The Office of Vocations held a Parish Vocation Ministry Training to educate parishioners on the importance of encouraging vocations in their parish communities.
by Luis Lozano, Jr. and Javier Ebertowski, Contributors
Seminarians Luis Lozano, Jr. and Javier Ebertowski share personal accounts from their seminarian formations and why they believe youth are the hope and future of the Church.
by Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher, IWBS, Contributor
Sister Christina was baptized Ann Marie after her birth in Manhattan, New York. She grew up in the Bronx, one of eight children born to Patrick Bradley and Margaret O’Callaghan Bradley. At age 14, she followed her great aunt and an older cousin in their vocations as Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. She entered the Corpus Christi community and went through formation with her older sister, Sister Margaret Patrice, and professed their first vows in 1948.
All single women ages 18-42 who are interested in learning more about Catholic Sisters are invited to a virtual mini-retreat from 6:30-7:45 p.m. CST on Monday, Feb. 6. You will join Sister of Providence Sister Arrianne Whittaker, SP, who will share what religious life is like today.
Candidates Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Andrew Silvas were ordained priests by Bishop Michael Mulvey at Corpus Christi Cathedral on June 18. During the Liturgy, Bishop Michael Mulvey laid his hands on their heads. He then took holy oil and anointed their hands – hands that would soon hold the Lord in the consecration.
The Diocese of Corpus Christi celebrated World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Jan. 30. Fifty-seven religious renewed their promises, and nine sisters were recognized for their years of service dedicated to the Church and the mission of their institutes. Their anniversaries ranged from 25 to 75 years.
Ever since he was a young boy, Father Richard Gutierrez, parochial vicar for Corpus Christi Cathedral, had been fascinated by Mass. As a young man, he began to fall in love with God and God’s people. “Whenever I went to Mass, it was almost like I was saying, ‘I love you,’ not saying the words, but it was a feeling, an emotion – something special, something I just didn’t have the words for.”
Our Lady of the Rosary played a pivotal role in my life – I would not be here today without her intercession. I was once dead, and now I am alive. My story is a story of all of us, and a common thread that runs in all our lives – is God’s unrelenting pursuit of us,” said Sister Mary Aloysius Kim from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
I do a lot of outreach to the young on behalf of my religious congregation, so I try to be aware of trends in vocations work and the common traits of emerging generations.
During Mass for the conferral of Holy Orders on June 5, Bishop Michael Mulvey ordained seminarians, Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Silvas to the sacred order of deacons at Corpus Christi Cathedral.
Seminarians Javier James Ebertowski, Javier Palacios, Jr. and Thomas Edward Swierc declared their intention to pursue Holy Orders during Mass on May 30, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated the Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral and conferred candidacy to the three young men.
My vocation story is a simple one. In 2008, I attended an ACTS Retreat It was on this retreat when I first felt a call to serve. I remember a strong pull to serve the Church. I had turned down many invitations to attend an ACTS retreat because I did not want to give up my weekend. Little did I know God was calling me to not only give him that weekend but five years of weekends, as well as the rest of my weekends. This call, together with the influences at St. Patrick and Christ the King, led me to the diaconate program.
My mother was the first, as most mothers are, to start to bring me up in the Church. I was a typical kid – not wanting to wake up for Mass, hoping that she would just go herself and leave me behind. But little did I know she would wake up extra early and make it seem like she was running late, drag me out of bed, and take my little brother and me to church. To my amazement, we always arrived on time. My mother laid the foundation of my faith even though I did not realize it at the time.
When I was about ten years old, my relationship with Jesus deepened during a three-day youth retreat. My parents and grandparents stressed that we should always help everyone in need. Helping people is a great joy and experience in my life.
An early memory I have is going to Mass with my grandparents at San Jose Mission near Benavides. I remember all the elderly ladies singing loudly. What I remember most about the San Jose Mission was the humility of those attending Mass. These memories made an impression and helped form the foundation of my faith very early on. I believe these early memories have allowed me to remain connected to the Church.
My name is Joseph Ruiz, and I was born and raised in Kingsville. I am married to my beautiful wife, Elvira, and I have three children Jose, Vivian, and Nicholas. I am blessed to work at Del Mar College as the Director of Financial Aid Services, where I can help students finance their education and achieve their educational goals.
I was born in Corpus Christi. I grew up in a Catholic family, and my great uncle was a Catholic priest. At a young age, I served as an altar server and lector. I attended Little Rock Catholic High School in Arkansas, and it was tough, but it taught me more than I realized even back then.