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“Don’t forget who you are”
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September 25, 2023The 11 future deacons with broad smiles, their family members beaming, a happy crowd in the pews: the Conferral of Ministry of Lector and Acolyte was a beautiful moment for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. On Friday evening, Bishop Michael Mulvey officially welcomed the candidates as acolytes in an evening mass at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Corpus Christi on Friday, September 22.
The 11 new acolytes are:
Michael Jeffrey Brady, St. Philip the Apostle in Corpus Christi
John Ray Cantu, Christ the King, Corpus Christi
Thomas Christopher Gonzalez, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Corpus Christi
Brian Richard Iber, St. Pius X
William Herbert Larson, St. Philip the Apostle, Corpus Christi
Charles Edward Mendoza, St. Philip the Apostle, Corpus Christi
Edward Lee Mireles, St. John Nepomucene, Robstown
Adrian Perez, St. Joseph, Corpus Christi
Adrian Rodriguez, Sacred Heart, Sinton
Ray Antony Saenz, St. John Nepomucene, Robstown
Vincent John Stark, Most Precious Blood, Corpus Christi
Brian Iber was conferred as lector, too – he was out of the country when the other ten achieved this step in their formation.
Bishop Mulvey reminded the eleven that they should never forget who they are –their faith, their family, the foundation that lies in the fundamental call they have received from God. With this call comes pitfalls – “sometimes you might think that life would be simpler without being ordained” – but also many graces.
“I come to serve” should be the attitude of everyone who will be ordained, “we are not ordained to let our egos grow.” Instead, the phrase of St. John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30), can guide them into new spiritual depth.
The second point was that “we have to learn to be men and women of the cross,” so the Bishop. A saint is formed by the cross and the challenges we encounter daily. “Your ministry is important; it helps people to remember Christ’s sacrifice.”
As acolytes, they help the priests and deacons to serve. “Remember what is entrusted to you,” said Bishop Mulvey, referring to their service on the altar and proclaiming the Gospel. In that way, they would grow in their understanding as a disciple of Christ, as a humble servant and brother.
Lastly, the Bishop reminded them of Pope Francis, who, after World Youth Day, was going to Mongolia for 1,750 Catholics, “and they were as important as the 1.6 million in Lisbon.” He concluded, “Don’t forget the little ones, the weak ones,” he said, reaching out to those who don’t know who Jesus Christ is.
