Bishop Michael Olson's Easter Message
Bishop Michael Olson, shepherd of the Diocese of Fort Worth, shares his 2024 Easter Message for the faithful.
Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
—Col 3:1-4
FIAT Retreat
April 20, 2024
Young women aged 16-25 are invited to join a special retreat organized by the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to gather with the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Dominicans of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, and other consecrated religious women for a time of prayer, reflection, and discernment held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Azle, TX. Please note those in high school must register as a parish group with appropriate number of adults, safe environment certified chaperones (male or female). The $20 registration fee covers lunch and dinner during the retreat. Please bring cash, check or money order.
This form is only for adults, 18-25 years old. If you have any questions please contact , or 817-945-9352.
National Eucharistic Congress
July 17-21, 2024, Indianapolis, Indiana
Participate in this pivotal moment in the church and draw into a deeper intimacy with our Lord. This historic 5-day gathering of missionary disciples will be a new Pentecost, a powerful anointing and personal commission to invite others to know Christ.
More information
View brochure
Spirit Games
Sunday, April 28th held at Nolan Catholic High School
The Spirit Games is an annual faith filled, fun, and enriching family event that supports our Catholic Faith and commitment to our kids’ faith journey. Think diocesan wide fall festival, an opportunity to come together to promote family and evangelize our Faith to the youth in our Diocese. This event is put on by the Stephen Breen Memorial Foundation, who is the 2nd largest source of Financial Aid to our students and each of our Catholic schools. All proceeds from this event will help further the foundation’s mission within our Catholic Diocese.
More information / FAQ
Spirit Games flyer
Spirit Games Cookoff info
Increase Bequests to Your Parish or School
45-minute webinar on April 10
Does your parish receive as many bequests as funerals each year? Has your Catholic school received a transformational gift from a former student or teacher’s estate? The Advancement Foundation provides free resources to use in your bulletins, newsletters, websites and social media to encourage more planned gifts to benefit your parish, school or ministry. Learn how to use them in a short webinar called “Talking to Your Parishioners about Legacy Giving” on Wednesday, April 10 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. You’ll also learn about the parishes and ministries that have received a share of the $824,000 in bequest notifications received since the launch of FreeWill last July! Advance registration is required at https://bit.ly/FreeWillApril10. If you have questions about the webinar, please contact , CFRE at 817-533-7242.
Parish Operating Grant Applications
Available now, due April 15
Thanks to the generosity of the donors to the Annual Diocesan Appeal, the Advancement Foundation provides generous operating grants to small, rural parishes or those struggling to meet their operating expenses. Last year, 37 parish communities in the Diocese of Fort Worth were awarded operating grants totaling $858,000. Application information for FY25 Operating Grants is now available below and at www.advancementfoundation.org/parish-operating-grants. If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact , CFRE, at 817-533-7242.
Parish Operating Grant Memo and Application
School Operating Grants Announced
Apply now through April 15
This year, nine Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fort Worth are receiving a total of $150,000 for salary support for learning specialists and intervention supplies for students with accommodation plans. These grants are made possible through donors’ generosity to the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Application information for 2024-25 School Operating Grants for learning support initiatives is now available below and at www.advancementfoundation.org/school-operating-grants. Contact , CFRE, at 817-533-7242 if you have additional questions.
School Operating Grant Memo and Application
Aging with Grace
Back by popular demand! April 27, 2024
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 Catholic workshop for empty nesters, retirees, caregivers and their loved ones, sponsored by the Advancement Foundation, St. Thomas More Society and the Respect Life Office, will help answer those questions and provide guidance and valuable resources. Everyone in the Diocese of Fort Worth is welcome to join us on Saturday, April 27 from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, 5201 Cross Timbers Rd., Flower Mound TX 75022. Advance registration is required and limited to 50 participants.
More information or to register!
View flyer
Advancing the Mission
March/April 2024
The Advancement Foundation is in your parishes this Lent with - Diocesan Day of Stewardship at Most Blessed Sacrament.
- Aging with Grace Lunch and Learns in three locations
- Parish grant recipient visits
The Advancing the Mission newsletter has all this and more. Read it online or download a copy at www.advancementfoundation.org/news-you-can-use.
For your Bulletin: News you can use QR code
Crossroads Newsletter
April-May-June Edition Now Available
The latest issue of the quarterly Crossroads newsletter for pastors, parish and school business managers and finance council members is now available: Does your parish have more funeral Masses than bequests every year? If so, please attend a brief webinar on April 10 to learn how your parishioners can leave a gift to your parish in their will. This 2-page newsletter also includes dates for the Light of Christ Awards, special collections and grant deadlines.
Refer back to this issue throughout the quarter for information or visit: www.advancementfoundation.org/parish-school-resources.
Light of Christ Awards
Parish Stewardship Award Nomination forms due by April 15, 2024
The Light of Christ Parish Stewardship award is presented annually to lay individuals throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth who exemplify the light of Christ through lives of Christian Stewardship. Each pastor is asked to recognize one lay person or couple who live out their baptismal call in an extraordinary way through stewardship and leadership. The Light of Christ Parish Stewardship Awards will be presented in four different ceremonies and locations on Thursdays in June from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. to accommodate not only the honoree(s) and Pastor, as in the past two years, but also parishioners, friends and family. The Light of Christ Stewardship award nomination form is available below and may be submitted via email, fax, postal mail or electronically. For ceremony locations, additional information or to submit the nomination form online, please visit: www.advancementfoundation.org/stewardship-awards. If you have any questions, please contact , Director of Stewardship and Parish Relations at 817-533-3178.
Light of Christ memorandum
Light of Christ Award form
International Catholic Stewardship Council Newsletter
The latest issue of the ICSC parish newsletter in English and Spanish is now available with helpful resources to enhance stewardship in your ministry. Discover prayers, feature articles and weekly bulletin reflections on a stewardship way of life. Be inspired, be equipped and be transformed!
ICSC April English
ICSC April Spanish
Parish Stewardship Reflections
April – June 2024
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.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
April 21, 2024, Resources for Parishes, Schools and Catechists
On April 21, 2024 the Catholic Church will mark the 61st annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the master of the harvest to send laborers for his harvest” (Mt. 9:38; Lk.10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life and secular institutes.
Please use the promotional materials below, including bulletin, pulpit and Flocknote announcements, general intercessions, ideas for teachers and catechists and children’s activity sheets, in your parish communications – including social media – and catechetical programs several weeks in advance. If you need additional resources for promoting vocations in your parish or Catholic school, or if you want to start a vocations committee in your parish, please contact , VP Vocations, Fort Worth Serra Club or visit www.serrafortworth.org/vocations-resources-for-parishes.
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
"What is Cursillo?"
Are you looking for a deeper meaning in your spiritual journey? Then join us in a short course in Christianity hosted by the Fort Worth Diocese English Cursillo. Spend 3 days developing a deeper understanding of what it means to be fully Catholic by being fully Christian. The Women's Weekend is April 4-7, 2024. The Men's Weekend is April 25-28, 2024. The weekends will be held at the Formation Center located at 2517 Hanna Avenue, Fort Worth, TX. The cost is $150.00. Please contact , Pre-Cursillo Coordinator for more information or to register.
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 |
| April 12-14, 2024 | Open Retreat |
| April 13, 2024 | Saturday of Reflection |
| April 25-28, 2024 | Women's Retreat |
| May 3-5, 2024 | Retiro Para Hombres, Mujeres y Parejas |
| May 4, 2024 | Saturday of Reflection |
| May 16-19, 2024 | Women's Retreat |
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.
April bulletin announcement
April bulletin flyers
WWME Logo
Good Shepherd Sunday
Special Collection for Seminarian Education April 20-21, 2024
The Diocese of Fort Worth is committed to paying for all of the costs associated with the formation and education of seminarians. With this commitment, our seminarians can dedicate themselves to prayer and studies. This period can span seven to nine years and cost up to $53,000 annually for each of the men. In 2023, more than $323,865 was collected on Good Shepherd Sunday, enough for 6 of our 29 seminarians. Please utilize the mailed posters, bulletin inserts, and parish information on the box drive to promote this collection in your parish. Please read Bishop Olson's letter of support next weekend, April 13-14, the weekend prior to the collection.
2024 Special Collection Calendar
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 (2024) |
Colectas especiales (2024) |
For any questions or concerns about the e-Bulletin, please contact .
800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, TX 76108
817-560-3300 | fwdioc.org