63. A Pastor’s Perspective Through COVID-19
Published: May 19, 2020
How are pastor’s thinking about COVID-19 through the global pandemic? What are some of the best practices that are being developed in parishes to reach out to the faithful? Today, Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend talks with Fr. Don Zeiler, Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Community in McKinney, Texas. Fr. Don talks about how his parish has adapted their services to meet the needs of their community throughout this crisis.
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Community
In 1996 a new Catholic parish in McKinney was established, with word came that Fr. Greg Kelly (now Bishop Greg Kelly) had been assigned as pastor. Regular weekend Masses began on July 28, 1996, meeting in various MISD schools. In December 1996, the community received its official name, St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Community. Fr. Don Zeiler was welcomed as the second Pastor of St. Gabriel during the Masses on January 20, 2008.
The fundraising campaign, “Raising the Walls,” kicked off in the fall of 2013, led by Changing Our World. With input from parishioners and the Executive Committee and guided by the vision of Fr. Don for the church to be a teaching and evangelizing tool, the drawings and plans for our Permanent Worship Space were designed. The parish officially broke ground for the new sanctuary on May 15, 2016.
The new church home is now a reality! They dedicated the church and altar on February 23, 2019. The founding pastor, Bishop Greg Kelly, celebrated the Mass, and it was a truly special moment for the parish.
Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD
Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis.
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