‘We need to move from maintenance to mission’

The voices of youth from St. John Paul II High School choir and the Cathedral Youth Chorale set the stage for the first State of the Diocese on Oct. 26. They sang of unity in Christ through Word and Eucharist and of sending forth the gathered believers. Director of Music Alex Oldroyd from Corpus Christi Cathedral led them on piano with the musical arrangement, “We Are One in Christ,” by James J. Chepponis (originally Gustav Holst’s “Thaxted”). 

More than 600 people attended this singular event, held at the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds, and attendees felt it was a memorable night. Bishop Michael Mulvey spoke of evangelizing through listening, mission, and a purposeful change of heart.

Bishop Mulvey spoke of being on the cusp of change —a change that will address the needs of our youth. “Think back 30-50 years ago, when you were a catechist, did you ever hear these words in the sense of reaching out to people: belonging; discernment; accompaniment; relational ministry; spiritual direction; discipleship training; going on pilgrimage; how to pray; walking with; listening; nonjudgmental; integral formation from the head to the heart —this is where our youth are taking us.”

He talked of rebuilding and restoring structures as well as our faith. He announced that FEMA had approved all damages incurred from Hurricane Harvey and that rebuilding would proceed soon. 

“Evangelization is not a personal matter. It’s a matter that we can do together. We have to be a Church united, a faith united. So, they, ‘see how they love one another,’ becomes our strength and our force,” Bishop Mulvey said. “We need to move from maintenance to mission.” Then he addressed “the how” of it: “If we’re going to evangelize in a confused, divided, modern world, we have to be patient. We have to be pastoral.”

“We also need to learn —to pray better, to be silent in intimate prayer. We have to be more in touch with the Word of God in our homes. The Eucharist, Mass, and Sacraments are there for us to enrich ourselves. They’re not things we have to do. They’re there for us so that God can feed us, so we can become the evangelizers that He wants us to be,” Bishop Mulvey said.

Citing the Gospel of John (Jn 21:15), Bishop Mulvey reminded the audience that Jesus asked Peter three times, “‘Do you love me?’ and Peter said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Feed my lambs [Jesus].’ And a second time, ‘Do you love me?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Tend my sheep [Jesus].’ And then a third time and Peter was hurt, ‘Do you love me?’ ‘Yes. You know I love you.’ ‘Feed my sheep [Jesus].’ Sisters and brothers. You and I are Peter standing in front of Jesus tonight. ‘Do you love me?’ It’s a simple question. It’s an intimate question, but it’s a real question for each one of us. ‘Do you love me?’”

There was never a dull moment. Director of Communications and Public Relations Katia Uriarte Philipello and Assistant Director of Communications and Public Relations Jesse De Leon, III, welcomed attendees, announced the speakers, and kept the momentum moving. Every single speaker shared valuable insights about their ministry.

 The first talk by Director Lisa McKelvey from the Office of Stewardship and Development was on giving. “The four pillars of stewardship also include prayer, formation and service. One of the ways you can serve is by giving your treasure through the Bishop Stewardship Appeal. Our Church is in a time of growth, and we need to move from maintenance to mission,” she said, echoing Bishop Mulvey's address. “And your gifts are making mission possible.”

McKelvey introduced diocesan ministries that make the mission of the Church in Corpus Christi possible. Talks and presentations included: Director Dr. Michele Johnston of Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi and the Mother Teresa Shelter; Campus Minister Amy Barragree of the Newman Center at TAMUCC and Del Mar College; Director Siobhan O’Connor of Young Adults; and Youth Minister Bea Romo from Holy Family Connect and “Let’s Color the Community.”

 Parochial Vicar Father Carlos De La Rosa from St. Pius X Parish gave the invocation, and the fairgrounds staff served dinner.

 Ladies from Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, Mary Arredondo, Susie Musquez, Annette Puga and Laly Arteaga, although delayed by a flat tire, served as greeters while attendees perused the resource tables staffed by employees from each diocesan department and organization. 

Some of the audience, mostly youth, shared their insights from the bishop’s talk. Senior Nicolas Urbina from St. John Paul High School said he was moved by the bishop’s story about his friend who encountered a woman he didn’t agree with, and he liked what the bishop said about those who have different opinions. “As a Church, we have to be willing to listen and reach our hand to those who are most in need,” Nicolas said.

 General Priest Servant from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, Father Peter Marsalek, directed a short synodal session, which included listening to the Holy Spirit in silent prayer. Youth and adults wrote down valuable insights — they either shared or would quietly take with them as they go forth, to evangelize with love.

Attendees left hundreds of insights for the staff of the Communications Department, who spearheaded the event. Interviews with people slowly making their way home reflected on the power of the night.

Natasha Medina, a young adult with Let’s Color Our Community and a parishioner of Holy Family, St. Pius X and the Newman Center, said the message of loving one another most stood out to her. “Loving the people that are new to our community. Taking that first step and inviting them to our parish.”

Mother and daughter Cecilia Black and Tita Perez, from Immaculate Conception Mission in Concepcion, said the evening was very special, “It was a message of inclusion and love. And to hear directly from our bishop was very special,” Cecilia said. “We come from the ranching community, and a lot of times the message gets lost in translation by the time it comes from the diocese all the way down to the mission, so to hear directly from our bishop was very enlightening.”

Fr. Peter Elizardo said it was a magnificent night. “It was a beautiful spirit of love and peace, and there was such an openness in people. I think this was something they were looking forward to, and Bishop Mulvey encouraged all of us to see the beauty of what we can accomplish together. I think that’s what we are all going to take with us and work hard at accomplishing.”

Steve and Mary Ellen Galvan, who teach Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Corpus Christi Cathedral, were most affected by the present and engaged youth. “It’s very affirming to us that kids are being reached,” Mary Ellen said. “If we have the kids engaged, then we have a future,” Steve said. “We believe that’s our future as a Church.”

“It was a great time for us to come together… after the pandemic. To see that people are coming together and sharing the same message. We need to be more compassionate and bring more people back to the church,” said Sylvia Garcia, Director of the Pax Christi Retreat Center. The bishop was very clear on that – we don’t need an empty chair. We need to fill it with deeds and actions.”

Superior Sister Annette Wagner from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament said, “This was an amazing event. I think it brought us together as the family we are supposed to be. It was energizing, hopeful… it was positive. We are coming away with purpose and with the understanding that we are not on maintenance —we are on mission. I think that Vatican II still has a lot to teach us. This world is new, and we have to adjust our process not our message to be able to touch those who need to hear the good news of God’s love.”

The night ended with the beautiful voice of Dr. Cynthia Longoria, who sang “Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert. Dr. Longoria is a Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department at Del Mar College.

A recording of the event is available on the Diocese of Corpus Christi YouTube channel at YouTube.com/DioceseofCorpusChristi.

The quotes below are a few takeaway notes from those who participated in a short Synodal session directed by Father Peter Marsalek, SOLT at the State of the Diocese.

“Thank you, Bishop Mulvey, for an inspirational talk. Feeling what others verbalize may be the most important way to evangelize.”

“I really enjoyed this evening. It was definitely a new experience and I really like when the bishop talked about the priest and the pro-abortion girl and how he was able to still talk to her despite their differences and hopefully was able to change her mind.”

“’Peter, do you love me?’ ‘Peter, do you love me?’ Peter, do you love me?’ Bringing us back to think about how we show our love in every moment of our daily life. This question, ‘do you love me' needs to be first and foremost on my mind every day. In doing so I can, and we all can be reaching out and touching so many lives. This was truly an inspirational gathering, and I will look forward to this again next year.”

“I was inspired and got my answer to how I can talk to those who have an opposing viewpoint and what I can do to get to their level where they don’t feel judged and shut down. Where they can’t hear the Good News of Christ. What inspired me also was that we are here to love like Jesus did and we shouldn’t be a barrier between someone finding Christ. As a Catholic I shouldn’t look at taking the Eucharist as a requirement but look at it as how it can help me grow so the Lord can use me to feed his sheep.”

“We are the diocese. It’s not just a building. We need to be welcoming to everyone. We should invite everyone to sit at the empty chair. We need to see Jesus in everyone we meet. Start a dialogue. Don’t judge.”

“First, I am so happy to be part of this beautiful gathering. This was an eye-opening event to me. I did not realize how many organizations our diocese has. I live in my little world and help where I can. I really whole heartedly agree that our parish is part of the ‘Big Picture.’ I love the concept that ‘we’ must go out and reach out to others. I Look forward to next year!”

“Thank you, bishop, for sharing the story of your friend on the airplane. I’ve had a lot of family that I disagree with, but it made me understand that I don’t have to agree, but I can listen and not push them away.”

“I don’t agree, but I understand.”

“Slow down. Listen. Welcome.”