Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church

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Bishop's Award

One event that I especially enjoy each year is the Bishop’s Award Mass and reception at which we honor lay men and women for their volunteer work in our parishes and agencies with the Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church. On Saturday about 150 awardees and their families gathered at the Cathedral for a wonderful celebration of being Church.

It occurs to me that these are the people who are the Church. They are the readers, the parish council members, the ministers to the sick, the bazaar workers, the Eucharistic Ministers, the catechists, the scout leaders, the room mothers, the ushers, the marriage ministers the ones who clean up and wash dishes after parish events…the people who make up the Body of Christ.

Pastors sometimes tell me that it is difficult to select only two to receive the Bishop’s Award because there are so many parishioners who deserve recognition. I assure them that is the sign of a vibrant and successful parish and that there will be the opportunity to recognize others in the future.

As is always the case, the Mass and reception Saturday were joyful family events, a wonderful liturgy, good food, lots of picture taking and visiting, just a general good time. I noticed that people didn’t seem in a hurry to leave.

As a matter of fact, neither was I.

For full list of winners, please visit Cathdal.org.

Bishop’s Awards for Service to the Church

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Bishop's Award

One of the events I particularly look forward to each year is the presentation of the Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church to lay volunteers. Each parish and diocesan agency or department may nominate one or two volunteers for the award which is presented each February at a special Mass at the Cathedral.

Saturday we recognized 146 men and women in a wonderful liturgical celebration and reception. It was a real family affair and it seemed that many people were enjoying themselves so much they hated to leave. Lots of fellowship, good food and I must add…lots of picture taking.

In the three years we have been presenting the awards we have recognized the work of nearly 350 lay people whose volunteer efforts are essential to the ministry programs of our parishes and diocese. You notice that I use the word volunteer, because only lay people who receive no compensation for their work are eligible.

In no way does this diminish the great work of our priests, deacons, religious, professional ministers and administrative personnel, but is intended to seek out and honor those whose work may not be known except by those with whom they volunteer.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the efforts of diocesan staff members whose hours of planning made the award ceremony, the liturgy and reception such a success.

A Glorious Celebration

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It was a glorious celebration at the cathedral on Saturday as we honored 139 lay volunteers for their service to the Church. Most of the awardees had been nominated by their pastors but some were recognized for their work with diocesan agencies.

The occasion was the second annual Mass and reception for the presentation of the Bishop’s Awards for Service to the Church. It was a real family affair. I particularly enjoyed visiting with award recipients and their families at the reception-brunch that followed the Mass.

Our lay volunteers are the backbone of our parishes as they serve as catechists, Eucharistic ministers, readers, finance and parish council members, ushers, choir members, hospitality ministers and visitors of the sick. They accomplish things that the pastor could never do alone.

They do not work for reward or recognition but for the love of Christ and His Church. Each award I presented on Saturday recognizes not only the contribution of that person, but the contributions of all faithful lay volunteers in our parishes and agencies.

Theirs is the greatest gift…the gift of self. What a true and tremendous blessing they are!