Fort Worth, Texas, Aug 1, 2009 / 13:46 pm
Catholics in the Diocese of Fort Worth will gather in the thousands to celebrate 40 years of Church life in northern Texas, one of the country's fastest growing regions. The festivities will begin with a special Mass on August 9 in the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena.
The Anniversary Mass will be held at 3 p.m. and will be attended by Bishop Kevin W. Vann, the current bishop of the diocese, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Houston/Galveston Archdiocese as well as 12 other Catholic bishops from Texas and other parts of the U.S.
The Diocese of Fort Worth was established by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Prior to its founding, Fort Worth and the surrounding 28 counties were included in the territory of the Diocese of Dallas.
Fort Worth-area Catholics plan to hold a series of celebrations that last throughout the year. The anniversary celebrations will be brought to a close on Monday, August 9, 2010, with Evening Prayer at St. Patrick Cathedral.