Sisters and life-long parishioners Margarita C. Hinojosa (left) and Fidela C. Salinas welcome Bishop Michael Mulvey to Santa Rosa de Lima in Benavides after Mass. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic |
A Catholic faith community existed in Benavides from its founding in 1880. St. Paul, as the church was originally named, was a mission of San Diego. Santa Rosa de Lima became a full-fledged parish in 1948.
Stockwell, who remains one of the church's oldest active parishioners, lost her beloved husband of 66 years last year, at the age of 92. She maintains the key to a happy life is to keep the faith and stay active in the church.
"You have to have faith," she said emphatically. "Even when things get rough, keep praying. Your prayers will be answered. You never know when or how, but it will come at a time when you need it the most."
Like many parishes in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Santa Rosa de Lima recently held its annual fundraising parish festival, with Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrating Mass. Father George Thomas, pastor at Santa Rosa de Lima, said parishioners were honored to host Bishop Mulvey for their 21st Annual Parish Festival held Aug. 24, the day after the bishop's birthday.
"Having Bishop Mulvey with us was a wonderful thing. He spent a great deal of time with the parishioners immediately after Mass and spent even more time with us in the parish hall, where we had a birthday cake and helped celebrate his birthday. People were so happy to have him there with us," Father Thomas said.
Hilma and Valentin Cantu, parishioners at Santa Rosa de Lima for 16 years, prepare fajita tacos and stuffed baked potatoes during the parish's festival. Hilma Cantu is known as "the potato lady" in Benavides and often has people lined up outside her home wanting to purchase her potatoes. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic |
After Mass, parishioners gathered at the parish hall for a barbeque lunch with all the trimmings, home baked treats, menudo, a country store and cakewalk. The festival continued outside with more food, and live music by a variety of conjunto favorites.
"I am grateful to God that everything was so wonderful and fantastic. It was like a family reunion of people from Benavides and surrounding communities," Father Thomas said.
Father Thomas said it takes an entire community to put together a festival this size, along with a core group of dedicated volunteers working around the clock for many weeks and months before the festival. But the hard work paid off. Parishioners raised more than $32,000 during the festival, which will be used to meet day-to-day expenses and keep up with maintenance of church facilities.
"When I first arrived here in July of 2013 I soon realized what a close knit community we have in Benavides. These dynamic, committed and hardworking men and women love the church and cherish their lives within the church. I'd love to see a day where we get back to the old glory of the church, where the whole town revolves around the church and its many activities," he said.
Father Thomas said one of his long-term goals is to make church and the faith life of the people even more active and vibrant.
"I truly believe if we help everyone stay connected socially, then we will be focused on giving our first priority to God," he said.
Parishioners also include families from surrounding towns. One parishioner, Roberta Moglia, said she drives 45 minutes each way to Santa Rosa de Lima from Bruni, Texas?in the Diocese of Laredo?for Sunday mass each week.
"We only have a Catholic mission in Bruni and plus, we still have family ties here in Benavides, so this will always be home for us," she said, while carrying her 18-month-old son, Robert.
Irma Hinojosa, with the Junior Catholic Daughter's Society, presents a cake to altar server Kevin Garcia, 11, during the parish festival at Santa Rosa de Lima. Garcia won the cake during the cakewalk. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic |
Meanwhile, Elma Stockwell--who was busy working the dessert table for the Catholic Daughters of America during the festival--believes there really is no good excuse for not taking on a volunteer role within your parish. Today, she is as busy as she ever was and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
"God has given each one of us a special talent. It's up to each one of us to decide how we will use that talent to glorify God. We need to be more willing and open to saying 'Yes, Lord, here I am!' And I hope more people realize their true potential to help the church grow," she said.
For Mass times, call the parish office at (361) 256-3427.