From the age of 12, Daniel Harrelson has known he wanted to be a band director. Now in his 11th year at Bishop Dunne Catholic School, that lifelong calling has earned him recognition among his peers. Harrelson, who serves as director of bands at Bishop Dunne, was named one of three Distinguished Educators of the Year April 25 during the 2025 Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools Distinguished Educator of the Year dinner, held in the parish hall of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
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After nine years, the moment Father Peter Whitfield had been waiting for had finally arrived; he would celebrate Mass for the first time.
When Father Allen-Michael Muench recalled his journey to the priesthood, he framed the story as a series of providential relationships — a succession of friendships and mentorships that, through the grace of God, led him to his priestly ordination at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano on May 24.
Growing up in a missionary family prepared Father David Piquer’s heart so he would confidently decide during his adolescence that he wanted to follow God.
For years, Father Bryce Baumann has prayed the same prayer: “Lord, if it’s your will that I could be ordained a priest at my home parish, that would be such a gift.” On May 24, his prayer was answered.
The pews of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church were packed with family, friends, clergy, seminarians, and faithful from across north Texas and beyond to witness the rite of ordination to the priesthood of Father Bryce Baumann, Father Allen-Michael Muench, Father Peter Whitfield, and Father David Piquer May 24 during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward J. Burns.
Nicaraguan singer Tony Meléndez was on campus, playing the guitar with his feet and motivating students, administrators, and parents with his testimony of hope and faith.
The Diocese of Dallas has launched the Light the Way Catholic Education Appeal to benefit the 10 Catholic schools in the diocese most in need of support.
The following clergy appointments and assignments for the Diocese of Dallas are effective July 1, 2025 unless otherwise noted.
When University of Dallas sophomores Natalie Kelly and Sophia Cabello traveled to Rome to study history, they didn’t anticipate becoming a witness to it.