Living Charity

Living Charity as a Professional  Sister Norma Pimentel and Father Larry Snyder are joined by Brenda Riojas, who shares how to live out the Gospel call to charity through professional work. With 27 years serving the Diocese and as editor of The Valley Catholic, Brenda reflects on how communication and storytelling are vital forms of service that uplift and connect communities. Drawing from saints like St. Catherine of Siena, St. Josemaría Escrivá, and St. Ignatius of Loyola, the conversation highlights how our daily work—no matter the role—can become a path to holiness. Through collaboration, perseverance, and offering both successes and challenges to God, even ordinary tasks take on deeper meaning. Rooted in faith, joy, and trust in God’s plan, this episode explores how to find purpose in everyday responsibilities, embrace challenges, and walk together in service to others. Your work is more than a job—it’s a calling and an opportunity to live out charity each day. 

Sister Norma Pimentel and Father Larry Snyder are joined by Mia and Vincent Onrubias, who share how growing up involved with Catholic Charities shaped their lifelong commitment to service. From volunteering together as a family in the Rio Grande Valley to caring for vulnerable infants in the NICU, they reflect on how witnessing charity at home formed their faith and purpose. Grounded in Scripture—from Leviticus 19:33–34 to the Gospel call to love one another—they highlight the dignity of every person, especially the stranger, and the responsibility we share as members of God’s family. Through the Golden Rule and the second commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves, they show how small, consistent acts of service can transform lives and inspire a deeper sense of mission. Now continuing that mission, Vincent serves youth experiencing homelessness in Boston, while Mia’s leadership in service programs reflects the same commitment to compassion, dignity, and community. Living charity as a family creates a lasting witness—forming hearts to serve others with love, dignity, and faith. 

Sister Norma Pimentel and Father Larry Snyder are joined by Father Pat Seitz, who reflects on over 33 years of ministry in the Rio Grande Valley. Together, they explore what it means to truly live out faith and charity in parish life. Drawing from Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est and the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium, they reflect on the Church’s mission to proclaim the Word, celebrate the Sacraments, and serve those in need. Through listening, accompaniment, and presence, they highlight how charity begins with encountering others and walking with them in love. They also reflect on the Church’s call to continual renewal, going beyond parish boundaries, and living out Catholic Social Teaching in everyday life. 

In this episode of Living Charity, Bishop Daniel Flores reflects on how the virtue of charity took root in his life through the example of family, faith, and everyday acts of generosity. From the wisdom of his grandmother to the Gospel message of trusting in God’s care, Bishop Flores shares how charity begins with a generous heart. He also discusses the inspiration of recent popes, who remind us that Christian charity must go beyond human boundaries and reflect the generous love of Christ, who gave himself freely to all. Bishop Flores explains that charity begins in how we see others—with dignity, compassion, and openness. Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, we are sent from Mass to live out Christ’s love through simple yet powerful acts: accompanying others in their struggles, sharing their sorrows, and helping them know they are not alone. Join us as we explore what it means to live the charity of Christ in our everyday lives. 

In this very first episode of Living Charity, hosts Sister Norma Pimentel of Missionaries of Jesus and Father Larry Snyder are joined by special guest Dr. Michelle Nuñez, Operating Chief Officer of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Together, they explore what it truly means to “live charity” as Catholics. Charity is not simply an optional good deed or a nice addition to our faith life — it is at the very heart of the Gospel. To live charity is to live out the Gospel itself. The call to charity is not new or optional. It is woven throughout the Old Testament, the New Testament, Catholic Social Teaching, and the teaching of the popes. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in Deus Caritas Est, love of neighbor is rooted in love of God. Jesus gives us the greatest commandment: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. These are not two separate commands, but one unified call. Love of God is proven and perfected in love of neighbor. At the heart of living charity is one essential question: Who is my neighbor? Jesus answers this in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The real crux of the Gospel is not merely knowing the law, but embodying mercy. To truly love Christ is to recognize Him in every person — especially those on the edges of society.