After due consultation and prayerful reflection, and in order to provide for the proper care of souls entrusted to him, Bishop Joseph E. Strickland is pleased to announce the following pastoral assignments and appointments for the Diocese of Tyler. All changes are effective Jan. 19, 2018, unless noted.
Pastor
Rev. Jose Kannampuzha assigned as Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Henderson (from Pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Lufkin).
Rev. Hank Lanik assigned as Pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Lufkin and Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Lufkin (from Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler), and has been appointed as the Dean for the Southeast Deanery effective Jan 19, 2018..
Rev. Jayaseelanraj Lucas assigned as Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Longview (from Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Henderson.)
Rev. Guillermo Gabriel-Maisonet assigned as Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler (from Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Longview).
Rev. Gavin Vaverek assigned as Pastor of St. Luke Parish in Wills Point (from Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Lufkin). Father Vaverek has also received a special appointment to work with regularization of marriage efforts in the diocese.
Rev. Christopher Ruggles assigned as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Frankston (from temporary medical leave).
Parochial Vicar
Rev. Justin Braun assigned as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Texarkana (from Chaplain of John Paul II Campus Ministry in Tyler). Effective Jan. 31.
Rev. Patrick Fenton assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Michael Parish in Mt. Pleasant (from Pastor of St. Luke Parish in Wills Point).
Rev. Raymundo Garcia assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Lufkin, while continuing as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Lufkin.
Other
Rev. Gary Rottman returning to Director of Prison Ministry on a full-time basis (from Administrator of St. Charles Borromeo in Frankston).
Rev. Cristian Zelaya assigned to pastoral work at St. Francis of Assisi in Gilmer (from Parochial Vicar at St. Michael in Mt. Pleasant).
Very Rev. Hank Lanik appointed Dean of the Southeast Deanery.
Very Rev. Matthew Stehling appointed Dean of the West Central Deanery.
Rev. Joshua Neu appointed Vocations Director for the Diocese of Tyler.
Rev. Charles Vreeland assigned as Chaplain of John Paul II Campus Ministry (UT Tyler) in Tyler, while continuing as Chaplain for Bishop Gorman School in Tyler. Effective Jan. 31.
