Confirmation classes at St. George and Sacred Heart parishes made history on April 10, as students were confirmed at a special Mass celebrated by the Bishop Mulvey, newly ordained bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Posing with the new bishop, pictured at far right: are Norma Castillo, Adan Flores, Angela Garcia, Joseph Gonzales, Shannae Ramirez, Martin Ramos, Emily Snider and Alexa Wheeler from St. George; and Megan Cruz, Lucas Cruz, Victor Fernandez, Tamara Gonzales, Ashley Gutierrez and Brodie Ruiz from Sacred Heart.

Celia Ruiz, Estella Salazar and Elsie Garcia were ecstatic when their confirmation classes were chosen as the first in the Diocese of Corpus Christi to be celebrated by newly ordained Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey.

"When we were asked to be confirmation teachers, we had no idea that our classes would be making history!" Ruiz marveled.

Candidates from Sacred Heart Church in Three Rivers and St. George Church in George West received the sacrament of confirmation at a Mass held on Saturday, April 10.

Before the Mass, the candidates for confirmation were met at the parish hall by Bishop Mulvey, who immediately put everyone's anxiety at ease with his warm personality. He asked the students about the previous week's celebration (Easter) and about the sacrament of confirmation with reverence to their special guest.

"We told our class to be prepared to answer whatever questions our new bishop asked, so our confirmation packets were studied carefully," noted Ruiz.

Bishop Mulvey was assisted during the Mass by Father Pete Elizardo of Corpus Christi, Father "Richard" Ryszard of Three Rivers and Deacon Luna of George West.

Father Ryszard presented the candidates, which included: Norma Castillo, Adan Flores, Angela Garcia, Joseph Gonzales, Shannae Ramirez, Martin Ramos, Emily Snider and Alexa Wheeler from St. George; and Megan Cruz, Lucas Cruz, Victor Fernandez, Tamara Gonzales, Ashley Gutierrez and Brodie Ruiz of Sacred Heart. They took part in the Saturday evening youth Mass.

Bishop Mulvey seemed to speak personally to each one present, incorporating the Gospel reading to the message of "How blessed are they who haven't seen and yet believe."

The renewal of baptismal promises preceded a blessing upon the candidates by Bishop Mulvey and concelebrating priests. They expressed the biblical gesture by which the gift of the Holy Spirit is invoked. Four of these gifts — wisdom, understanding, knowledge and right judgment — perfect the intellect; while courage, love and reverence aid the human will.

During the anointing, each sponsor (godparent) presented the candidates for confirmation to Bishop Mulvey by placing their right hand on their shoulder, reciting their name and saint name. Through the anointing with chrism oil, the baptized person received the indelible character, the seal of the Lord, together with the gift of the Spirit which confirms him more closely to Christ and gives him the grace of spreading the Lord's presence among men.

As Bishop Mulvey made the sign of the Cross with chrism on their forehead and said "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," they responded "Amen" which publicly proclaims their faith and acceptance of the Holy Spirit, together with all the spiritual and moral requirements of that commitment.

"This historical event will be a special memory which we will always treasure," said Ruiz.

Newly confirmed Megan Cruz presented Bishop Mulvey with a beautiful white rose in gratitude before the Mass concluded.

Those in attendance enjoyed a reception afterward in the parish hall. Bishop Mulvey posed with the candidates, noting that he hopes to visit every parish in the diocese in the near future.

"We kidded him that when he puts in his resignation in 2025, we will always have bragging rights that Sacred Heart and St. George were his first confirmation class and he proudly agreed," Ruiz added with a smile.