A Celebration of Life: Honoring Father David Walsh, CSsR

Catholic Charities Office of Ministry and Life Enrichment for the Disabled hosted a “Celebration of Life” in memory of Redemptorist Father David Walsh, who was renowned nationally for serving the deaf and disabled in the Catholic community for more than 50 years.

The day of the celebration, Aug. 2, marked the 10th anniversary of Father Walsh's death. The celebration began with Mass at St. John Paul II High School Cafetorium followed by a reception in the school gym.

Bishop Michael Mulvey was the principal celebrant and Father Patrick Higgins, who serves the disabled community in Corpus Christi, Father Jesus Edgardo Paredes who serves the disabled community from the Diocese of Brownsville and Redemptorist Father Len Broniak who serves the deaf community in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston concelebrated Mass. Deacon Michael Rauen, Deacon Larry Rodriguez and seminarian Ramiro "RJ" Regalado assisted.

Participants in the Mass included many of the deaf and disabled who served as altar servers and readers. The silent angels choir signed the songs sung by choir members accompanied by guitarist Luis Salinas and Ray Paz, who though visually challenged, played the keyboard. Many of these musicians have volunteered their time and talents for many years.

Members of the Alhambra's, Knights of Columbus and Federation of the Guadalupanas came from Taft, Alice and other surrounding areas to help out at the event. Father Broniak, CSsR signed for the deaf during Bishop Mulvey's homily.

"When we were baptized we begin a journey," Bishop Mulvey said in his homily. "God asks us to go where I ask you to go, be who I ask you to be. There will be deserts along the way and we may not be able to see or hear. We might call out for God to change our condition, but God loves us the way we are. He wants us to journey the way we are… journeying toward Jesus Christ to eternal life.

At the end of Mass Bishop Mulvey blessed statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Francis De Sales, patron saint of persons with disabilities. "The statues will be placed in the side altar at Immaculate Conception Chapel," Father Higgins said.

Bishop Mulvey announced that seminarian Regalado had become certified at signing and has spent his pastoral year serving Catholic Charities Ministry and Life Enrichment for the Disabled. Regalado will continue studying sign language as he continues his studies in the seminary.

After Mass the Alhambras inducted Bishop Mulvey into their Catholic fraternity.

During the reception county official Judge Joe Benavides and City Commissioner Rudy Garza read proclamations honoring the life of Father Walsh, CSsR and a slide show presentation brought back many memories and tears to some.

"He was like a father to me," Aurora Martinez said, while wiping tears from her eyes. Martinez had retired from the Office of Ministry and Life Enrichment for the disabled when her daughter passed away two years ago. She has recently returned to the ministry, because Father Walsh had come to her in a dream and told her to. She has now been back working alongside Celia Mendez, bringing Jesus to the disabled community throughout the diocese.