E-Bulletin
October 19, 2023
Safe Environment Training
Coordinator University II, Oct. 25, 2023
Safe Environment Coordinator University II – a meeting and training session for all diocesan safe environment coordinators (parish and school) will be held on Wednesday, October 25th from 9am until 4pm at St. Mark Parish in Argyle. The meeting is mandatory and will include a very special speaker, breakfast and lunch along with important training and updates. To RSVP for the meeting, please register and advise of any dietary restrictions or needs by October 15, 2023, by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/kE1yj8ipAF.
Aging with Grace
A Catholic workshop for empty nesters, retirees, caregivers and their loved ones
As we age or care for aging parents, we often wonder what the Church teaches about ethical medical decisions, the sanctity of life and preparing documents, such as advance directives or a will. This event, sponsored by the Advancement Foundation, St. Thomas More Society and the Respect Life Office, will help answer those questions and provide guidance. Retirees, caregivers, and other loved ones are welcome to join us on Thursday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 1501 9th St, Wichita Falls TX 76301. Advance registration is required and limited to 50 participants.
More information or to register!
View flyer
Annual Diocesan Appeal Update
October Promo and Progress towards goal
Thank you all for conducting the commitment weekend in your parishes. We are working as quickly as possible to input donations and pledges into Blackbaud. You can check your parish’s progress towards goal in the ADA box drive on the Excel doc “2024 ADA Parish Status Report” which will be continuously updated.
Is your parish blessed with a deacon? The Annual Diocesan Appeal continues to financially support deacon formation. Please communicate this to your parishioners with the October promo materials below and on the box drive.
Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House
"Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:5). Come on retreat to grow in relationship with God, the source of the renewed peace and joy we all desire. Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House, on the shores of Lewisville Lake, in Lake Dallas, Texas wants to help you find the peace that surpasses understanding. Reserve a spot for one of our upcoming retreats today at www.montserratretreat.org! Spaces are limited due to COVID and are going fast!
| Date | Retreat |
| Oct. 26-29, 2023 | Men's Retreat |
| Nov. 2-5, 2023 | Women's Retreat |
| Nov. 10-12, 2023 | Retiro para hombres, mujeres y parejas |
| Nov. 16-19, 2023 | Couples Retreat |
| Dec. 7-10, 2023 | Divorce Retreat |
Advancing the Mission
September/October 2023
The Advancing the Mission newsletter of the Advancement Foundation is provided to parishioners throughout the diocese via email, e-Bulletin and your parish communications with the QR code below.
In the September/October Advancing the Mission newsletter we share:
— How to make donations to your parish after death
— Protecting our Students
— Back by Popular Demand: Aging with Grace
— Annual Diocesan Appeal is Catholic Stewardship in Action
— Eucharist and the Spirituality of Stewardship
— Two Ways to Leave a Legacy
See below or visit www.advancementfoundation.org/ for more information.
Click here to view!
News you can use QR code
Come and See Weekend
Vocations Weekend Retreat, November 3 - 5, 2023
The Fall 2023 Come & See Weekend will take place at St. Joseph Seminary College, 75376 River Rd., St. Benedict, LA. 70457. This vocations weekend retreat is scheduled for November 3 - 5, 2023 for young men 16 years and older who are in high school and college in the Diocese of Fort Worth.
Please invite young men to experience what life is like at St. Joseph’s Seminary with others who are discerning a call to the priesthood. Reserve your spot today with the .
National Vocation Awareness Week
Celebrate in your Parish, School and Catechetical programs November 5-11
The Serra Clubs of the Diocese of Fort Worth invite participation in this annual week-long celebration dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life through prayer and education. It is a time to encourage young people to ask themselves, “To what vocation in life is God calling me?” It is an opportunity to bring awareness to, support and pray for those already in discernment of one of these vocations. This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the USA Council of Serra International. Please use the attached ideas for promoting National Vocation Awareness Week during Mass, in your catechetical programs, in your bulletin, Flocknote, Facebook page, newsletter, etc. several weeks in advance. If you need additional resources for promoting vocations in your parish, or if you want to start a vocations committee in your parish, please contact , VP Vocations for Fort Worth Serra Club or visit www.fortworthserra.org.
Promoting Ideas
Catechists and Teachers Information
Vocations Week flyer
St. Thomas More Society
November Events
November 14 - STMS CLE - Healthcare Law: What Non-Healthcare Lawyers Need to Know at Reata, Noon
The St. Thomas More Society will host Jackson Walker partner Jeff Drummond, one of the nation’s foremost experts on healthcare law, on Tuesday, November 14 at noon at Reata. This lecture will be a CLE primer for all lawyers on what they need to know about healthcare law. The talk is designed for attorneys, but anyone interested is welcome to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.stmsfw.org/events.
November 16 - STMS Fall Social at Acre Distilling, 5:30-7:30 pm
The St. Thomas More Society and the Texas A&M Law School St. Thomas More Society (law student organization) will host a joint event at Acre on Thursday, November 16 from 5:30-7:30pm. Colleagues, spouses, and significant others are welcome to attend. The event is complimentary for members and law students and $15 for guests. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and a happy hour beverage are included; cash bar thereafter. For more information and to register, please visit www.stmsfw.org/events.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Uncover the secrets to a lasting, supportive, transformational marriage!
For more than 50 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has helped over 3.5 million couples in almost 100 countries unlock the power of their relationships with new ways to do the “I do.” The Marriage Encounter experience helps you listen, share, and connect more deeply. There’s no group discussion. It’s just about the two of you learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple you can be.
Information from Worldwide Marriage Encounter coordinators is available for parishes to inform couples of upcoming Encounter events. Feel free to include this valuable information in your bulletins.
November bulletin announcement
November bulletin flyers
WWME Logo
Men's Discernment Retreat
Friday, December 29, 2023
Join Fr. Brett Metzler, Vocation Director of the Diocese of Fort Worth, for the Men's Discernment Retreat at the Montserrat Jesuit Retreat Center in Lake Dallas, Texas, on Friday, December 29, 23 from 8am to 3:30pm. This one-day retreat is open to men aged 16-25 and offers a unique opportunity to explore the call to priesthood.
The retreat includes time for prayer, spiritual conferences on discernment and vocations, and opportunities to engage with seminarians, priests, and others on their vocational journeys.
For more information or to register, please contact the Vocations Office at . Registration will close on Friday, December 22, 2023.
Crossroads Newsletter
October – November - December Edition Now Available
**Previously emailed edition mis-printed the World Mission special collection date**
The latest issue of the quarterly Crossroads newsletter for pastors, parish and school business managers and finance council members is now available: Crossroads Newsletter. Please don’t miss this important issue with information such as an additional interest payment, Stewardship Sunday, Estate Planning Awareness week, and upcoming events such as Aging with Grace (English and Spanish) and #iGiveCatholic. Please complete the survey for the business managers meeting.
Refer back to this issue throughout the quarter for information or visit: www.advancementfoundation.org/parish-school-resources.
View flyer
Catholic Charities Program
FW Diocese and Catholic Charities partner together to offer financial wellness program to employees through MyMoney@Work
What is MyMoney@Work?
MyMoney@Work is a free financial wellness program, administered by Catholic Charities Fort Worth, that is available to any diocesan employee. MyMoney@Work provides confidential and personalized financial wellness coaching, addressing goals such as debt reduction, budgeting, savings and more.
How can employees participate in the program?
Employees can enroll for individual coaching at any time by signing up using the QR code on the attached flyer. In addition, the program is flexible and offers parishes and schools the opportunity to host financial wellness workshops on one or more topics. Workshops can be provided as a one-time event, or as a series, depending on the parish or school needs. Please contact , Director of Client Strategies, to discuss options for your staff at 817-269-5425.
Seminarian Daily Prayer List
We invite everyone to pray for our seminarians this year. Attached please find the 2023-2024 Seminarian Daily Prayer List. For any additional information please contact the .
Seminarian daily prayer list
Lista diaria de oración de seminarista
Danh sách cầu nguyện hàng ngày
Parish Stewardship Reflections
Winter-October-December 2023
Below please find General Intercessions and Bulletin/Website Announcements tied to the weekly readings in both English and Spanish. For additional Stewardship Resources for Parishes (including resources for prior quarters), please visit: fwdioc.app.box.com or contact at the Advancement Foundation or call 817-533-3178.
2023 Special Collection Calendar
2024 Revised September 13, 2023
Throughout the year, parishes in the Diocese of Fort Worth take up special collections to support the work of Christ in our Diocese, in the United States and throughout the world. If you have any questions about special collections, please contact , CFRE, Director of Annual Giving and Grants of the Advancement Foundation at 817-382-4939, or visit fwdioc.org/special-collections.
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Special collections calendar (2023) |
Colectas especiales (2023) |
Diocesan Employment Opportunities
To better serve potential candidates for diocesan jobs, the e-Bulletin “Diocesan Employment Opportunities” has been streamlined into two categories with links. Click on a category to view all available jobs.
Catholic Center & Parish Employment
School Employment
(Catholic Schools Website)
Diocesan Calendar
El Calendario de la Diócesis
The Diocesan Electronic Calendar is a listing of major events and activities at the Diocese as well as in parishes and schools. Parishes and schools may submit information that may be of interest to individuals outside of a parish or school for inclusion on the diocesan electronic calendar with a hotlink to details if appropriate.
El Calendario Electrónico de la Diócesis es una lista de los principales eventos y actividades en la Diócesis, así como en las parroquias y las escuelas. Las parroquias y las escuelas podrán presentar información que pueda ser de interés para las personas fuera de la parroquia o de la escuela para que se pueda incluir en el calendario electrónico de la Diócesis con un enlace directo a la información, si procede.
Diocesan Calendar / Calendario Diocesano
The following outlines what is needed when submitting events to be added to the Diocesan website calendar. For complete details, please review the PDF document below.
Requisitos para publicar eventos en el Sitio de Internet Diocesano. Para información más detallada por favor revise el archivo PDF abajo.
For any questions or concerns about the e-Bulletin please contact the
Director of Communications, or .