I saw a need for a Diocesan Synod during the historic pandemic, when our pews were empty, our pulpits silent, and our altars were barren. I knew we needed to do something historic to compensate for this pandemic.
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Cheers erupted from classrooms throughout St. Mark Catholic School on Sept. 24 as Principal Pam Steinkirchner announced the Plano school once again been recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
They came by fire engine, by police cruiser, by ambulance, by bicycle, by horse, and even by helicopter. On Aug. 3, first responders from throughout the diocese gathered at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the seventh annual Diocese of Dallas Blue Mass and Blessing of the Fleet.
In the August 2024 episode of “Diocese in the News,” we highlight the annual Diocese of Dallas Blue Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward J. Burns at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as a Mass of Consecration to the Order of Virgins for Karen Bless, a campus minister at the University of Dallas, and the diocesan delegation’s trip to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
“Diocese in the News” is a collaboration between The Texas Catholic and the Diocese of Dallas.
The experience of recovering from a serious snowboarding accident inspired Evan Taylor to become a pastoral visitor for homebound parishioners.
People came from all over on July 13 to help Father Fred Caldwell celebrate his birthday at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish. At 90, Father Caldwell is the oldest living diocesan priest for the Diocese of Dallas.
Most days, the building at the northeast corner of Randlett Street and Alexander Avenue is an unassuming addition to the otherwise quiet neighborhood. Two mornings a month, though, a bustle of activity takes over as volunteers for St. Paul Medical Clinic put faith into action.
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.
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.
On March 30, 2024, during the celebration of an Easter Vigil Mass, the fruits of several years labor to create a University Catholic Center at the UTD were on display as friends, family, and peers packed it to witness six UTD students become Catholic.