News - December 2019 RSS Feed

The Diocese of Corpus Christi partnered with Dismas Charities and Prison Fellowship to host the annual Angel Tree Children Christmas party for over 170 children and their families on Dec. 18.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Social Ministry worked with the staff at the Bokencamp Children’s Shelter to provide a Christmas Mass and party for 40 youth on Dec. 14. Presents were donated by many "Angels" and by the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. kicked off the season of giving at their 53rd annual Christmas distribution of food baskets and toys on Dec. 17. Bishop Michael Mulvey gave the ecumenical blessing and a warm welcome to those coming to receive, those ready to give.

The parish youth group from St. Thomas More collected $1,000 in monetary donations, gifts, and gift cards from parishioners and went for a shopping spree for the family of Sonja Munoz.

St. Pius X Catholic School chess team wins two trophies at the Coastal Bend Chess Federation’s tournament on Dec. 7. The four members who competed were third-grader Jase Garcia, fourth-grader George Roberts and sixth-graders Abby Bippert and Adam Mikulik.

Sixth-grader, Jonah Dulin, from St. Pius X has won the Corpus Christi Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR essay) contest for the sixth-grade level. Jonah has attended St. Pius X Catholic School since PreK-4.

In spite of competing with other school activities and the SAT administration on Dec. 7, a few of the St. John Paul II High School Rotary Interact members had an opportunity to do community service by volunteering their morning to assist in the construction of a wheelchair ramp for a gentleman who had a stroke.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic school principal, Lilly Samaniego was among 11 principals nominated by their superintendents in Catholic dioceses throughout the nation to attend and participate in a three-day Leadership Institute at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois. Principals were directed to analyze their current strategies for curriculum development, funding models, and enrollment management to identify areas of improvement.

Incarnate Word Academy student council representatives from the Elementary, Middle, and High School Levels hosted the annual food drive in conjunction with KIII-TV’s Share Your Christmas on Dec. 3.

“Warriors to Lourdes,” a documentary produced by the Knights of Columbus, won an Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Topical” at the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards Ceremony held on Nov. 16, 2019.

Responding to the spiritual needs of both the local and global Church, Franciscan University of Steubenville launched a passionately Catholic and dynamically orthodox School of Spiritual Direction during the fall 2019 semester.

A la luz espiritual, de la pastoral del V Encuentro para los hispano – latinos, es que la Diócesis de Corpus Christi, a través de su ministerio multicultural y social anuncia la transmisión de la Misa en español.

Four of Simon and Christina Purnell’s five children have been or are currently altar servers. For the Purnell family, it’s about giving back and serving the Catholic community they hold dear to their hearts.

Ruben Riojas was an altar server and regularly attended religious education classes, and was even selected to serve at the Christmas Mass despite having only one week’s experience. These experiences drew him closer to the Eucharist, which set in motion his current spiritual journey.

For 41 years, the Moody High School baseball team has volunteered to help Catholic Charities with their annual Christmas Food Baskets and Toys for Tots program by assembling and filling approximately 1,500 food boxes each year, according to information received from Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc.

As the days become shorter and the temperature falls, our hearts turn with anticipation of the Christmas season. We enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. We watch children and grandchildren and revel at their wonder of Christmas lights, and at the beauty this time of year brings. For all Christians, this period of Advent, a waiting time of expectation, is a reminder to prepare hearts and souls for the celebration of the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent begins today. Through liturgy and prayer, this time of conversion prepares us to joyfully anticipate the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem of Judea.

El advenimiento comienza hoy. A través de la liturgia y la oración, este tiempo de conversión nos prepara para anticipar alegremente el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador en Belén de Judea. 

Advent is a time of expectation, of hope and of preparation for the celebration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. As I contemplate all that advent is, I am drawn to the saints that have feast days during Advent. Mary, of course, is always top of mind – the Mother of God.