Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly

About Bishop Kelly

Bishop Greg Kelly is a native of Iowa and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He studied for the priesthood in Holy Trinity Seminary at the University of Dallas in Irving and was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. He served as parochial vicar at All Saints in Dallas, Chaplain at the University of Dallas in Irving; and pastor at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in McKinney. He was ordained as auxiliary bishop of Dallas Feb. 11, 2016 and resides at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.

Curriculum Vitae

Born

  • February 15, 1956 in Le Mars, Iowa. The son of the late John Dennis and Marilean Kelly.

Education

  • Received a B.A. degree in Philosophy from the University of Dallas, 1978, while in priestly formation at Holy Trinity Seminary, Irving, Texas
  • Received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Dallas, 1982

Ordination

  • Ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Dallas on May 15, 1982 by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe
  • Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Dallas on February 11, 2016 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Dallas, Texas 

1982 – 1986

  • Assistant Pastor, All Saints Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas

1986 – 1996

  • Chaplain, University of Dallas, Irving, Texas

1996 – 2008

  • Pastor, St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, McKinney, Texas

2008 – 2016

  • Vicar of Clergy, Diocese of Dallas

2016 – present

  • Auxiliary Bishop/Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia

1995 – 1997

  • Vocations Director, Diocese of Dallas

2008 – Present

  • Bishop’s Senior Staff
  • Member of Presbyteral Council
  • Member of the College of Consultors

2013

  • Named a Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI

2014

  • Interim Rector, Holy Trinity Seminary

2014 – Present

  • Member of National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy

2016 – Present

  • Member of Diocesan Review Board

2016 – 2017

  • Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Dallas

Coat of Arms

The episcopal heraldic achievement, or bishop’s coat of arms, is composed of a shield, which is the central and most important part of the design and tells to whom the design belongs, the external ornamentation, which tells the owner’s position or rank, and a motto, placed upon a scroll. By heraldic tradition the design is described (blazoned) as if being done by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies the terms “sinister” and “dexter” are reversed as the design is viewed from the front.

For the bishop who is without jurisdiction, as an Auxiliary Bishop, the entire shield of his design is given over to his personal arms.

Bishop Kelly’s arms are based on the Kelly family design where the shield is silver (white) and the charges (symbols) are black. For difference, and for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the chevron is now blue. The chevron is reminiscent of the mountains of Colorado, so dear to His Excellency’s youth and the chevron is charged with two estoiles (special, six pointed stars) that are taken from the mantle of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to remind all of the profound Hispanic influence in Texas, the “Lone Star State“, represented by the single star below the chevron. Above the chevron are a fleur-de-lis and a trefoil (the heraldic representation of a shamrock) to honor the Bishop’s Irish and French-Canadian heritage.

The achievement is completed with the external ornaments that are a gold (yellow) processional cross, that extends above and below the shield, and for Bishop Kelly is charged with the interlocking Irish knot-like loops, in red, to honor the Most Holy Trinity, and to recall his formation for priesthood at the seminary of that name on the campus of the University of Dallas in Irving, TX; There is also a pontifical hat, called a galero, with its six tassels, in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by instruction of the Holy See, of March 1969.

Text and Coat of Arms by: Deacon Paul J. Sullivan

For his motto, His Excellency, Bishop Kelly has adopted the phrase “TAKE COURAGE,” taken from the words of Jesus to the disciples as he walking towards them on the water (Mt. 14: 27): “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” It is also the essence of the Archangel Gabriel‘s words to Mary at the Annunciation. In this phrase, His Excellency expresses that it is by God’s Strength that we have the courage to live as Christ has called us. Through the intercession of Mary we receive the grace to keep our eyes on the Lord and on the path he love leads us on.

BLAZON

“Argent, upon a chevron Azure two estoiles of the first; between to chief dexter a fleur-de-lis and to chief sinister a trefoil and to base a star, all of the second.”

 

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Please note that Bishop Kelly's official social media presence is maintained through his official X (formerly Twitter) account: @BishopGregKelly. Bishop Kelly will never solicit donations or request financial contributions through any unofficial social media platform. If you come across any account or request that appears to be seeking donations on our Bishop's behalf, we kindly ask you to verify its authenticity. Let us remain vigilant in our faith and stewardship, and may our actions always reflect the teachings of our Savior.

May God bless you abundantly for your unwavering devotion and support.

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