USA, Carlos Cantú. June 30th was a day of celebration for the Schoenstatt Family in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. Schoenstatt Father, Fr. Héctor Vega, was ordained to the priesthood 40 years ago. Although Fr. Héctor has served the Schoenstatt Movement in several parts of the USA and Puerto Rico, he has spent many of his priesthood years in Texas, and especially with the Schoenstatt Family in the Diocese of Brownsville. Fr. Vega, as he is also called, is a household name down here and he is held in high regard by many people, including priests, the present bishop, the Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores and the retired bishop, the Most Rev. Raymundo Peña.
Although feted in other places in Texas, the Schoenstatt Movement, in the Brownsville Diocese, wanted to express their love and gratitude to Fr. Héctor for his unselfish and dedicated service to the Schoenstatt Family in this diocese. On June 30th, Fr. Héctor celebrated a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving there. More than 150 persons gathered to honor him. It was a beautiful Eucharistic celebration where Fr. Héctor spoke of his prieshood and of his work with the Schoenstatt Movement.
One of “our Schoenstatt boys” concelebrating
A special feature of our celebration was Fr. Joe Villalon. Fr. Joe concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr. Héctor. Fr. Joe is not only a diocesan priest in this diocese, but he is also “one of our Schoenstatt boys”, as they say. He grew up with the Movement since his parents also belonged to the first group of Schoenstatt couples which was formed in the parish of St. Francis Xavier in La Feria. Especially significant was that as a Schoenstatt youth, Fr. Joe went with a busload of young boys who traveled – 40 years ago – to Waukesha, Wisconsin for the ordination of Fr. Héctor. Fr. Joe gave a beautiful narration of the events that led up to his going to the ordination and what it has meant to him. All were enriched with hearing of this experience, and it was most special because Fr. Joe recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his own ordination.
Through the roof of the shrine
After Mass, refreshments and fellowship were enjoyed by everyone present. A beautiful small shrine had been prepared for the occasion. Everyone could deposit their cards of well-wishing through the roof of the shrine.
Author`s Personal note
On a personal note, my wife and I met Fr. Héctor in Schoenstatt, Germany in 1970, 44 years ago. He was a student and we were on the first International Pilgrimage to Schoenstatt. Fr. Héctor has been a part of our family all these years, our children grew up with him present and he is held in high esteem by all of them.
CONGRATULATIONS TO FATHER HECTOR VEGA!
And to think Fr. Hector might have never reached his 40th year celebration had it not been for the generosity of one woman from Waukesha, WI., who donated her perfectly matched kidney to him a decade ago. Ruth Bruckbauer, who resided on Cherry Lane, near the International Center and led the Mothers group at the time, was that woman. She helped the Blessed Mother to take perfect care of fr. Hector. We thank him for being a good shepherd to Schoenstatt members and other Catholics.