Obispo Kevin Farrell

Pastor Principal de la Diócesis Católica de Dallas

Sígame

Father McGivney’s Men

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It was nearly 129 years ago when a young Irish priest gathered a group of men together in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut to establish an organization of Catholic men to promote the work of the Church and provide security for their wives and children. The priest was the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney and the organization they founded that night became the Knights of Columbus.

Today the Knights number about two million men and have been described as “the strong right arm of the Church” for their promotion and defense of the Faith and their great charitable works. One the nation’s strongest insurance programs protects members’ families and supports many charitable programs.

Texas’ first Knights of Columbus Council was established in El Paso in 1902. Councils in Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston and Houston quickly followed. Today the Diocese of Dallas has 9500 Knights in 52 councils with both members and councils increasing every year.

Knights in the Diocese sponsor numerous parish and diocesan programs. They contribute to the support of 94 seminarians and fund the diocesan Ministry to the Deaf and Disabled. Knights are in the forefront in Pro-Life activities and sponsor the annual Hike for Life. Knights of Columbus Friday night fish fries during Lent have long been traditional in many parishes.

Over the years the Knights have been active in educating the public about Catholicism and confronting the Ku Klux Klan and other organizations opposing Catholics and Catholicism. One way of doing this is by supporting efforts to show the important contribution of the Church to the growth of Texas. Among other projects Knights supported the seven-volume history of Texas Catholics, Our Catholic Heritage, by Dr. Carlos Castañeda and they continue to support the Catholic Archives of Texas in Austin.

Nationally, in 2009 the Knights donated $151,105,867 to charity and over the past decade their contributions to local, national and international Catholic causes have exceeded one-and-one-quarter billion dollars.

I commend and encourage the Knights of Columbus for their magnificent contribution to the Church in Dallas, nationally and internationally. I would like every parish in the Diocese of Dallas to have a Council and I would urge every Catholic man to become an active Knight of Columbus.

Boy Scouts of America

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Boy scouting, which came to America one-hundred years ago this month is and has been a significant part of Catholic youth programs in the Diocese of Dallas and throughout the nation.

Boys do not become scouts because it builds character, which it does; they become scouts to have fun, to explore, to discover and be with friends. Thanks to a proven program and the leadership of Catholic scouters, the men and women who volunteer to work with scouts, scouting offers all these things while it builds character and develops self-confidence and leadership qualities.

Through the religious awards program, scouts also grow in their faith. Many are on retreat at Camp James Ray this weekend. I congratulate our scouts and scouters on this centennial year and thank our Diocese of Dallas Catholic Scouting Committee for coordinating the more than 60 scout units in our diocese.

The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet

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The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet happens to fall during Catholic Schools Week this year and it is appropriate that the foundation will honor a Catholic educator on the occasion. Jesuit Father Philip Postell has served as president of Jesuit College Preparatory School since 1992. He will be the 28th recipient of the Catholic Foundation Award. The award not only recognizes Father Postell for his outstanding work and commitment to Catholic education, but also honors the institution he heads. Graduates of Jesuit College Prep are among those leaders who have shaped the Dallas’ Catholic community.

Recognizing and honoring Catholic leaders is one work of the Catholic Foundation, but it is only a small portion of their contribution to the Church of Dallas. The Foundation’s primary function is to furnish a vehicle for those who wish to provide funds for the needs of the diocese and its many agencies. Through investments it enhances the power of charitable resources. From thesw investments it is able to provide grants in excess of five-million dollars a year to various Catholic entities.

From its modest beginnings in 1965 the Catholic Foundation has become a powerhouse for the Church. I commend the Catholic Foundation for its important contributions to our diocese and for honoring the outstanding leaders of our Catholic community.

What a blessing our Catholic schools are!

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As we observe Catholic Schools Week I realize that what sets our Catholic schools apart is that their mission is more than educational excellence, which they certainly provide. In addition our Catholic schools and educators offer students a faith community to support and extend the moral values and discipline nurtured in them by their family.There are more than 15,000 students in our 31 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas. In many cases they represent great sacrifices by parents to pass on their Catholic tradition to their children. I congratulate our Catholic educators for their wonderful work and salute our Catholic school parents for their commitment.

Love as Jesus did

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These are difficult days for many of us. Catholic Charities’ agencies are helping many who have never needed assistance before. For that reason I am particularly grateful for your generous response to the 2010 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

All of us want to be present for others in need. The Bishop’s Appeal makes that possible. When one turns to the Church for help, the agencies and ministries supported by the appeal are there. Your gift is what makes that possible. In a sense it is the Body of Christ ministering to itself. Your gift makes you present in hospital chaplains, catechists and campus ministers who are there because of you.

In addition to charity and social services, your gift also supports the formation and education of seminarians and deacons and I rejoice in the fact that we have more seminarians than we have had in over 20 years. These committed young men will be our pastors tomorrow. Your gift supports and encourages them in their preparation to serve you and your children.

The Bishop’s Appeal is all about fulfilling Jesus’ call to “love one another as I have loved you.”

Thank you.

A Response to the Tragedy in Haiti

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The death and devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti has saddened the world.  The Vatican has confirmed that the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, the Most Reverend Joseph Serge Miot, was killed in the offices of the archdiocese when the earthquake struck.   That building, along with the cathedral, archbishop’s residence and the seminary in Port-au-Prince were all reduced to rubble.

I ask the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Dallas to join me in praying for all those who lost their lives, the injured and their families. Let us pray that the world responds quickly with aide to this poor, ravaged country.  A special collection will be taken up in Catholic churches around the country the weekend of January 17  and I ask all of our parishes to participate so that the Diocese of Dallas may support our Haitian brothers and sisters during this overwhelming tragedy.  To donate online please click here, scroll down to One-Time Payment and in the box marked “Other” specify Haitian Earthquake Relief. 

May God bring comfort and courage to the people of Haiti in this, their time of tremendous need.

Open Your Hearts and Your Pocketbooks for the People of Haiti

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Pictures and reports from Haiti following yesterday’s catastrophic earthquake reflect unimaginable devastation and human suffering. The estimate of hundreds-of-thousands of deaths makes it one of history’s most tragic events. International aid is having difficulty reaching the Haitian people because of the extent of the damage.

It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population of Haiti is Catholic.

Among the dead is Archbishop Joseph Serge Minot of Port au Prince who died at his desk when the chancery was destroyed along with the cathedral and the seminary. Over 100 priests and seminarians reportedly were killed when the building where they were on retreat collapsed.

We share the anguish of our suffering brothers and sisters. Catholic agencies are mustering to provide aid to alleviate the suffering, but there will be much help needed to rebuild the devastated land.

I have directed that a special collection be taken up this weekend at all Masses in the diocese to assist the people of Haiti.

Open your hearts and your pocketbooks. Be generous with your prayers and your contributions

Kick up your heels for Catholic Charities

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It continues to be both amazing and edifying to me the way Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas respond to the needs of the community. For more than 100 years Catholic Charities has demonstrated the care and compassion of Christ in our Diocese. Catholic Charities has touched the lives of thousands without regard to race or creed. It witnesses to the Church’s preferential option for the poor today with its network of family and human services, just as it did when it was founded to care for orphans more than 110 years ago.

A significant portion of the funds necessary for the continuing operation of many of its services is raised through the annual Bishop’s Gala to be held the evening of January 16 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. This year the theme is “Boots & Dazzle, Big D Style.” The evening will include music by Diamond Rio, the great country music band. Some who participate in the live auction will go home with a ticket to Italy tucked in their pocket.

Come, kick up your heels and have an evening of fun for a wonderful cause.