Jesus is the pivot point of the Hail Mary prayer. In the original Latin text, the prayer consists of two parts, each containing 15 syllables. The first part contains the biblical witness of the Annunciation and Visitation; the second features the doctrinal affirmation of Mary as the Mother of God who prays for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Diocese of Dallas
During the celebration of an April 11 Mass at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Edward J. Burns honored recipients of the 2026 Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church, recognizing 136 parishioners from 70 parish communities whose acts of faith and service, he said, are essential to the Church’s mission.
Hundreds of people gathered April 10 at The Westin Galleria Dallas for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas’ annual “Spark of Hope” event, a morning that recognized service and celebrated the organization’s 70-year history in the Diocese of Dallas.
As the Diocese of Dallas prepares to welcome its newest members more fully into the life of the Church, Bishop Edward J. Burns is inviting neophytes to gather once again — not as seekers but as newly planted Catholics — at the annual Neophyte Mass, a celebration designed to deepen the faith that takes root at the Rite of Election and is strengthened through prayer, the sacraments, and perseverance in a challenging world.
This past Easter, the Church witnessed something beautiful — a remarkable resurgence of people entering the Church through the sacraments. Across the world, and here in our own diocese, we saw men and women, young and old, stepping forward to embrace the faith. It is a sign of hope, a reminder that the Holy Spirit is still at work, stirring hearts, and renewing the Church. This rebirth is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. If we desire to see this renewal continue, we must remain faithful to the Word that gives it life.
The arrival of seven novices to Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey in 2024 — a record number of novices for the Irving community and a significant hike from the typical one-per-year average — is a blessing that has brought with it more heads in need of pillows, more backs in need of habits, and, crucially, more stomachs in need of meals, according to Father Abbot Peter Verhalen, O. Cist., who made the comment following the abbey’s receipt of a grant from The Catholic Foundation in support of campus renovations.
From conflict zones to ancient Christian sites, Pope Leo XIV brings message of peace, hope to Africa
Pope Leo XIV concluded his first trip to Africa April 23, capping a four-country visit marked by urgent calls for peace, direct engagement with conflict zones, and a backdrop of international political tension.
Amalia Macias, a longtime parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish, received the Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church this year, recognizing decades of faith-driven service. The honor, presented by Bishop Edward J. Burns, highlights a life shaped by devotion, sacrifice, and a commitment to others.
Despite the age difference of 19 years between the oldest and youngest of Tom and Valerie McCrary’s nine children, there was never a scene, through the years, of squeezing a party of 11 into a pew for Mass. Their volume of attendees on any given Sunday was large enough for Tom to typically leave ahead of the others to secure adequate seating.
Every day, in some way, Carlo Cueto joyfully says yes to serving God by serving his Church.