Our Mission
Well-prepared clergy are essential to fostering the spiritual and moral vitality of our parishes, schools, and ministries, ensuring that our faith continues to flourish through our communities and is passed on to future generations. The Clergy Formation Appeal seeks to support seminarians, priests, and deacons of the Diocese of Dallas, ensuring they are well-prepared to serve with compassion, integrity, and spiritual zeal. This appeal provides comprehensive education, mentorship, and support to properly form and empower our future leaders in faith, as well as assistance to our current clergy in their pastoral roles. Together, we strive to live the Gospel message, bringing the hope and healing of Christ to all people.
Nurturing Future Shepherds
“As I ponder my own sacred path to priesthood, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of my home Diocese at every pivotal moment. It is a profound honor to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, yet my heart remains that of a teacher tending to the flock. I am deeply inspired by the dedication of our professors and seminarians as they embark on their holy vocations.
The Clergy Formation Appeal is more than a financial endeavor; it is a sacred covenant uniting us as one body of Christ in nurturing future shepherds. May the Holy Spirit continue to ignite our souls, empowering us to radiate God’s love, and proclaim His saving grace to all we encounter. Through our united support of the Clergy Formation Appeal may we hasten the realization of God’s kingdom on Earth.”
Bishop Edward J. Burns
Bishop Greg Kelly's Testimony
“I entered Holy Trinity Seminary in August of 1976 as a junior in college and was prepared for the priesthood there for the next six years. The seminary building, the formation programs, the seminary faculty were all provided through the generosity of so many parishioners in the Diocese of Dallas and this generosity enabled me to devote full attention to the at-times challenging program of seminary formation.”
Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly
Meet the Priests
Clergy Assistance
The Clergy Assistance Fund provides vital financial support for our active and retired priests, especially in times of illness, or as they face unexpected emergencies. The Fund also assists parishes and other diocesan entities served by our priests as they seek to offer proper care and support during these times.
Your Gift Supports
Seminarian formation in the Diocese of Dallas is a comprehensive program cultivating future priests. It combines rigorous academic study in theology and philosophy with deep spiritual growth and practical pastoral experience. Seminarians develop intellectual, spiritual, and personal maturity to serve the diverse needs of the diocese effectively.
The cost of becoming a Seminarian
In the Diocese of Dallas, the cost to educate, support, and form a seminarian for the full duration of seminary formation can range from $420,000 to $540,000. This figure encompasses a range of essential expenses, including tuition, living costs, health insurance, and various aspects of formation such as spiritual direction, retreats, ministerial experiences, pastoral training, and more.
Diaconal formation in the Diocese of Dallas is a structured program designed to prepare men for the permanent diaconate. The program blends academic study, spiritual development, and practical ministry experience. Candidates receive education in theology and scripture, engage in spiritual practices like prayer and retreats, and gain hands-on pastoral experience in parishes and community outreach. The focus is on cultivating deacons who are spiritually mature, knowledgeable, and dedicated to serving the Church with integrity.
The cost of becoming a Deacon
- $7,600 training cost per man per year
- $45,600 the total cost to create a permanent deacon
For information about becoming a permanent deacon, please contact the Diaconal Ministry and Formation at [email protected].
The Clergy Assistance Fund provides vital financial support for our active and retired priests, especially in times of illness, or as they face unexpected emergencies. The Fund also assists parishes and other diocesan entities served by our priests as they seek to offer proper care and support during these times.
JOIN THE PRIESTHOOD
Discerning Your
Call
Discernment basically means “hearing the call” and trying to figure out where God might be calling you to serve Him. It is a life-long process of growth and listening to how God moves the heart in a new way of service. It begins in one’s heart – but it also involves other people, especially in the Church.
Pray for Clergy Formation
Through the medical, catechetical and education missions our diocese provides basic medical care to people with difficult and limited access to see a doctor; the catechetical mission is a joint effort to provide ongoing catechetical training and leadership; and the education mission is a collaborative effort to help young adults get an education to empower their local communities.
It is a service mission trip where Catholic High school students spend a week working on various construction projects; they work with parishioners building sidewalks, fences, painting, classrooms, and building human relationships. The students have an opportunity to delve deeper in their understanding of mission and solidarity, grow spiritually through the corporal work, opportunities for faith formation, peer relationships, and celebration of the sacraments with the local people.
The second collection on the first week of January helps to support these missions.
The Diocese of El Paso is our sister diocese. Our goal is to strengthen our relationship and collaboration to foster a culture of life. We work in solidarity to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor.
Throughout the year, the Pontifical Mission Societies support the proclamation of the Gospel, the building of the Church, and the work and witness of mission priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders. These missionaries provide food, education, and medical care to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions. Through their work, they reveal the compassionate heart of Jesus. Help support their efforts ~ and be right there with them, offering hope.
MISSIO, the crowdfunding platform of the Catholic world, offers a wide range of ongoing missions in need of your support. From sponsoring charity projects in Africa and providing Catholic healthcare in South America to making donations for Catholic education in Africa or helping feed starving children in India, MISSIO connects you to impactful projects around the globe. Whatever cause you’re passionate about, you can find a mission that aligns with your values and make a meaningful difference.
Catholic Relief Services works with organizations around the world to help poor and vulnerable people overcome emergencies, earn a living through agriculture and access affordable health care.
Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and climate change, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.