FIRST COMMUNION: Families of Sunday morning students receiving First Communion this spring, please make note of these important dates and times.
April 2, 2019 @ 7PM – This is a required Parent Information meeting in the PFC.
May 7, 2019 @ 6:30PM – First Reconciliation in the Church.
May 11, 2019 @ 10AM – First Communion Mass in the Church.
Religious Education/Youth Sacraments: If your child is receiving their First Holy Communion and/ or Confirmation this Spring, the parish office must have verification they have received Baptism ( and First Communion, if applicable) and are eligible to receive the sacrament(s) they are preparing for. If you have been contacted to provide the certificate, please take it to the parish office as soon as possible. We must have them by the end of February.
Immigration is one of the most important issues in our world today. In March 2017 we announced the formation of an Immigration Task Force to look into how our local Church can better serve its parishioners and all immigrants in the Diocese of Dallas. Also, responding to the needs throughout the world, Pope Francis launched Share the Journey this past September as his global campaign to support migrants around the globe.
As this ever-changing and important need continues to evolve, our efforts to help those who are impacted continues. To more effectively accomplish these goals, we want to know what our parishioners think and understand about immigration so that we may better know the current landscape and be more effective in our service to all.
Thank you for your participation and for your efforts to better assist our brothers and sisters in need. I pray God our Heavenly Father will bless you and your loved ones.
Bishop Edward J. Burns encourages North Texans to take to heart and practice the “Golden Rule” in their treatment of all people during the April 6 announcement of the #BeGolden campaign.
By Cathy Harasta
The Texas Catholic
Bishop Edward J. Burns cited the words of Scripture, Pope Francis and the Statue of Liberty’s inscription in unveiling an initiative on April 6 that encourages North Texans to take to heart and practice the “Golden Rule” in their treatment of all people.
The year-long campaign — #BeGolden — will reach across all faiths in urging compassion for all, with an initial focus on immigrants and the chief goal of fostering empathy and the recognition that immigration is a human issue.
Bishop Burns announced that the Dallas skyline’s lights will turn gold on the evening of April 9 in conjunction with the initiative’s launch and to amplify the Golden Rule’s “Do unto others” message of treating others as one wishes to be treated (Matt. 7:12).
The initiative was spearheaded by the Diocese of Dallas and joined by North Texas faith, civic and community leaders, 14 of whom attended Bishop Burns’ announcement and are among a growing list of #BeGolden ambassadors.
“We all know the Golden Rule,” Bishop Burns said to the gathering at The Rooftop at Saint Rocco’s Italian Restaurant. “It’s so much a part of who we are.”
He cited Joseph’s flight with the Blessed Mother and Jesus from Bethlehem to escape King Herod and Matthew 25. And the message of welcoming the stranger.
The rights to life, food, clothing and shelter are not the province of the privileged alone but belong to the entire human family, Bishop Burns said.
But he said that another important principle is that a country has the right to secure its border.
“As Americans, we should cherish and celebrate immigrants and their cultures,” the bishop said. “People migrate because they are desperate…In an ideal world, there would be no need for immigration control.
“The church recognizes this ideal world has yet to be achieved.”
To demonstrate his support for the initiative, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings was scheduled to join Bishop Burns to announce #BeGolden at the kickoff of The Festival of Ideas on April 7 at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.
Dave Woodyard, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities Dallas, said that a task force formed by Bishop Burns last year spurred the #BeGolden initiative. He said that objectives are bringing people together and making a difference in the community.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins told the gathering that Bishop Burns, Woodyard and the Diocese of Dallas profoundly influence the region beyond just the Catholic community.
Jenkins called the initiative a “courageous stand.”
“It is the diocese; it is Catholic Charities and the person who stands in the role of their leader — Bishop Burns — who is stepping up in a huge way for our community to protect those people who are being marginalized for political gain and other reasons,” Jenkins said.
The campaign will offer videos at begoldenjourney.com and provide events and exhibits to encourage North Texans to get involved.
St. Joseph’s school chef, Sara, is cooking a yummy dinner Friday night to raise money for a new ice maker for the cafeteria. Her food is amazing! Come get some after stations this Friday! She’ll be in the Plaza of the Church from 6-9 pm.
Penelope Puckett reads the petitions during the Mass celebrating the 25th anniversary of the St. Joseph Catholic School in Waxahachie on Oct. 8. (RON HEFLIN/Special Contributor)
WAXAHACHIE — A triple celebration infused the St. Joseph Catholic Community with joy and fueled scores of memories on Oct. 8, when Bishop Edward J. Burns served as the main celebrant of a Mass commemorating St. Joseph Catholic School’s 25th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of the parish’s new church’s dedication.
Starting on Sunday, January 7th, the 12:30 pm will move to 12 pm. This also affects the start of second session of Sunday school. Second Session will be from 11 to 11:45 am starting that same Sunday.
Special Mass on Friday, November 17th at 7pm, celebrating Mary, Mother of Divine Providence. To share with the community Puerto Rican Liturgical traditions.
