The Catholic Diocese of Tyler

Our Priests

Priests of the Diocese of Tyler

A priest is a baptised man who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  Through this sacrament, a man enters into the ministerial priesthood which gives him a sacred power to serve (CCC 1592).  The ministerial priesthood is given to serve the common priesthood; all the people of God are called to participate in the common priesthood (CCC 1546-1547).  A priest is “a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads His Church” ; therefore it is the mission of the Catholic priest “to feed the Church by the word and grace of God”  (LG, 11).   As such, a priest is a mediator or ‘bridge-builder’ between God and humanity; he does this by participating in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, who unites God and humanity in his very being. The priest carries out this ‘bridge-building’ through teaching, divine worship and leading the people (CCC 1592).

A priest offers the ministry of Jesus Christ to us today. When a priest offers the holy sacrifice of the Mass, it is Christ who offers the sacrifice. When he absolves sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is Christ who forgives. When he partakes in the mission of the Church to teach and evangelise, it is Christ who speaks through him. When he offers love, comfort and support to God’s people, Christ is truly present with them. For this reason,  St John Vianney explained the priesthood in the following terms: “The priest continues the work of redemption on earth … If we really understood the priest on earth we would not die of fright but of love … The priest is the love of the heart of Jesus” (CCC 1589).

Adams, Michael (Rev.)

Adams, Michael (Rev.)

Texarkana

Position: Retired
Location: Sacred Heart (Texarkana)

Adams, Michael (Rev.)

Texarkana
Ahiaba, Martin (Rev.)

Ahiaba, Martin (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)

Ahiaba, Martin (Rev.)

Tyler
Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel (Rev.)

Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel (Rev.)

Waskom

Position: Priest-in-Charge
Location: St. Lawrence of Brindisi (Waskom)

Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel (Rev.)

Waskom
Arroyave, Jesus (Rev.)

Arroyave, Jesus (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Tyler)

Arroyave, Jesus (Rev.)

Tyler
Arroyave, Luis (Rev.)

Arroyave, Luis (Rev.)

Diboll

Position: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Diboll)

Arroyave, Luis (Rev.)

Diboll
Arulappa, Devaraj (Rev.)

Arulappa, Devaraj (Rev.)

India

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: India

Arulappa, Devaraj (Rev.)

India
Arvizu, Hector (Rev.)

Arvizu, Hector (Rev.)

Gilmer

Position: Parochial Administrator
Location: St. Francis of Assisi (Gilmer)

Arvizu, Hector (Rev.)

Gilmer
Avula, Maria Susai (Rev.)

Avula, Maria Susai (Rev.)

Hemphill

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Pius (Hemphill) and St. Augusitine (San Augustine)

Avula, Maria Susai (Rev.)

Hemphill
Bailey, David (Rev.)

Bailey, David (Rev.)

Flint

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Mary Magdalene (Flint)

Bailey, David (Rev.)

Flint
Barone, Michael (Rev.)

Barone, Michael (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Barone, Michael (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Betancourt, Cesar (Rev.)

Betancourt, Cesar (Rev.)

Trinity

Position: Parochial Administrator
Location: Most Holy Trinity (Trinity)

Betancourt, Cesar (Rev.)

Trinity
Boteju, Bernard (Rev.)

Boteju, Bernard (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Boteju, Bernard (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Bowlin, John-Mary (Rev.)

Bowlin, John-Mary (Rev.)

Gun Barrel City

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Jude (Gun Barrel City)

Bowlin, John-Mary (Rev.)

Gun Barrel City
Braun, Justin (Rev.)

Braun, Justin (Rev.)

Texarkana

Position: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Texarkana)

Braun, Justin (Rev.)

Texarkana
Celano, Freddy (Rev.)

Celano, Freddy (Rev.)

New Summerfield

Position: Priest-in-Charge
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (New Summerfield)

Celano, Freddy (Rev.)

New Summerfield
Chellaian, Lawrence (Rev.)

Chellaian, Lawrence (Rev.)

Texarkana

Position: Vice President of Mission Integration
Location: CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital (Texarkana)

Chellaian, Lawrence (Rev.)

Texarkana
Chinnappa, Ambrose (Rev.)

Chinnappa, Ambrose (Rev.)

Wills Point

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Luke (Wills Point)

Chinnappa, Ambrose (Rev.)

Wills Point
Cigainero, Robert (Rev.)

Cigainero, Robert (Rev.)

Mt. Pleasant

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Michael (Mt. Pleasant)

Cigainero, Robert (Rev.)

Mt. Pleasant
Cortes, Ariel (Rev.)

Cortes, Ariel (Rev.)

Mt. Pleasant

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Michael (Mt. Pleasant)

Cortes, Ariel (Rev.)

Mt. Pleasant
Demski, Ronald (Rev.)

Demski, Ronald (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Hermit
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Demski, Ronald (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Diegel, Ronald (Rev. Msgr.)

Diegel, Ronald (Rev. Msgr.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Diegel, Ronald (Rev. Msgr.)

Diocese of Tyler
Dinguis, Jorge (Rev.)

Dinguis, Jorge (Rev.)

Rusk

Position: Priest-in-Charge
Location: Sacred Heart (Rusk) and Ven. Antonio Margil (Alto)

Dinguis, Jorge (Rev.)

Rusk
Dobosz, Jerzy (Rev.)

Dobosz, Jerzy (Rev.)

Poland

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese 
Location: Poland

Dobosz, Jerzy (Rev.)

Poland
Dominguez, Zach (Rev.)

Dominguez, Zach (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Chaplain
Location: Bishop Gorman School (Tyler)

Dominguez, Zach (Rev.)

Tyler
Dower, Daniel (Rev.)

Dower, Daniel (Rev.)

Longview

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Mary (Longview)

Dower, Daniel (Rev.)

Longview
Dunne, Mark (Very Rev.)

Dunne, Mark (Very Rev.)

Mt. Vernon

Position: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Mt. Vernon)

Dunne, Mark (Very Rev.)

Mt. Vernon
Duyka, Stephen (Rev.)

Duyka, Stephen (Rev.)

Atlanta

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Catherine of Siena (Atlanta) and St. Mary of the Cenacle (New Boston)

Duyka, Stephen (Rev.)

Atlanta
Edelen, Thomas (Rev.)

Edelen, Thomas (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Edelen, Thomas (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Elliott, George (Rev.)

Elliott, George (Rev.)

Nacogdoches

Position: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)

Elliott, George (Rev.)

Nacogdoches
Fenton, Patrick (Rev.)

Fenton, Patrick (Rev.)

Malakoff

Position: Parochial Administrator
Location: Mary Queen of Heaven (Malakoff)

Fenton, Patrick (Rev.)

Malakoff
Figueroa, Ruben

Figueroa, Ruben

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Figueroa, Ruben

Diocese of Tyler
Frels, Jonathon (Very Rev.)

Frels, Jonathon (Very Rev.)

Palestine

Position: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Palestine)

Frels, Jonathon (Very Rev.)

Palestine
Fuentes, Roselio (Rev.)

Fuentes, Roselio (Rev.)

Hallsville

Position: Administrator
Location: Our Lady of Grace (Hallsville)

Fuentes, Roselio (Rev.)

Hallsville
Gabriel-Maisonet, Guillermo (Rev.)

Gabriel-Maisonet, Guillermo (Rev.)

Madisonville

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Madisonville)

Gabriel-Maisonet, Guillermo (Rev.)

Madisonville
Garcia, Raymundo (Rev.)

Garcia, Raymundo (Rev.)

Paris

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Our Lady of Victory (Paris) and St. Joseph (Clarksville)

Garcia, Raymundo (Rev.)

Paris
Gomez, John (Very Rev.)

Gomez, John (Very Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Vicar General
Location: Chancery (Tyler)

Gomez, John (Very Rev.)

Tyler
Gonzalez, Daniel (Rev.)

Gonzalez, Daniel (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of TylerDioces

Gonzalez, Daniel (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Gonzalez, Juan Pedro (Rev.)

Gonzalez, Juan Pedro (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Priest-in-Residence
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)

Gonzalez, Juan Pedro (Rev.)

Tyler
Hamon, Victor (Rev.)

Hamon, Victor (Rev.)

Colombia

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Colombia

Hamon, Victor (Rev.)

Colombia
Hartnett, Patrick (Rev.)

Hartnett, Patrick (Rev.)

Ireland

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Ireland

Hartnett, Patrick (Rev.)

Ireland
Henao, John (Rev.)

Henao, John (Rev.)

Kilgore

Position: Pastor
Location: Christ the King (Kilgore)

Henao, John (Rev.)

Kilgore
Hernandez, Victor (Rev.)

Hernandez, Victor (Rev.)

Emory

Position: Pastor
Location: St. John the Evangelist (Emory) and St. Celestine (Grand Saline)

Hernandez, Victor (Rev.)

Emory
Kalarickal, Luke (Rev.)

Kalarickal, Luke (Rev.)

Whitehouse

Position: Pastor
Location: Prince of Peace (Whitehouse)

Kalarickal, Luke (Rev.)

Whitehouse
Kannampuzha, Jose (Rev.)

Kannampuzha, Jose (Rev.)

Henderson

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Jude (Henderson)

Kannampuzha, Jose (Rev.)

Henderson
Kelly, Timothy (Rev.)

Kelly, Timothy (Rev.)

Lufkin

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Andrew the Apostle (Lufkin)

Kelly, Timothy (Rev.)

Lufkin
Key, Paul (Rev.)

Key, Paul (Rev.)

Chandler

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Boniface (Chandler)

Key, Paul (Rev.)

Chandler
Kunnakkattuthara, Zach (Rev. Msgr.)

Kunnakkattuthara, Zach (Rev. Msgr.)

Marshall

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Joseph (Marshall) and Immaculate Conception (Jefferson)

Kunnakkattuthara, Zach (Rev. Msgr.)

Marshall
Kusmirek, Mark (Rev.)

Kusmirek, Mark (Rev.)

Frankston

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Charles Borromeo (Frankston)

Kusmirek, Mark (Rev.)

Frankston
Lanik, Hank (Very Rev.)

Lanik, Hank (Very Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Pastor
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)

Lanik, Hank (Very Rev.)

Tyler
Larrea, Luis (Rev.)

Larrea, Luis (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Peter Claver (Tyler)

Larrea, Luis (Rev.)

Tyler
Ledesma, Michael (Rev.)

Ledesma, Michael (Rev.)

Nacogdoches

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)

Ledesma, Michael (Rev.)

Nacogdoches
Lopez, Elpidio (Rev.)

Lopez, Elpidio (Rev.)

Tatum

Position: Priest-in-Charge
Location: San Pedro the Fisherman (Tatum)

Lopez, Elpidio (Rev.)

Tatum
Lourdusamy, Joseph (Rev.)

Lourdusamy, Joseph (Rev.)

Centerville

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Leo (Centerville) and St. Thomas More (Hilltop Lakes)

Lourdusamy, Joseph (Rev.)

Centerville
Love, Lawrence (Rev.)

Love, Lawrence (Rev.)

Mineola

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Peter the Apostle (Mineola)

Love, Lawrence (Rev.)

Mineola
Lowry, Nolan (Very Rev.)

Lowry, Nolan (Very Rev.)

Athens

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Edward (Athens)

Lowry, Nolan (Very Rev.)

Athens
Lucas, Jay (Rev.)

Lucas, Jay (Rev.)

Jacksonville

Position: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows (Jacksonville)

Lucas, Jay (Rev.)

Jacksonville
Marin, Jose (Rev.)

Marin, Jose (Rev.)

Nacogdoches

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)

Marin, Jose (Rev.)

Nacogdoches
Mathai, Mani (Rev.)

Mathai, Mani (Rev.)

Winnsboro

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Ann (Winnsboro)

Mathai, Mani (Rev.)

Winnsboro
Motte, Albert (Rev.)

Motte, Albert (Rev.)

Athens

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Edward (Athens)

Motte, Albert (Rev.)

Athens
Munoz, Nelson (Rev.)

Munoz, Nelson (Rev.)

Center

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Therese of Lisieux (Center) and Epiphany (Timpson)

Munoz, Nelson (Rev.)

Center
Nappier, Nicholas (Rev.)

Nappier, Nicholas (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)

Nappier, Nicholas (Rev.)

Tyler
Neu, Joshua (Rev.)

Neu, Joshua (Rev.)

Louisiana

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Louisiana

Neu, Joshua (Rev.)

Louisiana
Nwankwocha, Ignatius (Rev.)

Nwankwocha, Ignatius (Rev.)

Texarkana

Position: Chaplain
Location: CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital (Texarkana)

Nwankwocha, Ignatius (Rev.)

Texarkana
O’Dowd, Francis (Very Rev.)

O’Dowd, Francis (Very Rev.)

Gladewater

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Theresa (Gladewater) and Queen of Angels (Overton)

O’Dowd, Francis (Very Rev.)

Gladewater
Oghenerukevwe, Daniel (Rev.)

Oghenerukevwe, Daniel (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Chaplain
Location: CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital (Tyler)

Oghenerukevwe, Daniel (Rev.)

Tyler
Palmer, William (Rev.)

Palmer, William (Rev.)

New Boston

Position: Parochial Administrator
Location: St. Mary of the Cenacle (New Boston)

Palmer, William (Rev.)

New Boston
Pappu, Xavier (Rev. Msgr.)

Pappu, Xavier (Rev. Msgr.)

Longview

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Matthew (Longview)

Pappu, Xavier (Rev. Msgr.)

Longview
Paradis, Steven (Rev.)

Paradis, Steven (Rev.)

Carthage

Position: Pastor
Location: St. William of Vercelli (Carthage)

Paradis, Steven (Rev.)

Carthage
Pena, Luis Carlos (Rev.)

Pena, Luis Carlos (Rev.)

Marshall

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Joseph (Marshall)

Pena, Luis Carlos (Rev.)

Marshall
Piedrahita, Carlos

Piedrahita, Carlos

Lindale

Position: Parochial Administrator
Location: Holy Family (Lindale)

Piedrahita, Carlos

Lindale
Rasaian, Lawrence (Very Rev.)

Rasaian, Lawrence (Very Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Judicial Vicar
Location: Chancery (Tyler)

Rasaian, Lawrence (Very Rev.)

Tyler
Rivera, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Rivera, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Pittsburg

Position: Pastor
Location: Holy Cross (Pittsburg)

Rivera, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Pittsburg
Rodriguez, Matias (Rev.)

Rodriguez, Matias (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Priest-in-Residence
Location: Casa Betania (Tyler)

Rodriguez, Matias (Rev.)

Tyler
Roncancio, Luis (Rev.)

Roncancio, Luis (Rev.)

Buffalo

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Buffalo)

Roncancio, Luis (Rev.)

Buffalo
Rottman, Gary (Rev.)

Rottman, Gary (Rev.)

Palestine

Position: Prison Ministry Coordinator
Location: Palestine

Rottman, Gary (Rev.)

Palestine
Rowland, James (Very Rev.)

Rowland, James (Very Rev.)

Flint

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Mary Magdalene (Flint)

Rowland, James (Very Rev.)

Flint
Ruggles, Christopher (Rev.)

Ruggles, Christopher (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Ruggles, Christopher (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Sardinas, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Sardinas, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Fairfield

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Bernard (Fairfield) and St. Mary (Teague)

Sardinas, Juan Carlos (Rev.)

Fairfield
Savarimithu, Pancras (Rev.)

Savarimithu, Pancras (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Savarimithu, Pancras (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
Sinnappan, Selvaraj (Rev.)

Sinnappan, Selvaraj (Rev.)

Sulphur Springs

Position: Pastor
Location: St. James (Sulphur Springs)

Sinnappan, Selvaraj (Rev.)

Sulphur Springs
Snider, Michael (Rev.)

Snider, Michael (Rev.)

Holly Lake Ranch

Position: Pastor
Location: Holy Spirit (Holly Lake Ranch)

Snider, Michael (Rev.)

Holly Lake Ranch
Stehling, Matthew (Rev.)

Stehling, Matthew (Rev.)

Nacogdoches

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)

Stehling, Matthew (Rev.)

Nacogdoches
Stoeppel, Anthony (Rev.)

Stoeppel, Anthony (Rev.)

California

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: California

Stoeppel, Anthony (Rev.)

California
Strickland, Joseph (Most Rev.)

Strickland, Joseph (Most Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Bishop
Location: Chancery (Tyler)

Strickland, Joseph (Most Rev.)

Tyler
Tharappel, Augustine (Rev.)

Tharappel, Augustine (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Minister for Priests
Location: Chancery (Tyler)

Tharappel, Augustine (Rev.)

Tyler
Thason, John Robinson

Thason, John Robinson

Tyler

Position: CPE Program
Location: CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital (Tyler)

Thason, John Robinson

Tyler
Thomas, Jesudoss (Rev.)

Thomas, Jesudoss (Rev.)

Canton

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Therese (Canton)

Thomas, Jesudoss (Rev.)

Canton
Thomas, Joby (Rev.)

Thomas, Joby (Rev.)

Crockett

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Francis of the Tejas (Crockett) and Most Holy Trinity (Trinity)

Thomas, Joby (Rev.)

Crockett
Tillekeratne, Eugene (Rev.)

Tillekeratne, Eugene (Rev.)

Daingerfield

Position: Administrator
Location: Our Lady of Fatima (Daingerfield)

Tillekeratne, Eugene (Rev.)

Daingerfield
Valentine, Joseph (Rev.)

Valentine, Joseph (Rev.)

Tyler

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Joseph the Worker (Tyler)

Valentine, Joseph (Rev.)

Tyler
Vaverek, Gavin (Rev.)

Vaverek, Gavin (Rev.)

Paris

Position: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Victory (Paris) and St. Joseph (Clarksville)

Vaverek, Gavin (Rev.)

Paris
Vidarte, Jose Luis (Rev.)

Vidarte, Jose Luis (Rev.)

Longview

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Anthony (Longview)

Vidarte, Jose Luis (Rev.)

Longview
Vithanage, Denzil (Very Rev.)

Vithanage, Denzil (Very Rev.)

Lufkin

Position: Pastor
Location: St. Patrick (Lufkin)

Vithanage, Denzil (Very Rev.)

Lufkin
Walsh, Denis (Rev.)

Walsh, Denis (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler

Position: Hermit
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Walsh, Denis (Rev.)

Diocese of Tyler
White, Morgan (Rev.)

White, Morgan (Rev.)

Ireland

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Ireland

White, Morgan (Rev.)

Ireland
Young, James (Rev. Msgr.)

Young, James (Rev. Msgr.)

Dioecse of Tyler

Position: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler

Young, James (Rev. Msgr.)

Dioecse of Tyler
Young, Kevin (Rev.)

Young, Kevin (Rev.)

New York

Position: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: New York

Young, Kevin (Rev.)

New York
Zelaya, Cristian (Rev.)

Zelaya, Cristian (Rev.)

Palestine

Position: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Palestine)

Zelaya, Cristian (Rev.)

Palestine