Rev. Mark P. Dunne, a priest of the Diocese of Tyler and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Vernon, Texas, passed away on Aug. 4, 2023, in Tyler at age 50.
A Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Vernon on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 10 a.m., with Bishop Joseph E. Strickland as the celebrant. A livestream of the Funeral Mass can be watched at: https://www.youtube.com/@iccathedral
Father Mark was born on Aug. 19, 1972, in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of Michael and Phyllis Dunne.
He studied for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Waterford and St. Patrick College in Carlow before coming to the United States in 1999 at the invitation of Bishop Edmond Carmody and completing his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston.
Father Mark was ordained to the priesthood on March 9, 2002, by Bishop Alvaro Corrada, SJ, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.
His priestly service included parochial vicar of St. Anthony Parish in Longview (2002-2007), administrator of Holy Family Parish in Lindale (2007-2011), priest-in-residence at St. Mary Parish in Longview (2011-2012), parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Longview and administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gilmer (2012-2013), pastor of St. Theresa in Union Grove and St. Francis of Assisi in Gilmer (2013 –2020), and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Vernon (2020-2023).
He also served as a member of the Presbyteral Council, dean of the Northwest Deanery, and chaplain at UT Health Center at Tyler.
He is survived by his brothers, Michel and Oliver, and his sister, Eimear.
