South Texas Catholic Winter Issue - Vol. 61 - No. 4

South Texas

Catholic SERVING THE CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

OUR MOTHER CHURCH THE ROLE OF THE CATHEDR AL AND THE BISHOP WI NT E R

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Keep up with the faith at

southtexascatholic.com VOL. 61 NO. 4 Publisher Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD Director of Communications and Public Relations Katia Uriarte Philipello kuriarte@diocesecc.org Assistant Director of Communications and Public Relations Jesse DeLeon jdeleon@diocesecc.org Managing Editor Susanne Janssen sjanssen@diocesecc.org Theological Consultant Rev. Richard Libby fatherlibby@yahoo.com

INSIDE

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| INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY: A journey of faith

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| ENTREVISTA CON EL OBISPO MICHAEL MULVEY: Un viaje de fe

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| A BEACON OF HOPE FOR ALL PEOPLE: The Cathedral, the Mother Church of our diocese

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| UN FARO DE ESPERANZA PARA TODOS: La Catedral, la Iglesia Madre de nuestra Diócesis

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| A HOUSE OF GOD FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL: The History of Corpus Christi Cathedral

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| THE INSPIRING BEAUTY OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH: What parishioners, workers, and young adults say about the renovation of Corpus Christi Cathedral

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| A SACRED BEAUTY EMERGING: Inside the Cathedral renovation

Communications Specialist Adel Sauceda asauceda@diocesecc.org Social Media Coordinator Teresa Saenz tsaenz@diocesecc.org Broadcast Technical Director Richard Luna rluna@diocesecc.org Communications Administrative Assistant Raquel Garcia rgarcia@diocesecc.org Correspondents Rebecca Esparza, Cynthia Morales Translator/Correspondent Gloria Romero Contributors: Fr. Pete Elizardo

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| CALLED TO TEACH, TO GOVERN, TO SANCTIFY: The Role of the Bishop in the Catholic Church

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| NEW CATHEDRAL PLANS, NEW VOCATION INITIATIVE, NEW HOPE: The fourth Photo-time at the State of the annual State of Diocese 2025 the Diocese drew more than 650 people to the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds

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| PREPARING THE GROUND FOR A CULTURAL CHANGE: How a woman in Houston became a motivational speaker for Vocation Ministry

or to subscribe, unsubscribe or submit a change of address go online at: diocesecc.org/subscribe The South Texas Catholic is not liable or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement appearing within these pages. All claims, offers guarantees, statements, etc. made by advertisers are solely the responsibility of the advertiser.

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“South Texas Catholic” (USPS 540-860) Published quarterly (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) by the Diocese of Corpus Christi 555 N Carancahua St, Ste 750, Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824 for $25 per year. Periodicals postage paid in Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to South Texas Catholic, 555 N Carancahua St, Ste750, Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824.

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The new flooring arrived from Italy

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| BIOETHICS 101: Timeless and universal principles – Bioethics and Catholic Social Teaching

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| PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD: Reflections on Christmas

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| FOLLOWING JESUS: “Like living stones, let yourself be built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5) - What is the correct description of the Church?

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| AN EXPERIENCE OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH: Ten people from our diocese went to the Jubilee of Synodality Teams in Rome

Christmas shows us: God is with us!

ON THE COVER: Bishop Michael Mulvey at the Chrism Mass in Corpus Christi Cathedral, April 15, 2025, Credit: S. Janssen

Submit your News and Stories! Send us your parish, school, ministry news stories, pictures and calendar events via our online form at diocesecc.org/send-news or via email to stc@diocesecc.org. If you have any questions, call STC at (361)693-6609.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting those who have faced abuse of any kind. For immediate assistance, support, and referral information, please call Victim Assistance Coordinator Stephanie Bonilla at (361) 693-6686.

El obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina del Medio Ambiente Seguridad y Recursos para Niños y Familias están comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido abusos de cualquier tipo. Para asistencia inmediata, apoyo e información de referencia, llame al Coordinador de Asistencia a Víctimas Stephanie Bonilla al (361) 693-6686.

In the spirit of proper stewardship, the Diocese of Corpus Christi encourages reporting any financial abuse concerns or related issues. Report confidentially to: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org En el espíritu de una administración adecuada, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi alienta a informar cualquier inquietud de abuso financiero o problemas relacionados. Informe confidencialmente a: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org

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INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY

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“A journey of faith”

ur Cathedral is currently undergoing renovation. Can you explain a bit more – what is the role of the Cathedral in a diocese?

Bishop Mulvey: The cathedral in every diocese is the church of the bishop, and as such, all the faithful belong to the cathedral as the principal church of the diocese. Because a bishop has other responsibilities, a rector is appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations and liturgies of the cathedral.

During the restoration and renovation, some issues about the cathedral’s condition have been uncovered and addressed. At the same time, the cathedral renewal has unfolded and nicely illustrated the journey of faith that we take in the Christian life.

The six exterior doors, as one enters through the main entrance, will correspond to the events of the paschal/Easter mystery. First, one encounters on the exterior door the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is our life. On the next door, we see Jesus encountering disciples like us on the road to Emmaus. Their eyes were opened when Jesus shared the Holy Eucharist with them and opened the Word of God to them. The third door marks another moment important to all of us, and that is the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. And so, as we enter the cathedral through these sacred doors, this comprehensive mystery should already speak to each one of us, and I hope they can serve as a meditation before Mass.

In the vestibule, on the left, one will find the Blessed Mother, the Pieta, holding her Son in her arms. She reminds us that living the life of her Son is not easy, and that the path of the Church is the mystery that we have encountered outside – the death and resurrection of her Son. As we walk into the Church building, we will encounter the baptismal 4

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font, which reminds us that we are baptized in Christ Jesus as children of God and brothers and sisters together in Christ.

The new mosaic floor that extends from the baptismal font into the sanctuary is a holy pathway leading us to the ambo to listen to the Word of God and to the altar to renew ourselves in the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the cross. He left the Eucharist to us as a memorial sacrifice, and therefore, it is the center of the Church and the center of our lives. The third element in the sanctuary is the cathedra—the bishop’s chair from which he presides over the Mass, the teachings, and the administration of the diocese.

We will also find restored in the apse of the cathedral the tabernacle, which is the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, remaining with us at all times.

Returning to the back, there will be two new side chapels – one is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the other to All Saints. We are all called to be saints, but more so today as saints together. There are images of such new saints as St. Carlo Acutis, St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio, Mother Teresa, Pope St. Paul VI, and St. Pope John Paul II. Young people who watched a sneak peek video of the Cathedral renovation really liked the plans.

You want to dedicate the Cathedral especially to young people—what led you to this decision? And what are young people looking for in the Church today?

Bishop Mulvey: Of course, it belongs to everyone, but we also need to look ahead. Today, our young people are genuinely coming to a new awareness of what is holy and transcendent. They live in a world that is divided, violent, and full of anger. They are searching for something more meaningful in life.

For the renovation, I wanted to work with artists who could convey both the cathedral’s timelessness and eternal beauty. This freshness has been achieved in the design. We showed some young people a video of the new artwork, and they were amazed. One young woman said she thought the cathedral would be very modern, but then she noticed the beautiful tiles and other artwork. What attracts young people is beauty, and they seek God through it. Therefore, their place of worship should reflect that.

The Cathedral serves as the bishop’s church. What exactly is a bishop’s role within a diocese?

Bishop Mulvey: The bishop has a threefold charism: he serves as “priest, prophet, and king.” He is the priest who offers the sacrifice of the liturgy and invites people to unite around it. He cares for the liturgy and ensures we celebrate it as the Church has given it to us. The second responsibility is that of a teacher: providing formation and ensuring the Church’s teachings are understood and respected. The third task is governance. However, in my experience, the bishop must be the first to embrace the cross, face problems and difficulties, and remain faithful to Christ. In that, he is shepherd and witness for all.

We all fall short of this to some extent. Still, there are things a bishop must confront, and he must do so with God’s grace, through prayer and recognizing that God is shaping him and all of us into disciples.

It has been a true gift for me to understand this and to accompany the People of God on this road for almost 16 years.

We need vocations to the priesthood, to religious and consecrated life, and to sacramental marriage.

How can we create a culture that fosters vocations?

Bishop Mulvey: From the very beginning, God recognized the need for a group of people around Jesus. Although He was the primary teacher, He needed others to assist Him. Similarly, the bishop has the priests as his first helpers. I am very thankful for the priests I have had the privilege to ordain, and I am very grateful for all the other priests ordained by those before me.

Right now, we only have three (wonderful) seminarians. I am very grateful to God for their vocation, but we need more vocations to serve the people in our diocese. We also need to strengthen our families, fostering true sacramental marriages.

Additionally, we need religious women, consecrated laymen, and laywomen. This means that everyone needs to focus on vocations. We can’t just sit back

and wait, thinking someone else will step in to help.

It has to start with us; even though vocations are calls from God, we must work together to create a culture that promotes vocations.

A calling to the priesthood or consecrated life is not something odd. However, no one should pursue this path out of guilt or because they believe it’s an easy way of life. It’s not. It’s a call from God, and the most beautiful thing anyone can do is answer it, whether that’s priesthood, religious life, marriage, or a life of service as a single person.

To promote vocations, we should talk about the priesthood and religious life as beautiful ways to live out our baptismal vocation. After the abuse crisis and the terrible crimes that were committed, some priests and bishops have been hesitant to talk about our calling, but it’s time for all of us to recognize the beauty of our vocations – it remains a sacred call.

If your son or daughter is called, think about it this way: your child has been chosen by God. Christ is looking into their eyes, saying, “Come follow me in a special way.” God has looked upon your child to follow Him and to offer a gift to the Church, and no one should ever be ashamed of that. I heard someone say, “Why would someone waste their life being a priest when they could have an amazing career?” And I replied, “Tell my mother that her son wasted his life and see what she tells you.” We must think about eternity and view a vocation this way. An earthly career can be altered; it can end suddenly and become my downfall. If we serve in the Church, we have oriented our lives toward the eternal goal.

Which do I want to serve? Jesus told us, “You cannot serve both, you can’t serve God and mammon” (see Mt 6:24).

We are nearing Christmas. What is in your heart?

What is your wish for all of us?

Bishop Mulvey: I wish we could all reflect on this Jubilee Year of Hope and rediscover hope in our lives. It is simple, but it involves believing in what I cannot see. I can’t see God, but I live in hope, and I know that hope fosters faith, and faith calls me to love. Living face-to-face with God isn’t about living in heaven. It means recognizing that heaven was born many years ago in Bethlehem. God’s life came to us in Jesus Christ: Emmanuel, God with us, and we can experience heaven here on earth. I hope the eternal message of Jesus in the Gospel takes deeper root in all of our lives—that we all embrace the Word of God and live as people of hope, acknowledging that the Word, Truth, and Love was born in Bethlehem.

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ENTREVISTA CON EL OBISPO MICHAEL MULVEY

“Un viaje de fe”

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uestra catedral se encuentra actualmente en proceso de renovación. ¿Podría explicarnos cuál es el papel de la catedral en una diócesis?

Obispo Mulvey: La catedral de cada diócesis es la iglesia del obispo y, como tal, todos los fieles pertenecen a la catedral, la iglesia principal de la diócesis. Dado que el obispo tiene otras responsabilidades, se nombra un rector para supervisar las operaciones diarias y las liturgias de la catedral.

Durante la restauración y renovación, se han descubierto y abordado algunos problemas relacionados con el estado de la catedral. Al mismo tiempo, la renovación de la catedral se ha desarrollado y ha ilustrado de forma clara el camino de fe que emprendemos en la vida cristiana.

Las seis puertas exteriores, al entrar por la puerta principal, corresponden a los acontecimientos del misterio pascual. En la primera puerta exterior, vemos la muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo. Esta es nuestra vida. En la siguiente puerta, vemos a Jesús encontrándose con discípulos como nosotros en el camino a Emaús. Sus ojos se abrieron cuando Jesús compartió con ellos la Sagrada Eucaristía y les reveló la Palabra de Dios. La tercera puerta marca otro momento importante para todos nosotros y es la venida del Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés. Así que, al entrar en la catedral por estas puertas sagradas, este misterio completo ya debería hablarnos a cada uno de nosotros, y espero que puedan servir como meditación antes de la Misa.

En el vestíbulo, a la izquierda, se encuentra la Santísima Virgen, la Piedad, con su Hijo en brazos.

Nos recuerda que vivir la vida de su Hijo no es fácil y que el camino de la Iglesia es el misterio que hemos 6

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encontrado fuera: la muerte y resurrección de su Hijo.

Al entrar en la iglesia, nos encontramos con la pila bautismal, que nos recuerda que somos bautizados en Cristo Jesús como hijos de Dios y hermanos en Cristo.

El nuevo mosaico que se extiende desde la pila bautismal hasta el presbiterio es un camino sagrado que nos conduce al ambón para escuchar la Palabra de Dios y al altar para renovarnos en el amor sacrificial de Jesucristo en la cruz. Nos dejó la Eucaristía como sacrificio conmemorativo y, por tanto, es el centro de la Iglesia y el centro de nuestras vidas. El tercer elemento del santuario es la cátedra —la silla episcopal desde la que preside la Misa, las enseñanzas y la administración de la diócesis.

También encontraremos restaurado en el ábside de la catedral el sagrario, que es la presencia de Jesús en la Eucaristía, que permanece con nosotros en todo momento.

Volviendo al fondo, hay dos nuevas capillas laterales: una dedicada al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y al Inmaculado Corazón de María, y la otra a Todos los Santos. Todos estamos llamados a ser santos, pero más aún hoy como santos juntos. Hay imágenes de santos contemporáneos como San Carlos Acutis, San José Sánchez del Río, la Madre Teresa, el Papa San Pablo VI y San Juan Pablo II. A algunos jóvenes que vieron el video realmente les gustaron los planes. Usted quiere dedicar la Catedral especialmente a los jóvenes, ¿qué lo llevó a tomar esta decisión? ¿Y qué buscan los jóvenes en la Iglesia hoy en día?

Obispo Mulvey: Por supuesto, pertenece a todos, pero también debemos mirar hacia el futuro. Hoy, nuestros jóvenes están adquiriendo una nueva

conciencia de lo sagrado y lo trascendente. Viven en un mundo dividido, violento y lleno de ira. Buscan algo más significativo en la vida. Para la renovación, quise trabajar con artistas que pudieran transmitir tanto la atemporalidad como la belleza eterna de la catedral. Esta frescura se ha logrado en el diseño. Les mostramos a algunos jóvenes un video de las nuevas obras de arte y quedaron maravillados. Una joven comentó que pensaba que la catedral sería muy moderna, pero luego se fijó en los hermosos azulejos y otras obras de arte. Lo que atrae a los jóvenes es la belleza, y a través de ella buscan a Dios. Por lo tanto, su lugar de culto debe reflejarlo.

La Catedral sirve como iglesia del obispo. ¿Cuál es exactamente el papel de un obispo dentro de una diócesis?

Obispo Mulvey: El obispo tiene un carisma triple: sirve como «sacerdote, profeta y rey». Es el sacerdote que ofrece el sacrificio de la liturgia e invita a la gente a unirse en torno a ella. Cuida la liturgia y se asegura de que la celebremos como la Iglesia nos la ha dado.

La segunda responsabilidad es la de maestro: brindar formación y asegurar que las enseñanzas de la Iglesia se comprendan y se respeten. La tercera tarea es la gobernanza. Sin embargo, en mi experiencia, el obispo debe ser el primero en abrazar la cruz, afrontar los problemas y las dificultades, y permanecer fiel a Cristo. En eso, es pastor y testigo para todos. Todos nos quedamos cortos en cierta medida. Aun así, hay cosas que un obispo debe afrontar, y debe hacerlo con la gracia de Dios, a través de la oración y reconociendo que Dios lo está formando a él y a todos nosotros como discípulos. Para mí ha sido un verdadero regalo comprender esto y acompañar al Pueblo de Dios en este camino durante casi 16 años.

Necesitamos vocaciones al sacerdocio, a la vida religiosa y consagrada, y al matrimonio sacramental. ¿Cómo podemos crear una cultura que fomente las vocaciones?

Obispo Mulvey: Desde el principio, Dios reconoció la necesidad de un grupo de personas alrededor de Jesús. Aunque Él era el maestro principal, necesitaba a otros que lo ayudaran. De igual manera, el obispo cuenta con los sacerdotes como sus primeros colaboradores. Estoy muy agradecido por los sacerdotes que he tenido el privilegio de ordenar, y también por todos los demás sacerdotes ordenados por quienes me precedieron.

En este momento, solo tenemos tres seminaristas (maravillosos). Estoy muy agradecido a Dios por su vocación, pero necesitamos más vocaciones para servir a la gente de nuestra diócesis. También necesitamos fortalecer nuestras familias, fomentando matrimonios sacramentales auténticos. Además, necesitamos religiosas, laicos consagrados y laicas.

Esto significa que todos debemos enfocarnos en las

vocaciones. No podemos simplemente quedarnos sentados y esperar, pensando que alguien más intervendrá para ayudar. Tiene que empezar con nosotros; aunque las vocaciones son llamados de Dios, debemos trabajar juntos para crear una cultura que las promueva.

Un llamado al sacerdocio o a la vida consagrada no es algo extraño. Sin embargo, nadie debería seguir este camino por culpa o porque crea que es una forma de vida fácil. No lo es. Es un llamado de Dios y lo más hermoso que alguien puede hacer es responder, ya sea con el sacerdocio, la vida religiosa, el matrimonio o una vida de servicio como persona soltera. Para promover las vocaciones, deberíamos hablar sobre el sacerdocio y la vida religiosa como formas hermosas de vivir nuestra vocación bautismal.

Después de la crisis de abusos y los terribles crímenes que se cometieron, algunos sacerdotes y obispos han sido reacios a hablar de nuestro llamado, pero es hora de que todos reconozcamos la belleza de nuestras vocaciones: sigue siendo un llamado sagrado.

Si su hijo o hija tiene vocación, piénselo así: su hijo ha sido elegido por Dios. Cristo los mira a los ojos y les dice: «Vengan, síganme de una manera especial».

Dios ha elegido a su hijo para que lo siga y ofrezca un don a la Iglesia, y nadie debería avergonzarse de ello. Escuché a alguien decir: «¿Por qué alguien desperdiciaría su vida siendo sacerdote pudiendo tener una carrera maravillosa?». Y yo respondí: «Díganle a mi madre que su hijo desperdició su vida y verán qué les dice». Debemos pensar en la eternidad y ver la vocación de esta manera. Una carrera terrenal puede cambiar; puede terminar repentinamente y convertirse en mi perdición. Si servimos en la Iglesia, orientamos nuestras vidas hacia la meta eterna. ¿A quién quiero servir? Jesús nos dijo: «Nadie puede servir a dos señores; no se puede servir a Dios y a las riquezas» (ver Mt 6,24).

Se acerca la Navidad. ¿Qué hay en su corazón? ¿Cuál es su deseo para todos nosotros?

Obispo Mulvey: Ojalá todos pudiéramos reflexionar sobre este Año Jubilar de la Esperanza y redescubrir la esperanza en nuestras vidas. Es sencillo, pero implica creer en lo que no puedo ver. No puedo ver a Dios, pero vivo con esperanza, y sé que la esperanza alimenta la fe, y la fe me llama a amar. Vivir cara a cara con Dios no se trata de vivir en el cielo.

Significa reconocer que el cielo nació hace muchos años en Belén. La vida de Dios vino a nosotros en Jesucristo: Emmanuel, Dios con nosotros, y podemos experimentar el cielo aquí en la tierra. Espero que el eterno mensaje de Jesús en el Evangelio eche raíces más profundas en todas nuestras vidas, que todos abracemos la Palabra de Dios y vivamos como personas de esperanza, reconociendo que la Palabra, la Verdad y el Amor nacieron en Belén.

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Credit: Knightstorm Productions The cathedral is the spiritual home for every Catholic.

THE CATHEDRAL, THE MOTHER CHURCH OF OUR DIOCESE

A Beacon of Hope for all People

BY FR. PETE ELIZARDO, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF DIVINE WORSHIP

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ver the past few months, our Cathedral has undergone some restorations and renovations. Soon, we will rededicate it.

Like all diocesan cathedrals around the world, our Cathedral serves as a symbol of both the local church and our connection with the entire Catholic Church.

I suggest taking a moment to understand better what it means to have our cathedral.

Our Corpus Christi Cathedral symbolizes the Church’s universality and unity, not only across different places and times but also in the fullness of its faith and life. We mention this not to boast, but to honor God, who has been so good to us and, speaking and acting through us, desires to be just as generous to those who have not yet embraced our faith.

Within our cathedral, we experience the saving gifts that are part of the apostolic ministry exercised 8

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by our bishop. A cathedral is the place where the bishop most clearly serves as the chief shepherd of a diocese. It is the location of his cathedra, or seat of authority, a place where all seven of the sacraments are celebrated, and a place every Catholic can and should think of as home.

This is why our Cathedral is often called the Mother Church of our diocese. Looking at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and St. John Lateran in Rome, these two churches were initially called “mater omnium ecclesiarum” or “mother of all churches.” St. John Lateran became the Cathedral of Rome, where the bishop’s cathedra was placed.

This tradition continues to the present day, as the pope also serves as the bishop of Rome.

Mother Church of the diocese Eventually, the name evolved to “ecclesia matrix,”

meaning mother church or simply “major,” which is still used in this sense worldwide. This name reflects that the church hosts large diocesan gatherings that bring together priests serving the diocese’s parishes around their bishop. It is also where the faithful of many parishes unite to celebrate these diocesan Masses, from which various things are provided to our parishes — for example, the ordinations of priests and deacons, who care for the parishes by serving the Church in union with our bishop, and the blessing and consecration of the Holy Oils in the Chrism Mass before Easter.

Our cathedral reminds us that, even though we are many parishes, we are one Church. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council highlighted this idea about the communion of priests and all Catholics with their bishop. In Lumen Gentium, 28, we read: “Priests, prudent cooperators with the Episcopal order, its support and instrument, called to serve the people of God, constitute one priesthood with their bishop, although bound by a diversity of duties. … By reason of this sharing in their priesthood and mission, priests should see in the bishop as a true father and obey him with all respect. And let the bishop, for his part, treat his priests, his helpers and co-workers, as his sons and friends, just as Christ called His disciples now not servants but friends (see Jn 15:15).”

Change and Continuity Although cathedrals, basilicas, and churches undergo

restorations and renovations, and their interiors may look different from what they once were, what always remains the same is our cathedral’s purpose and mission. Her true beauty is that she will remain a place where all seven sacraments are celebrated. Our cathedral will continue to be seen as a home for all Catholics and for those who arrive at her doorstep— some who were once lost but now have come home with an openness to receiving what she offers— the Love and Mercy of God. One particular change to our cathedral will be her new exterior doors. They will tell a true story about Jesus and us. It will remind everyone of who Jesus is, why Jesus came into the world and what Jesus offers – a Love that will not fail.

With this in mind, let us remember that no parish, no priest, and no person exists in isolation.

We are all bound together as the Body of Christ – Corpus Christi, connected to our bishop and to one another.

Jesus Christ built His Church on the rock of Peter, and it is only in communion with the successors of the apostles that we can truly live the life to which Christ calls us and which He grants us as a gift. Of this truth, our cathedral stands as a beacon of hope for all people. Of this truth, we stand together as the Body of Christ, the living Church, and therefore, may God help us always make our Corpus Christi Cathedral, our Mother Church, a place of hope for everyone.

Silver & Gold

Silver & Gold

Wedding Anniversary Mass Celebration Those blessed with celebrating 25 or 50 years of Sacramental Marriage are invited to attend a special Silver & Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass celebrated by our bishop.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2026 AT 9:30 A.M. Corpus Christi Cathedral | 505 N. Upper Broadway Couples that register before the deadline will receive a certificate recognizing their Silver or Golden Anniversary. Registration is open to any validly married couple celebrating 25 or 50 years of marriage in 2026.

To receive an Anniversary Certificate, please submit registration by January 30, 2026 Online Registration: diocesecc.org/anniversarymassregistration or scan the QR code: S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

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LA CATEDRAL, LA IGLESIA MADRE DE NUESTRA DIÓCESIS

Un Faro de Esperanza para Todos POR EL P. PETE ELIZARDO, DIRECTOR DE LA OFICINA DE LITURGIA SAGRADA

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n los últimos meses, nuestra Catedral ha sido sometida a algunas restauraciones y renovaciones. Pronto, la rededicaremos.

Como todas las catedrales diocesanas del mundo, la nuestra simboliza tanto la iglesia local como nuestra conexión con toda la Iglesia Católica. Les invito a reflexionar sobre lo que significa tener nuestra catedral.

Nuestra Catedral de Corpus Christi simboliza la universalidad y la unidad de la Iglesia, no solo en diferentes lugares y épocas, sino también en la plenitud de su fe y vida. Lo mencionamos no para presumir, sino para honrar a Dios, quien ha sido tan bueno con nosotros y quien, hablando y actuando a través de nosotros, desea ser igualmente generoso con quienes aún no han abrazado nuestra fe.

Dentro de nuestra catedral, experimentamos los dones salvadores que forman parte del ministerio apostólico ejercido por nuestro obispo. Una catedral es el lugar donde el obispo se desempeña más claramente como el principal pastor de una diócesis.

Es la sede de su cátedra o sede de autoridad, un lugar donde se celebran los siete sacramentos y un lugar que todo católico puede y debe considerar su hogar.

Por eso, nuestra catedral es a menudo llamada la Iglesia Madre de nuestra diócesis. Veamos la Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro en Jerusalén y San Juan de Letrán en Roma, estas dos iglesias fueron llamadas inicialmente «mater omnium ecclesiarum» o «madre de todas las iglesias». San Juan de Letrán se convirtió en la Catedral de Roma, donde se ubicaba la cátedra del obispo. Esta tradición continúa hasta el día de hoy, ya que el papa también es obispo de Roma.

Iglesia Madre de la diócesis Con el tiempo, el nombre evolucionó a “ecclesia matrix”, que significa iglesia madre o simplemente “mayor”, y que todavía se usa con este sentido en todo el mundo. Este nombre refleja que la iglesia alberga grandes reuniones diocesanas que congregan a los sacerdotes que sirven en las parroquias de la diócesis alrededor de su obispo. Es también el lugar donde los 10

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fieles de muchas parroquias se reúnen para celebrar estas Misas diocesanas, de las cuales se obtienen diversos beneficios para nuestras parroquias; por ejemplo, las ordenaciones de sacerdotes y diáconos, quienes cuidan de las parroquias sirviendo a la Iglesia en comunión con nuestro obispo, y la bendición y consagración de los Santos Óleos en la Misa Crismal antes de Pascua.

Nuestra catedral nos recuerda que, aunque somos muchas parroquias, somos una sola Iglesia.

Los Padres del Concilio Vaticano II destacaron esta idea sobre la comunión de los sacerdotes y de todos los católicos con su obispo. En Lumen Gentium, 28, leemos: “Los sacerdotes, prudentes cooperadores con el orden episcopal, su apoyo e instrumento, llamados a servir al pueblo de Dios, constituyen un solo sacerdocio con su obispo, aunque estén vinculados por una diversidad de deberes. Por razón de esta participación en su sacerdocio y misión, los sacerdotes deben ver en el obispo a un verdadero padre y obedecerle con todo respeto. Y que el obispo, por su parte, trate a sus sacerdotes, a sus ayudantes y colaboradores, como a sus hijos y amigos, así como Cristo llamó a Sus discípulos ahora no siervos sino amigos (ver Jn 15,15).”

Cambio y Continuidad Aunque las catedrales, basílicas e iglesias se someten a restauraciones y renovaciones, y sus interiores pueden lucir diferentes a como eran antes, lo que siempre permanece igual es el propósito y la misión de nuestra catedral. Su verdadera belleza reside en que seguirá siendo un lugar donde se celebran los siete sacramentos. Nuestra catedral seguirá siendo vista como un hogar para todos los católicos y para quienes lleguen a su puerta, algunos que alguna vez estuvieron perdidos pero que ahora han regresado con una apertura para recibir lo que ella ofrece: el Amor y la Misericordia de Dios.

Un cambio particular en nuestra catedral serán sus nuevas puertas exteriores. Contarán una historia verdadera sobre Jesús y nosotros. Las nuevas puertas

Credit: Diocesan Archive

recordarán a todos quién es Jesús, por qué Jesús vino al mundo y lo que Jesús ofrece: un amor que no falla.

Con esto en mente, recordemos que ninguna parroquia, ningún sacerdote y ninguna persona existe de manera aislada.

Todos estamos unidos como el Cuerpo de Cristo – Corpus Christi, conectados con nuestro obispo y entre nosotros.

Jesucristo edificó Su Iglesia sobre la roca de Pedro, y es solo en comunión con los sucesores de los apóstoles que podemos vivir verdaderamente la vida a la que Cristo nos llama y que nos concede como un don. De esta verdad, nuestra catedral se erige como un faro de esperanza para todas las personas.

De esta verdad, estamos unidos como el Cuerpo de Cristo, la Iglesia viva, y por lo tanto, que Dios nos ayude siempre a hacer de nuestra Catedral de Corpus Christi, nuestra Iglesia Madre, un lugar de esperanza para todos.

Un cáliz adorna la fachada de nuestra catedral.

Plata y Oro

Plata y Oro

Misa de Celebración de Aniversario de Bodas Las parejas bendecidas por celebrar en el año 2026, 25 o 50 años de matrimonio sacramental, están invitadas a una Misa especial de aniversario de bodas de plata y oro, precedida por el obispo.

DOMINGO 8 DE FEBRERO DE 2026, A LAS 9:30 A.M. Catedral de Corpus Christi | 505 N. Upper Broadway Las parejas que se registren antes de la fecha límite recibirán un certificado reconociendo su aniversario de plata o de oro. La inscripción está abierta a cualquier pareja válidamente casada que celebre 25 o 50 años de matrimonio en 2026.

Para recibir un certificado de aniversario, envíe el registro antes del 30 de enero de 2026.

Registro en línea: diocesecc.org/anniversarymassregistration o escanea el código QR: S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

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THE HISTORY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CATHEDRAL

Credit: Diocesan Archives (10)

A house of God for all the faithful

Corpus Christi Cathedral after its completion

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n March 23, 1912, Pope Pius X established the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and St. Patrick’s Church (located close to Leopard/Tancahua Street) became St. Patrick’s Cathedral with Bishop Paul Nussbaum, C.P., as its leader. He faced serious challenges during his tenure – major hurricanes in 1916 and 1919 devastated the city, and a severe influenza pandemic in 1919 gripped the area. Reports indicate that during the outbreak, a funeral was held in the Cathedral every day.

After the resignation of Bishop Nussbaum, Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina was appointed to the Diocese of Corpus Christi and was formally installed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on July 21, 1921. With the city’s growing population and fire damage to St. 12

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Patrick’s Cathedral, he began efforts to build a new cathedral. First, they acquired land from John Kenedy Sr., son of Captain Mifflin Kenedy, and shortly after, on March 1st, 1940, the cornerstone was laid.

Remarkably, the cathedral was dedicated on July 17th of that same year, although the official consecration would not happen until 12 years later. The dedication was attended by two archbishops, 17 bishops, visiting clergy, and hundreds of parishioners, and was broadcast on the radio. The building was financed through many gifts—large donations from the wealthy and thousands of small contributions from schoolchildren, working people, and housewives.

Catholics from the surrounding area churches also donated to the project.

Even before the cathedral was finished, Bishop Ledvina celebrated a first Mass.

Many people celebrated the laying of the cornerstone.

The groundbreaking ceremony

Bishop Ledvina inserts the cornerstone in the Cathedral’s pillar.

Designed by architect Charles Monot, the cathedral is built in a Spanish Colonial Revival style. Red Spanish clay crowns the roof, along with two towers topped with glazed terracotta domes. Monot regarded it as his best work. With the dedication of the new cathedral, a new name was also given: Pope Pius VII told Bishop Ledvina that a cathedral

in the city of Corpus Christi should be dedicated to Corpus Christi.

On September 1, 1965, Corpus Christi Cathedral and the larger community welcomed the new bishop of the Diocese, Most Reverend Thomas J. Drury. As the reforms of the Second Vatican Council were introduced, Bishop Drury started renovation S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

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An old excavator in action

The Baptismal font was initially at a side altar.

Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina started the project of building the new cathedral

projects at the Cathedral to align with the new liturgy. During his tenure, Bishop Gracida made additional renovations to the Cathedral, including the 1985 renovation of the crypt chapel, now called the Emmanuel Chapel; relocating the tabernacle in 1988 to the newly constructed Blessed Sacrament Chapel; and installing presbytery seats behind the altar in 1988. Later, structural repairs to the bell towers

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The side alter dedicated to Our Blessed Mother

were carried out.

In 2024, Bishop Michael Mulvey began renovating the Cathedral to address structural issues, necessary repairs, and to meet the guidelines issued by the Church. The tabernacle will be moved back to the apse. The Baptismal Font will be placed at the entrance, symbolizing our initiation into the faith. A new altar will represent the centrality of the Eucharist.

After the renovation in the 1980s, the tabernacle was moved into a side chapel, and pews for the clergy surrounded the bishop’s cathedra.

To emphasize the importance of the Word, a new ambo will be installed to the right of the altar, replacing the current wooden lectern. The Bishop’s Chair will be positioned to the side, as is customary in almost every Catholic cathedral, highlighting Jesus on the cross and in the Tabernacle.

A bronze Crucifix is inspired by the scene of the Crucifixion, especially the moment when Jesus,

turning his gaze to heaven, addresses God the Father and says the words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ending with a declaration of trust in God’s deliverance and victory.

With material based on the research of Sister Mary Xavier Holworthy, IWBS, Hannah Haegelin, Msgr.

Michael Howell and Susanne Janssen

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THE INSPIRING BEAUTY O

We asked some parishioners, work opinion on the renovation o TRULY INSPIRING ART

“

I wasn’t expecting all the mosaics and details in the artwork. I assumed it would be very modern, so seeing all those details was truly inspiring and showed how much attention is being brought to the Cathedral. I believe the Church should have more art and visuals to get your mind to a different place when you are at Mass in His presence.

I hope this space fosters community. I see our young Catholic community growing; it feels like everything is falling into place at the right time.”

Erika Cornejo, Young Catholic Adults

AN ANSWER TO PRAYER

“

I feel honored to work on the Cathedral renovation. When I walked in for the first time to start work, it was an exceptional experience. I had been going through a hard time looking for work, and I was talking to my mother about it, and she said, ‘Son, you know what? You need to have faith; the Lord is going to prepare exactly the right job for you and your coworkers,’ and I said, Okay, I believe in that.

And they called me the next day and told me they had a job to do here at the Cathedral.

Since I’ve been here, everybody has been awesome —the other workers, the ladies in the office, and the people who come to Church here.

I’m grateful, and I want to thank everybody for having me here on this job. I’m glad to be a part of this history.”

Hector Carillo, construction worker

A LIVELY FEEL

“

The cathedral, besides being a parish, also serves as the example and representation of the Diocese. My husband and I have three children, and they are all altar servers now.

My children have grown up being part of this parish. We want the diocese to have a lively, fresh and vivacious feel, and with the renovations to the cathedral, we will achieve that!”

Misty Davis Fitch, Parishioner at Corpus Christi Cathedral

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OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH

kers and young adults about their of Corpus Christi Cathedral

THE BEAUTY OF OUR RELIGION

“

The Cathedral is the epicenter of our diocese, and it is a special one, being named after the Body of Christ. I think it’s fitting we invest in it to make it as beautiful as possible and to honor God in our artwork. I hope that, for the next generations who will experience this, it’ll be a vision of heaven on Earth, seeing the beauty of Christ in our religion —the beauty our Church believes in.”

Ian Longoria, Knights of Columbus

UNDERSTAND OUR ROOTS

“

I only knew a little about the renovations to the Cathedral, and the images far exceeded my expectations. I thought, I can’t believe this will be in Corpus Christi. The Cathedral we know and love today will be transformed into this amazing work of art that inspires community. I see my faith and identity reflected in the space being created, which truly represents the richness of our faith.

When I picture myself and other young adults enjoying this space, I hope it sparks a deep sense of where we come from. I want people to explore our history and understand our roots, which will help inspire and evangelize others.”

Taylor Garcia, TAMUCC Newman Center

ENHANCING THE UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

“

My wife and I have five children, and all of them have served as altar servers at the Cathedral. We participate in ministry in various ways. I see the cathedral as the mother church of the Diocese. I also view the renovation of the Cathedral as a cornerstone for the development of Uptown Corpus Christi, making it better again. Moreover, the Cathedral is much more than a parish church; it is a church for the entire Diocese of Corpus Christi.”

Frank Lowell McNiff, Parishioner at Corpus Christi Cathedral S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

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INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL RENOVATION

A Sacred Beauty Emerging

BY KATIA URIARTE PHILIPELLO

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tepping inside Corpus Christi Cathedral today feels a little like stepping into the season of Advent: a time of waiting, preparing, and a glimpse of the beauty to come. And in these last few weeks, those glimpses have grown brighter.

On October 30th, the first shipment arrived from Arte Poli, the liturgical design and manufacturing studio in Verona, Italy. Stunning hand-crafted tiles and mosaics, created specifically for our Cathedral, were carefully unpacked and moved inside. For those who have worked on the renovation and studied the renderings and the craftsmanship in each piece, seeing the actual pieces in person was something else entirely.

“It’s amazing in the renderings, but it is so much more beautiful in person. Seeing it on paper is nice. It’s almost a dream. But when you see it installed, when you can touch it, it becomes even more amazing, and the beauty begins to take shape,” shared Chancellor Marc Cervantes.

Among the first items to arrive are the detailed mosaics that will surround the statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The handmade tiles that will

All artwork, tiles and mosaics arrived by ship from Italy.

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The custom-made marble tiles mark the pathway from the baptismal font to the ambo and altar.

Credit (2): S. Janssen, K. Uriarte Philipello (1) Italian artisans assemble the mosaics of the apse and behind the side altars

frame the altar and sanctuary have also arrived, as have the custom-made marble tiles for the Cathedral’s flooring. Other sections are taking shape as well. The refurbished chandeliers are already in place, making the cathedral feel brighter. The acoustical fabric to enhance the cathedral’s sound has been installed on the walls, and it looks seamless. A new digital organ console was added to improve the sound’s richness and clarity.

Painters, carpenters, artists, and specialists have been working in harmony, though as the Chancellor reminds us, harmony takes time.

“Right now, there are sections of beauty and sections of construction,” he said. “It makes you long for the finished product, but it is important to remember that these pieces require time and detail. When you finally step into a church,

especially this church, you appreciate it so much more because of the time, energy, human effort, volunteer work, and the amount of thought and planning coming together.”

Once the Cathedral reopens, some of the most beautiful works, like the All-Saints Chapel and the bronze doors, will be installed. The vestibule will also continue to undergo some more work. These will be beautiful surprises that will continue to unfold.

We can feel anticipation growing. We see the beauty taking shape, and Chancellor Cervantes shared a hopeful promise: “For the new year, which is very soon, we’ll have a new church.” As all the pieces come together, the Cathedral will once again open its doors, renewed and restored, ready to welcome the faithful into a sacred space built for generations to come.

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USCCB Each bishop is the pastor of the portion of the flock that is entrusted to his care.

THE ROLE OF A BISHOP IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Called to Teach, to Govern, to Sanctify

BY CYNTHIA MORALES

M

any Catholics encounter their bishop only on special occasions—such as confirmations or ordinations, or when attending Mass on feast days at the cathedral, or when a parish church is dedicated. They may see a video from him on social media a few times a year or hear an announcement from him at their parish. But what exactly is the role of a bishop in the Catholic Church? Who is a bishop meant to be, and what is his charge?

Who is a bishop?

Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, men are ordained to carry out the “mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles … thus, it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536). Holy Orders “includes three degrees: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons)” (CCC 1536). In the ordination of a bishop, the “fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders is confirmed”—the bishop is “typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of the Father” (CCC 1557, 1549).

It is also through the bishops that an unbroken and direct line of succession to the apostles is maintained in the Catholic Church, with the “gift of the Spirit” needed to fulfill this role being “transmitted down to our day through episcopal consecration.” (CCC 1556, quoting Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church 21). The bishops succeed the apostles as 20

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“shepherds of the Church” (LG 20) and each bishop is the pastor “of the portion of the flock that is entrusted to his care” (CCC 1560). When the bishop celebrates Mass, it has a “special significance” as he “represents Christ, the Good Shepherd and Head of his Church, presiding” (CCC 1561).

But though he holds the “chief place” among church offices (CCC 1555), in the words of Pope Leo XIV, quoting Pope Francis, “the only authority [a bishop] has is service, and it is a humble service” (Pope Leo XIV to new bishops and to bishops of mission countries, September 11, 2025). A bishop is a “witness to hope by his example of life firmly grounded in God and completely devoted to the service of the Church” (Pope Leo XIV at the Jubilee of Bishops, June 25, 2025).

A bishop’s duties Consecration as a bishop confers three offices—of teaching, governing, and sanctifying—taking “the place of Christ himself, teacher, shepherd, and priest” and acting as Christ’s representatives (CCC 1558, quoting LG 21). These offices are “intimately interconnected” and “following the example of the Good Shepherd, the entire ministry of the bishop is focused on serving God and the flock” (Apostolorum Successores, Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, 1).

Called to teach Christ “entrusted to his Apostles the mission

of ‘making disciples,’” and that mission falls “particularly so on Bishops,” who are the successors to the apostles (Pastores Gregis, Pope St. John Paul II, 26).

In practice, a bishop teaches directly through sermons, addresses, letters to the faithful in his diocese, writings such as newspaper columns, pamphlets, or books, and—in the modern era—radio and television shows, podcasts, and even YouTube channels. Bishops oversee the dissemination of Catholic truths in their diocese through official channels and continually seek new ways to bring the faith to people. A recent example of this was the launch of the Corpus Christi Catholic Network app, which offers on-demand local Catholic content and live Sunday Mass broadcast (in English and Spanish). The app arose from Bishop Michael Mulvey’s dedication to finding new ways to reach people through social media.

Called to govern Bishops are also charged with overseeing the needs of their diocese, serving as stewards of diocesan finances and property, ensuring that church laws are followed, and training, providing, and managing priests and others in ministry. In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Mulvey oversees six deaneries—Alice, Beeville, Corpus Christi Northside, Corpus Christi Southside, Kingsville, and Refugio—each containing numerous parishes, missions, and Catholic schools. There are many diocesan offices, ministries, apostolates, programs, and initiatives that the bishop must ensure carry

out their duties in keeping with the Catholic faith and good stewardship. In this task, a bishop relies on “the grace of strength … to guide and defend his Church with strength and prudence as a father and pastor” (CCC 1586).

Called to sanctify A bishop, who is the “Vicar of the ‘great shepherd of the sheep’” (AS 1) and must “not fear ... to give his life for his sheep” (CCC 1586], is also responsible for the spiritual well-being of his flock. He thus has a special charge to see that the sacraments are being administered in his diocese. Only a bishop may ordain priests and (outside of extraordinary circumstances) administer the sacrament of confirmation (CCC 1576, 1313, 1314).

“In exercising their office of sanctifying, bishops should be mindful that they have been taken from among men and appointed their representatives before God in order to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins,” and so must be “mindful of their obligation to give an example of holiness in charity, humility, and simplicity of life.” (Christus Dominus, Decree Concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops, 15).

A symbol of unity The bishop is the “visible principle of unity in the particular Church entrusted to him,” and it is his “duty to build communion among its members and with the universal Church” (Meditation of Pope Leo XIV). Thus, in union with his flock—and with their prayers—he goes forth as Christ’s vicar to carry out Christ’s promise to be with His Church “unto the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

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STATE OF THE DIOCESE 2025: THE FOURTH EDITION DREW MORE THAN 650 PEOPLE TO THE RICHARD BORCHARD FAIRGROUNDS

New Cathedral plans, new vocation initiative, new hope

Credit: S. Janssen (3)

BY SUSANNE JANSSEN

More than 650 people attended the fourth edition of State of the Diocese.

T

he crowds flocking to the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds on Thursday evening faced a choice—go straight ahead for Trick or Treat or turn left into the hall for the State of the Diocese.

The 650 attendees didn’t hesitate a minute to enter the hall, connect with ministries, and meet fellow Catholics from across the diocese.

At the entrance, the Youth Ministry set up a digital Photo Booth and offered rosary keychains for those praying for the teens. Corpus Christi Cathedral shared new pictures of the renovations, Catholic Schools handed out T-shirts and information about Education Savings Accounts, and many other groups from our diocese shared their mission and services.

The program this year began with two of our new priests, Fr. Jim Craig and Fr. Luis Lozano, who welcomed attendees and introduced the Catholic Scouts, who presented the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. They thanked the Presenting Sponsor, CHRISTUS Health, and led the Blessing of the Food. Ethan Edghill from the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center in Kingsville accompanied dinner with some songs.

Bishop Michael Mulvey welcomed everyone to 22

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the fourth edition of this event. Before his keynote address, three speakers explained new initiatives within the Diocese: Dr. Rebecca Hammel, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, explained the benefits of the Education Savings Account – a form of state funding for private education that will be available starting Summer 2026. Fr. James Vasquez, the new Vocation Director, spoke about discernment and the importance of Vocation Teams in parishes. Marc Cervantes, the diocese’s chancellor, outlined the new Cathedral Campus project, which includes a new parking lot and community center to complete and enhance the Mother Church of our Diocese.

The bishop, who had just returned from the Jubilee of Synodal Groups in Rome, explained how Synodality is “the heart of the Church.” During their meeting, Pope Leo XIV had expressed that the Church needs to be synodal. “Our world is in turmoil – polarization affects our society and our Church. We cannot talk to each other,” said Bishop Mulvey.

“If we, as Catholics and Christians, were true witnesses, we would not be in this situation,” he continued, emphasizing the need to reflect on

Three SOLT sisters testing the photo booth provided by the Office of Youth Ministry.

the Gospel: “Jesus reached out to the Samaritan woman, he sat with Zacchaeus, the tax collector and sinner – what does that say to us? We need a conversion of heart.”

Jesus’ commandment “to love one another” calls us to a sacrificial love, to give freely to others, and to listen. The vow of obedience that priests and religious take, and the promises spouses make to each other, may seem foolish from a human perspective, but as the bishop says, “if you love, you obey, you listen, you are free.”

He continued to explain some features of the Cathedral and their connection to the faith, from the Baptismal Font at the entrance to the Crucifix

The newly ordained priests, Fr. Luis Lozano and Fr. Jim Craig, opened the evening.

that will be exclusively made for our Church, depicting Jesus in the moment when He asked God, “Why have you forsaken me?” (see Mt 27:46).

The side chapel will be dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The evening concluded with an announcement: the Corpus Christi Catholic Network App that was launched on November 4. Every Tuesday, new show episodes will be available, along with livestreams of Sunday Masses and special events.

More information about the app and download links can be found at diocesecc.org/cccn.

Credit: S. Janssen (2) Rhonda Gruenewald is the founder of Vocation Ministry, a national organization that helps parishes foster a culture of vocations.

HOW A WOMAN IN HOUSTON BECAME A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER FOR VOCATION MINISTRY

Preparing the ground for a cultural change

BY SUSANNE JANSSEN

W

hat can be done to encourage vocations—whether to the priesthood, religious life, or sacramental marriage?

Creating fertile soil is one way to put it. And one woman, who never intended to become a mentor in Vocation Ministry, inspires Catholics across the country to promote vocations—and it works!

Rhonda Gruenewald would never have imagined that she would someday lead workshops on fostering vocations. “I grew up in a family without faith,” she shared during the workshop for the priests of our diocese in October. A few times, she attended the Methodist Church. During college, she was searching for something more, and at 25, she was baptized.

Then she met her husband, David, a Catholic.

Long story short, she converted to Catholicism, got married in the Church and raised three children in the faith.

Getting involved In 2011, Fr. Victor Perez, a priest from the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, wanted to revive the parish vocation committee and asked her if she could help— it was “one of the most important ministries 24

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in the parish.” Since the priest asked her directly, she agreed, and the group became vibrant and thriving. When she was asked to share her secrets, she took advantage of the pandemic hiatus and wrote a book. “I thought that my contribution was done,” says Rhonda. However, she was asked to speak at a Vocation Directors’ Conference, and afterward, more dioceses asked, “Can you come and train our priests?”

The workshop in Port Aransas was her 280th; more than 78 dioceses had sought her help.

The changes in some dioceses are impressive: in 2015, she visited the Diocese of Grand Island in Nebraska, which has 48,000 Catholics in a fairly large territory. At that time, they had only one seminarian. Just four years later, they had nine young men in formation. For example, the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut: over ten years, they averaged about one new seminarian each year – not a lot for an archdiocese. In the weeks after the workshop, the vocation director received 80 phone calls, and five young men entered seminary the next year. Additionally, 15 permanent deacons began their formation, and 11 young women are interested in religious life.

A culture of vocations What is the secret? Rhonda Gruenewald says we need to foster a culture of vocations: “We stopped talking about vocations decades ago – it has to become normal again that every young man thinks about the priesthood, and young women ask themselves if they are called to religious life or marriage.” Not long ago, every family had an aunt who was a sister or an uncle who was a priest, and it was common for children to consider God’s will as they grew up. What can be done to bring this back?

Prayer is one small step that everyone and every parish can take immediately, but it doesn’t end there. She refers to Mark 4:8, about the seeds sown on fertile soil: “We have to prepare the ground.”

The parish is the best starting point. According to a CARA survey, most priests felt the calling first between ages 6 and 13, followed by 21% between 14 and 17. Only 19% felt called during college, and 20% at age 27 or older. These age ranges also roughly reflect the responses of young women.

“This means that most people discover their vocation before age 18, when we can reach them through the parish.” On her website, she provides free resources—homily ideas for priests related to the Sunday Gospel, bulletin blurbs, and talking points for discussing vocations. However, change occurs only if vocations become a part of everyday life: “During marriage prep or baptismal classes, encourage parents to consider that their children are called to something great. Other effective tools include traveling chalices or crucifixes, in which a family commits to praying daily for vocations for one week. An active youth ministry also promotes vocations, as does perpetual or frequent adoration hours.

Discouraging numbers The outlook for the Church and our diocese remains concerning. Currently, the Diocese of Corpus Christi has three seminarians, following the ordination of three priests in June. At present, our diocese has 118 active priests serving in 69 parishes. Nearly 56% are over 60 years old. The average ordination rate is 1.1 priests per year. If trends continue, there will be only 54 active priests in 2035, serving a Catholic population that grows by about 1% annually. In 15 years, just 33 active priests will remain, each serving approximately 8,883 parishioners. This mirrors the nationwide trend in the U.S. Church: active priest numbers have declined by 12% over the past nine years. Priests in religious orders are down by 15%, and religious sisters have decreased by 29%.

These numbers are sobering, but Rhonda would not highlight that. “Depression is not a good selling tactic; we should not manage the decline,” she explains. A vocation is answering a call from God, not just a duty. The focus should be on discovering God’s personal calling: “If we stop

dreaming big, we put the Holy Spirit in a box.”

Besides that, more things can be done or are already in the process of changing. Many young men considering the vocation to the priesthood are afraid of loneliness. The seminary now focuses its formation on learning to live in communion and building friendships, rather than heavy philosophy and theology. However, Rhonda believes the most essential tool is to make considering a vocation normal again and to talk about the priesthood and religious life as ways to live a holy, fulfilled life.

“Vocations should be a year-long conversation, not only during Vocation Awareness Week.” She asked the priests to think about what brings them joy in the priesthood – and many beautiful answers came up. “Pope Leo XIV reminds us that being a priest is beautiful and that receiving a call from the Lord is a call to experience His joy,” says Rhonda.

Already, a change is on the horizon: Gen Z is returning to the Church – according to surveys, those born after 2000 are more religious than previous generations. They hunger for authenticity and radical answers - orders that wear a habit and strict rules have more vocations. There is hope: “We just have to start with prayer – praying for vocations from our own parish, and our own family.”

Free resources for parishes and families are available at Vocationministry.com.

Our priests at a workshop on vocation ministry in Port Aransas.

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

25

BIOETHICS AND CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Timeless and universal principles

BY FR. RICHARD LIBBY

26

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

Pixabay

T

he Vatican II document on the Church, Lumen Gentium, drawing from the Old and New Testaments, offers a poetic variety of images to describe the Church: The People of God, the Mystical Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, a sheepfold, a cultivated field, and more. Among these images, the document also presents the Church as a building — a spiritual house made of living stones. This image helps us understand the significance of the Cathedral, the mother church in every diocese, and particularly in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Lumen Gentium 6 beautifully articulates this vision: “The Church is called the building of God (1 Cor 3:9). The Lord compared Himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was made into the cornerstone (Mt 21:42; cf. Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7; Ps 117:22). On this foundation the Church is built by the apostles (cf. 1 Cor 3:11) and from it the Church receives solidity and unity. This edifice has many names to describe it: the house of God in which His family dwells — the household of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19, 22); the dwelling place of God among men (Rev 21:3); and, especially, the holy temple. This temple, symbolized in places of worship built out of stone, is praised by the Fathers and, not without reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

As living stones, we here on earth are built into it (1 Pet 2:5).”

To grasp the depth of this teaching, we must remember that the Church is both divine and human, visible and invisible: holy and endowed with spiritual gifts, yet also given a visible, organized structure. The unity and solidity of this structure rely on Christ, the cornerstone, and the harmony and fidelity of each “living stone,” the faithful. The beauty of this image lies in how it links the mystical communion of believers in Christ with the physical structures where that communion is made visible and celebrated.

This spiritual reality manifests in concrete, visible forms through Church buildings — especially the Cathedral, which represents the unity of the local Church.

The Cathedral is the bishop’s church, holding

Our working environment should reflect the human dignity of every person.

the cathedra (chair) that symbolizes his teaching authority and pastoral leadership over the flock entrusted to him by the Good Shepherd. Usually located in the heart of the diocese, the Cathedral serves as a visible sign of unity among the parishes and the faithful. It is the place where the bishop brings together the diocesan family, expressing the full richness of the Church’s unity.

Theologically, the Cathedral represents the local Church gathered around its shepherd, just as the universal Church congregates around the successor of Peter. Its architecture and liturgy clearly demonstrate what Lumen Gentium describes spiritually: the Church as a living temple. The Cathedral hosts important diocesan celebrations — such as the Chrism Mass, Confirmations, and ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate — gatherings that reaffirm communion and mission for all the People of God. This profound reality is beautifully reflected in our own Cathedral of Corpus Christi, dedicated to the Body of Christ. Its very name highlights its Eucharistic identity, reminding us that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church’s life and unity.

“Corpus Christi” captures the mystery of the Church both as the Eucharistic Body we receive and as the Mystical Body we are.

The Cathedral’s architecture, artwork, and liturgical life reveal the communion of the Church: Christ as the cornerstone, the bishop as the visible head, and the faithful as the living stones united in worship. Every Mass celebrated there — especially with the bishop presiding — renews the unity of the diocese in Christ.

Furthermore, Lumen Gentium’s depiction of the Church as a building reminds us that it is not yet complete. The Church remains a structure still under construction until it reaches perfection with Christ in glory. The Cathedral, then, is not just a monument of stone — no matter how magnificent its beauty — but a living sign of a people being built up in faith, hope, and charity.

Particularly here in Corpus Christi, the Cathedral reminds us of who we are called to be: a Eucharistic people, made of living stones, being built into a spiritual house, growing together in unity, “with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone” (Eph. 2:20–22).

As we worship within its walls, we are shaped by grace into a dwelling place of God — and we are sent out as builders of His Kingdom, continuing the work of strengthening and expanding the Body of Christ in our world.

Send your question for Fr. Libby on bioethics to stc@diocesecc.org

Fr. Richard Libby, Pastor at St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus parish in Corpus Christi, answers questions on bioethics.

SS. CYRIL & METHODIUS CATHOLIC CHRUCH

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 7841

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SS. CYRIL & METHODIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH 3210 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND DR. CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 78415 S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

27

PREPARE THE W

Reflections A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

“

O Lord, how hard it is to accept your way. You come to me as a small, powerless child born away from home. You live for me as a stranger in your own land. You die for me as a criminal outside the walls of the city, rejected by your own people, misunderstood by your friends, and feeling abandoned by your God. As I prepare to celebrate your birth, I am trying to feel loved, accepted, and at home in this world, and I am trying to overcome the feelings of alienation and separation that continue to assail me. But I wonder now if my deep sense of homelessness does not bring me closer to you than my occasional feelings of belonging. Where do I truly celebrate your birth: in a cozy

home or in an unfamiliar house, among welcoming friends or among unknown strangers, with feelings of well-being or with feelings of loneliness?

I do not have to run away from those experiences that are closest to yours. Just as you do not belong to this world, so I do not belong to this world. Every time I feel this way, I have an occasion to be grateful and to embrace you better and taste more fully your joy and peace.

Come, Lord Jesus, and be with me where I feel poorest. I trust that this is the place where you will find your manger and bring your light.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Amen.”

Henri Nouwen

LOVE OVER HATRED

“

O Child, who willed to have for your crib a manger; O Creator of the universe, who stripped yourself of divine glory; O Redeemer, who offered your vulnerable body in sacrif ice for the salvation of humanity!

May the radiance of your birth light up the night of the world. May the power of your message of love thwart the proud snares of the evil one. May the gift of your life make us understand ever more clearly the worth of the life of each human being.

Too much blood is still being shed on the earth! Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful coexistence of nations!

You come to bring us peace. You are our peace! You alone can make of us “a people purified” and belonging to you forever, a people “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14).

For to us a Child is born, to us a son is given! What an 28

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

WAY OF THE LORD

on Christmas LOVE OVER HATRED, CONTINUED unfathomable mystery is hidden in the humility of this Child!

We would like to touch him; we would like to embrace him.

You, Mary, who keep watch over your all-powerful Son, grant us your eyes to contemplate him with faith; grant us your heart to worship him with love.

In his simplicity, the Child of Bethlehem teaches us to rediscover the real meaning of our existence; he teaches us “to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world” (Titus 2:12).

O Holy Night, so long awaited, which has united God and man forever! You rekindle our hope. You fill us with ecstatic wonder. You assure us of the triumph of love over hatred, of life over death.”

St. Pope John Paul II, Midnight Mass 2003

GOD WITH US

“

The Lord comes to the world in a stable and is laid in a manger for animals, since his parents could find no room in the inn, even though the time had come for Mary to give birth. He comes among us in silence and in the dark of night, because the word of God needs no spotlights or loud human voices.

He is himself the Word that gives life its meaning; he is the Light that brightens our path. “The true light, which enlightens everyone” – the Gospel tells us – “was coming into the world” (John 1:9).

Jesus is born in our midst; he is God with us. He comes to accompany our daily lives, to share with us in all things: our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears. He comes as a helpless child. He is born in the cold night, poor among the poor. In need of everything, he knocks at the door of our heart to find warmth and shelter.

Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, surrounded by light, may we set out to see the sign that God has given us. May we overcome our spiritual drowsiness and the shallow holiday glitter that makes us forget the One whose birth we are celebrating. Let us leave behind the hue and din that deadens our hearts and makes us spend more time in preparing decorations and gifts than in contemplating the great event: the Son of God born for us.

Brothers and sisters, let us turn our eyes to Bethlehem and listen to the first faint cries of the Prince of Peace. For truly, Jesus is our peace. The peace that the world cannot give, the peace that God the Father has bestowed on humanity by sending his Son into the world.”

Pope Francis, Christmas 2022

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

29

WHAT IS THE CORRECT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH?

“Let yourself be built into a spiritual house” (1 Pet 2:5)

BY FR. BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT

Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT, is the Director of Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center and Novice Servant of the SOLT.

T

he Vatican II document on the Church, Lumen Gentium, drawing from the Old and New Testaments, offers a poetic variety of images to describe the Church: The People of God, the Mystical Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, a sheepfold, a cultivated field, and more. Among these images, the document also presents the Church as a building — a spiritual house made of living stones. This image helps us understand the significance of the Cathedral, the mother church in every diocese, and particularly in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Lumen Gentium 6 beautifully articulates this vision: “The Church is called the building of God (1 Cor 3:9). The Lord compared Himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was made into the cornerstone (Mt 21:42; cf. Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7; Ps 117:22). On this foundation the Church is built by the apostles (cf. 1 Cor 3:11) and from it the Church receives solidity and unity. This edifice has many names to describe it: the house of God in which His family dwells — the household of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19, 22); the dwelling place of God among men (Rev 21:3); and, especially, the holy temple. This temple, symbolized in places of worship built out of stone, is praised by the Fathers and, not without reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

As living stones, we here on earth are built into it (1 Pet 2:5).”

To grasp the depth of this teaching, we must remember that the Church is both divine and human, visible and invisible: holy and endowed 30

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

with spiritual gifts, yet also given a visible, organized structure. The unity and solidity of this structure rely on Christ, the cornerstone, and the harmony and fidelity of each “living stone,” the faithful. The beauty of this image lies in how it links the mystical communion of believers in Christ with the physical structures where that communion is made visible and celebrated.

This spiritual reality manifests in concrete, visible forms through Church buildings — especially the Cathedral, which represents the unity of the local Church.

The Cathedral is the bishop’s church, holding the cathedra (chair) that symbolizes his teaching authority and pastoral leadership over the flock entrusted to him by the Good Shepherd. Usually located in the heart of the diocese, the Cathedral serves as a visible sign of unity among the parishes and the faithful. It is the place where the bishop brings together the diocesan family, expressing the full richness of the Church’s unity.

Theologically, the Cathedral represents the local Church gathered around its shepherd, just as the universal Church congregates around the successor of Peter. Its architecture and liturgy clearly demonstrate what Lumen Gentium describes spiritually: the Church as a living temple. The Cathedral hosts important diocesan celebrations — such as the Chrism Mass, Confirmations, and ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate — gatherings that reaffirm communion and mission for all the People of God. This profound reality is beautifully reflected in our own Cathedral of Corpus Christi, dedicated to

Pixabay A cathedral is not just a monument of stone, but a sign of the living People of God.

the Body of Christ. Its very name highlights its Eucharistic identity, reminding us that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church’s life and unity. “Corpus Christi” captures the mystery of the Church both as the Eucharistic Body we receive and as the Mystical Body we are.

The Cathedral’s architecture, artwork, and liturgical life reveal the communion of the Church: Christ as the cornerstone, the bishop as the visible head, and the faithful as the living stones united in worship. Every Mass celebrated there — especially with the bishop presiding — renews the unity of the diocese in Christ.

Furthermore, Lumen Gentium’s depiction of the Church as a building reminds us that it is not yet complete. The Church remains a structure still under construction until it reaches perfection with Christ in glory. The Cathedral, then, is not just a monument of stone — no matter how magnificent its beauty — but a living sign of a people being built up in faith, hope, and charity.

Particularly here in Corpus Christi, the Cathedral reminds us of who we are called to be: a Eucharistic people, made of living stones, being built into a spiritual house, growing together in unity, “with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone” (Eph. 2:20–22). As we worship within its walls, we are shaped by grace into a dwelling place of God — and we are sent out as builders of His Kingdom, continuing the work of strengthening and expanding the Body of Christ in our world.

TEN PEOPLE FROM OUR DIOCESE WENT TO THE JUBILEE OF SYNODALITY GROUPS IN ROME

An experience of the universal Church

BY SUSANNE JANSSEN

A

Credit (2) Courtesy of Sr. Caritas Sparke, SOLT

Jubilee Year is special for every Catholic, but visiting Rome during one is like receiving an abundance of graces. Our Bishop Michael Mulvey and nine members of our diocese, who participated in a Synodality Course offered by the Evangelii Gaudium Center, traveled to the Eternal City. There, they met with fellow Catholics from around the world—and Pope Leo XIV. Besides the bishop, the group consisted of Chancellor Marc Cervantes and his wife, Lisa; Fr. Pete Elizardo; Blanca and Mannti Cummins; Sandra and Matt Ficenec; Maritza Rodriguez from Corpus Christi Cathedral; and Sr. Caritas Sparke, SOLT. Bishop Mulvey said it was “an experience of Church – the Body of Christ is not just Corpus Christi, but it’s extended all over the world.” Every continent was represented, and people shared how they practiced synodality in their dioceses and parishes. “Pope Leo was there, the head teacher of the faith, but humbly in the middle of others that are working hard to make the Church more united and more available for people.” It was a beautiful experience for the bishop that “the hierarchical Church is not only teaching but also listening – and the pope is an incredible listener.”

Blanca Cummins, who initially proposed going to Rome for the Jubilee, cherished every

Some members of our diocesan group at the Vatican.

32

S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

WINTER 2025

moment: “It was such a wonderful, inspiring community-building experience.” Being in the Pope Paul VI Hall at the Vatican already felt special, and she learned a lot from attending workshops on leadership and polarization: “Making space for what the other person is saying is fundamental.

We often think in the categories ‘either–or,’ but we need to move to ‘both-and.’” Conflicts can be very productive when approached this way, leading to innovative solutions: “Unity and diversity, hierarchy and participation – we don’t need to give up one for the other, but find the right balance.”

Sr. Caritas Sparke, SOLT, shared two insights: “Unity is not uniformity! And respect for every person builds community.” She emphasized having a spiritual receptivity to the person in front of her — to accept them for who they are, listen to what’s happening inside them, and be aware of what God is doing within her as well. She recalled how Pope Leo XIV explained that the first step is respect for one another: “We cannot have community if I don’t value each person in front of me for who they are.” While she initially went to Rome hoping to find inspiration for her work with the Church, it also impacted her on a personal level as a religious sister: “It can easily happen that we don’t respect each other in community life

that synodality is a spiritual renewal, “and we need a spirituality that can support that.”

During a meeting with Pope Leo, one person from each continent shared an experience and asked a question, with Pope Leo responding spontaneously. “He was so animated,” said Blanca, emphasizing that the pope highlighted the importance of relationships over processes.

On Sunday, Fr. Pete and Bishop Mulvey had the opportunity to concelebrate Mass with the pope at St. Peter’s, with our bishop ending up seated in one of the front rows. Part of the group then visited the Vatican Gardens and the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, which is now a museum. The group also toured every Holy Door in the major basilicas, praying for our diocese. “It was a spiritual renewal for me, and I think it was just what I needed at this point in my life - having God’s grace provided through a simple but very profound act,” said Bishop Mulvey.

Besides all the spiritual nourishment, the group enjoyed plenty of pizza and good food, which is part of the Italian experience.

Bishop Michael Mulvey and Fr. Pete Eliardo concelebrated Mass with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s.

because of differences. But I want to challenge myself to respect everyone: I can love my sister who has different preferences. It makes it more wholesome to love that way.”

Listening to Pope Leo in the same room was a special gift for her: “I was touched by his humility.” Another message from his homily also stayed with her: “We can’t be a Church that is afraid to go out, we have to go to places where we are uncomfortable.” We need to bring the “good news” to people with different mindsets, even if it’s challenging.

It was also a gift that the group walked with Bishop Mulvey through the holy doors: “We would walk through it and say the indulgence prayers together.”

Fr. Pete Elizardo found the gathering very enriching. Reflecting on his group sessions with Catholics from Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland, he gained a deeper understanding of what Synodality means: “A true synodal process must be inclusive for everyone. It needs to include those who felt excluded but also ensure that those who have always been included don’t feel excluded.”

Bishop Mulvey, who attended the workshop with Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, described it as a “real listening session, with a consensus: We need to stop talking about it and do it.” He also observed

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