About St. Michael · Bedford, Texas
St. Michael Catholic Church is a large, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Bedford, Texas, within the Diocese of Fort Worth. Founded in 1977 by Bishop John J. Cassata and now home to more than 3,000 registered families, it serves the mid-cities area between Dallas and Fort Worth. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), maintains a preschool (St. Michael Academy), and partners with nearby Holy Trinity Catholic School for faith formation. Its patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel, is honored in the parish's motto 'Quis ut Deus' ('Who is like God?').
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Moreno
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Michael is a vibrant, welcoming, multicultural parish of more than 3,000 families serving the mid-cities. Daily and weekend Masses are offered in both English and Spanish, with Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, regular Saturday and Thursday confessions, and an annual Ministry Fair for newcomers looking to plug in. Faith formation spans the cradle to college years — from the on-site St. Michael Academy preschool (founded 1988) through OCIA/RCIA, sacramental prep, youth discipleship (EDGE and TeenLife), and support of nearby Holy Trinity Catholic School — alongside a Social Outreach ministry led by a Safe Environment coordinator and a long list of liturgical, formation, and stewardship ministries for every talent and schedule.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Also by appointment — contact the parish office
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the Chapel (unless otherwise communicated)
Parish History
Founded on July 20, 1977, by Bishop John J. Cassata of the Diocese of Fort Worth, St. Michael began as the 'Bedford-Euless Catholic Community' before parishioners chose St. Michael as patron. The first Mass was celebrated in the rectory on August 1, 1977, with about 30 people in attendance, and the first Sunday Mass followed on August 14, 1977, in the cafeteria of Harwood Junior High School. The current church was dedicated September 28, 1985; the Formation Center followed in 1997. Spanish Masses began on Pentecost 2009, and a weekly Spanish Mass was added in June 2011. Today the parish numbers more than 3,000 registered families.
- Established July 20, 1977
- First pastor: Rev. James R. Miller
- Permanent church dedicated September 28, 1985 (800 seats)
- Formation Center built 1997
- First Spanish Sunday Mass: Pentecost 2009
- Weekly Thursday evening Spanish Mass added June 2011
- 40th Anniversary celebrated 2017
Patron & Parish Coat of Arms
The patron is St. Michael the Archangel, and the parish's Latin motto is 'Quis ut Deus' ('Who is like God?') — the words St. Michael spoke in response to Lucifer's rebellion. The parish Coat of Arms brings together a castle (Diocese of Fort Worth), a lamb (St. Michael Academy), a three-link Triqueta (Holy Trinity Catholic School), and St. Michael's wings, sword, and scales, with colors symbolizing his courage and strength.
- Patron: St. Michael the Archangel
- Feast Day: September 29 (Michaelmas)
- Motto (Latin): 'Quis ut Deus'
- Coat of Arms includes Diocese castle, SMA lamb, HTCS Triqueta, and St. Michael's wings/sword/scales
Baptism
St. Michael welcomes both infant (up to age 6) and adult (age 7+) baptisms. Infant Baptism preparation classes are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, 9:00–11:00 AM, in the Activity Center (no class in April, July, or December). Parents must be registered for at least 3 months and live within parish boundaries; godparents must be practicing Catholics with proof of Baptism prep attendance.
- Infant Baptism class: 2nd Saturday, 9–11 AM
- Adult Baptism (7+) via OCIA
- Director of Faith Formation: Robin Harris, 817-510-2755
Marriage Preparation
Couples contemplating marriage at St. Michael are encouraged to contact the parish 9–12 months before the wedding date. The preparation process includes the Fully Engaged online survey, a mentor-couple meeting, Pre-Cana, an introductory Natural Family Planning session, baptismal certificates, Witness to Freedom to Marry forms, and a final meeting with Fr. Joseph Moreno. Documents are submitted to the Diocese of Fort Worth Tribunal for the Nihil Obstat.
- Coordinator: Deacon Tom Doran ([email protected])
- Timeframe: 9–12 months before wedding
- Includes Fully Engaged, Pre-Cana, NFP, mentor couple
- Nihil Obstat required from Diocese of Fort Worth
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation program, directed by Robin Harris, serves children, youth, teens, young adults, and older adults with year-round catechesis grounded in authentic Catholic teaching. It includes OCIA (formerly RCIA), sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation/Eucharist and Confirmation, EDGE middle-school discipleship, and TeenLife high-school discipleship.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- EDGE Middle School Discipleship
- TeenLife High School Discipleship
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation
- Director: Robin Harris, 817-510-2755
Schools & Preschool
The parish partners with nearby Holy Trinity Catholic School for K-8 formation and runs its own St. Michael Academy Preschool on the parish campus.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School (Diocesan partner)
- St. Michael Academy Preschool (ages 12 months – 5 years)
St. Michael Academy Preschool
Founded in September 1988 as a ministry of St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Michael Academy serves children 12 months to 5 years old with two- and three-day programs (Tue/Wed/Fri, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM) and a Pre-K2 bridge program for five-year-olds. The curriculum includes chapel, Bible stories, religion, music, sign language, Spanish vocabulary, arts and crafts, science, and outside play; it has been honored as a Fort Worth Star-Telegram 'Best in Tarrant County' preschool.
- Director: Alyssa Roper
- Office: 817-510-2748
- Website: smapreschool.com
- Tuition discounts for parishioners and siblings
Parish Staff & Pastoral Leadership
St. Michael is led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Joseph Moreno, supported by Deacons Sangote 'Ulupano, Tom Doran, and Ken Coffey, with Deacon Guillermo Muñoz also serving as Director of Liturgy and Hispanic Ministry Coordinator. Staff is organized into Liturgy, Formation, Social Outreach, and Administration teams.
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph Moreno ([email protected], 817-510-2717)
- Deacons: Sangote 'Ulupano, Tom Doran, Ken Coffey, Guillermo Muñoz
- Director of Faith Formation: Robin Harris
- Director of Music: Gayle Lambert
- Director of Hispanic Music: Efren Exiga
- Director of St. Michael Academy: Alyssa Roper
- Director of Social Outreach / Safe Environment Coordinator: Elizabeth Chanoine
- Business Manager: Esmeralda Tobias
- Operations Administrative Assistant: Sonja Owen
- Parish Coordinator: Kimberly Speirs
- Facility Manager: Francis Grosskopf
Hispanic & Spanish-Speaking Ministry
St. Michael has offered Spanish-language liturgy since Pentecost Sunday 2009, when it launched the 1:00 PM Sunday Mass in Spanish; a weekly Thursday evening Spanish Mass was added in June 2011. Hispanic Ministry is coordinated by Deacon Guillermo Muñoz, with Efren Exiga as Director of Hispanic Music.
- Sunday 1:00 PM Spanish Mass (since Pentecost 2009)
- Weekly Thursday evening Spanish Mass (since June 2011)
- Coordinator: Deacon Guillermo Muñoz
- Hispanic Music Director: Efren Exiga
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at St. Michael is led by Director of Music Gayle Lambert and Director of Hispanic Music Efren Exiga, with choirs and accompanists supporting both English and Spanish liturgies. The sanctuary features a new tabernacle installed in 2017 and blessed by Bishop Michael Olson.
- Director of Music: Gayle Lambert (817-510-2785)
- Director of Hispanic Music: Efren Exiga
- New tabernacle blessed in sanctuary in 2017
Social Outreach & Charity
The parish's Social Outreach ministry, also known as Christian Connection, is directed by Elizabeth Chanoine, who also serves as Safe Environment Coordinator. The ministry coordinates charitable works and parish-wide service opportunities.
- Director: Elizabeth Chanoine, LPC (817-510-2737)
- Parishioner assistance and outreach programs
- Safe Environment coordination
Get Involved — Volunteering & Stewardship
The parish hosts an annual Ministry Fair (typically in February) where parishioners can explore every lay-ministry opportunity in a no-pressure environment. The Stewardship Committee and Stewardship Coordinator Annette Lee support volunteer matching. Current top volunteer needs include facility maintenance, communications (website/social media/bulletin), front-desk reception, formation/youth catechists, and flower-garden upkeep.
- Ministry Fair (annual, in the Great Hall)
- Stewardship Coordinator: Annette Lee, 817-510-2718
- Volunteer tracks: Facility Maintenance, Communications Team, Front Desk, Formation/Youth, Flower Garden
- Safe Environment training required (Protecting God's Children / Called to Protect)
Volunteer Requirements & Safe Environment
All volunteers, lay ministers, employees, and clergy must complete the Diocese of Fort Worth Safe Environment program, including the application, references, Code of Conduct, and an in-person Safe Environment Awareness Session. Youth training ('Called to Protect' and 'Teen Leader') is provided for grades K-12 ministry volunteers.
- Volunteer Application + 3 references
- Authorization for Release of Information
- Diocesan Code of Conduct
- Safe Environment Awareness Session (in person, English)
- Youth 'Called to Protect' for grades K-12
Funeral Planning
The parish assists families with Funeral Mass planning, and requested Funeral Masses are live-streamed on the parish website. A parish calendar of scheduled funerals is published online.
- Funeral planning assistance
- Funeral Masses live-streamed
- Scheduled funerals listed on parish calendar
Facilities & Campus
The St. Michael campus at 3713 Harwood Road includes the 1985 sanctuary (seating 800), the 1997 Formation Center, the remodeled Great Hall and kitchen, the parish garden on the north end of the property, and the on-site St. Michael Academy Preschool. Outdoor statues of the Blessed Mother Mary and St. Michael the Archangel were erected in the gardens in September 2014.
- Church dedicated 1985 (800 seats)
- Formation Center (1997)
- Remodeled Great Hall & kitchen
- Parish garden & outdoor Marian/St. Michael statues (2014)
Office, Location & Contact
Parish office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The parish mailing address is 3713 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021.
- Phone: 817-510-2711
- Alternate: 817-283-8746
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- 3713 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James R. Miller1977–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop John J. Cassata when the parish was founded on July 20, 1977.