News - December 2022 RSS Feed

Once again, the Diocesan Office of Social Ministry, in partnership with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, Catholic Charities and Dismas Charities, has hosted a private Christmas Party at Corpus Christi Cathedral in St. Joseph Hall on Dec. 20. 

Fifth graders from St. Pius X School acted out the story of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in a play for other students and parishioners on Dec. 12, in celebration of her feast day.

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. kicked off the season of giving at their 56th annual Christmas distribution of food baskets and toys on Dec. 20. Bishop Michael Mulvey gave the Christmas blessing and a warm welcome to those coming to receive and those ready to give.

Prison Ministry volunteers bring Christ’s love, and mercy to 25 of our sisters in Christ incarcerated at the Nueces County Jail on Dec. 15. 

The 22nd Annual National Homeless Persons’ Sunrise Memorial Service was held under the pavilion at the Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 16. The service honored those who died while experiencing homelessness this year.

The Guadalupanas at Holy Family hosted their annual Homenaje in celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe recently. Many performers traveled from throughout South Texas to pay homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, including mariachis, matachines, folklorico dancers and singers.

A procession and Mass, followed by a banquet, were held in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, her feast day. Through the combined efforts of the Federation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Societies of Corpus Christi, the Knights of Columbus, and Multicultural Ministries, hundreds gathered to celebrate and venerate the image of Our Lady. 

“A Cathedral Christmas” concert opened with sacred hymns, such as Handel’s “Joy to the World” and Mendelssohn’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” by musicians from the Pontifical Chorale of Corpus Christi Cathedral and Festival Orchestra. This free Christmas concert is the second part of the 2022 Cathedral Concert Series. It was open to everyone on Dec. 3 at Corpus Christi Cathedral. 

Algunas personas son excelentes dadoras de regalos. Si alguna vez ha recibido un regalo muy significativo, sentirá inmediatamente, toda la consideración y atención que esa persona ha dedicado al elegir ese regalo especialmente para usted. Nos conmueve el regalo en sí, pero más aún la persona que nos lo dio. De hecho, algo del dador nos ha sido dado más allá del obsequio mismo. De manera más perfecta, cuando Dios nos da un don, nos da más que ese don o ese regalo; Él se nos da a sí mismo.

An impressive assembly of young singers from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Schools and several adults gathered in the church’s sanctuary to bring to life many Christmas favorites at the “Christmas Changes Everything Concert.”

En esta época del año, es muy fácil quedarse atrapado en los múltiples preparativos para la celebración de la Navidad. Bien sea que se ponga atención en los arreglos de casa para recibir a familiares y amigos, asegurándose de que todas las decoraciones estén en su lugar o de tomar en cuenta los ingredientes necesarios para la preparación de la gran comida. El que hacer se acentúa a medida que se acerca la Natividad de nuestro Señor. 

Incarnate Word Academy IWA families lit up the campus with Christmas lights and listened to Christmas carols performed by the students at Angel Lights on Dec. 8 in the James R. Dougherty, Jr. Center.

Some people are excellent gift givers. If you have ever been the recipient of such a gift you will immediately feel all the thoughtfulness and attention that has gone into picking this gift just for you. We are touched by the gift itself but even more so by the giver. In fact, something of the giver has been given to us beyond the gift itself. In a more perfect way, when God gives a gift, He gives more than something; He gives Himself.

Our motherhouse is located on a large property in a tiny village in rural France. With its old stone buildings, expansive pastures, flower gardens and shaded pathways, it’s a gorgeously bucolic setting and the most peaceful place I’ve ever been. 

Una Antorcha, encendida con el fuego del Cirio Pascual de la Basílica de Guadalupe en la ciudad de México, junto con dos imágenes, la de la Virgen de Guadalupe y la de San Juan Diego recorren en peregrinaje, calles, iglesias, misiones y catedrales de varios estados de México y Estados Unidos.

This time of year, we can quite easily get caught up in the many preparations for Christmas. Whether it is readying your home for the arrival of family and friends, making sure all the decorations are in place, or ensuring you have all the ingredients to prepare that big meal, there is indeed much to do as the Nativity of our Lord draws near. 

Bishop Michael Mulvey broke ground with the sisters of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) at the site of their first Motherhouse on Dec. 2. 

Rudy Jr. Ortiz said, “I feel my family —my son Rudy, my wife Bertha and I have been chosen. We’re on a mission, and that’s to help as many people as we can and help wherever we are needed and be there for whatever He puts in our way,” he said. “I love to help people. And I guess it’s because of the love in our family —we want to share that everywhere we go.”

One of my favorite Christmas memories was from when I was eleven. The summer before, my dad, mom and I had been wandering around an antique shop, and mom showed me a doll she had loved as a little girl. She still had the original trunk, but the doll had disappeared over time. 

How can a young person understand anything about life? They have not yet lived. What can they possibly share that is not known to anyone older? Perhaps that is why devotion to Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia) spread immediately following her death in 304 A.D. Sometimes, a young person’s witness can teach anyone about a fearless love for God.