October 2018 - Vol.53 No.9

EVERY LIFE cherished chosen sent •

•

W W W. S O U T H T E X A S C A T H O L I C . C O M • O C T O B E R 2 018

ON THE

VOL. 53 NO. 9 PUBLISHER Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD MANAGING EDITOR Mary Cottingham MCottingham@diocesecc.org THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT Ben Nguyen, JD/JCL. BNguyen@diocesecc.org

COVER

25 RESPECT

LIFE Month

Kristofer and Mara Morgan are pictured on the cover with their three children, six-year-old Josh, three-year-old Molly and six-month-old Seren. The couple teach Natural Family Planning for couples planning future families in the Diocese of Corpus Christi through the Office of Laity, Family and Life. See how the Morgan's and others throughout the diocese contribute to the sanctity of human life at all stages.

OFFICE MANAGER/ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adel Rivera ARivera@diocesecc.org CORRESPONDENTS Omar Becerra, Jennifer Branson, Luisa Buttler, Rebecca Esparza, Corinna Longoria and Liz Riggle TRANSLATOR Gloria Romero

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Keep up with the faith at www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

22 NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE Meet Kevin Branson, new executive director for Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc.

INSIDE VIDA CATÓLICA FROM THE BISHOP 4 MESSAGE 31 Be mindful of the respect, beauty and ‘Mar de Esperanza,’ una obra de amor dignity of all human life

5 Official Assignments

NATIONAL 33 Houston welcomes World Youth Day

VOCATIONS 9 Sister Rosa Ortiz, IWBS

VATICAN 36Pope Francis and the death

NEWS BRIEFS

celebrates 25 years

CATHOLIC EDUCATION 13 Eye screening helps children be their best

Cross, icon

penalty

OUR FAITH 38 ‘Precious in God’s Eyes’

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 3

MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A

disrespect for human life is at the heart of our social and cultural problems today. Our own Church is not immune. The recent scandals painfully remind us of how the continuing abuses by Church personnel have denigrated the human dignity of those entrusted to her maternal care.

October is “Respect Life Month.” It is a reminder every year that calls us to be mindful of the respect, beauty, and dignity of human life as God has ordained it to be – made in His image and likeness.

The killing of a child in the womb known as abortion is the beginning of the worse form of human abuse since it attacks and takes the life of a completely innocent and completely defenseless human child. Respect and protection of innocent life is the foundation of a society’s respect and care of life in all its subsequent stages and conditions. If life is not respected first and foremost in the womb, a respect for life is at risk in homes, schools, and society in general. The plight of the homeless, the treatment of vulnerable families, the elderly, and the disable often times is a testament to this.

Pope Francis has reminded us of the dangers of this “throw away culture” mentality, where everything, including human life, is seen in terms of convenience. He asks poignantly, “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium).

I know in our diocese there are many people who care and want to make a difference in the life of people who are most vulnerable. I ask myself what concrete steps can be taken to connect us with children and families in need in our own neighborhoods? What can break down the isolation and lack of community resources that prevent them from getting the help they really need?

Reflecting on these questions, I think about the various pro-life groups and initiatives that continue to work to eradicate abortion not just from our laws but also from our society’s mentality and to build a true culture of life. I also think of our local beautiful initiatives such as Corpus

Christi Hope House and the Gabriel Project that are saving and transforming lives. Last year alone they served 4,000 people. They feed the hungry, clothe the naked and provide a home for the homeless.

Their very existence and witness is creating a culture of life in our local society. And there are so many other agencies such Catholic Charities and other ministries doing remarkable work.

Wanting to understand how to better respond to these questions, I visited Community First! Village in Austin. This Village embraces a 27-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled and chronically homeless in Central Texas.

What impressed me is that this creative residential program exists to love and serve people who have been living on the streets for years. They are also empowering the surrounding community into a lifestyle of service with the homeless.

Another important visit for me was the time I spent with Border Patrol Officers in Falfurrias. I was grateful to meet men and women who work at the Border Patrol. While dedicated to following the law, I was impressed by their concern and willingness to see these migrants as human beings who should be treated with respect and dignity. I saw their compassion manifested by the food, water, and toys they keep in their vehicles to assist these people in need.

One of these officers shared with me that he has daughters and when he sees these children, he sees his daughters.

While we can’t address all the important issues of human dignity such as the death penalty, euthanasia, and abuse of the elderly at once, this pro-life month gives us an opportunity to reflect on the dignity of all human life. We can ask ourselves what more can we do to be Jesus’ servants to each neighbor in need?

+Most Rev. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD Bishop of Corpus Christi 4 South Texas Catholic | August/September October 2018 2018

Bishop Michael Mulvey invites you to attend a Mass in honor of human dignity, especially for those most vulnerable in our society today. Following Mass, we will pray the Holy Rosary for the santity of all human life. Come Join us a we are strenghened in faith, hope, love and courage.

Hurricane Harvey Recovery Update

The Small Business Administration (SBA) loan has been denied. FEMA can now continue with their site inspections.

All FEMA site inspections will now resume for all critical and non-critical facilities. Pre-construction meetings were held throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Diocesan personel have met with school leaders, architects, contractors and members of the Sulzer group at Ss. Cyril & Methodius School, Sacred Heart School in Rockport, St. Joseph Church in Port Aransas and St. Peter Church in Rockport/Fulton. For more information visit diocesecc.org/news/harveyprogress.

Bishop Michael Mulvey has made the following assignments: Jaime Reyna, will be released from his duties as Director of Youth Ministry and has been assigned as Director of the Office of Multicultural and Social Ministry for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

†† NEWS BRIEFS

Vigil For Life

Jaime Reyna

Rosary Fest 3-Day Mission Program and Procession

You are cordially invited to a prayerful celebration of the 2018 Rosary Fest at Our Lady of the Rosary Church located on 1123 Main Dr. in Corpus Christi. The 3-day mission is from Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 5 from 6-7:10 p.m. and their will be a rosary procession on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 5-7 p.m.

Enjoy three talks focused on "Family Life" led by Rev. Frank X. Martinez, STL. First Night Theme: "The Culture of Family Life in Todays’ Society” -Why is it so difficult to be Catholic and Christian in today’s modern world? Second Night Theme: "Family Life in Light of the Cross" -Is there really Light at the end of the tunnel?vThird Night Theme: "The Light of Christ Dispels all Darkness" –“I have come that you may have life abundantly.” (John 10:10) On Sunday celebrate your love and gratefulness to our Patron on her feast day. Rosary procession at 5 p.m., followed by a solemn Mass with Rev. Frank X. Martinez, STL. at 6 p.m. and refreshments to follow. Send in your petitions, prayer requests and donations. For more information call the parish office at (361) 241-2004.

Diocesan Day of Reflection, Living Loving In Truth

Adel Rivera, South Texas Catholic

Bishop Mulvey celebrates new school year with Mass

Seventeen Catholic schools proudly displayed their flags as they processed into Corpus Christi Cathedral at the beginning of the annual Mass celebrating the 2018-2019 school year. Exiting students, staff, parents and faculty filled the cathedral on Sept.

5 as other students, not in attendance, watched the live stream in their classrooms courtesy of the Catholic Communications Network.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi invites you to attend a day-long series of thought-provoking talks and conversations about what God wants you to know about yourself and how you were made for true freedom.

This Diocesan Day of Reflection is about the dignity of the human person. Hudson Byblow, a Catholic author and speaker featured in Ascension Press' YOU Theology of the Body Program, will speak on topics such as the natural complementarity between men and women, the beauty of chastity and how being attached to sexual or gender identity labels falls short of offering us the fullness of joy to which we are ordered. Eric Genuis, composer and world-class musician will conclude the day by offering a musical performance that will include his own reflections about how the beauty of music is a manifestation of God's love for all of us and the dignity that each one of us has as His children.

Cost is $35/person at the door and food is not guaranteed. Clergy and Consecrated Religious: No charge (but please let us know in advance so we can have food available). For more information call Heath Garcia or Nellie Serna at (361) 882-6191.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 5

†† NEWS BRIEFS

Meet Jesse De Leon, new on-air morning personality at KLUX 89.5 HD

KLUX 89.5HD recently hired a new on-air morning personality Jesse De Leon who feels right at home behind the microphone. The Harlingen native and University of Texas graduate first got on the air in 1989 at KRIX-FM and KRGE-FM in McAllen before making the move to Corpus Christi where he was on the air at KMXR-FM from 1992 until 2011. He has also written a weekly music column for the Corpus Christi Caller Times and worked in the production department at KIII-TV. During his hiatus from the airwaves, Jesse earned his master’s degree in Communication from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and went on to teach speech at Del Mar College and serve as public information officer for the City of Corpus Christi.

Happily, it has all come full circle, as his position as morning host and development director allows him to utilize everything he has learned to not only give back to his community, but to also honor God. Jesse and his fiancée Leticia Mondragon are parishioners and lectors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Jesse De Leon

De Leon says that working for KLUX and Marty Wind has been rewarding on many levels. “I spent a lot of years in radio.

I love being on the radio and interacting with listeners and I love being a part of the community as well. It’s an honor and a blessing to offer my talents for the Lord.”

Bishop Mulvey meets with Border Patrol in Falfurrias Bishop Michael Mulvey met with Border Patrol, local ranchers and members of the community in Falfurrias on Aug. 30. Standing in the Border Patrol office with Bishop Mulvey are from left, supervisory agent Lyle Gibson, patrol agent in Charge Tom Slowinski, special operations supervisor J.D. Cabral and Father Dennis Zerr, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Falfurrias.

Contributed photo

Presentation and book signing on the life of ‘Dr. Arthur Spohn: Surgeon, Inventor and Texas Medical Pioneer’ Meet authors Jane Clements Monday and Frances Brannen Vick at a presentation on their new book, "Dr. Aurthur Spohn: Surgeon Inventor and Texas Medical Pioneer." His legacies include his medical accomplishments and the hospital that bears his name. The introduction to the book is written by an internationally known surgeon Dr. Kenneth Mattox.

The dates for the presentations and public signings are Oct. 6 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

20 at 12:30 p.m. at the Kenedy Ranch Musem in Sarita and on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi.

The book will be available on Amazon Oct. 15.

†† NEWS BRIEFS

KLUX 89.5 HD receives a prestigious service award Local FM Broadcast station KLUX 89.5HD was honored by the Texas Association of Broadcasters with the Association’s 2018 Bonner McLane Public Service Award for medium markets in recognition of the station’s community service during Hurricane Harvey.

KLUX was the only Coastal Bend radio station that remained on-the-air throughout the approach and landfall of the storm, providing continuous advisories from the National Weather Service and local Emergency Management to those huddled in their homes with no power and fading cellphone batteries. Operating exclusively on its generator power for more than four and a half days, the station then supplied critical post-storm recovery information for the area.

The Bonner McLane Public Service award is given each year by the TAB to recognize outstanding public service by broadcasters who have truly operated in the public interest. A key communications tool of the Local Emergency Planning Committee and local Emergency Management, the station was recognized in 2006, and again in 2016, with the Outstanding Media Award by EMAT (Emergency Management Association of Texas) for the station’s commitment to ensuring that critical official information is disseminated to the public during local, civil, and weather emergencies.

Licensed as non-commercial, the station is highly committed to community service, broadcasting more than 40,000 public service announcements each year on behalf of the government and local not-for-profits. In 2016 the station was honored with a National “Gabriel Award” as “Station of the Year” for its service to the community and overall programming.

KLUX is an outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi and is in its 34th year of service offering a 24-hour format of easy listening music, news, public service and inspirational messages, as

well as a full slate of Catholic long-form programming on Sunday mornings.

KLUX was the first Radio Station in South Texas to implement the new digital HD standard for FM broadcast. The digital transmission also allowed the inauguration of CCN Radio and the Relevant Radio Catholic network which can be heard at 89.5-2 utilizing an HD Digital receiver.

Marty Wind, General Manager

Greg Seagrave Retires after 30 years with the diocese

Greg Seagrave retired as Fiscal Officer on Aug. 31. For over 30 years he has faithfully served the Diocese of Corpus Christi under four Bishops: Rene H. Gracida, Roberto Gonzalez, Edmond Carmody and currently Bishop Greg Seagrave Michael Mulvey. He established a strong, positive relationship between fiscal operations and all Church organizations, including parishes, schools, departments and agencies.

Seagrave is a native of Ohio and married the love of his life, Fran, in 1971. They have four children: Jill, Matt, Andy and Emily and many grandchildren. He and Fran have retired to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be close to his children and grandchildren.

Seagrave came to the Diocese of Corpus Christi in July 1988

as the auditor at Bishop Rene H. Gracida's request. At an administrative council meeting on Nov. 11, 1988, Bishop Gracida announced Seagrave would serve as the assistant fiscal officer and would be relieving Bob Batterson who was retiring on Dec. 31, 1988, at which time Seagrave would become the Fiscal officer on January 1, 1989.

Seagrave served on many boards: the national Catholic Insurance organization of the Catholic Mutual Umbrella Pool; regional diocesan organized health insurance group of Catholic Employee Benefits Group. In the parishes, he served on boards at St. Pius X and St. Andrew by the Sea. He served as treasurer of diocesan agencies: Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. and Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation, Inc. The open-door policy and friendly atmosphere in and around his chancery office made Seagrave a priceless co-worker. He will be missed.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 7

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The Diocese of Corpus Christi has selected an independent third party, The Network, to provide you with a new way to anonymously and condently report nancial abuse and fraud. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, vendors and other interested parties will be encouraged to report concerns they have regarding nancial misconduct within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. All inquiries will be treated promptly and discreetly. Callers will have the right to remain anonymous.

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Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting in the healing process for victims and survivors of abuse.

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8 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

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Sister Rosa Ortiz, IWBS celebrates 25 years

By Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher, IWBS

S Contributor

ister Rosa Maria Ortiz, Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her religious profession this year.

Born Nov. 16, 1962, Rosa Maria to Eduardo and Maria Ortiz, she was the eldest of her siblings, a sister and two brothers. When her family later moved to Orange Grove, she became a member of Saint John of the Cross Parish.

In commenting on what influenced her interest in religious life, Sister Rosa said “I was very impressed with my first-grade teacher, an Incarnate Word sister. I remember wanting to be a sister that far back when I went to St. Theresa School in Corpus Christi. Then Father Seamus McGowan, my pastor in Orange Grove, inspired me with his generous life of service and his compassionate and gentle way of being.”

With his encouragement, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Aug. 15, 1989. After a year at the Incarnate Word House of Discernment, Rosa was formally accepted into the pre-postulancy. During her time of formation, she taught music at Petty Elementary School in Taft and taught religious education at Holy Cross Church in Corpus Christi. Sister Rosa professed first vows in 1993 and made her perpetual profession of vows on June 27, 1998, at St. Joseph Church in Corpus Christi.

An act of service that changed her outlook on life was taking her students to feed the homeless in Corpus Christi. On various Saturday and Sunday mornings, Sister Rosa and volunteer parents would bring a group of Incarnate Word Academy students to the parking lot of City Hall, where volunteers with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House would serve a breakfast of coffee, eggs and tortillas to the homeless. “It makes a big difference in the lives of the students, by helping them break down the walls of prejudice.

We are called to feed the homeless, not to judge them,” she said.

"We see Jesus in the face of the homeless."

Sister Rosa also has a passion for music. When she was assigned to IWA to teach religion and band classes at the middle and secondary levels, she wanted music to be one of the paths to God for the students as it was for her. “Music is the universal language,” she said,” because it crosses all boundaries and unites hearts.” For years Sister Rosa has been choir director in her congregation, leading the choir in all the major feasts and celebrations.

When she was assigned as IWA campus minister, Sister Rosa prepared a missions team to do missionary work and then took the team and volunteer parents to impoverished areas in southwest Texas to serve those in need. They assisted the people in rebuilding and painting their homes and led them in prayer and activities in observance of Holy Week and Easter.

In July of 2015, Sister Rosa began her present ministry of Adult Faith Formation at St. Phillip the Apostle Parish in Corpus Christi. Her ministry there includes overseeing a Spanish women’s prayer group, directing the Alpha Program, assisting with funeral liturgies and grief/consolation ministry, supervising and coordinating RCIA, Bible study groups, faith sharing groups, ACTS, overseeing ACTS retreat program for men and women and instruction for adults receiving Communion and/or confirmation.

Sister Rosa is currently working toward a master’s degree in Theology with a concentration in Liturgy and a minor in Spirituality.

She enjoys studying and learning about faith and development in her relationship with Jesus and sharing this with others in ministry and with her sisters.

In her ministry within the congregation, Sister Rosa has served on commissions and committees and has participated in the General Chapters held every four years. She has also participated in the International and National Reunions of the Incarnate Word Congregations and has contributed to the music ministry during these convocations.

She has been one of the organizers of the De Matels, a group of young people who are members of the family of the Incarnate Word.

These young people seek to live out their baptismal promises and their call to be missionary disciples by actively seeking to love and serve others in the spirit of our foundress, Venerable Jeanne Chézard de Matel. Their mission is to be, to see, and to touch the living Christ in those around them, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

Activities include monthly service projects as well as spirituality and prayer events held at Incarnate Word Convent.

In her leisure time, Sister Rosa enjoys the outdoors—hiking, camping, and seeing the many faces of nature in beaches, forests, hills, mountains and at our house in Sarita. She also likes reading, sharing life experiences with her congregation of sisters, family, and friends.

Sister Rosa strives to live according to these words of our foundress: “The intense fire that is burning within you is the divine Word living in you. Through this union with you, the Word has been made flesh.”

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 9

†† VOCATIONS

Fourteen of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Corpus Christi are pictured in the back row, from left, are Sister Joemary Kallarackal, Sister Clerin Kodianthara, Sister Ann Annjose and Sister Jancy George. Sisters in the third row, from left, are Sister Kochuthressia Moolan, Sister Alphonse Kalapurackal and Sister Vimala Pallikizhakethil.

Sisters in the second row are Sister Rency Moonjely, Sister Treasa Pannattuparamban, Sister Sibi Varghese and Sister Elizabeth Pathiparambil.

Sisters in the first row are Sister Rosalia Aricatt, Sister Rose Paul Madassery and Sister Merlin Poothavelil.

Not pictured are Sister Elsit Kollamparambil and Sister Merly Michael.

Sisters Corner

Contributed photo

Zeal to share Eucharistic love brings sisters to Corpus Christi

By Sister Rosalia Aricatt, SABS

T

Contributor

he Congregation of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) was officially founded on Dec. 8, 1908, by Bishop Thomas Kurialacherry in Kerala, India.

Thomas was born into a traditional Catholic family and he was a very pious boy. He entered into seminary to become a priest to serve the Lord.

The long hours spent before the Blessed Sacrament in the Perpetual Adoration chapels instilled in him a deep personal relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist and an ardent desire that the Holy Eucharist be known, loved and adored by all, always and everywhere.

He wanted to bring all the people to the true faith and adoration which he considered would bring victory over the ignorance, faithlessness and adultery prevailing in his homeland Kerala and throughout India. While a seminarian in Rome, he dreamed that a group of sisters were adoring the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in his homeland.

10 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

The dream became a strong desire which gave him the impetus to found the Congregation for women to adore the Blessed Sacrament regularly (day and night), like angels before the Heavenly Throne.

What had once been a dream, became a mustard seed– planted in the minds of a group of women, which sprouted and flourished, as members grew in spirit and strength under the guidance of their patron, Bishop Kurialacherry.

At the time of his death in 1925, the congregation had nine convents, seventy-three professed sisters, sixty-one novices and thirty-five aspirants. Later the congregation was nurtured and faithfully guided by his successor, Bishop Thomas Kurialacherry. The first perpetual Adoration chapel was blessed on Oct. 2, 1935, at Vazhappally in Changanacherry.

From early on the sisters were filled with missionary zeal. The congregation functioned as independent units in different dioceses in Kerala following the same rule that the

†† VOCATIONS

founder gave. The unification efforts started in 1954 and became a reality on Sept. 15, 1963. The Church officially accepted the constitution of the congregation and raised her to pontifical status on Feb. 11, 1968.

Now we have 11 provinces in Kerala and 7 mission provinces outside Kerala in India. The fruitful missionary activities in India inspired us to venture into the whole world to make known the compassionate love of the Eucharistic Lord. We have missionaries in Germany, Italy, USA, Switzerland, England, Nepal and in East Africa. In 2016 the mission region in East Africa became a province with 89 sisters in 22 convents distributed in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

In 2000 we had our first convent in Corpus Christi under Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody. It was an absolute blessing that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation comes to a place which is named after the body of Christ.

Our charism is the devotion to the Holy Eucharist; the core of this devotion is a deep personal attachment to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Living with the motto, “Love, Sacrifice and Service.”

In Corpus Christi, there are currently 16 sisters in four houses, who minister at the Mother Teresa Shelter Day Shelter, CHRISTUS Spohn-Shoreline and St. John Paul II High School. Our day starts with adoration for an hour.

Wherever we live or work, we are privileged to have one

hour of exposed adoration every day. On the first Saturday, we conduct one full day of devotion in CHRISTUS Spohn-Shoreline chapel and on the third Saturday all four houses considered to be one unit, conduct night adoration from 8 p.m.-4 a.m.

The zeal to share Eucharistic love urges us to go for mission work in any part of the world. We manifest our Eucharistic life in the context of the Church’s teaching, Eastern spirituality, and elements of Indian culture compatible with Catholic doctrine. We are very delighted to say that we had the opportunity to open convents in South America in 2016. Our new convents opened in Brazil and Ecuador and Ireland.

Community life is critical in our congregation. It is the founders request that even if there are two sisters they have to do all the activities of community life. Word of God, devotion to Holy Eucharist, constitution and statutes help the members to grow deeply in the charism of our congregation.

Today about 5,000 SABS from 19 provinces witness and transmit the Eucharistic Love throughout the world drawing everyone to the Holy Eucharist. To make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament known, loved and adored, we are engaged in different apostolic activities like education, healing, social and family apostolates.

(Sisters Treasa Pannattuparamban, SABS and Jancy George, SABS contributed to this article.)

CCCC BBBBBBBB MMMMMM PPPPPP GGGGGG of the

Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL, DD presiding

Wednesday October 24, 2018 6:00 pm OOO LLLL CCCCCC CCCCCCC 1200 Lantana Street - Corpus Christi, Texas ourladyofcorpuschristi.org

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 11

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†† CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Eye screening helps children be their best

By Carolina Nisimblat

F Contributor

or Esmerelda Hernandez, a parent whose child attends St. Joseph School in Alice, back to school season is a busy time of year. Sometimes the checklist of things to do can be daunting. What she and other parents in Catholic schools don’t have to worry about is getting their children’s eyes checked. Thanks to the

schools and Alice Pediatric Clinic those tests are done at the beginning of every school year.

This year Alice Pediatric Clinic provided vision screening for 325 students attending St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph Elementary Schools on Aug. 14 and 15.

“As parents and adults, I think we might take for granted, our kids are young, and

we forget those vision problems do exist in young children. So, I feel very fortunate and grateful for our schools and Alice Pediatric Clinic who make these screenings possible,” Hernandez said. “This is just one more way our community pulls together to ensure that our children are given every possible resource to be their very best.”

"Vision Screening for our children is on

Nurse Rosie Abrigo from Alice Pediatric Clinic uses an automated handheld photo-refractor referred to as a spot vision screener to check the eyes of fifth grader Brody Garcia from St. Elizabeth School.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 13

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Nurse Practitioner Ramona Garcia from Alice Pediatric Clinic, performs an eye test on first grader Lia Rico from St. Joseph School.

Carolina Nisimblat for South Texas Catholic

top of our back to school list," principal of St. Elizabeth, Patricia Garcia, said. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s exactly what we are pursuing with our children’s eye health.”

Members of the staff from Alice Pediatric Clinic, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Sam Carrell, Nurse Practitioner Ramona Garcia

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and Nurse Rosie Abrigo, LVN use an automated handheld photo-refractor referred to as a spot vision screener. A child merely looks at the device for approximately two seconds, and a computerized vision report is obtained.

Children were also screened using the HOTV eye chart, and the Sloan Letter wall chart, cover/ uncover testing and Hirschberg corneal light reflex.

"About a quarter of all school-aged children have a significant vision problem," Dr. Erik Nisimblat, MD FAAP from Alice Pediatric Clinic, said. “Left untreated, eye conditions can create far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.”

A child must see to read,” Dr. Nisimblat said. “Any abnormal results are relayed to the child’s parent or guardian so that they may schedule an appointment with their primary physician and optometrist or ophthalmologist.

This special gift of time, resources, and expertise that Alice Pediatrics and others have shared with Catholic school communities provides a vision screening service above and beyond the capabilities of a standard screening.

At St. Elizabeth School “we try to make sure the whole person is cared for," said Father Pedro Elizardo, pastor at St. Joseph Church in Alice. The staff at Alice Pediatric Clinic offers that extra service at no charge to us. They come from the perspective of wanting to make sure the kids have the ability to see, which brings them the benefit of knowing."

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Parents and children learn new skills at Catholic Charities PAT program

By Mary Cottingham

A

South Texas Catholic

bigail Alaniz says she has learned more about her own children, Zuri and Izel, by going through the Parents As Teachers (PAT) program offered by Catholic Charities Family Outreach. Alaniz joined several other parents and children to learn skills while playing at the PAT Group Connector on Aug. 22.

Parent educators Jennifer Galvan and Valerie Montemayor arranged fun games and crafts for children up to five-years-old in Catholic Charities cafeteria and courtyard.

“Group Connections are designed to offer opportunities for parents/caregivers and children to come together to participate in a variety of hands-on learning activities. Also, parents are given the opportunity to connect with other families,” said Angie Garcia, director of Community Wellness and Family Outreach and the PAT program.

Parent Educator Jennifer Galvan said that children are using their thinking skills by playing. “They’re having to put a picture together and they are working on their fine motor skills which are super important for preschool age children. They are interacting with their parents and working on social and emotional development as well,” she said. “Parents often say oh my gosh I never thought of doing that.”

“I love this program. We really invest a lot of time and energy and most of all our heart to helping families,” Garcia said. Many of the families that utilize this service are dealing with some challenges in their lives. Some of the families have multiple children with developmental problems.

"We can’t help but get connected when we’re helping them.

We teach them to have a circle of support–so when you have these things that you really need to do and you can’t bring your child with you, then we help them problem solve. Who is in your circle of support? Who can take care of your children while you come and learn?” Garcia said.

"It is part of the job of a parent educator to work with families and connect them to resources, whether it’s connecting them back to the services we offer here at Catholic Charities or if it’s connecting them to another community resource," Garcia said.

“They get a lot when they join Parents as Teachers."

Parent educators get a week of training and hundreds of hours of experience in home visiting and they get the full weight and support of Catholic Charities.

PAT members can have as frequent as one visit a week, meet biweekly or once a month and another week could be a home

Hope Armijo learns eye-hand coordination at Parents As Teachers Group Connector class on Aug. 22.

Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic

visit. Visits are tailored around the family needs and the parent gets to decide on what they want to focus the home visit on.

PAT provides home visits, screening for children’s hearing and vision, Group Connectors parent/child workshops and educators will help locate other resources in the community if a child has special needs.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 15

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‘Sea of Hope,’ labor of love

By Mary Cottingham

S

South Texas Catholic

upporters gasped and smiled as they unveiled the “Sea of Hope” mural on Aug. 18 at The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth. The 76-foot-wide, 14-foot-high painting, revealed underwater sea life, including various plant life, corals, snails, crabs, octopuses, and a colorful array of fish right out of Walt Disney’s “Finding Nemo.” The mural includes a blowfish, starfish, a whale, dolphins, a turtle, sea horses, stingrays and a shrimp waving to the viewer on top of a yellow submarine.

The creation of the “Sea of Hope” mural was the brainchild of Luz Cubano, who 16 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

along with the help of a handful of volunteers completed the project in two months.

According to Cubano, painting the “Sea of Hope” gave her the incredible opportunity to help the children at The Ark, “forget for a moment that they’ve led the ultimate reality.”

“I want to recognize the entire personnel of The Ark for their incredible patience during these two months. I dedicate ‘Sea of Hope’ with all my heart and love to all the kids who are my real inspiration and to Harold, my brother, who is my guardian angel in heaven,” Luz Cubano said. “God bless you and God bless The Ark.” Others who helped with the project

included her husband Dr. Miguel Cubano, her brother and sister-in-law, Herly de Leon and Carolina Bonet, Jeanne Pasch, Kim and Allison Humpal.

The Cubano’s attend Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel on Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and found out about The Ark through her husband’s work. Last December Dr. Cubano, Commander of the Naval Health Clinic at NAS Corpus Chrsti, chose children from the Ark for gift giving. “About 20 of us delivered the gifts, including my wife,” Dr. Cubano said.

Luz Cubano was so taken with the children and with The Ark president, Sister Milagros Tormo, a sister with the

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Luz Cubano and husband Dr. Miguel Cubano (seated in the center) and supporters of The Ark are pictured in front of the mural, "Sea of Hope" after the unveiling on Aug. 18.

David Mendez for South Texas Catholic

congregation of Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph that she insisted on volunteering. Sister Milagros explained that the background checks to care for the little ones would take months, but –she went on to say, “I have always dreamed of a mural like the one painted in the children’s hospital.” Cubano, who had only been painting as a hobby for a couple of years, decided to bravely tackle the mural.

After watching several YouTube videos, she began creating paper molds for her sea life. Her helpers created the canvas by painting the primer on one entire side of the room and then after Luz Cubano painted the translucent blue sea, Dr. Cubano added white paint inside the

molds of every creature his wife would paint.

Before the unveiling, longtime chairperson of The Ark, Rene Esquivel said, “Luz Cubano your mural will bring enjoyment, tranquility, and a sense of security that will benefit our children for years to come. Who knows, one day you’re going to turn around, and you’re going to have a child smile at you, and that’s going to be God’s way of telling you that your gift is providing positive and emotional support for children.”

According to Delma Trejo, executive director/administrator of The Ark the making of the mural has been “awesome for the kids,” because she’d [Luz Cubano]

be working during the day and then the kids would come by in the evenings and ask, “where is the shark?” Trejo said that after much prodding the shark was added.

“We are known as the baby shelter in the state of Texas. Basically, that’s all we’ve been taking recently. We get children from Dallas, Houston, Eagle Pass, San Antonio all over the state of Texas and our goal is to keep them here, protect them and give them anything they need,” Trejo said.

For more information about donating gift cards or volunteering, contact The Ark Assessment Center & Emergency Shelter for Youth at (361) 241-6566 or visit www.ark4kids.com.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 17

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Love for the Little Children: Delma Trejo with The Ark

By Rebecca Esparza

D Correspondent

elma Trejo believes the children of today will become leaders of the future.

It’s her love and compassion for children displaced from their homes that have fueled Trejo’s dedication to the Ark Assessment Center & Emergency Shelter for Youth since 1999.

“I want these children to always remember their stay here with fondness for the love we gave them. I want them to remember somebody cared,” said Trejo, The Ark’s Executive Director.

“Someday these children will be taking care of me. Someday these children will become our legislators making laws that impact us or doctors caring for our health.”

The Ark is an emergency shelter for children as young as one day old up to 17 years. It began as a project of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Diocese of Corpus Christi donated five acres of land to build the shelter and in 1997 The Ark became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Today, The Ark is no longer affiliated with the Diocese of Corpus Christi and relies on private donations, state funding and grant opportunities. Currently, the children residing at The Ark are between the ages of a few days and 5 years.

“We simply don’t have enough foster homes to care for smaller children. But the bigger issue is so many children have multiple siblings and we always try to keep siblings together,” Trejo said. “Since most people work, if they foster or adopt an infant, they would need daycare, which is an added expense and prevents our smaller children from finding homes.”

The Ark is the only facility within an 80-mile radius of Corpus Christi that is certified by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to provide emergency 18 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

Delma Trejo, Director of The Ark

shelter and assessment services for children who have been physically abused, sexually abused or neglected by parents or guardians. Trejo added cities from across Texas transport children to her facility all the time.

Some of the children have never owned brand new shoes or clothes, which is why The Ark buys each child new shoes and clothes as soon as they arrive.

“I recall one instance where a child was leaving us to be placed in a foster home.

He started to take his shoes off and hand them back to us because, at his old foster home, the shoes they gave him were considered their property. We had to tell him the shoes we purchased for him were his to keep. He was thrilled,” she recalled. “I told him: ‘These belong to you, you hold onto them. They are yours to keep.’”

Although the local community has shown its generosity by donating used clothing, Trejo said the children at The Ark are purchased clothing of their own. And many times, local schools the children attend, require special clothing like spirit shirts and shirts supporting colleges and universities, which are oftentimes quite expensive.

“If anyone would like to donate something for our children, we could always use

gift cards, such as clothing or grocery store gift cards. Our weekly grocery bill averages $1,000, so those, in particular, would be a huge help,” she said.

Trejo added when some children first arrive at The Ark, they can’t stop eating, because food was not readily available at their homes. At The Ark, the children eat three meals a day, along with snacks.

“Many times, we have to reassure them there will be another meal soon,” she added.

Trejo was born in San Diego, Texas but also spent some of her childhood in Alice.

She was raised on a ranch and recalls with great fondness waking up at 4 a.m. to help her father work the fields.

“I was probably ten years old, but it meant the world for me to spend this time with my dad. I’d sit there and drink coffee with him and everything,” she chuckled.

A percussionist in her school’s band, Trejo recalls growing up in a home filled with love.

Her parents always made sure she and her three siblings always received a new outfit for the first day of school.

Upon graduating from high school, Trejo received an associate degree in Police Science from Del Mar College and a BA in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

She worked at a security company and the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department before joining Catholic Social Services.

By this time, Trejo, Sister Milagros Tormo, MJMJ and the late Rev. Monsignor Robert E. Freeman began to investigate what it would take to open an emergency shelter for the Corpus Christi area. By December 1999, The Ark received its first state license.

For Trejo, it’s all about the love and safety of the children experiencing the most difficult time of their young lives.

“The best part of my job is seeing the children laugh and play without a care in the world. At The Ark, children have a chance to forget the trauma they have experienced and just enjoy being a child.”

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Theology of the Body, Humanae Vitae

By Corinna Longoria

F

Correspondent

ifty-eight years after the introduction of the birth control pill, society is still reeling from its effects, including divorce, infidelity, and the general breakdown of the family.

These problems were dramatically prophesied by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical letter, “Humanae Vitae” (Latin: Of Human Life), published in 1968.

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the movie Sexual Revolution: “50 Years Since Humanae Vitae,” examines the effects of the free-love experiment of the hippie generation and the prophecies outlined by Pope Paul VI. At the center of the documentary is singer Alana Newman, who was conceived through artificial insemination.

Newman recalls learning from her mother that her father was a sperm donor from a clinic. No records were available about him, especially after the clinic closed down.

However, Newman’s mother was able to tell her that her father was Catholic and of Polish descent.

“I tried to find out everything I could about being Polish and Catholic,” Newman states in the documentary. “At that time the leader of the church was a Polish Catholic named John Paul II.” Newman recounted that she came to identify with the Pope as her own father figure. Through her desperate search for her identity, she discovered the Theology of the Body and Humanae Vitae and came to a deeper understanding of her own self which led to her own conversion.

The Office of Laity, Family and Life for the Diocese of Corpus Christi recently sponsored several showings of this movie on South

Texas college campuses. According to the movie’s website, the documentary examines the history of the parallel developments of the Pill and modern Natural Family Planning by telling the little-known story of the founding doctors – Dr. Gregory Goodwin Pincus and Drs. John and Evelyn Billings – all of whom were once colleagues.

While Pincus continued his studies on contraceptive medication, the Billings went their separate ways. They found that they were morally opposed to medical contraception and went on to discover the Billings Method of Natural Family Planning, which is more closely aligned with the teachings of the Church.

Beth Nguyen, director of Laity and Family Life for the diocese, said that Natural Family Planning is a subject that is near and dear to her heart.

“Growing up I saw families around me with instability,” she said. “My parents and my husband’s parents stood firm during the turbulent time of the 1960’s and 70’s.”

Nguyen said that Natural Family Planning was a way of life for her family, and she would love for it to be part of more families in the south Texas diocese. Her office is currently recruiting teachers for teaching the Billings method to women and men interested in taking control of their bodies and their fertility.

Beeville resident Cristela Flores, a member of St. Joseph’s Church, watched the movie at Coastal Bend College Newman Center.

“It changed my opinion about the Free Love Generation and how those ideas were irresponsible,” she said. “I felt terrible for the woman in the documentary because she never knew her father.”

Flores said that showing the movie on the college campuses is October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 19

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Beth Nguyen, diocesan director of the Office Of Laity and Family Life, speaks to a group at the Coastal Bend College Newman Center recently.

Corinna Longoria for South Texas Catholic

cherished

chosen

a great choice because it discusses aspects of the pill that are not widely known.

“When the film talked about all the side effects of being on the pill I was reminded of my own experience of being on the pill – nausea and high blood pressure. I got off of it because of high blood pressure problems,” Flores said. “I feel that the film gives us a vivid perspective. Also, I liked how it showed how the ‘frontrunners’ of medicinal birth control weren’t so noble.”

Nguyen explained that campuses were chosen to screen the movie because the diocese wanted to offer this opportunity to the college-age young adults first.

“That’s the time in life when they’re considering all the possibilities of choices they could make on their own,” she said.

“Many parents consider sexual activity during the college years an inevitability, so they make sure their daughters are armed with contraceptives.

“What they don’t realize is that sexual

activity outside of marriage has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond an unplanned pregnancy. There are psychological, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual effects that many young people and their parents don’t often consider because they are so concerned about what our society has taught them...that sex is a natural urge that cannot be controlled and that babies are burdens,” she continued. “I think college students are at a time in their lives when they are willing to challenge the common narratives of our day.”

Nguyen said that about 60 people total came to the screenings. Her office is planning to purchase a copy of the DVD when it’s released, and she encourages parishes to invest in a copy as well.

“It’s really great information for all of us to have at the ready when questions about sexual morality arise,” she said.

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Celebration For Life featured abortion survivor and pro-life activist

By Rebecca Esparza

M Correspondent

elissa Ohden survived the unthinkable.

Her mother underwent a saline-infusion abortion that was supposed to end Ohden’s life. The abortion failed and Ohden was born in 1977, weighing just 2 pounds, 14 ounces. Doctors would later learn Ohden’s mother was actually seven months along in her pregnancy, not the five estimated previously. Although she was given little chance to survive, today Ohden is a world-renowned speaker, author and pro-life activist.

Ohden was the honored guest speaker at the 29th Annual Celebration For Life, a fundraising dinner to support the life-saving ministries of the Corpus Christi Hope House and the Gabriel Project.

“The story of my life was meant to be short...just another life ended by abortion,” Ohden told a crowd of several hundred last month. “But God had another plan for me. Not only was it to give me the gift of life, but to share my story with the world in the hopes it gives Him glory and restores a culture of life to our society.”

The audience was visibly moved by her testimony, as Ohden shared her experiences with meeting her birth mother, missing the opportunity to meet her birth father and eventually learning it was Ohden’s own grandmother who forced her birth mother to proceed with the abortion that almost ended her life.

It was also her grandmother who wanted nurses to leave Ohden to die when the saline abortion failed and she was born clinging to life. Nurses would defy her grandmother’s orders and Ohden was rushed into the neonatal intensive care unit after her birth for life saving treatment.

“We live in a society that often wants to talk about abortion as a choice and a woman’s right, but when you peel back those words, listen to women’s experiences and read the statistics, what you often find is few women have a choice,” Ohden said. “The Elliot Institute reports that 64% of women identified being coerced into their abortion. Just one of the reasons why it is so important places like the Corpus Christi Hope House exists; so women can have true choices, support and resources.”

For Ohden, her story is not only one about the sanctity of life,

Melissa Ohden, left, who was the honored guest speaker at the 29th Annual Celebration For Life meets with Bishop Michael Mulvey on Sept. 6.

Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

but also about the power of forgiveness. She enumerated several times throughout her hour-long talk about forgiving everyone involved in her failed abortion, including her grandmother.

“My story is one about love and forgiveness. I truly believe it is the grace of God that has allowed me to love and forgive,” Ohden said. “I believe forgiveness is not a one time event. We have to forgive time and time again. If you are struggling with the ability to forgive, pray to God for the Grace.”

The Gabriel Project provides assistance to needy pregnant women, single mothers and their children throughout South Texas.

The Hope House assists women and their dependent children in need, serving as a refuge for women escaping domestic violence, homelessness or addiction. If you are a woman facing a crisis pregnancy or would like to donate in support of women who are pregnant with no place to turn, visit cchope.org/gabriel-project.

"I've heard many talks associated with pro life and abortion but perhaps this was the most inspiring one," Tim Legamaro said. "Not only was it about God’s grace and mercy through the saving of Melissa’s life, but it was also one of great love and forgiveness. I was inspired that she has taken a situation so horrible and able to turn it into a story of great healing. Her story of healing and forgiveness was an example that through God all things are indeed possible." Tim and his wife Cyndy Legamaro are the primary benefactors of the St. Gianna Molla Home, the latest addition to the Corpus Christi Hope House.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 21

✝ NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

22 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

P

South Texas Catholic

rayer, discernment, service and being open to doing God’s will are what led Kevin Branson, new executive director of Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. and Mother Teresa Day Shelter to Corpus Christi.

For the past two months, he has hit the ground running. From early June, when he learned he was to be hired to July 23, his first day at Catholic Charities, he, his wife Jennifer and dog George moved from West Michigan to the sweltering heat of south Texas; he’s had press releases, interviews, and a “Meet and Greet.” He is also charged with the oversight of twelve departments and more than a million dollars received through Catholic Charities USA.* He is on fire for the Mother Teresa Day Shelter, which he said, “is like a triage for people who are experiencing homelessness.” Branson believes that as followers of Christ we are to help the least among us.

He doesn’t judge why people are homeless. Branson believes there are probably a variety of factors that contribute to homelessness. “It’s not a one size fits all answer. It could be the result of mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction or a trauma situation. Our focus now will be that they are here,” he said.

“If we claim to be followers of Christ we must take care of the least among us. We have to help everyone–because we are Catholic."

Branson is no slouch either. He speaks fluent Spanish and has served the Church in various capacities including as the Director of Ministry Personnel, Director of the Executive Office, Counsel to the Administrator/Bishop and Vice-Chancellor for the Diocese of Marquette in Michigan as well as the Human Resources Director for the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

He also served as the co-founder/President/CEO of a Catholic non-profit corporation focused on evangelization, as a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) instructor and as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for a pro-life pregnancy resource center.

His professional background includes service as a U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Officer, as well as working as a practicing attorney. During his time as a Surface Warfare Officer, he served primarily on amphibious warfare ships in deck and operations positions, in addition to leading a training school and serving as a Summary Court Martial Officer and a non-lawyer Command Legal Officer as part of his collateral duties.

Later as a practicing attorney, he owned and operated a solo law office where his practice areas included criminal defense, abuse and neglect, juvenile law and general civil.

Branson has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a dual minor in Spanish for Business and Military Science from Eastern Michigan University as well as a Juris Doctor degree from Regent University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan.

Kevin and his wife Jennifer are both Michigan natives and are truly honored to now be Corpus Christians. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys knitting, reading, and cooking, while Kevin enjoys running, golfing and watching the Detroit Lions.

“We are very excited that Kevin answered the call to serve the people of South Texas through the important works of Catholic Charities,” Sammie Grunwald President of the Board said. “Everyone looks forward to working with him and expanding our reach through his visionary leadership.”

Catholic Charities is a multi-program, private, nonprofit social service agency serving the counties of Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio.

The agency’s programs provide services to persons of diverse racial and ethnic characteristics, experiences, occupations and income. Programs focus on assisting with and preventing homelessness and hunger as well as providing services relating to immigration, fair housing, family outreach, and the disabled.

Catholic Charities was awarded a long-term disaster recovery grant * Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. (CCCC) was awarded a long-term disaster recovery grant of $1,020,000 by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) from funds received through the second collection offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). CCCC is a member of CCUSA, the official domestic disaster relief and response organization of the Catholic Church. The funds will be used to meet the local community’s ongoing recovery needs following Hurricane Harvey, including items such as family and individual counseling, spiritual care, supplies for home repair and educational workshops related to self-sufficiency areas like home buying, credit restoration, financial literacy, improving job skills, etc.

Assistance is given on a case-by-case basis. One needs to apply and work with the grant’s full-time case manager to determine eligibility and need. To do this call (361) 884-0651 and ask for the Humanitarian Assistance office to make an appointment with the case manager.

Clients are only seen by appointment.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 23

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

Meet Kevin Branson, new executive director of Catholic Charities

†† PRO-LIFE

Couple shares their experience with NFP

By Luisa Buttler

K Correspondent

ristofer and Mara Morgan, parishioners of St. Theresa Church in Corpus Christi, were teenagers when they married in 2011. The couple, secure in their love for each other, and devout in their faith, always knew they wanted to have children and were guided by a family member to consider a natural, spiritually-led, method for planning their future family.

“At the time we were engaged, my father was a deacon and director of family life at St. Theresa, so he encouraged us to look into different natural family planning methods to figure out which one was best for us,” Mara said.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is described by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a term for specific methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. The plans are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

Countless faith-based websites discuss NFP, but in the Morgan’s search for local resources, they came up with few options.

“We kind of had to figure it out Kristofer and Mara Morgan teach Natural Family Planning for couples planning future families.

Charles A. Sauceda for South Texas Catholic

24 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

on our own,” Kristofer said. “We had guidance and support from our families, but nobody to talk to who was actually using any natural family planning methods.”

There are four major methods of NFP, and after some research, the Morgan’s decided the Billings Ovulation Method was the right method for them. It relies on the daily charting of a woman’s cervical mucus pattern to indicate days of fertility.

The Billings Ovulation Method, when used

correctly, has up to a 99.5 percent rate of preventing pregnancy, which makes it as effective as the pill and more effective than IUDs, condoms, and diaphragms.

“Fertility charting can seem like it’s a lot of work, but it’s actually pretty simple once you get into the routine,” Kristofer said. “It’s just like when you decide to add more prayer to your life, it could be pretty tough at first, but eventually when you get into the routine, you realize it only takes a

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couple seconds out of your day.”

They were pregnant with their son, Josh, only two months after they were married. After Josh was born, the new parents continued growing in their faith and volunteered with their parish, including assisting with Pre-Cana marriage seminars. The couple helped with tasks like printing out papers for guest speakers, setting up tables, and general duties to keep the seminars running smoothly.

One day, because of their involvement with Pre-Cana, they got a call to help hand out NFP pamphlets at different local churches, and it was during that time the couple heard about a need for local NFP teachers.

“I never knew a ‘regular’ person could sign up and learn to become a teacher, so when I heard that, I was immediately interested,” Mara said.

It was November 2013 when the couple answered the call to become Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) certified instructors, and they attended a vigorous three-day training, followed by a challenging exam. Once the couple passed their exam, they went through a one-year supervised practicum where an experienced NFP teacher monitored their progress, and finally, once the couple was trained to work on their own, they took another test to become BOMA-USA certified. At the time, they were the youngest couple ever to be BOMA certified.

The couple now teaches one group class a month for the Diocese of Corpus Christi and spends more than 20 hours a month in one-on-one consultation with local couples.

“We have found from teaching NFP, from sharing this portion of our marriage, we are filled with grace,” Kristofer said. “The time and effort we spend on the meetings is a sacrifice for our family, but we leave the meetings feeling closer to one another and we know we are helping bring the couples closer to what the Church has intended for their marriage.”

It’s undeniably true that most methods of tracking fertility depend heavily on the woman’s cycle, but the couple encourages both husband and wife to take an active role in the process.

“It’s empowering for a woman to understand their fertility,” Mara said, “and it’s not just good for the woman, but for the couple because it opens up that line of communication. Charting fertility is not going to be a cure-all for all of life’s problems, but some studies show that the rate of couples who stay married goes up if they are using NFP.” The Morgan’s say they have grown stronger in their faith and marriage thanks to NFP. “It has taught us that chastity isn’t just before marriage, but during marriage too,” Mara said. “It’s helped us grow in our appreciation for each other and to look at our marriage as a sacrament and each other as more than ‘roommates.’ My husband is a gift to me, and I’m a gift to him, and in marriage, we fully give ourselves to each other.”

NFP has also taught them a new respect for life.

“Respecting life is more than just being anti-abortion, it applies to every stage in an individual’s life,” Kristofer said. “Respecting life is recognizing people as children of God, as the person they are, both body and soul, instead of just a body.”

The Morgan’s encourage all couples, not just those who are Catholic, to consider natural family planning as a viable way to take charge of their fertility.

“You are not risking stroke or blood clots or depression like with birth control pills, you are just paying attention to what your body is doing,” Mara said.

The couple says, for those with faith, NFP fits into the call from Genesis to not only procreate and fill the Earth but to do so responsibly and with respect for life.

“The Billings Method recognizes conception as the beginning of life,” Mara said. “Using the method, you're not blocking fertility in any way, and you’re not blocking life. You are trusting your body to work the way God designed it.”

Kristofer is now 26 years old and works at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi as a resource coordinator for the disaster case management program. Mara is 25, and a stay-at-home mom to Josh, six-years-old, Molly, three-years-old, and Seren, six months.

The couple is open to having more children and to grow their family through adoption.

While the Morgan’s will continue teaching monthly NFP classes to any interested couple of reproductive age, they are also excited about an opportunity to welcome new NFP teachers into the fold with a teacher training session scheduled for Jan. 18-20, 2019 at PAX Christi Liturgical Center. Couples, singles, those in the healthcare profession and anyone interested in dedicating time to teaching the Billings Ovulation Method are welcome to sign up.

For more information on the training session call Beth Nguyen at (361) 882-6191 or email enguyen@diocesecc.org.

We are called to be messengers of God’s love, treating one another as cherished and chosen by Him. In doing so, we help build a culture that respects all human life. Every person is sent.

Like St. Juan Diego, let us embrace our daily mission to help others encounter God’s transforming, life-giving love.

Oct. 6-7

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 25

†† PRO-LIFE

Volunteers needed for prison ministry

By Rebecca Esparza

I

Correspondent

f there’s one thing Deacon Rogelio Rosenbaum wants people to know about the Prison Ministry, it’s that everyone has made bad decisions in their lifetime.

“Prisoners have made some bad choices and are paying for their sins, but they are still human beings. They should still be treated with dignity,” he said. “I’ve had people tell me we should lock prisoners up and throw away the key or I’ve heard people refer to prisoners as animals. Prisoners are the people who need us the most. These are the souls we need to save.”

Deacon Rosenbaum, who is based at Our Lady of Victory in Beeville and is the coordinator of the diocese’s prison ministry, said with so many prisons in South Texas, the need is great for more volunteers.

“We have four prisons in Beeville alone,” he said. “And there are others in San Diego, Three Rivers and then every county in the Diocese of Corpus Christi has a jail. There is a lot of ground to cover and not enough people to properly minister to everyone.”

Recently, the diocese held an open house event to encourage parishioners across South Texas to consider the prison ministry as a possible volunteer Deacon Roger opportunity.

Rosenbaum “Some of the prisoners we’ve encountered during our ministry actually wrote letters to prospective volunteers to let them know what a huge impact their volunteering meant to them,” noted Jaime Reyna, diocesan director of the new Office of Multicultural and Social Ministry.

26 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

“Through these letters, inmates are sharing they almost lost their faith had it not been for volunteers that go into the prison to give them hope,” Reyna said.

Not only is Mass said at most prisons, but religious education classes are also held, as well. Volunteers are needed to serve communion, teach classes, pray with prisoners or lead a Bible study group.

“We also hold three-day retreats in prison,” added Deacon Rosenbaum. “Those require a lot of coordination, but we have volunteers who travel from Houston, San Antonio and Fredericksburg just to volunteer with the retreat.”

Deacon Rosenbaum knows firsthand how tough prison life can be for inmates. He worked in law enforcement for 25 years, including 11 years as a correctional officer inside one of the Beeville prisons.

“Most of these prisoners are seeking a better way of life. And for those who are still lost, the ministry we provide changes hardened hearts. We even have some former prisoners come back to serve and share their testimony for current prisoners,” said Deacon Rosenbaum.

He stressed that if anyone has reservations or questions about possibly joining the prison ministry, they are welcomed to come to take a look for themselves.

“I invite anyone interested to see for yourself. The most interesting part about this ministry is celebrating Mass inside a prison: to listen to the joyful choir and hear the responses from the congregation. You have to experience the enthusiasm prisoners have for Mass in person. It’s beautiful and overwhelming at the same time,” Deacon Rosenbaum added.

To schedule a personal visit with Deacon Rosenbaum about the prison ministry, call (361) 542-9336 or email roger.rosenbaum@yahoo.com.

†† PRO-LIFE

From left, Stephanie Hatridge, Kathleen Huffmeyer, Martha Southernwood, Francette Meaney, Sharon Longoria aNd Dorothy Lickteig are volunteers for Birthright of Corpus Christi.

Jennifer Branson for South Texas Catholic

Birthright of Corpus Christi celebrates 40 years

By Jennifer Branson

T Contributor

his year has seen milestones of three significant events in the pro-life cause. 2018 is the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and locally, the 40th anniversary of the opening of Birthright of Corpus Christi.

Birthright of Corpus Christi has had its ups and downs over the years, but through the intercession of St. Joseph and the dedication of volunteers they are still serving the community.

The Birthright project in Corpus Christi had it's humble beginnings in 1972. It was

located at Catholic Charities on 818 Antelope Street. It was created to assist unwed mothers and Dr. Francette Meaney was a volunteer answering the phones.

There wasn’t much publicity for the line and Meaney felt called to do something about it. She and a group of motivated volunteers started to post advertisements and found a building to lease with the help of Bishop Thomas Drury.

When the doors of Birthright of Corpus Christi, a chapter of Birthright International, opened on Dec. 8, 1978, Meaney was a mother of a three-year-old sitting by the phone and praying to the Blessed Mother.

They became officially incorporated as a non-profit and dedicated the center to St. Joseph. That iconic phone, the central image of the Birthright logo, began to ring soon enough and in the first month, they had 16 clients.

They had chosen the location strategically–near Del Mar College and local high schools. At first, the clients were predominately young women–pregnant, scared, and with few places to turn. They were received warmly and those first 16 clients soon turned into many more. They provided free pregnancy testing at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, one-on-one counseling, adoption assistance, and material October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 27

†† PRO-LIFE

Birthright is located at 1422 Baldwin Blvd. in Corpus Christi.

Jennifer Branson for South Texas Catholic

support based on the individual needs of the women.

Dr. Meaney has seen both the absolute evil that accompanies the culture of death in abortion as well as the beauty of the love when women choose motherhood.

Each client was, and still, is treated with individual dignity in keeping with the Birthright guiding principle: “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

Time has altered some of their work and left some things untouched. At one point there were five abortion clinics in Corpus Christi. Even though the last abortion clinic has closed here, abortion still affects the community.

Birthright runs on 100% volunteer effort and has never taken a penny of government money. Some things, however, have changed quite a bit. The people who come looking for help are a little older and usually need material help more than anything. They are still greeted warmly, 28 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

cared for, and heard at Birthright. The goal is to “leave with much more than Pampers,” Meaney said. They could make a new friend, get some good advice or have a burden lifted thanks to a listening ear.

The general cultural attitude toward sex and pregnancy has changed as well.

When Birthright started out even at their highest point of activity, the question of the father’s concern was always forefront to both the volunteers and clients. Now, it seems, fathers don’t care. People are thinking less about marriage. These attitudes are the new challenges facing Birthright volunteers, but also new opportunities to teach the truth about love and life gently.

As Meaney said, “When you separate love and life, you have already killed the baby.”

What does the future hold for Birthright of Corpus Christi? No less than the same dedication and trust in God that has brought them through these past 40 years.

Last year’s hurricane put many of their ministries on hold, but they are looking forward to starting up free sewing classes

again and are making plans to start fertility awareness classes. They are always looking for volunteers with a zeal for the gift of life.

More immediately, they are holding a 40th Anniversary Talk and Reception on Nov. 15 at St. Joseph Hall, Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center from 7-9 p.m. The speaker will be Dr. Joseph Meaney, Dr. Meaney’s son, who has worked for over 20 years at Human Life International. The theme will be “Conscience,” a topic dear to Meaney’s heart as well as the subject of her son’s dissertation.

She expanded on this idea, saying that when sin becomes law, it is on all our consciences. “We are the conscience of the nation.” What is the conscience? It is “formed by the family. But where is the family now?” All are welcome to attend the 40th Anniversary Talk and Reception and are encouraged to bring a material or financial donation. Seating is limited, so interested parties should call that iconic Birthright phone to RSVP at (361) 8842662.

†† PRO-LIFE

Queridos hermanos y hermanas:

U

na falta de respeto por la vida humana, es la razón fundamental de nuestros problemas sociales y culturales de hoy en día. Nuestra propia Iglesia no queda inmune a ello. Los recientes escándalos nos recuerdan penosamente, cómo los continuos abusos cometidos por el personal de la iglesia han denigrado la dignidad humana de aquellos a quienes se confió su cuidado maternal.

Octubre es el "Mes de Respeto a la Vida". Es un recordatorio cada año que nos llama a ser conscientes del respeto, la belleza y la dignidad de la vida humana tal como Dios lo ha ordenado: a su imágen y semejanza.

El asesinato de un niño en el útero de su madre, es el principio de la peor forma de abuso humano, ya que ataca y toma la vida de un ser humano, que es completamente inocente y está totalmente indefenso. El respeto y la protección de la vida inocente, es el fundamento de una sociedad que respeta y cuida la vida en todas sus etapas y condiciones posteriores. Si la vida no se respeta primero que nada, en el útero; el respeto por la vida, corre peligro en los hogares, en las escuelas y en la sociedad en general. La difícil situación de las personas desamparadas sin hogar, la manera en que se trata a las familias vulnerables, a los ancianos y a los discapacitados a menudo dan testimonio de esta falta de respeto por la vida.

El Papa Francisco nos ha recordado los peligros de esta mentalidad de “la cultura de lo desechable,” donde todo, incluso la vida humana, se ve en términos de conveniencia. Él pregunta conmovedoramente: “¿Cómo es posible que se trate, como de poco interés noticioso, el caso de un anciano que muere de frío en la calle por su desamparo, mientras que por otro lado si es de gran importancia, que el mercado bursátil pierda dos puntos? Este es un caso de exclusión.” (Papa Francisco, Evangelii Gaudium) Sé que en nuestra Diócesis hay muchas personas que se preocupan y quieren marcar una diferencia en la vida de la gente especialmente entre las personas más vulnerables. Me pregunto; ¿qué medidas concretas se pueden tomar para conectarnos con niños y familias necesitadas en nuestras propias comunidades? ¿Qué puede acabar con el aislamiento y la falta de recursos de la comunidad que les impiden obtener la ayuda que realmente necesitan?

Reflexionando sobre estas cuestiones, pienso en los diversos grupos e iniciativas pro-vida que continúan trabajando para erradicar el aborto no solo de nuestras leyes, sino también de

la mentalidad de nuestra sociedad, para construir una verdadera cultura de la vida. También pienso en nuestras bellas iniciativas locales como Corpus Christi Hope House y Gabriel Project que están salvando y transformando vidas. Solo el año pasado sirvieron a 4,000 personas. Ambos, alimentaron al hambriento, vistieron al desnudo y proporcionaron un hogar a aquellos que no lo tenían. Su misma existencia y testimonio está creando una cultura de vida en nuestra sociedad local. También hay otras agencias como Caridades Católicas y muchos otros ministerios que hacen un trabajo notable.

Buscando entender cómo poder responder mejor a estas preguntas, visité “¡Community First!” en Austin, (La Comunidad Primero). Es un pequeño pueblo que abarca una comunidad planificada de 27 acres que ofrece viviendas asequibles y permanentes y una comunidad de apoyo para discapacitados y personas crónicamente sin hogar en el centro de Texas.

Lo que me impresionó es que éste creativo programa residencial existe para amar y servir a personas que han vivido en las calles durante años. También están ayudando a la comunidad circundante a vivir un estilo de vida de servicio con las personas sin hogar.

Otra visita importante para mí fue el tiempo que pasé, recientemente, con los oficiales de la Patrulla Fronteriza en Falfurrias. Me siento agradecido por haber conocido hombres y mujeres que trabajan en la Patrulla Fronteriza y por su calidad profesional y respeto per la ley. Y al mismo tiempo, me quedé impresionado por su preocupación y disposición para ver a los inmigrantes, como seres humanos que deben ser tratados con respeto y dignidad. Yo vi su manera compasiva de tratarlos, la cual se manifestaba en atenciones; en sus vehículos, guardaban comida, agua y juguetes para ayudar a estas personas necesitadas.

Uno de estos oficiales compartió conmigo que tiene hijas y cuando ve a estos niños, ve a sus hijas.

Si bien no podemos abordar todas las cuestiones importantes de la dignidad humana como la pena de muerte, la eutanasia y el abuso de los ancianos a la vez, este mes de “Pro-Vida” nos da la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre la dignidad de toda vida humana. Podemos preguntarnos, ¿qué más podemos hacer para ser los siervos de Jesús en cada prójimo necesitado?

October 2018 October 2018| | South SouthTexas TexasCatholic Catholic 29 29

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

MENSAJE DEL OBISPO

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

El Obispo Mulvey se reúne con la Patrulla Fronteriza El 30 de agosto, el Obispo Michael Mulvey se reunió con la Patrulla Fronteriza, rancheros locales y miembros de la comunidad en una Junta de la Patrulla Fronteriza de Falfurrias.

"Me emocionaron los relatos traumáticos de personas maltratadas por los traficantes, asi como las narraciones personales sobre las personas que recogen con trato humano y dignidad", dijo el Obispo Mulvey. En el foto, desde la izquierda, están Jeremy Cabral, operaciones especiales supervisor JD Cabral, Nori Cabral y Obispo Mulvey.

Ayudenos a Prevenir el Abuso Financiero La Diócesis de Corpus Christi por medio de la recomendación del Concilio Diocesano de Finanzas y el Concilio Presbiteral han llevado su dedicación mas allá para la buena administración y responsabilidad nanciera en nombre de donantes generosos al instituir un “hotline” para reportar el abuso nanciero.

Semillas de Esperanza

La Diócesis de Corpus Christi ha seleccionado un tercer partido independiente, La Red, para proporcionarle a usted con una manera para reportar anónima y condencialmente el abuso nanciero e fraude. Los empleados, los parroquianos, los voluntarios, los vendedores, y otros partidos interesados estan impulsados para reportar las preocupaciones que tengan respeto a la conducta de påca ética nanciera dentro de la Diócese de Corpus Christi.

Todas las investigaciones serán tradas inmediatamente y discretamente.

Personas que llamen tienen el derecho de mantenerse anónimas.

Llamada 1-877-571-9748

Obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia se comprometen a ayudar en el proceso de curación de las víctimas y sobrevivientes de abuso.

Si usted o alguien que usted conoce está en necesidad de estos servicios, llame a Stephanie Bonilla, Director de la Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia: (361) 882-6191 para asistencia inmediata.

Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia

30 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

Programa de Radio en Español en KLUX 89.5 HD-1 y “Listen Live” en KLUX.org Domingos a las 7 a.m. con el Padres Juan Fernando Gámez y José Naúl Ordóñez

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

Luz Cubano y sus ayudantes crearon un mural de 76 pies de ancho y 14 pies de altura para los niños de El Arca.

De izquierda a derecha, están el esposo de Luz Cubano, el Dr. Miguel Cubano, Jeanne Pasch, Luz Cubano, Kim y Allison Humpal. Hermano y cuñada de Luz Cubano, Herly de Leon y Carolina Bonet.

Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic

‘Mar de Esperanza,’ una obra de amor Por Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic Traducido por Gloria Romero

L

os asistentes quedaron boquiabiertos y sonrientes al contemplar el mural “Sea of Hope” (“Mar de Esperanza”) cuya develación se realizó el 18 de agosto en El Arca, Centro de Evaluación y Refugio de Emergencia para la Juventud. La pintura de 76 pies de ancho y 14 pies de altura revela la vida submarina,

incluyendo varias plantas, corales, caracoles, cangrejos, pulpos y una colorida gama de peces que parecían salir de una película de Walt Disney, al estilo de “Finding Nemo.” El mural incluye un pez globo, estrellas de mar, una ballena, delfines, una tortuga, caballitos de mar, mantarrayas y hasta un camarón saludando al espectador en lo alto de un submarino amarillo.

La creación del mural "Sea of Hope" “Mar de Esperanza” es una obra de Luz Cubano, quien con la ayuda de un puñado de voluntarios completaron el proyecto en dos meses. Para Luz Cubano, pintar el mural “Mar de Esperanza” “…fue una oportunidad increíble para ayudar a los niños de El Arca, a olvidar por un momento las amargas realidades que les condujeron al centro".

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 31

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

"Quiero reconocer a todo el personal de “El Arca” por su increíble paciencia durante estos dos meses. Dedico 'Mar de Esperanza’ con todo mi amor y mi corazón a todos los niños, ellos son mi verdadera inspiración y a Harold, mi hermano, que es mi ángel guardián en el cielo ", dijo Luz Cubano.

"Dios les bendiga y Dios bendiga El Arca".

Otras personas que se unieron y ayudaron al proyecto fueron su esposo, el Dr. Miguel Cubano, su hermano y cuñada, Herly de Leon y Carolina Bonet, Jeanne Pasch, Kim y Allison Humpal.

Los Cubano asistieron a la capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y básicamente fue allí que descubrieron el Arca a través del trabajo de su esposo. El diciembre pasado, el Dr. Cubano, Comandante de la Clínica Naval de Salud en la Estación Aérea Naval de Corpus Christi, eligió a los niños del Arca para hacerles la entrega de regalos, con motivo de la Navidad. "Alrededor de 20 de nosotros, incluyendo a mi esposa, entregamos los regalos", dijo el Dr. Cubano.

Luz Cubano, se fascinó tanto con los niños y con la labor de la presidenta de El

Arca, la hermana Milagros Tormo, de la congregación de las Misioneras de Jesús, María y José, que insistió en hacerse voluntaria. La hermana Milagros le explicó que las revisiones de antecedentes para cuidar a los pequeños tardarían meses, pero -continuó diciendo- “siempre he soñado con un mural como el que esta pintado en el hospital para niños.” Cubano, que solo había estado pintando como pasatiempo durante un par de años, decidió abordar con valentía el proyecto de un mural.

Después de ver varios videos de YouTube, comenzó a crear moldes de papel para su vida marina. Sus ayudantes crearon el lienzo pintando la primera capa en todo un lado de la habitación, después de lo cual, Luz Cubano pintó el azul translúcido del mar.

El Dr. Cubano agregó pintura blanca dentro de los moldes de cada criatura marina que su esposa pintaría.

Antes de la develación del mural, el presidente del Consejo Directivo de “El Arca,” René Esquivel, dijo: "Luz Cubano, tu mural traerá alegría, tranquilidad y una sensación de seguridad que beneficiará a

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nuestros niños en los años venideros". Quién sabe, si algún día mirarás a tu alrededor y te encontrarás con la sonrisa de un niño que te mira, y esa será la manera en que Dios te dirá que tu regalo esta provocando una emoción de apoyo positivo en los niños.”

Según Delma Trejo, directora ejecutiva y administradora de “EL Arca,” la realización del mural ha sido “increíble para los niños,” porque mientras Luz Cubano trabajaba en el día, los niños, venían por las noches y se preguntaban entre si, “¿dónde estará el tiburón?” Trejo dijo que después de tanto insistir, se agregó el tiburón.

“Somos conocidos como el refugio para bebés en el estado de Texas. Básicamente; son pequeños lo que hemos estado admitiendo, recientemente. Tenemos niños de Dallas, Houston, Eagle Pass, San Antonio y en general de todo el estado de Texas.

Nuestro objetivo es mantenerlos aquí, protegerlos y darles todo lo que necesiten,” dijo Trejo.

Para obtener más información, visite www.ark4kids.com.

†† NATIONAL NEWS

Youth from the Diocese of Corpus Christi help carry the World Youth Day Cross and icon during the outdoor procession through the streets surrounding the Co-Cathedral in downtown Houston.

Houston welcomes World Youth Day Cross, icon

Texas Catholic Herold

By James Ramos

D

Texas Catholic Herald

espite the nearly 100-degree temperatures, Jaime Reyna found purpose in his four-hour drive from Corpus Christi to Houston. With five teens from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, where Reyna serves as the youth ministry director for the Corpus Christi Diocese, he made a pilgrimage to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, which was hosting the World Youth Day Cross and Marian icon on

Aug. 23.

The two symbols of World Youth Day, the massive international celebration of the Catholic faith with young adults to be held in Panama in January with Pope Francis, visited the Archdiocese nearly one year to the day since Hurricane Harvey came ashore in 2017. The storm devastated several dioceses along the Texas Gulf Coast, including Reyna’s Corpus Christi, Victoria, Galveston-Houston and Beaumont.

More than 1,000 people joined Reyna for the 3.5-hour long celebration, which

included veneration and procession of the WYD Cross and Icon, as well as a Liturgy of the Word presided over by Galveston-Houston Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz.

The event began with veneration of the cross and icon, as well as the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, followed by an outdoor procession of the cross and icon through the streets surrounding the Co-Cathedral in downtown Houston.

Reyna’s teens helped to carry the cross, which he said was a blessing.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 33

†† NATIONAL NEWS

“The fact that ... they were going to be able to touch and carry the cross just like they do at World Youth Days, that some of them will never experience for different reasons, the fact that they were able to carry it here, they’ll have a story to share with not only their friends, but maybe their future children. It meant a lot for them, and they shared it with me and I think they’re looking forward to share it with everybody else at home.”

–Jaime Reyna “The fact that ... they were going to be able to touch and carry the cross just like they do at World Youth Days, that some of them will never experience for different reasons, the fact that they were able to carry it here, they’ll have a story to share with not only their friends, but maybe their future children. It meant a lot for them, and they shared it with me and I think they’re looking forward to share it with everybody else at home.”

After the procession, English, Spanish, Vietnamese, African Descent, Filipino and Chinese community choirs from across the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese joined to lead worship during continued veneration.

“Tonight was fantastic. I think people really wanted to see the cross,” said Gabriela Karaszewski, director of the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry (YACM). “And I think because of the [scandals] of last week, they wanted to see the cross even more.”

In his homily, Bishop Sheltz confronted the scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church in recent weeks.

“I was very upset, how things were covered up by the (church) authorities and the bishops,” Bishop Sheltz said. “It made me mad, but I can’t just sit here and be mad.

As a bishop, it’s part of my responsibility that we don’t let these things happen again.

As a Church, we must stand up and pray for those who have been hurt, whose lives have been damaged. I ask you to do the same thing.”

He encouraged the young people to look to the cross and focus their prayers to lift up the survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

“Each one of you young people are facing difficulties in your life all the time,” Bishop Sheltz said. “You have crosses that you must bear. Know that Jesus hung from a cross just like this one. We are called today to be the servants of the Lord, we have to be like Mary and say yes to the Lord. He will guide us. Will it be easy?

No, (but) as long as you put your focus on that cross, you know that all things can 34 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

be conquered.”

And to those going to Panama, he said “be great witnesses of God’s love. Be good examples of what it is to be a Houstonian and a Texan. Say ‘howdy’ to everyone. Be proud to be a Catholic-Christian, and be willing to serve God in everything that you do every day of your life.”

Reyna found solace in Bishop Sheltz’s homily.

“It was comforting to know that someone like Bishop here spoke to the young people about that,” he said, “because young people are hearing things on the news and social media, and unless we speak about it now, they’re going to hear it from somewhere else and they may not hear the whole truth. But more importantly to hear the fact that the Church in some parts of it failed, but also that there is a growing part of this, a growing pain that we can learn from and together if one hurts, we all hurt.”

Karaszewski said it wasn’t a coincidence that the symbols came to the U.S. this week.

On its pilgrim journey to WYD, she said the symbols visited Puerto Rico after the deadly Hurricane Maria; Nicaragua as it experiences severe civil unrest, Puebla, Mexico following the major earthquakes.

The week, the cross visits Miami, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles as the U.S. Catholic Church reels from recent abuse scandals.

“And it’s never been planned, like things were happening there,” she said. “I think this cross has a meaning when it visits a place, to redeem everyone around it.”

Lani and Ray Macusa both saw the future of the church all around them as they sang in the Filipino choir during the prayer service.

The Macusa's attend St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, the north Houston parish which was severely damaged by Harvey’s floodwater. Still, despite a journey as a displaced parish and even the recent scandals, they said they are

remain committed to their Catholic faith and will continue be strong in their faith that they share with their children.

Seeing the symbols travel from Panama, the same cross and icon that were given

by St. John Paul II to the youth in 2003, helped their faith, they said.

Lani, who came from her job as a nurse to attend, said “we were so glad to be here and excited to be here watching all the young people and participate that with them. We loved seeing the youth worship.”

Throughout the evening, as Lani and Ray sang in the choir loft above, Father Richard McNeillie joined several of his brother priests in hearing dozens of confessions.

“Tonight was about the Holy Spirit being with the young people,” he said. “I like just being here, seeing all these young people gathered together, the number and diversity from all over.”

Father McNeillie, the director of the Archdiocesan office of vocations, said “It’s always great to see God’s action and people’s conversion. Like whenever somebody comes to confession, they are converting in that process, and that’s such a beautiful thing to see, like people coming back to the Lord.”

That evening’s visible experience of redemption motivated Karaszewski, who attended World Youth Day in Krakow in 2016.

“It’s amazing. It’s like the presence of John Paul II in Houston,” she said. “It also made its way here for all these young people who don’t have papers to travel and be part of World Youth Day so World Youth Day came to them. It’s part of the pilgrim cross, that wants to unite everyone.

It’s not only waiting for us to go to Him, but He comes to us.”

The symbols also visited the nearby University of St. Thomas the next morning Aug. 24. An hour-long prayer service with the cross and icon that was focused on healing and reconciliation was held at the Chapel of St. Basil.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 35

†† OCTOBER CALENDAR

Pope Francis and the death penalty: a change in doctrine or circumstances?

Catholic News Agency

By Ed Condon

Catholic News Agency

Catholic theologians have weighed in on changes Pope Francis has made to the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty, pointing to some unresolved questions about what, exactly, the changes mean.

On August 2, Pope Francis ordered a revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, updating it to describe the death penalty as “inadmissible” and an “attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.”

36 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

The change to no. 2267 of the Catechism was announced in a letter to all Catholic bishops signed by Cardinal Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Pope Francis’ change to the Catechism, which was formally approved on May 11 but only announced with Ladaria’s letter dated August 1, follow the pope’s previous strong interventions on the subject.

In October 2017, Francis called the

death penalty “contrary to the Gospel” because “it is freely decided to suppress a human life that is always sacred in the eyes of the Creator, and of which, in the final analysis, God alone is the true judge and guarantor.”

The Catechism previously taught the Church “does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.”

predecessors condemned the practice of capital punishment in the West.

St. John Paul II called on Christians to be “unconditionally pro-life” and said that “the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.” He also spoke of his desire for a consensus to end the death penalty, which he called “cruel and unnecessary.”

Pope Benedict XVI exhorted world leaders to make “every effort to eliminate the death penalty” and told Catholics that ending capital punishment was an essential part of “conforming penal law both to the human dignity of prisoners and the effective maintenance of public order.”

While in the past, civil governments have deployed capital punishment with the clear support of the Church, in modern times this support has become much more muted. Discussion within the Church of its continued use has focused on identifying the legitimate ends the death penalty could serve, and articulating what circumstances condition the state’s

right to execute criminals.

“St. John Paul II’s teaching introduced a prudential judgment into the Catechism, making it clear that the circumstances in which the death penalty is legitimate are rare, if not practically non-existent,” Petri told CNA. “I think Pope Francis’ change further absolutizes the pastoral conclusion made

by John Paul II.” Key to understanding the Church’s teaching on the death penalty are the complementary ends of legitimate punishment; restorative or punitive justice towards the offender, and the protection of society from future offences. In the light of the change to Catechism, many have been left wondering how these two interrelate.

Some theologians have argued that the need to impose a “just punishment” on those who commit very serious crimes is reason enough for the death penalty, pointing out that, in the past, the Church would seem to have explicitly supported that idea.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 37

†† VATICAN

The new wording of no. 2267 calls capital “inadmissible,” while explicitly recognizing that it had previously been “long considered an appropriate response” by the Church.

Some Catholics have asked whether the pope’s changes are, as Cardinal Ladaria stated in his letter to all bishops, “the development of doctrine” in continuity with past teaching, or if the Church has essentially changed its mind on the question of the death penalty.

Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P., a moral theologian and the Vice President and Academic Dean Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., talked to CNA about the change.

“This is actually the second time this particular paragraph has been revised in the Catechism,” Petri pointed out. “The first time was in 1997, when the second edition of the Catechism was revised, in line with the teaching of John Paul II in Evangelium vitae.”

Indeed, Pope Francis’s immediate

†† OUR FAITH

‘Precious in God’s Eyes’

By Rev. Michael A. Howell

I

Contributor

Msgr. Michael Howell is pastor at St. Andrew by the Sea Parish.

n our church family, October has been the traditional month to proclaim our dedication to the enrichment of all human life from womb to tomb. Often because of the threat to the physical life of the most vulnerable, we are most focused on the unborn or end-of-life issues. However, the example of our loving Father and his word of love incarnate, Jesus the Christ, calls us to do more than promote one another’s physical life.

The prophet Isaiah, as a bearer of God’s word, reminds us that each of us is “precious in God’s eyes” (Isaiah 43: 2-4). As children of God if we are truly to be “icons” (images) of God, then we are called to also see all others as “precious” and to show we are pro-life (“for” their life) by how we work to enrich the lives of others. While this does include their physical life, it is not limited to this.

A good, loving parent is not simply one who sees that their children have food for the body.

The schema Israel, quoted by Jesus, calls us to love God “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk. 12:30).

In turn, we are meant to show ourselves “Pro” life by enriching the lives of others in all these areas—their hearts, their souls, their minds, and their physical strength (the body).

The Church as a family does this by trying to provide services that enrich all aspects of a person’s life. For that very reason in the Catholic Church tradition, there are church-sponsored schools, religious education programs, hospitals, Catholic Charities, worship centers, counseling

The mission of The Spirit Center is to provide a place for spiritual, educational and social development for our youth in South Texas.

The Spirit Center

A Catholic retreat facility embracing people of faith

The Spirit Center is available for the day, weekend, or week.

• Sleeping quarters for 96 (youth/adults) • Separate men and women dorms • Activity Center that accommodates up to 200 • Full kitchen available located in the Activity Center

programs, orphanages and homes for the elderly and bedridden.

There are ministries for the deaf, those in prisons, refugees, and many other life situations.

There are programs to enrich the lives of others physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. But this is also our call as individual brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus.

No matter what their physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual gifts or challenges or defects— others should be “precious” in our eyes. Then we are truly PRO their life as we address their needs and seek to enrich all those aspects of their human life.

We may be giving food, clothing, and shelter for the life of the body or giving hugs, kind words, and a listening ear for the life of the heart. Or we may be offering insight and education for the development of the mind or the sacraments, prayer, and religious formation for the life of the soul. We saw such an effort in the response that many made for the victims of Hurricane Harvey last year. But this should be a part of our daily life, beginning in our own family, neighborhood, parish or workplace.

As in the case of Jesus, there will be a cost— giving of one’s time and energy and abilities of mind, body, heart and soul to enrich others in mind, body, heart and soul. However, as St. Francis wisely realized “It is in giving that we receive.” Such effort to enrich the lives of others also enriches our lives and enables us to see others more as God sees them and us—“precious.”

✞ Serving The Coastal Bend Since 1908 ✞ Dignified Personal Service ✞ Complete Pre-Need Funeral Service Plans Office Physical Address: 410 Chamberlain Corpus Christi, TX 78404

Retreat Facility Address: 528 FM 3088 Robstown, TX 78380

361.888.7537

WWW.BLUNTZERSPIRITCENTER.ORG

38 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

Ron & Margo Alonzo

1222 Morgan at 10th

Corpus Christi, TX 78404

5921 Yorktown Blvd.

Corpus Christi, TX 78414

(361) 884-2411 (361) 994-6551

1 | Mon | Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church | white | Memorial | Jb 1:6-22/ Lk 9:46-50 (455)

8 | Mon | Weekday | green | Gal 1:612/Lk 10:25-37 (461)

2 | Tue | The Holy Guardian Angels | white | Memorial | Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 2023 (456)/Mt 18:1-5, 10 (650) Pss Prop

9 | Tue | Weekday | green/red/ white [Saint Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs; Saint John Leonardi, Priest] Gal 1:13-24/Lk 10:38-42 (462)

3 | Wed | Weekday | green | Jb 9:1-12, 14-16/Lk 9:57-62 (457)

10 | Wed | Weekday | green | Gal 2:1-2, 7-14/Lk 11:1-4 (463)

4 | Thu | Saint Francis of Assisi | white | Memorial | Jb 19:21-27/Lk 10:1-12 (458)

11 | Thu | Weekday | green/white [Saint John XXIII, Pope] Gal 3:1-5/Lk 11:5-13 (464)

5 | Fri | Weekday | green/white [USA: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest] Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5/Lk 10:13-16 (459)

12 | Fri | Weekday | green | Gal 3:7-14/ Lk 11:15-26 (465)

6 | Sat | Weekday | green/white/ white/white [Saint Bruno, Priest; USA: Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin; BVM] Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17/Lk 10:17-24 (460)

14 | SUN | TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Wis 7:7-11/Heb 4:12-13/Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27 (143) Pss IV

7 | SUN | TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Gn 2:18-24/Heb 2:9-11/Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12 (140) Pss III

3

13 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Gal 3:22-29/Lk 11:27-28 (466)

15 | Mon | Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church | white | Memorial | Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1/Lk 11:29-32 (467)

16 | Tue | Weekday | green/white/ white [Saint Hedwig, Religious; Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin] Gal 5:1-6/Lk 11:37-41 (468)

23 | Tue | Weekday | green/white [Saint John of Capistrano, Priest] Eph 2:12-22/Lk 12:35-38 (474)

17 | Wed | Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr | red | Memorial | Gal 5:18-25/Lk 11:42-46 (469)

24 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop] Eph 3:2-12/Lk 12:39-48 (475)

18 | Thu | Saint Luke, Evangelist | red | Feast | 2 Tm 4:10-17b/Lk 10:1-9 (661) Pss Prop

25 | Thu | Weekday | green | Eph 3:1421/Lk 12:49-53 (476)

19 | Fri | USA: Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, | red | and Companions, Martyrs | Memorial | Eph 1:11-14/Lk 12:1-7 (471) 20 | Sat | Weekday | green/white/ white [USA: Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest; BVM] Eph 1:15-23/Lk 12:8-12 (472) 21 | SUN | TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Is 53:1011/Heb 4:14-16/Mk 10:35-45 or 10:4245 (146) Pss I 22 | Mon | Weekday | green/white [Saint John Paul II, Pope] Eph 2:1-10/

3

Rosary Fest 3-Day Mission Program

3

The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi

Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 5 from 6-7:10 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (1123 Main Dr.) in Corpus Christi. Enjoy three talks focused on “Family Life” led by Rev. Frank X. Martinez, STL. For more information call the parish office at (361) 241-2004.

Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi Newman Center Chapel (7002 Ocean Dr.) in Corpus Christ. For more information, contact the Secular Franciscans of Corpus Christ at ofscctx@gmail.com.

5 2018 High School Youth Spectacular

Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. at Camp Zephyr (151 FM 3162, Sandia, TX) for grades 9-12 and adult leaders. This year the Youth Spectacular will be presented in a weekend retreat format called The Crux Retreat. The Crux retreat will focus on “The Word of God,” and help youth delve

26 | Fri | Weekday | green | Eph 4:1-6/ Lk 12:54-59 (477) 27 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Eph 4:7-16/Lk 13:1-9 (478) 28 | SUN | THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Jer 31:7-9/ Heb 5:1-6/Mk 10:46-52 (149) Pss II 29 | Mon | Weekday | green | Eph 4:32—5:8/Lk 13:10-17 (479) 30 | Tue | Weekday | green | Eph 5:21-33 (480) or 5:2a, 25-32 (122)/Lk 13:18-21 (480) 31 | Wed | Weekday | green | Eph 6:19/Lk 13:22-30 (481)

into leading and participating in small group bible studies. The retreat will also include Mass, adoration, confession, and worship with music. Every participant will be receiving a t-shirt and bible. An adult leader must register, pay, and attend with every registered group. For more information call (361) 882-6191, ext.

687 or visit diocesecc.org/cruxretreat.

Vigil for Life

Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Bishop Michael Mulvey invites you to attend a Mass in honor of human dignity, especially for those most vulnerable in our society. Following Mass, we will pray the Holy Rosary for the sanctity of all human life.

Come join us as we are strengthened in faith, hope, love and courage.

Lk 12:13-21 (473)

7 15th Annual LIFE Chain

Oct. 7 from 1:30-3 p.m. on West State Hwy 44 (near Robstown High School). The Pro-Life Ministry of St. Anthony Church invites everyone to stand in silence for 90 minutes to pray for LIFE and against the evils of abortion. The prayer service will end with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. For more information call (361) 387-2774.

7

KJZT Rosary Coast to Coast

Oct. 7 starting at 3 p.m. at the Sunset Lake Park located at 201 Sunset Dr in Portland, TX. Participants will gather in the parking lot and spread down the walking path to pray the rosary as part of a national call to action from coast to coast. All Coastal Bend Catholics are invited to participate.

For more information on the national rally visit rosarycoasttocoast.com.

7 Rosary Fest 2018

Oct. 7 from 5-7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (1123 Main Drive) Corpus Christi. Celebrate your love and gratefulness to our Patron on her October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 39

†† OCTOBER CALENDAR

October Liturgical Calendar

†† OCTOBER CALENDAR

11 12 13 17 & 24

feast day. Rosary procession at 5 p.m., followed by a Solemn Mass with Rev. Frank X. Martinez, STL. at 6 p.m. and refreshments to follow. For more information call the parish office at (361) 241-2004.

Ultreya at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 540 Hiawatha, in the basement, Corpus Christi.

The English Cursillo invites all Cursillistas and nonCursillistas to an intraparochial Ultreya.

Cathedral Rummage Sale

Begins on Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m. – Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral (505 N. Upper Broadway). For more information call (361) 883-4213.

One-day Diabetes class

• Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Parish Hall (615 E. 5th Street) in Alice.

• Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Most Precious Blood School (3502 Saratoga Blvd.) in the Cafeteria.

• Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy (5814 Williams Drive) in the Parish Hall.

To support your family’s journey toward healthy living, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi

Your Invited

St. Paul’s Barbecue & Crafts Fall Fest 2233 Waldron Road (Flour Bluff) in Corpus Christi Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. eef ed Bhes, p p Cho dwhicgs San otdo es H Gam dies! d and or the ki

For only $10 you can purchase a barbecue plate, includes drink and dessert from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in St. Paul the Apostle Church Hall

ef

l ilab ava

Kiddo’s dressed in a Halloween costume will receive a FREE goodie bag

Bring the who enjoy le family an af d with a un-filled d ay g Enter reat meal.

Game tainment / s for a ll age s

Start your Christmas shopping early at

St. Paul’s Craft Fall Fest INDOOR CRAFT VENDORS

40 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

has teamed up with Texas A&M Coastal Bend Health Education Center to provide a FREE program, so you can prevent diabetes and other chronic diseases. For more information visit bit.ly/2M2d5cU.

Public Square Rosary in 13 Annual Honor of Our Lady of Fatima

Oct. 13 at 12 p.m. at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church (3210 S. Padre Island Drive.) Please join us for a Public Square Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Fatima Rosary will be prayed outside in front of the church. Please bring lawn chairs and umbrellas.

17 IWA AngelTalk

Oct. 17 from 6-8 p.m. in the Angel Avenue Student Center. Incarnate Word Academy welcomes new, prospective families (age 3-12th grade) to attend the second annual IWA AngelTalk. This event will include a panel discussion where students, administration, alumni, and current/past parents will talk about their experiences at IWA and answer questions for audience members. Families will get to know the place, the people, and the philosophy that makes IWA a unique scholastic opportunity. Families will also be able to schedule a tour of classrooms and get information about our enrollment process and tuition assistance.

Oktoberfest

St. Anthony’s Church “Violet” 3918 County Rd. 61 (off Highway 44)

67th Annual

CHICKEN BAR-B-QUE OCTOBER 21, 2018

Dine-In & Plates to Go Bar-B-Que Dinner & Trimmings Serving 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Donation $9.00 per plate For information call the parish office @

(361) 387-4434

All proceeds will be used for Church Repairs: Country Store, Children’s Games, White Elephant Booth, Clown Face Painting and Moonwalk Live Auction at 1 p.m., Drawing for Gift Certificate Visit our Historic Church/Museum Built in 1910

†† OCTOBER CALENDAR

20 Living Love in Truth

Oct. 20 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Richard Borchard Arena in Robstown. This diocesan day of reflection is about the dignity of the human person. $35 per person at the door. Learn more about this event at diocesecc.org/livinglovetruth.

20 ‘Dr. Arthur Spohn’ book signing in Sarita

Oct. 20 at 12:30 at the Kenedy Ranch Festival in Sarita. Authors Jane Clements Monday and Frances Brannen Vick will have a presentation and book signing of “Dr. Author Spohn: Surgeon, Inventor, and Texas Medical Pioneer.”

20

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

25

Celebration of Charity: Angels Among Us

Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Natural Family Planning at 1426 Baldwin Blvd in Corpus Christi.

Learn to recognize the natural cycles of fertility and infertility that occur naturally in every woman. NFP allows couples to plan pregnancies while following the teachings of the Church and respecting the gift of their married love. For more information visit diocesecc.org/nfp.

SOLD OUT. Oct. 25 but you can still make a donation in Linda McKamie's name. For more information call Shannette Hoelscher (361) 884-0651, Ext. 246

Lessons from the Saints for 26 YCA Modern Day Catholics

Oct. 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (7522 Everhart Rd) Corpus Christi.

In preparation for All Saint's Day, come to learn more about why the saints are still relevant to Catholics today. This event is geared toward Young Catholic Adults (YCA) ages 18-39. To learn more about this ministry and other upcoming events visit facebook.com/ycacorpuschristi.

▼

To see more calendar events go to: SouthTexasCatholic.com/events To submit calendar events go to: SouthTexasCatholic.com/send-calendar-items

FALL FES VALS

IN THE DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

All fundraising events will include a variety of food, games and entertainment fun. For complete details visit www.SouthTexasCatholic.com/events.

Immaculate Conception 68th Annual Jamaica Festival | Oct. 6-7 from 6-9 p.m. at 107 Church Street in Gregory.

Sacred Heart–Three Rivers Annual BBQ | Oct. 7 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at 307 East Alexander in Three Rivers.

SS. Cyril and Methodius Knights of Columbus Annual Fall Barbecue | Oct. 7 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at SPID and Kostoryz (in Kasper Hall behind the school.)

St. Joseph (Alice) 18th Annual Parish Festival | Oct. 13 from 2-9 p.m. at 801 South Reynolds in Alice.

LIVE & SILENT AUCTIONS GAMES COUN RY STORE

RAFFLE

Christ The King Annual Fall Festival | Oct. 13 from 4-9 p.m. at 1625 Arlington Dr.

11:00am - 5:00pm 1212 lANTANA STREET Featuring Spiritual Painting Artist JASON RODRIGUEZ @ 12:30pm

Brisket & Sausage

Plates served with Potato Salad,

St. Paul’s Barbecue & Crafts Fall Fest | Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 2233 Waldron Road in Flour Bluff.

Our Lady of Pilar Annual Jamaica | Oct. 14, 12-9 p.m. at 1101 Bloomington Oktoberfest at St. Anthony’s Church | Oct. 21 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 3918 County Rd.–off Highway 44.

St. Theresa's "Fabulous Fifties" Spoof-Fest | Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1212 Lantana St. St. Anthony Catholic Church & School Fall Festival | Saturday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, Nov.4 from 2-5 p.m. on the grounds at 204 Dunne Avenue in Robstown.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary 11th Annual Fall Fest Barbecue | Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds (3001 S. Johnson St.) in Alice.

October 2018 | South Texas Catholic 41

Ongoing Calendar Events

Tea Time and Book Study

Oct. 1 and every Monday from 12:30-2 p.m. at Schoenstatt Movement Center in Corpus Christi. “Brushstrokes of a Father” Reading: Volume 2 Reading about Father Joseph Kentenich, Founder of the Schoenstatt Movement.

Alzheimer’s & General Support Group

• Oct. 2 and every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ (5525 Lipes) in Corpus Christi.

• Oct. 3 and every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at SCC River Ridge Nursing Rehab Center located at 3922 West River Dr. (off FM 624) in Corpus Christi.

• Oct. 9 and every second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Woodridge Nursing & Rehab Center located at 600 So. Hillside Dr. in Beeville.

• Oct. 10 and every second Wednesday of the month at 12 p.m. at Lindale Center/Caregiver SOS located on 3133 Swantner St. in Corpus Christi.

For more in Corpus Christi.

• Oct. 11 and every second Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. at Mirador Plaza (back side of facility) located at 5857 Timbergate Drive in Corpus Christi.

• Oct. 16 and every third Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at Brookdale located at 6410 Meadow Vista in Corpus Christi.

• Oct. 18 and every third Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library Central Library, located on 110 N. Lamont Street in Aransas Pass.

• Oct. 23 and every fourth Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Alice Public Library (401 E. Third Street) in Alice.

• Oct. 25 and every fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Kleberg County Nursing & Rehab located on 316 General Cavazos Blvd. in Kingsville.

OLPH Bereavement & Grief Support Ministry

Oct. 2 and every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in St. John Paul II Conference Room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Rectory (5830 Williams Drive). These sessions are intended for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Bible Study at St. Patrick Church

Oct. 2 and every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Our Lady of Knock Hall (the corner of S. Alameda and Rossiter Street.)

Immigration Services at Catholic Charities

Oct. 4 and every Thursdays starting at 7:30 a.m. at Catholic Charities (615 Oliver Court) to discuss client eligibility according to USCIS qualifications.

The first 15 people who sign in will be seen in order of arrival; there is a $25 consultation fee.

Holy Hour followed by a healing Mass Oct. 4 and every first Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel Jesus Nazareno in Corpus Christi. Father Angel Montana invites everyone to Holy Hour followed by a Healing Mass.

Cursillo English Ultreya

Oct. 4 and every third Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe (540 Hiawatha St) in Corpus Christi at 7 p.m. The Ultreya is a group reunion of fellow Cursillistas beyond the initial encounter who gather to share their fourth day personal experiences in living the Christian life.

Blue Army Mass

Oct. 6 and every first Saturday of the month in the Jesus Nazareno Chapel at Sacred Heart in Corpus Christi.

St. Peregrine Healing Mass

Oct. 7 and every first Sunday of each month from 5-6 p.m. at Our Lady of Corpus Christi (1200 Lantana St.)

Healing Mass and Prayer Service

Oct. 12 and every second Friday of the month at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (1123 Main Drive) in Corpus Christi.

Family Rosary

Oct. 13 and every second Saturday of the month in Emmanuel Chapel (505 N Upper Broadway) after 12:05 Mass.

Cathedral Knights of Columbus Council #11107, is inviting all Parish Families and community to participate in the Family Rosary.

Grounded in Truth at OLCC

Oct. 20 and every third Saturday of the month. An hour of Adoration with Praise and Worship in the OLCC Perpetual Adoration Chapel 7-8 p.m., followed by music and fellowship in Cafe Veritas (attached to Our Lady of Corpus Christi’s Bookstore) from 8-9:30 p.m.

Grandparents and other Relatives Raising Children Support Group

• Oct. 25 and the last Thursday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 900 South Shoreline Blvd. 2nd floor–Rm #216 / (parking and entrance behind church).

• Oct. 30 and the last Tuesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at Greenwood Senior Center (4040 Greenwood Drive).

ST. PATRICK SCHOOL 56th ANNUAL

Halloween Carnival FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 5:30-10:30 P.M. AT 3340 SOUTH ALAMEDA ic ive Mus Ra L e s ffl ou e ted H Carnival Games Haun Silent Auc and Rides tion

Food

For more information, call St. Patrick School at (361) 852-1211 42 South Texas Catholic | October 2018

Hay R

ides

Bishop’s

2018

STEWARDSHIP APPEAL ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Say

yes

to

ministering to persons with disabilities.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi serves the spiritual and physical needs of our parishes and community through more than 30 ministries. We appreciate your generosity in sharing your blessings, so we are committed to you to be a good steward of the gifts you entrust to us.

By participating in the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal you are saying – to bringing spiritual, moral support and enrichment to the lives of persons with a disability and their families.

Diocese of Corpus Christi

Office of Parish Stewardship & Development P.O. Box 2620, Corpus Christi, TX 78403 • (361) 882-6191 www.diocesecc.org or email emartinez@diocesecc.org

yes

October 2018 Issue SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 555 N Carancahua St, Ste 750 Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824 (361) 882-6191

Our Lady of Corpus Christi a call to

HOLINESS prayer

music

dinner

auction

Annual Banquet Thursday, November 8th

6pm Reception | 6:30 Rosary | 7pm Dinner - call -

361 289 0807 - buy online -

ourladyofcc.org