Being formed by the Holy Spirit

Fifteen years ago, on this day—March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation—Bishop Michael Mulvey was installed as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Many bishops and priests attended the ceremony where he was consecrated by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. Time flies, and now he looks back at these fifteen years with a deep sense of gratitude, not only for being a bishop but also for "the fact that God never stops forming us. We're in formation to the end of our lives," he says.
 
He refers to Mary's “Let it be done to me according to your will" from the Gospel of the Feast of the Annunciation: “That has been a theme for me these 15 years, to ‘let it be done’ in my life so that I can be formed more in the image of Jesus Christ, and to be that presence in the Diocese … I know I have made many mistakes, but I look back and thank God for the formation I have received in his Holy Spirit during these 15 years.”
 
When reflecting on what has changed over the past 15 years, he responds, “I would hope that the concepts of unity and communion have come forward. The Catholic Church is rooted in the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I hope I have contributed to that, particularly with the priests and deacons – that we work together.” Many saints throughout the years have stated that no one can live the Christian life alone, “and I hope that each of you is convinced that in unity, everything's possible.” Citing a close friend and spiritual mentor, he adds, “It's better to do things less perfectly, but in unity – with the Church, with the bishop, and with one another – than to do things perfectly without unity.”
 
Thinking about the future, Bishop Mulvey hopes that the Church in our diocese continues to look ahead: “We can't live in the past. We cannot get stuck in the present. We have to move forward – that’s what synodality is about.” However, reflecting for a moment on the past 15 years – and how they have changed him – the bishop continues, “I think I have fallen more and more in love with the Church and more and more in love with Jesus Christ.” Referring to today’s Feast of Mary’s yes, he adds, “Over these 50 years as a priest and 15 as a bishop, I have also come to experience the power of the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of us all. And for that, I am very, very grateful.”