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 Oct. 1, 2018.
Pastors
Rev. John-Mary Bowlin assigned as Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Gun Barrel City (from Pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Buffalo).
Very Rev. John Gomez, JCL assigned as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Frankston (from Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore). Father Gomez remains vicar general, moderator of priests, and promoter of justice.
Administrators
Rev. John Henao, STL assigned as Parochial Administrator of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore (from Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Lufkin).
Rev. Jonathon Frels assigned as Parochial Administrator pro tempore of St. Bernard Parish in Fairfield and Priest-in-Charge pro tempore of St. Mary Mission in Teague. Father Frels remains Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Palestine.
Rev. Joseph Lourdusamy assigned as Parochial Administrator of St. Leo the Great Parish in Centerville and Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas More Mission in Hilltop Lakes (from Priest-in-Charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Mission in Chireno and Immaculate Conception Mission in Moral).
Rev. Luis Roncancio assigned as Parochial Administrator of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Buffalo (from Priest-in-Charge of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Nacogdoches).
Parochial Vicar
Rev. Luis Carlos Peña assigned as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Nacogdoches (from Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore).
Rev. Kevin Young assigned as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Palestine (from Administrator of St. Leo the Great Parish in Centerville and Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas More Mission in Hilltop Lakes).
Retirement
Rev. Christopher Ruggles, JCL granted retirement from active priestly ministry.
Pastoral Notes
Pastoral care for St. Mary Catholic Campus Ministry (Nacogdoches), Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission (Nacogdoches), Immaculate Conception Mission (Moral) and Our Lady of Lourdes Mission (Chireno) will be provided from Sacred Heart Parish in Nacogdoches. This pastoral care will be coordinated by Rev. George Elliott, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, with assistance from parochial vicars Revs. Hector Arvizu and Luis Peña.
Pastoral care for St. Bernard Parish (Fairfield) and St. Mary Mission (Teague) will be provided from Sacred Heart Parish in Palestine. This pastoral care will be coordinated by Rev. Jonathon Frels, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and Administrator of St. Bernard Parish, with assistance from parochial vicars Revs. Victor Hamon and Kevin Young.
