News - August 2019 RSS Feed

The last instructions that Jesus gave the disciples was to go out and take action in the world. He told them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20

Young adults from across South Texas gathered at the Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi recently for the “Be Not Afraid” Young Adult Retreat. There were talks, games, food, reflective prayer and group discussion.

Kayaking, wall climbing, swimming, ziplining, archery, games, talks and prayer were all part of a few fun-filled days for high school youth who attended an EXPLORE retreat held at Camp Aranzazu in Rockport.

In his homily at the 20th Annual Liturgy to Begin the School Year, Bishop Michael Mulvey told students, “Start your day, saying (to God), ‘I know you’re there.’ Let this year be the Year of God – God that’s watching us every day and every second because he loves us and wants us to be our best.”

Incarnate Word Academy Middle Level students were visited by former U.S. Navy Reserve officer and current Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, on Aug. 23. 

The inspiration and shared wisdom Sister Jessica Vitente felt after attending her first Come and See weekend retreat with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, in 2015 was so great, she came back twice before officially entering the Congregation.

Incarnate Word Academy invited the entire IWA community to attend its first blood drive of the year hosted by the High School Level and the Coastal Bend Blood Center on Tuesday, August 20.

Larry Dziuk, Esvardo (Sonny) Diaz and  Pete Valdez have been awarded Knights of the Year for their unwavering commitment to the Knights of Columbus. 

Holy Family Catholic School’s 2nd-grade teacher, Blanca Konitzer, is truly a dedicated teacher and tutor for students who need extra help with reading skills. When school was out for the summer, Konitzer felt that it was imperative to start a summer reading program for any student that may need to improve on their reading vocabulary and comprehension skills. 

Incarnate Word Academy students began their first day back to school with prayer and participated in classroom introductions and guided tours of the campus on Aug. 5. All other Catholic schools began the school year on Aug. 12.

Educators for grades first-12th continue to be challenged with STREAM, an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics and for Catholic schools the “R” represents Religion.

State Director Betty Vacek was pleased to present a check from the KJZT Family Life Clerical Endowment Fund to Bishop Michael Mulvey,. The check for $1,734.00 was the total funds collected in the past two years from KJZT societies in the Diocese of Corpus Christi through the Clerical Endowment Fund. 

Catholic school administrators, faculty and staff began the 2019-2020 school year with a Spiritual Professional Day entitled, “Walking Together in Our Faith Journey,” at St. John Paul II High School Cafetorium on Aug. 7.

The altar server's ministry at Sacred Heart Church in Mathis began the Traveling Chalice Program on July 1 after their pastor, Father Raju Thottankara, blessed and consecrated the chalice on June 30.

Chris and Crystal Peña and their four children moved into their new fully furnished, four-bedroom, two-bath home on Aug. 2 after a Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. The event marked the 36th home dedicated by the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG).

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Institute for Parish Leadership and Ministry Formation presented a summer seminar at St. John Paul II Cafetorium on July 26-27, entitled “Echoing the Mystery: Unlocking the Deposit of Faith in Catechesis.”

Father Henry Heese, 85 of Corpus Christi died on Saturday, Aug. 10. He was the fifth child born to Ben and Hilda Heese on January 26, 1934, in Robstown. He had nine siblings.

Catholic Life Insurance will help 58 Texas Catholic Schools raise funds during the 13th annual “Catholic Schools Sweepstakes.” Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy in Corpus Christi and St. Anthony Catholic School in Robstown are schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi that are participating this year.

Professor Douglas Bushman of the Augustine Institute has been invited to speak at two events in the Diocese of Corpus Christi Sept. 13-14. Bushman is Director of the Center for Theological Renewal and Pope St. John Paul II Chair of Theology for the New Evangelization at the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO. His invitation to speak was a joint effort by diocesan offices Evangelization and Catechesis and Laity, Family and Life that grew out of a recognition to provide training for family faith formation. 

Petey and Ellie Ybarra had no plans to leave Rockport before Hurricane Harvey ripped through the Coastal Bend two years ago in August. At the last minute, they decided to evacuate their family from their home, located just down the road from Aransas Bay.