Elda Garcia, the secretary at Corpus Christi Cathedral, poses with Bishop Daniel Flores following his Feb. 2 installation as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville. Garcia worked with Flores during the times he served at the cathedral.

"I was deeply touched to see so many people from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and particularly from St. Paul the Apostle Parish," said Bishop Daniel Flores following his Feb. 2 installation as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville.

Nearly 60 people from his home parish, St. Paul the Apostle in Flour Bluff, priests and friends from the Diocese of Corpus Christi made the trip to the valley to witness the installation of Bishop Flores, who grew up in Corpus Christi and served as a priest here.

"I was so happy to see so many priests from the Diocese of Corpus Christi present, many of whom have been an inspiration to my own vocation," Bishop Flores said.

"The whole experience of the installation was sort of overwhelming, and I am still savoring every moment as it comes to my memory. I am just very grateful that so many old friends made the effort to join in the celebration," Bishop Flores said.

"I hope people had an enjoyable time, and that the installation Mass provided everyone an opportunity to deepen their appreciation for the mystery of how God provides for the life of his Church."

Sister Kathleen McDonagh, a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, was among the local contingent. She taught Danny Flores in seventh and eighth grade CCD at Saint Paul. "He was a wonderful student, quiet but giving excellent responses when called on or when no one else seemed to have the answer to a question," recalled Sister Kathleen.

"To see my junior high student now being installed as Bishop of Brownsville (where I taught for 13 years) was moving indeed. The majesty of the ceremony, the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, two cardinals, the immense number of priests, deacons, religious, and lay people, all were awe-inspiring, as was Bishop Danny's homily. May the Incarnate Word continue to bless and direct him as he strives to bring the people of the Rio Grande Valley always closer to Him."

Father Mark Chamberlin, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Portland, was the pastor of St. Paul in Flour Bluff when Danny Flores was in high school. He was among the priests in attendance at the installation.

"As we joined in the celebration of Bishop Flores' installation, I could not help but be amazed at how this young man has grown," Father Chamberlin said.

"He is exceptionally bright but also has a great humility and a good sense of humor. He seems incredibly comfortable in his place of service in the church. He appears to have grown in a very deep faith and spirituality that shows in his words and actions as a bishop and as a person."

Father Chamberlin said that Bishop Flores has "always been a real servant of the people in whatever ministry has been entrusted to him. I think that his service, his gifts, his humor and obvious love of the Lord will be a great gift to the Diocese of Brownsville." Long-time friend and secretary of Corpus Christi Cathedral, Elda Garcia, traveled to the installation with a group from the catheral, where Flores most recently served as rector. She had also attended his episcopal ordination and installation in Detroit in November of 2006.

"It has been a very spiritual, uplifting experience to be able to participate and witness both events, the mystery of God's presence," Garcia said. "I felt goose bumps as the clergy, bishops, and cardinals processed to the altar. Everyone was so excited to be a part of the welcoming of Bishop Danny Flores, as the sixth bishop of Brownsville."

Garcia continued that Bishop Flores mentioned in his homily, his responsibility as bishop of Brownsville and that "the principal mission of the Church is to announce Christ as the Light and Hope of the nations.

"He invites everyone to the light of Christ, to participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. He speaks strongly of the word communion, of how we are linked together through the love of God, parents to children, families to other families, and so on.

"He also speaks about how we should respect life of all stages, life in the womb, of the young, and our elderly. My favorite is when Bishop Danny speaks on the Word of Christ, His love. ‘To believe and teach the word He speaks to us.' This is awesome!"

Garcia continued that in his homily he mentioned, that "the Lord invites all of us to join Him on pilgrimage, and to meet the challenges, as God's love will help us to overcome all trials, and to share in His mission together. The people in the Diocese of Brownsville are certainly very blessed to have Bishop Daniel E. Flores as their shepherd."