Dallas, Texas—The Catholic Diocese of Dallas is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative. This grant of $1,022,357 will support the Diocese’s Community of Disciples initiative, designed to help children with disabilities and their families deepen their faith and relationship with Christ through Eucharistic worship and community participation.
The Community of Disciples initiative seeks to foster vibrant parish communities where children with disabilities and their families can engage more fully in worship, prayer practices, and the life of the Church. The initiative aligns closely with the aim of Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative, which is to enrich intergenerational worship and prayer practices that meaningfully engage children in the life of faith.
“Receiving this support from Lilly Endowment is a tremendous blessing as we seek to enhance our ministry with children and families, especially those with disabilities,” said Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. “We are called to respond with new energy and creativity to the needs of our faithful, helping children with disabilities and their families to feel a deep sense of belonging and purpose within the Church community. I am particularly proud of the collaborative work that has brought this initiative to life, led by Peter J. Ductrám, and our Office of Ministries, and look forward to the impact it will have on our Diocese and beyond.”
Effective January 1, 2025, Melissa Waldon has been promoted to the Director of the Office for Persons with Disabilities. Under the leadership of Senior Director Peter J. Ductrám, Waldon will lead the rollout of the “Community of Disciples” initiative. She will oversee its implementation and assessment in parishes across the Diocese promoting inclusion and a community for persons with disabilities.
“Melissa Waldon’s steady and organic leadership will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the Community of Disciples initiative and other diocesan efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and belonging,” said Ductrám. “Her dedication to holistic accompaniment will inspire a vibrant, faith-filled community.”
The initiative will be implemented in ten parishes across the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. It will provide resources, training, and support to engage and nurture children and their families in the fullness of worship and catechesis. Beyond the initial parish cohorts, the Diocese plans to expand the program’s reach, drawing from research findings to extend its benefits to parishes across the Diocese.
The Catholic Diocese of Dallas is one of 91 organizations funded through the latest round of the initiative.
“Congregational worship and prayer play a critical role in the spiritual growth of children and offer settings for children to acquire the language of faith, learn their faith traditions and experience the love of God as part of a supportive community,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These programs will help congregations give greater attention to children and how they can more intentionally nurture the faith of children, as well as adults, through worship and prayer.”
The Catholic Diocese of Dallas extends its heartfelt gratitude to Lilly Endowment for its support and partnership in furthering the mission of sharing Christ’s love and fostering a more inclusive and vibrant Church community
