1950. The new church was dedicated March 25, 1953. Father James Hamilton, who became pastor in 1974, began the religious educational reforms of the Second Vatican Council. He also brought the Cursillo movement to St. Mary’s and organized a Spanish charismatic prayer group. In 1978, St. Mary added a Church Center, which combined a parish hall and classrooms. St. Mary’s continued a steady growth and today has some 500 registered families. The parish also continues to grow spiritually and in the participation in the more than two-dozen parish ministries. “All ministries are going very well,” Father Kalayil said. In the current hard economic times, the parish’s Angels of Mother Teresa Kathy Apodaca, left, helps client select food at the St. Mary Star of the Sea food bank. Apodaca and operate a food bank that her husband Joe; Jean and John Nichols; Dee Dee Weber; and Norma Martinez volunteer as “Angels distributes food every month to about 45 families. “The of Mother Teresa” to help those in need in their community. Angels of Mother Teresa help Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic whoever needs help. Even The next step in the stewardship campaign is the stewthough we are in a very big ardship of treasure. The parish will begin its Legacy of debt, we help if the need is genuine,” Father Kalayil said. Faith ~ Future of Hope campaign in September, which it “These people are wonderful; they are ready to go on hopes will help with much needed repairs to the physical a moment’s notice. They deliver food to some homes. We plant. All buildings are in need of some form of maintewill give food at any time but we will not give money or nance. The annual parish festival scheduled for Oct. 14 will help with other expenses unless we know them and the also help meet the parish’s financial needs. need is genuine,” Father Kalayil said. The Melendez concert is a big part of this effort. Father The pastor credits the Diocese Office of Parish StewKalayil hopes that the concert will raise sufficient funds to ardship with the ongoing renewal in the parish. The retire the parish debt. Already some 2,500 tickets are out Stewardship Office first helped the parish implement a and the parish hopes to double that amount by the time stewardship of prayer. The people understood the focus gates open at 3 p.m. on Aug. 5. General admission tickets of stewardship and responded with enthusiasm, Father are $20 and can be purchased online at www.stmaryss. Kalayil said. There was an increase in Mass attendance org. Reserved seating is available for $50 but can only be and at the adoration chapel. purchased at the parish office. For more information on “People realized they have a greater duty and responthe concert, visit the parish Web site or call the parish sibility than just coming to Mass,” Father Kalayil said. office at (361) 758-2662. “Through the stewardship of talent, people are ready to do “All the city is excited,” Father Kalayil said, “not because any kind of work for the parish. I haven’t paid for plumbit’s a fund raising program; they see him as a man who ing, electrical work, painting or anything because people brings hope.” offer their talents.” www.SouthTexasCatholic.com
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2012 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC
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