Thirty-seven people attended a training session at St. John of the Cross in Orange Grove on Saturday, July 16. Jaime Reyna, director of the office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Corpus Christi conducted the training, entitled “Discern God’s Call to Lead & Catechize.”

Judith Anne Menard Ouellette, mother of Father John Ouellette pastor at St. Theresa in Premont, Immaculate Conception in Concepcion and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ramirez, passed away in Victoria Friday, July 8. She was born Nov. 24, 1940 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to the late Merle and Octavia Evelyn Dunn Menard. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Members of the St. Joan of Arc Sodality and students from the upcoming confirmation class from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Banquete spent a recent summer morning cleaning up the local cemetery as part of their Jubilee Year of Mercy activity.

The youth ministry program from Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia sponsored a "sports night" at the church so youth and families can participate in volleyball and soccer games. This is done annually during the summer so youth have something to look forward to when they are out of school.

On July 8, the Sacred Heart Church Youth Group from Mathis helped organize the pantry and stock room at the Mother Teresa Shelter as part of their Jubilee Year of Mercy activities. Seminarian Carlos De La Rosa organized the event and Sister Rose Paul Madassery, SABS gave the youth a tour of the facility.

Seven altar servers from Sacred Heart Church in Mathis attended the altar server retreat held July 9 at St. John Paul II High School. The Office of Vocations sponsored the event.

Bishop Michael Mulvey recently visited St. Thomas More Parish as part of his regular pastoral visits to parishes across the diocese. St. Thomas More began as a collegiate parish serving Del Mar College, located across from the church on Baldwin Blvd. A few years after that designation, it was elevated to a full parish. Pastor of St. Thomas More, Father Thomasz Kozub, welcomed Bishop Mulvey with open arms, noting during Mass what an honor it was to have the special visit.

For the good of the people of God in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Michael Mulvey has appointed Father John Tran Nguyen, OFM parochial administrator of St. Peter Parish in Fulton, effective July 1. Bishop Mulvey also announced that newly ordained Deacon Eric Chapa would serve at St. Pius X Parish in Corpus Christi, beginning on July 1.

Bishop Michael Mulvey presented the Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel) recognition to 76 recipients from 47 parishes on Friday, May 27, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. This is the second year—of what will be an annual event—of acknowledging those who exemplify the “Joy of the Gospel”.

The St. Thomas More Youth group attended Steubenville South in Alexandria, Louisiana for the first time on June 24-26. The students went to build their faith through daily prayer, adoration, praise and worship, listening to talks and dedicating their lives to lives to God, said Christine Nino-Rodriguez, parish youth minister.

Allyson Sturgeon, a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland, just returned from a medical mission trip to Costa Rica that tended to more than 120 patients in the communities of Alajuela and San Jose. Responding to Sturgeon's appeal, the parish provided donations of hygiene items and children’s coloring books, crayons, etc.

On Sunday, May 29, six Boy Scouts from St. Patrick’s Troop 162 received their Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank in scouting. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish CCD classes made first Communion on Sundays, May 21 and May 29. The Mass was celebrated by pastor Father Tony Blount with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. A reception was held in the Parish Hall and the children received their certificates. Katherine Lopez is Director of Religious Education.

Last Friday, St. Joseph's Catholic Church was hit by a thief. Yes, a thief targeted a church. And what he stole was something you'd probably never guess. It wasn't money, it wasn't wine, it was a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Portland completed a teen’s ACTS retreat on June 2-5 with pastor Msgr. Mark Chamberlin serving as spiritual director. Adriana Lay directed the retreat and was assisted by co-directors David Havelka and Abby Sacky as adults. Bridget Polask, director, and co-directors Matt Hogan and Caitlyn Martinez directed teens.

Alumni from St. Pius X Elementary School were honored at the baccalaureate Mass on May 29 at St. Pius X Church. Many graduates came from different parishes all over the diocese, but wanted to celebrate with their friends from grade school. "One student came all the way from San Antonio," Father Paul Hesse said.

Mountain climbing, deep sea diving, cave exploration—all in a week’s time. With themes ranging from Deep Sea Discovery (“God is With Me Wherever I Go”), Everest (“Conquering Challenges Through God’s Power”), Marvelous Mystery (“The Mass Comes Alive”) and Cool Kingdom Party (“Mary Leads Me Closer to Jesus”), Vacation Bible School programs in the Diocese of Corpus Christi provide action-packed fun. They provide each child with unique and lasting ways to deepen their love for Jesus and apply the lessons to real life.

Parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sinton celebrated Mother’s Day, as well as the feast day of the Ascension of the Lord, with a visit by Bishop Michael Mulvey. After the bishop’s homily, every mother at the Mass received a blessing from their pastor Father Patrick Serna, along with a single red rose.

Bishop Michael Mulvey presented the Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel) recognition to 76 recipients from 47 parishes on Friday, March 27, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. This is the second year—of what will be an annual event—of the recognitions of those who exemplify the Joy of the Gospel.

Julia Strubhart was presented with a gold crucifix in honor of her 50 years of service teaching catechism after Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Vattmann on May 15.