DRE event extends appreciation to catechists

Viola Garcia from Our Lady of Pilar in Corpus Christi and Julia Strubhart of Our Lady of Consolation in Riviera were among more than 30 directors of religious education in the Diocese of Corpus Christi recognized at the annual DRE Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, April 21, at St. Philip the Apostle Parish. The dinner recognizes the faithful service of parish catechetical leaders and parish catechists; Garcia has served for 56 years and Strubhart for 50 years.

Catechists with 25 plus years of service were presented with an icon of Christ the Teacher. Those receiving the icon, included Yolanda Perez, Janie Trevino and Minnie Hinojosa, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Portland; Jim Chaney, Augustine Solis and Joseph Polasek, Our Lady of the Assumption; Romula Reyes, St. Mary Star of the Sea; Phyllis Martinez and Paul Wondolowski, St. Paul the Apostle; Belia Guerra, St. Gertrude; Hilda Cantu, Goldia Hubert, Debbie Unterbrink and Julia Strubhart, Our Lady of Consolation; Ricardo Diaz and Lucy Martinez, Ss. Cyril & Methodius; Pauline Garza, Frances Lozano, Ciria Puente, Corpus Christi Cathedral; Gabriel Lopez and Viola Garcia, Our Lady of Pilar; Jesusa Sanchez Vera, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice; Terri Flores, Anita Zambrano and Ester Flores, Immaculate Conception, Gregory; Emily Resendez, St. Elizabeth; Olga Gomez, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sinton; Katy Costello, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Pat Kubicek, Sacred Heart, Sinton; and Deacon Armando Botello and Emma Botello, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Corpus Christi.

Bishop Michael Mulvey addressed the 225 attendees at the dinner. He spoke of catechesis as transmitting the person of Jesus Christ and catechesis as a Spiritual Work of Mercy. Bishop Mulvey also blessed the icons that were presented to the catechists. 

Thirty-four parishes from the diocese were represented at the event. Parish catechists with 10, 15 and 20 years of faithful service to the ministry of catechesis were presented with a certificate of appreciation for their years of faithful service as volunteer catechists for parish religious education programs and R.C.I.A.

Photos by Ervey Martinez