Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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Bishop Farrell’s homily for Mass of Thanksgiving

September 16, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

The Diocese of Dallas bid a sad farewell and offered thanks to Bishop Kevin J. Farrell at a Mass of Thanksgiving for his near-decade of ministry and service on Saturday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Below is a video of his homily at this Mass.

Bishop Kevin Farrell Farewell Mass homily – September 10, 2016 from Catholic Diocese of Dallas on Vimeo.

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Highlights during Bishop Kevin J. Farrell’s tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Dallas

2007

March 6 – Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas by Pope Benedict XVI.

May 1 – Installed as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Dallas at Cathedral Shrine of the
Virgin of Guadalupe. Catholic population in nine-county area stands at approximately 940,000. June 9 – Ordains his first diocesan priest, Father Jason Cargo.

June 9 – Ordains his first diocesan priest, Father Jason Cargo.

Aug. 21 – Visits St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Oak Cliff after it was struck by lightning and burns
and pledges to work to build a new sanctuary for community.

Sept. 15 – Hires director of communications to focus on improving internal and external communications and bridging relationships with media and communities.

November – Hires first full-time Safe Environment Director charged with compliance of criminal background safety checks, for employees and volunteers working in all parishes, schools and offices.

November – Appoints Vicar for Clergy to oversee all aspects of clergy life and assist in improving the relationship with the priests of the diocese.

2008

Jan. 22 – Celebrates Mass and leads 5,000 people in march and rally and implores pro-life advocates  to  not  lose  faith  in  attempts  to  overturn  Roe  v.  Wade  decision  that  legalized abortion.

Aug.  24  –  In  an  effort to  promote  vocations to  the priesthood, organizes semi-annual St. Andrew Dinners to inform young men about being open to the call for vocations to the priesthood.

October – Appoints 16 lay men and women from parishes throughout the diocese to a newly formed Pastoral Council to help him address key issues important to the diocese.

2009

March 23 – Leads groundbreaking for Notre Dame Courts, a 69-unit facility in Oak Cliff for low- income people as part of Catholic Housing Initiative.

Oct. 23 – Relaunches and co-sponsors an expanded University of Dallas Ministry Conference at the Dallas Convention Center to ensure convenient ongoing training for all lay and clergy involved in ministry.

October – Reads decree following Mass of dedication in Kerens, Texas, of the first Vietnamese
Benedictine monastery in the United States.

2010

January 2010 – Launches blog to reach more Catholics via social media.

April 10 – Ordains two auxiliary bishops to help minister to the growing number of Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas.

2011

February  – Appoints a select strategic task force comprised of lay men and women, that included educators, parents, philanthropists and professionals, to map out the future of Catholic Schools in the diocese, resulting in the publishing of the “Our Students, Our Future: A Roadmap for Excellence.”

Sept. 3 – Joins St. Francis of Assisi Catholic community in Frisco in the groundbreaking for a new and much larger sanctuary to better accommodate the ever-growing number of Catholics in northern Collin County.

Sept. 12 – Tees off inaugural Bishop Farrell Invitational golf tournament to raise funds for tuition assistance for students in Catholic schools. To date, this golf tournament has raised $2.7 million for tuition assistance for students in diocesan schools.

Nov. 20 – Thanks members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church community for efforts and support during a
dedication Mass for the church’s new sanctuary.

2012

Feb. 11 – Initiates Bishop’s Award for Service with Mass at cathedral, honoring lay volunteers for their commitment and service to the local Catholic Church.

March 14 – Leads Diocese of Dallas bishops in Ad Limina visit to the Vatican and meeting with
Pope Benedict XVI.

Sept. 4 – Employed first-ever Chief Operating Officer to oversee all business aspects in the diocese.

Oct. 6-7 – Leads Dallas area Knights of Columbus members in delivering wheelchairs to people in rural areas of Honduras. Concelebrates several Masses in Trujillo, Dallas Diocese’s sister city.

2013

March 23 – Joins Mayor Mike Rawlings and thousands of men in City Hall Plaza for “Men Against Abuse”
rally, calling an end to domestic violence.

April 16 – Convenes first Marian Dinner to highlight the importance of religious women to the church and inspire vocations for future generations.

April 17 – Celebrates with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings the implementation of $6 million renovation of
Bishop Dunne Catholic with announcement at the Oak Cliff school.

May 5 – Leads march and speaks at rally at City Hall Plaza promoting immigration reform.

Sept. 4 – Presides at all-school Mass kicking off Bishop Lynch High School’s 50th anniversary.

Oct. 7 – Delivers a Red Mass homily at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., where the congregation traditionally prays for the U.S. Supreme Court and government officials (with several Supreme Court judges and officials in attendance) amid the federal government shutdown. In his homily, Bishop Farrell stressed that debate requires respect for the other side in every argument, no matter what the disagreement.

2014

June  14  —Santa  Clara  Regional  Community  Center,  a  program  of  Catholic  Charities  of  Dallas  that features a summer children’s camp, opens in West Dallas.

July 2014 – Urges Gov. Rick Perry to view immigrant children who have crossed into the U.S. from Central America as refugees in response to the governor’s announcement of a plan to send 1,000 members of the Texas National Guard to the border.

Sept. 30 – Presides over kickoff celebration of diocese’s 125th  anniversary and launch of $125 million capital campaign, “Our Faith…Our Future”, to raise $125 million for parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, Holy Trinity Seminary, and the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Oct. 17 – Announces his invitation of Cristo Rey High School to operate in the Diocese of Dallas with its nationally acclaimed college prep/work-study curriculum in school’s partnership with area businesses.

Oct. 20 – Reveals that four people exposed to Ebola virus were quarantined in Catholic facility for nearly a month, saying, “We help people because we are Catholic, not because they are Catholic.”

2015

Fall – Formally opens St. Philip & St. Augustine Academy that combined two schools into a renovated campus in Pleasant Grove.

2016

Jan. 2 – Prays with parishioners and community members who lost their homes in tornadic storms in the Garland and Rowlett areas in late December and calls for a special collection in all parishes.  The $1.9 million collected was given to Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide aid to storm victims.

January— The Diocese of Dallas and the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) formalize a strategic partnership with the goal of strengthening Catholic schools.

January – Pledges and funds to “Our Faith … Our Future” campaign top $130 million. Spring – Catholic population in Dallas Diocese tops 1.3 million.

May 21 – Ordains four diocesan priests, bringing to 34 the number of diocesan priests (24) and
Cistercian priests (10) ordained during his tenure.

June – Renovation and construction of parishes and school buildings and other Catholic-owned facilities tops $184 million from 2007 with another $73 million ongoing.

July 8 – Joins civic and faith leaders in prayer for peace and healing in downtown Dallas after five Dallas police officers are killed during protest.

Aug. 17 – Appointed by Pope Francis as the new prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and
Life at the Vatican.
Source: The Texas Catholic/Diocese of Dallas

Filed Under: Being Catholic

Prefect of the new Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life

August 17, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Bishop Kevin Farrell

I am extremely humbled that our Holy Father Pope Francis has selected me to lead this newly formed dicastery.  I look forward to being part of the important work of the universal Church in the promotion of the laity and the apostolate of the laity and for the pastoral care of the family in accordance with the Pope’s recent apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, the Joy of Love, and the support of human life.

While I am grateful for the Holy Father’s confidence in me, I meet this news with mixed emotions.

Dallas has been my home for 10 years and, from the beginning, I quickly grew to love the beautiful people and culture here.  The strong faith, kindness and generosity of the people in the Diocese of Dallas surpassed all of my expectations.  My brother priests were among the first to welcome me and I am extremely grateful for their collaboration, friendship, wise counsel and prayers.  A bishop can get nothing of significance done in a diocese without the hard work and cooperation of the pastors, priests, diocesan staff and people.  Together, I believe we have accomplished many goals, and put others in motion, that will continue to build up the Catholic Church in North Texas.

I cannot express enough my gratitude for all that the priests, staff and people have done and continue to do for me and the Diocese of Dallas.  I know our Holy Father is working, as we speak, to find the right man to serve as the new chief shepherd.  I am confident that, upon my departure, Bishop Greg Kelly will handle the needs of the diocese in the interim.  Please pray for him.  I also ask that you please pray for me as I begin this next unexpected chapter of my priesthood.  May God continue to bless the Diocese of Dallas.

Filed Under: In the News

Simple acts of kindness

August 3, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

20160803-kindnessnote

Simple acts of kindness say more about relationships than scholarly tomes because they come from the heart. One such act occurred in Irving last week among neighbors along Esters Road. Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church and Academy are just down the road from the Islamic Center and School of Irving.

On July 26, the world was shocked when Father Jacques Hamel, an 85 year old retired priest, in residence at Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray Parish at Rouen, Normandy, was murdered while celebrating Mass by two young Muslim men inspired to violence by the ISIS distortion of Islam.

The next morning here in Irving a card and bouquet were left on the doorstep at Holy Family. The handwritten note on the card read: ““Our condolences for the loss of Rev. Jacques Hamel of France. From the Muslim Community.”

A bouquet and note of condolence spoke profoundly to the sorrow and grief felt by both communities in Irving and Rouen, and the world, over the death of this good priest at the altar.  I am very happy to report that Holy Family and the Islamic Center of Irving have, through the years, forged a very good relationship as neighbors and faith communities.

I am grateful for the sympathy and kindness shown by the Islamic community to our Catholic community and pray we continue to work together to keep our friendship strong.

 

Filed Under: Being Catholic

Prayer does not need words, it only needs faith

July 21, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

20160615-prayer

Prayer is about our answer, not God’s. Pope Francis reminded us recently that “Prayer is not a magic wand,” that it is not all about us, what we want, what we need. Prayer is not so much about petition as it is about presence. It is our acknowledging God’s presence and our response.

Isaiah stood in His presence and responded, “Here I am Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) Prayer is seeking God’s will. It is us standing in His presence saying, “It’s me Lord … Mary … What do you have in mind?” Jesus gave us the pattern for a prayer of petition at Gethsemane when he prayed that his cup of suffering might pass, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42)

When I read the Holy Father’s words, I am reminded of a little verse that children are taught: “I know not by what method rare, but this I know, God answers prayer.” Pope Francis continued, “God promptly answers his children, although this does not mean he does it in the time and manner that we would like. Prayer is not a magic wand! It helps to preserve our faith in God, and to trust in Him even when we do not comprehend His will. In this, Jesus himself – who prayed so much– is the example.”

When the Apostles asked to be told how to pray, Jesus taught them the Lord’s Prayer.  It acknowledges God’s holiness, hopes for the coming of his kingdom, seeks his will, prays for our needs, and then seeks His forgiveness and protection.

What better pattern for our prayer?

Prayer does not need words, it only needs faith.

Filed Under: Being Catholic Tagged With: Prayer

Baton Rouge

July 18, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

20160718-batonrouge

So soon again we mourn the deaths of three more police officers ambushed in Baton Rouge. We share the grief of the families of the slain officers and their comrades who were wounded and offer prayers and condolences.

Our hearts are heavy with sadness at the Baton Rouge tragedy and the events of the past weeks that have shocked the world. There can be no justification for the wanton killing of innocent men, women and children.

We cannot allow the forces of darkness to overwhelm us. We must turn to God to pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families. We must ask him to lead us to productive dialogue that truly fosters understanding, mercy and forgiveness. We must find the love of Christ in our hearts and do all that we can to bring about the  peace and unity that can stop the current cycle of abhorrent violence. As our Holy Father Pope Francis advises:

Look upon your brother’s sorrow – I think of the children: look upon these… look at the sorrow of your brother, stay your hand and do not add to it, rebuild the harmony that has been shattered; and all this achieved not by conflict but by encounter!

Filed Under: Being Catholic

A celebration of Bastille Day in Nice turned into a killing field

July 14, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

20160714-nice

Another attack and scores more innocent people killed in a brutal and vicious manner. A celebration of Bastille Day in Nice turned into a killing field by terrorists determined to destroy western civilization.

Our prayers and hearts go out to the victims of the Nice assault and to all the people of France who have suffered so much at the hands of terrorists. We Catholics of the Diocese of Dallas owe much to the French priests and religious who re-evangelized Texas when the Spanish clergy withdrew after the war of independence from Mexico.

We ask our Father to bring peace and security to our world, comfort to the victims in France and in our own city and an end to the turmoil in the a Middle East that has generated so much suffering and death.

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Image credit: @cbsdfw on Twitter

Filed Under: In the News Tagged With: Nice

Pray for Dallas

July 8, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Dallas Skyline

On this day as we mourn and reflect, let us remember the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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Image Credit – IIP Photo Archive on Flickr

Filed Under: Being Catholic

Violence and deaths in downtown Dallas

July 8, 2016 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Five police officers dead, Seven wounded in downtown Dallas

The magnitude of the violence in downtown Dallas Thursday night is staggering. Five police officers were killed and seven other officers and two civilians were wounded in a deadly spate of gunfire at the conclusion of a peaceful march protesting recent killings of black men in Baton Rouge and Minneapolis.

Our first concern is for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic attack. We pray for consolation and healing for both the families and those killed and wounded. We are reminded of the ever -present danger to those who are dedicated to protecting us.

We have been swept up in the escalating cycle of violence that has now touched us intimately as it has others throughout our country and the world. All lives matter: black, white, Muslim, Christian, Hindu. We are all children of God and all human life is precious.

We cannot lose respect for each other and we call upon all of our civic leaders to speak to one another and work together to come to a sensible resolution to this escalating violence. Let us implore God our Heavenly Father to touch the minds and hearts of all people to work together for peace and understanding.

Let us recall the words of Pope Francis, “May the God of peace arouse in all an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace.”

Filed Under: Being Catholic, En Español, English, In the News

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About Bishop Farrell

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.
   
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