Proud to be a Catholic!

Last Monday, over 10,000 people gathered at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Another room (smaller auditorium) nearby held 2,000 people who overflowed. No, Lady Gaga was not in town, no dance troupe or show...no headliner that you read about in the papers everyday. This was a celebration - It was the Diocese of Corpus Christi's 100th birthday. Exactly 100 years ago, Pope Pius X, a staunch defender of the Catholic faith and liturgy, founded our Diocese. Monday night, a choir of over 150 voices sang songs in Latin and Spanish and English. 14 bishops were in attendance, over 100 priests, and 2 cardinals. It was amazing. Over 11,000 people attended Mass - that was the purpose of this gathering. To celebrate Jesus --- and our blessings. I was so profoundly proud to be a small part of the huge celebration....

Bison Burgers on the Beach

They were DELICOUS. The company - including a very regal Blue heron and TONS of pelicans - was awesome. A beautiful day. I love the beach...

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Today I watched the sun rise

over Bali Park beach in Corpus Christi....

 and then this guy decided to stay for a visit...

It was, to say the very least, an incredible morning....

My Funny Valentines

It's too cold to swim but for the first visit to the beach on Valentine's Day, some little people just couldn't keep their jeans on. A prelude to spring and summer here in Corpus Christi!!

Just in time for Christmas

You may remember this post. The Corpus Christi Cathedral choirs spent many hours for a week practicing with orchestras and solists to produce this CD. Now, it's done. It's for sale. And friends, it is EXQUISITE. I can't believe how extraordinarily beautiful the production turned out to be - all singing Our Lord's praises. The CD includes both Christmas favorites, sacred hymns, and pieces that will move your soul. The cover (pictured) is of our cathedral in 2005 when the Christmas snowstorm hit Corpus Christi. How beautiful is that! I bought many copies for friends and family! Currently, you can get a copy via me or order them from www.msrcd.com. As a matter of fact, click here and you can hear some of the audio as well as read lots more about it!!!Very, very proud and humbled to be part of such a beautiful project! We are so blessed with SO much talent!!!

Music for the Soul

Here are some posted videos from youtube - The Corpus Christi Pontifical Chorale's performance "Cathedral's Got Talent" last month. I can't express what a blessing it is to be a member of this talented group of musicians. The music moves my soul:

Brahm's How Lovely Is they Dwelling Place from A German Requiem; Click here

Beethoven's Hallejuah from the Mount of Olives: click here

And for those of you who appreciate a good spiritual, Ride on King Jesus, arranged by Moses Hogan; click here Ya GOTTA listen to the ending! I love watching our assistant director and my friend - Lupe Riveria - in this one. He is awesome. Love you Loops!


More to come - including my favorite... The Awakening. The Pontifical Chorale is cutting a two CD set this summer. Lots of rehearsals and production time. Can't wait!!!

Going to the beach!

I hate to admit this - I've lived in Corpus Christi since Jan 2006, and I've never been to the real beach. I've gone to the man-made ones downtown or along the shore by the bay, but not the REAL deal. Not enough time, always have stuff to do, working to get ahead, going out of town, it never seems to end. BUT, this weekend, I went. JP made a special request, so I had to say yes. The beach wasn't at its best as Dolly purged just about every bit of seaweed (which, for you non-scientist types, is NOT a plant) up on the shore. That meant a lot of stuff stuck in the seaweed. No matter, we went for a 2 hour walk along the shoreline and had a blast. Saw some VERY cool birds including this Great Blue Heron.
Here's a close-up:
Others included lots of Caspian terns: Long-billed curlews: Short-billed dowitchers: Lots and lots of laughing gulls and ring-billed gulls, some pelicans that made my day, and birds that I cannot yet identify. I'm learning more about shore birds since coming here -- I was raised as an academic on forest/hardwood trees and associated songbirds and riparian habitat birds of Central Texas, so this is a whole new 'bird menu' for me. I researched eastern screech owls for five years in central Texas...they don't mingle with shore birds much. So, I'm learning....

Following our walk we went to a favorite seafood place - seating is outside at Snoopys and is next to a pier located right on the inter coastal canal: It's so relaxing to watch the sailboats come and go, the pelicans looking for a free handout as the deep sea fisherman come in, and drinking a cold beer with your freshly caught shrimp. Also located right next door is Scoopy's! -- yummy ice cream! Awesome -- a little sunburn, full tummies and I finally made it to the beach. It was so fun, and I'm thankful for JP's insistence on taking time off from cell phones and work and computers. It was a great day! It won't be so long before I return -- already making plans to bring Audrey!

Rough Night: Dolly Won't Leave

Overnight there was wind, rain and more rain. Sheets of rain and wind that shook my apartment. Ella never left my side. The good thing is I didn't lose power. Today, I awoke (once more) to the sound of hard, pounding rain. Things are supposed to let up as the day goes on, but this system is moving sooo slowly. AND, the people on South Padre that had came and stayed for their vacations are stuck as the causeway is closed - and they have had NO power. It's a mess, over 15 inches fell there yesterday.
The big question for the day -- will JP's flight make it in? Will Southwest Airlines come through? We won't know till late tonight --- fingers and toes crossed. Corkscrew in glove box. Perhaps I can figure out a way to attach an inflatable life vest!

Dolly Can't Decide

Its noon: she's still sitting offshore, has built herself up to a Category 2 and is making us all quite anxious as she has moved northward, following the coastline.The radio station I usually listen to has gone MIA - so I've got on a Hispanic station. They have Hispanic storm watchers everywhere!! Fernando is downtown talking about a funnel cloud as we speak --all giving us the low-down on Dolly, in English. Along with rain and wind,there have been some road closures, flooding, power outages and stalled vehicle/accidents, but Carlos and Ramos are doing a great job of reporting the latest! The mariachi filled music keeps you happy and upbeat! Oh - thanks to Blue's driver, I've got plenty of merlot on hand should nerves require it tonight, and batteries for my radio so I don't lose track of my new buds Carlos and Ramos. Onward we go...Dolly, por favor deje Texas!

Happy Fourth of July!

Today's plans include baking the annual red, white and blue cake (strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream!) and a fireworks show with friends and family -- Audrey's first! Hope you have a great day!