St. John Bosco is well known for his work in forming youth to be excellent disciples of Jesus Christ. His exemplary apostolate led many young men and women to excel in their vocations to religious life, the priesthood and marriage.

This year, Sister Maria Helen DelaPeña, SOLT celebrates her 25th anniversary of consecrated life with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Her journey to a life devoted to Jesus through Mary began in the Philippines, where she grew up. From a very early age, her parents instilled in her and her three sisters and brother a foundation of faith and devotion.

In May, Sister Bertha Horning, 91, a sister with the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration—affectionately known as the Pink Sisters—will celebrate 70-years in consecrated life, living in a cloistered vocation.

Relief mixed with gratitude. These are the most common and overwhelming feelings in the hearts of the people who come to the Christus Spohn Health System’s mobile CareVan for their health and obstetrical care, CareVan staff said. The CareVan, which operates Monday through Thursday, offers free medical care to uninsured and under-insured patients in under-served areas of the Coastal Bend.

Converts to Catholicism, and those in RCIA classes on the path to entering the Church in Easter, say that confession is both an exciting and intimidating part of becoming Catholic. Several candidates and catechumens in RCIA classes said that their teachers went to great lengths to emphasize that the priest-confessor is not there to judge the penitent or to remember their sins. They took consolation in the idea that the priest is a mediator between the penitent and Jesus Christ, and not a harsh judge.

Continuing its tradition of bringing distinguished speakers to South Texas, the CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation's guest for the 2016 CHRISTUS Spohn Lyceum is author David McCullough. The event will take place April 12 at the American Bank Center.

Former Nueces County Sheriff James T. Hickey died March 13 in his Corpus Christi home of 50 years, which was located across the street from Incarnate Word Academy where his children attended school and down the street from his parish St. Patrick where he was an active parishioner for 50 years.

As has been his practice, Bishop Michael Mulvey will be administering the sacrament of confirmation at the Corpus Christi Cathedral beginning on April 8. Every parish in the diocese will present their candidates for confirmation and ceremonies will be held multiple days a week through May 15. The full schedule for confirmations is available at diocesecc.org/confirmations.

Carlos Reyna and his wife Anna never expected his job working offshore would interfere with their Catholic faith. But being away from home for two weeks straight made it difficult for their family to attend Mass regularly.

En el año de Jubileo de la Misericordia, el papa Francisco invita al pueblo católico que se acerquen a vivir las obras de misericordia corporales y espirituales. Que se acerquen a los ministerios que sus parroquias ofrecen.

Incarnate Word Academy will be celebrating a campus-wide Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the Incarnation on Monday, April 4. The Mass will be celebrated from 10-11 a.m. in the school’s Mother Patricia Gunning Gymnasium with Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrating.

Five Incarnate Word Academy High School Level students received a one ranking at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) State Music Championships on March 30 in San Antonio. A one rating is the highest ranking a student can receive at the competition.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe youth group in Alice reenacted a "Live Stations of the Cross" play on Good Friday, March 25, through the parish's neighborhood. Pastor Father Julian Cabrera said several people along the procession were impacted by the sorrow and pain Jesus endured before being crucified.

Msgr. Gregory S. "Rory" Deane died in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 6. Msgr. Dean had served the Diocese of Corpus Christi for more than 60 years, having started his priestly ministry on June 6, 1954.

Msgr. William Celestine Murray died Thursday, Feb. 25, at Angel Bright Nursing Home in Corpus Christi. Msgr. Murray was born on April 3, 1931 in Waterford, Ireland and served the Diocese of Corpus Christi for 60 years.