Happy to be of service

There were many smiling faces before and after the Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Feb. 2, World Day for Consecrated Life. Fourteen sisters celebrating their jubilees were recognized and honored by Bishop Michael Mulvey, who thanked them for their multiple years of service to God.

“My sisters, you have committed yourselves to the Lord through professing the evangelical counsels of celibate chastity, poverty and obedience. On behalf of His Church, I thank you for your years of dedicated service,” Bishop Mulvey said.

In his homily Bishop Mulvey stressed the importance of having humility. “It takes humility to overturn the powers of the world. That’s what you represent to people. It’s not on the focus on self that we are saved it is in service,” he said.

A Spirituality Day for Religious hosted by the Office of Consecrated Life and the Committee for Institutes of Consecrated Life was held at St. Pius X Parish on the day prior to World Day for Consecrated Life making it a weekend event.

Spirituality Day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Mulvey. Sister Helen Marie Raycraft, OP of the Dominican Missionary Preaching Team in Austin gave presentations throughout the day.

“Bishop Mulvey initiated the Spirituality Day for those in consecrated life to provide them an opportunity to reflect and prepare for the celebration on Sunday’s observation of World Day for Consecrated Life,” Sister Annette Wagner, IWBS Diocesan Director of the Office of Consecrated Life said.

“One of the main responsibilities of the Office of Consecrated Life is to extend the bishop’s pastoral care to the men and women in consecrated life. It does so by providing social and spiritual support throughout the year. Calendar of events include socials, retreats and a special day of dialogue with the bishop,” Sister Annette said.

After the Mass sisters and brothers in consecrated life joined friends and family in St. Joseph Parish Hall for food and fellowship. Bishop Mulvey presented each of the jubilarians with a gift bag, which included quotes from Scripture.

The weekend events were to support those in consecrated life and give them opportunities to live their consecrated life more fully. At this annual Mass we recognize and gratefully celebrate those observing their jubilees. This year they ranged from 25 to 75 years in vowed life,” Sister Annette said.

Jubilarians presently serving in the Diocese of Corpus Christi are Sister Guadalupe Cervantes, PCI and Sister Patricia Zuniga, PCI celebrating 25 years; Sister Amor Vigare, OP celebrating 40 years; Sister Elizabeth Close, IWBS; Sister Celia Hernandez, MJMJ and Sister Lydia Plastas, SFCC celebrating 50 years; Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar, IWBS, Sister Mary Colette Brehony, IWBS, Sister Mary Camelia Herlihy, IWBS and Sister Martha Ann Snapka, IWBS celebrating 60 years; Sister Barbara Bluntzer, SP, Sister Mary Catherine Brehony, IWBS and Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS celebrating 65 years; and Sister Mary Anselm Till, IWBS celebrating 75 years.

Bishop Mulvey congratulates Jubilarians during a reception following the Mass for World Day of Consecrated Life. Pictured, from left, are Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar, IWBS; Sister Martha Ann Snapka, IWBS; Sister Mary Catherine Brehony, IWBS; Sister Elizabeth Close, IWBS; Sister Barbara Bluntzer, SP; Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS; Sister Lydia Plastas, SFCC; Sister Guadalupe Cervantes, PCI; Sister Amor Vigare, OP; Sister Mary Camelia Herlihy, IWBS; Sister Mary Colette Brehony, IWBS; and Sister Celia Hernandez, MJMJ. Not pictured are Sister Patricia Zuniga, PCI; and Sister Anselm Till, IWBS. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic