn designated the check go to The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth.
The celebration began with the Presentation of Colors led by Edward Cantu, District Marshal of the Knights of Columbus. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Javier Cabello, Master of the Texas 4th District, Knights of Columbus.
The Invocation prayer said by Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher, recognized Sister Mary Brigid O’Neill, who recently died prior to her 103 birthday. In his keynote address Bishop Mulvey spoke of Sister Brigid as a model for the jubilee. She probably knew every Bishop who had been in the Diocese of Corpus Christi since it’s inception in March of 1912.
Sixty youth from area parishes were selected by their youth ministers to welcome and escort invited guests to the celebration. As guests were leaving the students handed out books, “Becoming the Body of Christ, A History of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.”
High school students from Incarnate Word Academy and Blessed John Paul II choir, band and orchestra joined forces for the first time to perform for the clergy and religious. The music presentation was called “Century of Tradition and Lifetime of Faith,” and was led by Blessed John Paul II High School Music Director David Barrera, Incarnate Word Academy High School Music Director Joe Hernandez and Director of Choral Activities Audrey Quintero.
Father Peter Martinez, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and chair of the Presbyteral Council, led all attendees in a closing benediction.