VATICAN CITY, (VIS) – On Jan, 17, Pope Benedict XVI received in audience an ecumenical delegation from the Lutheran Church of Finland during their annual pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the feast of Saint Henry of Uppsala, patron saint of Finland.

He visto muchas caras de la pobreza en mis viajes con Catholic Relief Services (CRS), primero como miembro de la junta y ahora como presidente, al visitar proyectos alrededor del mundo donde trabajamos con los más pobres de los pobres, tratando de ayudarles a mejorar sus vidas.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Portland had a women's ACTS retreat on January 10-13.

San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller was the keynote speaker at the 2013 Diocese of Corpus Christi Ministry Conference held at the American Bank Center on Jan. 12.

Corpus Christ Mayor Nelda Martinez recalled caring for a dear friend in her final days as she lost her battle with breast cancer. In those final weeks, Martinez and others looked after FIRST FRIDAY member and former mayor Mary Rhodes at her Corpus Christ home.

Unos meses atrás trabaje con un comité sobre la situación económica de los Estados Unidos. Yo sabía que nuestro país estaba saliendo de una recesión económica. Los promedios de desempleo estaban entre el ocho y nueve por ciento, tal vez aún más altos. Estos promedios eran altos para el país. Examinando información sobre el tema, observé como la pobreza especialmente afectaba a niños en este país. Me sorprendió lo que aprendí.

On Tuesday, Jan. 8, Father James Puthenparambil, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mathis celebrated his 32nd ordination anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving. In conjunction with his celebration and Vocation Awareness Week, the parish invited Sister Barbara Bluntzer, SP of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods to come and speak on vocations.

Danielle Rose, a music missionary who spreads the Gospel through a joyful witness of story and song, will perform a concert on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 9, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Corpus Christi. Admission is free.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—Francisco Aaron Villalobos, Program Coordinator for the Transforming Texas–“Long Live Texans” campaign will be attending the “2013 Texas Youth Summit for Tobacco Prevention” in Spicewood, Texas, Jan. 11–15 and at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 16. Villalobos has been chosen to act as a facilitator during the summit.

WASHINGTON—The annual national Collection for the Church in Latin America is slated for the weekend of Jan. 26-27 in parishes across the country.

Bishop Garriga Middle School is hosting a “Casino Night” on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 6-10:30 p.m. The fund raising event will be held at the Holiday Inn–Airport located at 5549 Leopard in Corpus Christi.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Incarnate Word Academy’s Middle Level Geography Bee will be held at the James R. Dougherty Center on Friday, Jan. 11, at 2:30 p.m. The top 10 history classroom winners will participate in the school’s Geography Bee.

Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi was honored to offer the invocation for the Texas House of Representatives opening session today, Jan 8. While at the capitol Bishop visited with several legislators representing the Diocese of Corpus Christi, offering prayers for members and staff.

Cecilia Bauer, an altar server at Our Lady of Refuge in Refugio, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Houston Baptist University in the fall.