Father John J. Geaney, CSP, rector of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Grand Rapids, Mich. (left), and Father Bob Rivers from the Paulist Center in Boston get ready for the shotgun start of the Paulist Open 2010, held at Apple Rock Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. ENLARGE PHOTO | START SLIDESHOW

Paulist President Father Michael B. McGarry delivers the homily during Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Chapel Nov. 13 just before the Paulist Open Weekend gala awards dinner. ENLARGE PHOTO

It was an unseasonably cold and windy morning in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, but that didn’t deter golfers near and far from turning out to support the Paulist Fathers during the second annual Paulist Open Golf Weekend Nov. 12-13.

The unfazed golfers took on the 18 challenging holes of Horseshoe Bay’s Apple Rock Golf Course as the weather grew warmer and sunnier.

“They came out for the love of the sport and the love of the Paulists,” said Father Ruben Patino, CSP, pastor of the 250-family St. Paul the Apostle Chapel since June 2009. “The people in Horseshoe Bay play golf all the time, but they made a special effort to be a part of this.”

Following the true spirit of Paulist ecumenism, St. Paul began as an interdenominational community in 1972. Although the Protestant Christians have since build their own church just down the road from the chapel, history still binds.

Prior to the chapel’s construction, Paulist Father Walter J. Dalton celebrated Mass at various Horseshoe Bay locations. A gift of property and funds from Wayne and Eileen Hurd in 1979 allowed construction to begin, and the chapel was dedicated on Dec. 5, 1982.

The Paulists returned to Horseshoe Bay in 2007 after a three-year hiatus to once again oversee the pastoral care of St. Paul at the behest of then-Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of of Austin (now the archbishop of New Orleans). Father Robert T. Scott, CSP, began his second tenure as St. Paul’s pastor, followed by the arrival of Father Patino.

Father Ruben Patino, CSP, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Chapel in Horseshoe Bay, leads grace during the gala awards dinner of the Paulist Open at the Horseshoe Bay Yacht Club. ENLARGE PHOTO

““This golf weekend puts St. Paul’s Chapel on the Paulist map,” said Father Patino. “We are hoping this becomes more and more of a national event. The people of Horseshoe Bay love the Paulists, and this event continues the spirit of all the Paulists who have served here.”

For event chairman Bob Schweizer, planning the weekend was a way to give back to the Paulists who have given him so much throughout his 12 years as a St. Paul’s parishioner.

The support we have seen here can only enhance the future of the Paulists and the future of the Paulists in Horseshoe Bay,” said Mr. Schweizer. “This is an excellent opportunity for growth and to show our strength.”

One of those strengths is the Paulist-run Busted Halo ministry to spiritual seekers in their 20s and 30s. Tens of thousands of people around the world are reached every day through Busted Halo’s online magazine and nightly broadcasts on Sirius XM radio’s The Catholic Channel.

“These are people that are not in the pews,” said Father Dave Dwyer, host of the Busted Halo Show, which broadcasted live from the Paulist Open welcome barbecue, and emcee of the event’s gala awards dinner. “They are embarrassed because they have forgotten how to go to confession or if they should receive Communion. They have a lot of questions and we are there to reach out to them. This is the other side of the Paulist Open. This is what you played for.”

Although not a golfer, Paulist President Father Michael B. McGarry was on hand to cheer on the teams.

“This event has a ripple effect in our ministries that goes beyond financial support,” he said. “The vision of [Paulist founder] Father Hecker is alive and will continue to grow in the future.”