December 10, 2020
Bishop Michael Olson
Decree Regarding Pope Francis Granting Plenary Indulgence for Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe At Home
December 9, 2020
Because of the closing of the National Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and many celebrations of her feast day being restricted or canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe in their homes. Click link below to read full statement.
Complete decree
Decreto completa
Christmas & New Year’s Mass Times
Priests and Parish Administrators: We are once again gathering a list of all Christmas & New Year’s Masses to assist the general public. We ask for your help in gathering this list.
Please send your list to or as soon as possible. Kindly include all dates, times, languages, locations (if needed), and indicate the Masses being live streamed. Below is an example.
Catholic Church (Fort Worth)
Thursday, December 24th:
- Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM (English)
Friday, December 25th:
- Midnight Mass: 12:00 AM (English) - Live Stream*
Thursday, December 31st:
- New Year’s Eve Vigil Mass: 6:00 PM (Spanish, Vigil of Solemnity of Mary)
Friday, January 1st:
- New Year’s Day Mass: 10:30 AM (Bilingual, Solemnity of Mary)
#iGiveCatholic
Thanks to your overwhelming support, $156,062 was raised for the participating Parishes, Schools and Ministries of the Fort Worth Diocese on December 1! We are grateful for your generosity and stewardship during this season of Giving! The sharing of your gifts truly makes a difference in the Parishes, Schools and Organizations that participated in #iGiveCatholic. May your Advent Season be filled with much joy.
Retired Religious Special Collection
December 12-13, 2020
Our parishes will hold the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection on December 12-13, 2020. Last year, the Diocese of Fort Worth donated $262,282.43 to the collection. In 2020, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur received financial support made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious. Please join in promoting a generous response to the special collection. In addition to the files below, please visit www.retiredreligious.org/materials to access downloadable resources, such as bulletin announcements and social media posts.
Please read the letter from Bishop Olson at all Masses the weekend before the collection (December 5-6). If possible, please add the Retirement Fund for Religious as an option for your parish’s online giving platform. To make online donations to this collection, please visit https://bit.ly/DioceseSpecialCollections.
Retired Religious Parish Info |
St. Andrew’s Breakfast
December 19, 2020
The next St. Andrew's Breakfast will be on Saturday morning December 19 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Keller, Texas at 9:00 AM. The day will begin with Mass followed by brunch. We encourage young men in high school and college of the Diocese of Fort Worth to attend. With limited space, please reserve your spot by December 15th to the or by calling 817-945-9321.
December Stewardship Resources
The International Catholic Stewardship Council-ICSC: December Bulletin
December Stewardship Resources from ICSC The International Catholic Stewardship Council provides a wide variety of resources for parishes and schools to promote stewardship, discipleship and engagement. Please use the December 2020 ICSC newsletters for bulletin announcements, stewardship saint of the month, prayers, family activities and more. If you need additional resources to use in your parishes, schools and faith formation programs, please visit www.catholicstewardship.com or contact , Director of Stewardship and Parish Relations at 817-533-3178.
ICSC Parish E-Bulletin
ICSC Boletín Electrónico Parroquial
Year-End Giving Guidelines
Plan Your Donations Now to Ensure Credit in the 2020 Tax Year
In order to be credited as a donation in the 2020 tax year,
- Checks must be dated and mailed with a postmark on or before Thursday, December 31, 2020.
- Credit card gifts are effective on the date the card is charged.
- Electronic funds transfer is effective on the date of the transfer.
- Stocks transferred electronically are effective on the date of transfer.
For assistance making a year-end gift please visit www.advancementfoundation.org/year-end-giving or contact at the Advancement Foundation or call 817-533-3174.
End of Year Giving E-Bulletin
Year End Buck Slip
Annual Diocesan Appeal 2021
December Promotional Materials: Catholic Charities/Advent/Christmas/End-of-Year Giving
Thank you for your tremendous support in promoting the Annual Diocesan Appeal “The Reason for Our Hope” to your parishioners. The monthly feature ministry for December is Catholic Charities. Promotional copy and general intercessions also promote Advent, Christmas and Year End Giving. Please use the materials below in your parish communications.
Click here to access parish promotional materials in English and Spanish.
Click here to donate to the 2021 Annual Diocesan Appeal.
Please contact at 817-533-7242, if you have other questions or need promotional resources.
ADA Bulletin Announcement |
ADA Anuncio del Boletín |
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
December 2020
We have some great news! In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, WWME is offering “virtual” experiences so couples can benefit from a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend without the risks of in person gatherings. One of the benefits of this approach is that those attending do not have to live close to a central location.
May God bless you for your help in reaching out to married couples, priests, and religious about Worldwide Marriage Encounter. We appreciate you printing the announcements as often as possible to encourage couples to invest in their relationships.
Attached is a WORD document with bulletin announcements in English as well as in Spanish. Additionally, there are .jpeg images, one for each Sunday in the month that can be placed into the weekly parish bulletins. 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.
December Bulletin Announcement
December Bulletin Flyers
Diocesan Deaf Ministry
Virtual Sign Language Classes, Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Diocesan Deaf Ministry Program will be offering Sign Language Classes virtually (via Zoom) beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
The 11-week course will teach basic vocabulary, rules of grammar and cultural aspects of the deaf community and the history of American Sign Language. Classes will meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 until 8:30pm. The class size will be limited to 15 people and is open for adults and youth 15 years and older. The course cost will be $60.00 and you will be responsible to purchase your own text book. (There will be an opportunity to continue study for a 2nd 11-week session at the end of the course.)
If you are interested and would like to attend, please email or call 817-945-9381.
Priest Care Fund Special Collection
January 9-10, 2021
As faithful Catholics we have an opportunity to return to our retired priests, in love, a sense of security in their retirement years by making a gift to the Priest Care Fund. One hundred percent of the money donated to this special collection remains in the Diocese of Fort Worth to provide medical and long-term care over and above what is covered by our priests’ insurance and other resources. Last year, more than $254,000 was collected. In addition to the Sunday collection during weekend Masses on January 9-10, donations can also be made through your parish online giving portal or https://bit.ly/DioceseSpecialCollections. Please use the files below (including the letter from Bishop Olson to be read at all Masses on January 2-3) to promote a generous response to this special collection for our retired priests.
Priest Care Fund Parish Info |
Noticias del San Junípero Serra Instituto
¡Empezando el sábado 16 de Enero, 2021 estaremos ofreciendo dos nuevo cursos en español!
Si usted está considerando como propósito de año nuevo conocer más de nuestra fe Católica le invitamos a inscribirse para uno de los dos cursos que estaremos ofreciendo en español. Los cursos que ofreceremos son: Evangelización y Catequesis e Introducción a la Espiritualidad Cristiana.
Ambos cursos serán ofrecidos de manera presencial en la parroquia de Inmaculado Corazón de Maria, los sábados de 10:00 am a 12:00 pm.
¡Por favor inscríbase pronto aquí!
St. Junipero Serra Institute News!
Beginning on Monday, January 25, 2021 we will be offering two new courses in English!
If you are considering as your new year’s resolutions to learn more about our Catholic Faith, we invite you to register for one of the two courses that we will be offering in English. The two courses are: Evangelization and Catechesis and Introduction to Spirituality.
Both courses will be offered via Zoom on Monday evenings from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House
Retreat for Men, January 14-17, 2021
Jesus promises that if we are weary He will give us rest when we come to Him (Matt 11:28-30). This has been a hard year for all of us, but the year end is fast approaching. In the weariness of this year and the busyness of the season are you having a hard time finding rest? 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! Spaces are limited due to COVID and are going fast!
Jornada Familiar
Jornada Familiar es un retiro para parejas que desean vivir su unión en gran unidad. La Jornada Familiar tiene la misión primaria de formar matrimonios y familias que valoren el amor cristiano y vivir el evangelio constituyendo nuestros hogares en iglesias domésticas.
El próximo retiro virtual será el dia sábado y domingo 6 y 7 de febrero del 2021. Regístrese ahora ya que el cupo es limitado.
Para información directa contacte a el Coordinador, Noe Rosales; 817-896-8960 ó sobre aplicaciones, Virgilio Ullola; 817-714-0055.
Jornada Familiar Aplicacion y Panfleto
Msgr. MCGread Stewardship Conference
March 3-4, 2021
Learn about the practical components needed to encourage Parishioners to become better Christian Stewards. This conference is for clergy and lay leaders and will provide a setting for you to discover how to teach your parishioners to become better Christian Stewards. Held at the Spiritual Life Center, 7100 E. 45th St. N., Wichita, KS.
For more information, click here or contact , Director of Stewardship and Parish Relations at 817-533-3178.
REGISTER today! Register early, as limited space is available!
My Catholic Giving Guide
A Resource to Discern Your Giving Level
The beginning of a new year it is a good time to assess your charitable giving from the perspective of a disciple of Christ. My Catholic Giving Guide is a tool to help you give from your “first fruits,” not from your leftovers, and plan your giving on an annual basis. For additional Stewardship resources to use personally or in your parish, please visit www.advancementfoundation.org/starting-parish-stewardship. (Permission is granted to all parishes and schools to add these documents – or links to them - to your website.)
Planned Giving Guide
Guía de Donaciones Planificadas
Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Helping Families Impacted by COVID-19
CCFW is pleased to be able to offer limited housing (rent or mortgage) and utility assistance for families affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This financial assistance is available to anyone residing in the 28-county diocese. Those in need may contact our Community Care Team at 817.534.0814, Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm.
Parish Partners may email referrals directly to . See more information below regarding our Parish Partner Program.
Parish Stewardship Resources
First Quarter, January-March 2021
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.
Seminarian Daily Prayer List
We invite everyone to pray for our seminarians this year. Attached please find the 2020-2021 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
Special Collection Calendar
Throughout the year, parishes throughout 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. Please note the revised calendar for 2020. Generously support these collections in your parish.
Special Collections Calendar (2020) |
Colectas Especiales (2020) |
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.
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 porfavor revise el archivo PDF abajo.
For any questions or concerns about the e-Bulletin please contact the
Director of Communications, or