In a sense, Father Parker Thompson’s journey to the priesthood has been a lifetime in the making. As early as childhood, the idea of dedicating his life to the Church had already begun to take root in the young boy’s heart.
Diocese
More than 700 young professionals, priests, religious, and Catholic executives from across the United States descended upon the Diocese of Dallas April 26-28 for the eighth annual Young Catholic Professionals national conference, held at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star. The 2024 edition, “Workers in the Vineyard,” was inspired by the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, exploring the sanctification of work with Christ and for Christ.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas celebrated its annual Spark of Hope Breakfast on April 19 at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel in Irving. This year’s breakfast boasted 200 participants, its largest number of attendees so far, and raised more than $80,000 in support of the charitable works of the society.
A heavy downpour of rain and unseasonably cool temperatures could not dampen the celebratory spirit on display at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Bishop Edward J. Burns honored parish volunteers from throughout the Diocese of Dallas with the 2024 Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church during the celebration of a Mass on April 20.
The Diocese of Dallas has released a statement concerning Fr. Reyes Mata.
The community of St. Mary Catholic Parish gathered in celebration and prayer on April 27 for a Mass commemorating the parish’s 150th anniversary. Bishop Edward J. Burns concelebrated the special Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church at St. Mary Catholic Parish with Father Martin Castañeda, parish pastor, and Father Merlito Abiog, parochial vicar. The Saturday evening Mass was followed by a reception and was just one part of a three-day celebration of the parish milestone anniversary.
Along with her husband Leon, Anita Kubin serves as a history-keeper of sorts for St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis. The two preserve the legacy of their community through their work on the parish’s cemetery committee.
From the speakers to the goodie bags to the atmosphere, each little detail of St. Ann’s inaugural Women’s Summit was selected with the hearts of women in mind. The sold-out event, hosted by St. Ann Catholic Church in Coppell on April 5-6, saw 500 women gather to encounter Christ and celebrate each other.
The community of Bishop Lynch High School prayerfully gathered on the Feast of the Annunciation, April 8, 2024, with Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly for the dedication and blessing of a mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe near the school’s entrance.
Parishioners from parishes and quasi-parishes throughout the Diocese of Dallas will be honored for their volunteer efforts at the annual Bishop’s Award for Service Mass at 10 a.m. on April 20 at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The special Mass recognizes lay men and women for their volunteer efforts benefiting ministries in the 77 total parish communities in the diocese. The Texas Catholic recently had the opportunity to visit with some of those men and women being honored. This is Tommy Benajmin’s story.