With public processions, faith-filled celebrations, and deep devotion, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage made its way through the Diocese of Dallas June 3-5, drawing Catholics from across the diocese into communion with Christ and marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Church’s three-year National Eucharistic Revival.
Diocese of Dallas
Senior adults are a huge and growing portion of the Church in the United States. They are often the Mass greeters, the lectors, the altar society members in their parishes — a sort of backbone in the Body of Christ; but many senior groups and ministries in the local Church have diminished or disappeared over the years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
The Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago recognized that Christian unity had to be based on a common faith and should be demonstrated by a common celebration of Easter, the most sacred feast of the Christian year, said speakers at a Rome conference.
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.
Looking for a new job can be difficult and confusing, not to mention demoralizing; but the helpful guidance of informed mentors can make all the difference in the process, St. Jude parishioner Richard Panko said.