More on Bishop Pena

The Brownsville Herald
May 14, 2006

Peña to modestly observe 49 years in clergy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Bishop Raymundo J. Peña will quietly celebrate the 49th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood today.

Peña was not available for comment, but his spokeswoman Brenda Nettles Riojas said in a prepared statement issued Monday that there would be no diocesan celebrations.
“He will be celebrating with his staff (today) with a Mass and luncheon in Brownsville,” Nettles Riojas said.

Peña was ordained a priest on May 25, 1957 at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Corpus Christi. He was named auxiliary bishop of San Antonio on Oct. 16, 1976. He was ordained a bishop on Dec. 13, 1976. Peña was appointed Bishop of El Paso on April 29, 1980, where he served 15 years.

Pope John Paul II appointed Peña bishop of Brownsville on May 23, 1995. He was installed on Aug. 6, 1995 at the Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan.

Peña is 72 years old. Although the mandatory retirement age for priests is 70, it is 75 for bishops and archbishops.


A Reminder from Kanickers:

Please remember to join us this Sunday at 8:30 Mass when His Excellency, Bishop Raymundo Peña will be celebrating Mass with us in celebration of Holy Spirit's 25th Anniversary. We ask that you wear RED in celebration of this event.

(ALSO SEE: "The Bishop is Coming" - Below!)

From our Parishioners' Newsletter of May 28, 2005:

True Colors
So don’t be afraid to let them show—Your true colors - Cyndi Lauper.

It is not surprising that the newspaper clipping montage in the gathering space last Sunday that purported to be a history of the parish did not contain the headlines from the summer of 2003. In fact, based on the montage, you would think the significant moments in the history of Holy Spirit were “brick and mortar” moments.

Where is the record of a community that took to heart the challenge to become a “model Vatican II parish”? Where is the record of a community that not only survived but strengthened itself in the years without a resident pastor? Where is the record of the community that developed traditions of liturgical celebration, religious education, and community outreach that remain the envy of many in the diocese? Where is the record of the community that spoke and acted strongly for the Gospel message of peace and justice, not only in our Valley but in our nation and the world?

All of these are recorded in the hearts and minds of those people who created and lived in this community and will not be forgotten, even if not recognized in the upcoming anniversary celebration.

Don’t wear red on June 4th as a protest; wear red as the color of the Spirit, our Holy Spirit—it is our color...
See you there~
Kanickers



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