It was an exciting way to celebrate the Jubilee Year, 'Pilgrims of Hope'... On September 27, 2025, two hundred people were renewed in hope! What a beautiful Rejoice In Hope event.
Our sincerest thanks to each of you who contributed to this annual fundraiser through prayers, volunteer time, auction donations & bids, ticket & table sales, and most importantly through your sponsorships and pledges of ongoing support for this ministry. Pilgrim Center of Hope will use your gifts to support our vital mission of hope - in parishes, families & communities.
Thank you to Aaron Hannie for capturing some special memories, seen in the gallery below.
Event Details
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel
9800 Westover Hills Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78251
Rejoice in Hope Sponsors
Patrons of Hope
- A Friend of PCH
- A Friend of PCH
- A Friend of PCH
Supporter of Hope
- Sts. Peter and Paul Church, New Braunfels
- Robert and Jane Atkins
Advocates of Hope
- Letty Elder
- Chris and Patty Parma
Partners of Hope
- Victor and Patricia Flieller
- Jerome and Sara Hoog
- John and Donna West
Contributors of Hope
- La Kasita DToty Gifts and More LLC
- Kevin and Clare Smith
Promoters of Hope
- Patsy Crane
- Anastasia Dreighton
- Arnold and Debbie Garza
- Victor and Sylvia Negron
- Melvin and Teresa Sweatman
- Javier and Stella Villarreal
- Jeff and Sarah Weaver
Honorees: 2025 Missionary of Hope Award
Pilgrim Center of Hope is grateful to honor Dr. Carmelito (Sonny) and Judith (Judy) Arkangel. Sonny and Judy have been married 60 years, since entering the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on June 20, 1965, and are blessed with three grown children and four grandchildren. They have been living in San Antonio since 1988.
Graduating from Westpoint in 1965, Sonny served in the United States Army including time in Delta Force special operations. He retired from military service in 1995 as a Lt. Colonel, after which point he became an Emergency Room Physician at University Hospital until 2009. Sonny finished his medical career as a cruise physician until his retirement in 2017. He has applied his expertise and faith by giving presentations on the Passion and Death of Christ to medical students, professionals, and other audiences.
The Arkangels have been active members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church since 1988. In 2012, Judy founded the parish Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She also organized the May Crowning of Mary event for three years, and currently serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Sonny has been active in Bible Study, Men’s ACTS retreat teams, and as a member of Military Veterans for Christ ministry.
Sonny and Judy have been pivotal constituents and friends of Pilgrim Center of Hope for many years. Both were pilgrims (Judy three times, Sonny, twice). Pilgrim Center of Hope’s Shroud of Turin projects were inspired in part by Sonny’s presentation for the staff about Christ’s Passion and Death from a medical perspective. Judy has helped organize the Catholic Women’s Conference, Socials with the Saints events, and served on the fundraising committee for many of the 32 years since Pilgrim Center of Hope’s inception.
Please join us to honor this exceptional couple!
2024 Recipients: Dr. Mitchell & Christine Finnie, 2023 Recipients: Raymond & Mary Baird, 2022 Recipients: David & Janet Pollock, 2021 Recipients: Dennis & Joyce Ullrich
