Our Priests
Priests of the Diocese of TylerA 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.)
TexarkanaPosition: Retired
Location: Sacred Heart (Texarkana)
Adams, Michael (Rev.)
Texarkana
Ahiaba, Martin (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)
Ahiaba, Martin (Rev.)
Tyler
Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel (Rev.)
WaskomPosition: Priest-in-Charge
Location: St. Lawrence of Brindisi (Waskom)
Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel (Rev.)
Waskom
Arroyave, Jesus (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Tyler)
Arroyave, Jesus (Rev.)
Tyler
Arroyave, Luis (Rev.)
DibollPosition: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Diboll)
Arroyave, Luis (Rev.)
Diboll
Arulappa, Devaraj (Rev.)
IndiaPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: India
Arulappa, Devaraj (Rev.)
India
Arvizu, Hector (Rev.)
NacogdochesPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)
Arvizu, Hector (Rev.)
Nacogdoches
Avula, Maria Susai (Rev.)
HemphillPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Pius (Hemphill) and St. Augusitine (San Augustine)
Avula, Maria Susai (Rev.)
Hemphill
Barone, Michael (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Barone, Michael (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Betancourt, Cesar (Rev.)
GilmerPosition: Parochial Administrator
Location: St. Francis of Assisi (Gilmer)
Betancourt, Cesar (Rev.)
Gilmer
Boteju, Bernard (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Boteju, Bernard (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Bowlin, John-Mary (Rev.)
Gun Barrel CityPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Jude (Gun Barrel City)
Bowlin, John-Mary (Rev.)
Gun Barrel City
Braun, Justin (Rev.)
TexarkanaPosition: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Texarkana)
Braun, Justin (Rev.)
Texarkana
Brennan, John (Rev. Msgr.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Brennan, John (Rev. Msgr.)
Diocese of Tyler
Celano, Freddy (Rev.)
New SummerfieldPosition: Priest-in-Charge
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe (New Summerfield)
Celano, Freddy (Rev.)
New Summerfield
Chellaian, Lawrence (Rev.)
TexarkanaPosition: Vice President of Mission Integration
Location: CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital (Texarkana)
Chellaian, Lawrence (Rev.)
Texarkana
Chinnappa, Ambrose (Rev.)
Wills PointPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Luke (Wills Point)
Chinnappa, Ambrose (Rev.)
Wills Point
Cigainero, Robert (Rev.)
Mt. PleasantPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Michael (Mt. Pleasant)
Cigainero, Robert (Rev.)
Mt. Pleasant
Cortes, Ariel (Rev.)
Mt. PleasantPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Michael (Mt. Pleasant)
Cortes, Ariel (Rev.)
Mt. Pleasant
Demski, Ronald (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Hermit
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Demski, Ronald (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Diegel, Ronald (Rev. Msgr.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Diegel, Ronald (Rev. Msgr.)
Diocese of Tyler
Dinguis, Jorge (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Outside Diocese
Location: Outside Diocese
Dinguis, Jorge (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Dobosz, Jerzy (Rev.)
PolandPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Poland
Dobosz, Jerzy (Rev.)
Poland
Dominguez, Zach (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Chaplain
Location: Bishop Gorman School (Tyler)
Dominguez, Zach (Rev.)
Tyler
Dower, Daniel (Rev.)
LongviewPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Mary (Longview)
Dower, Daniel (Rev.)
Longview
Dunne, Mark (Very Rev.)
Mt. VernonPosition: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Mt. Vernon)
Dunne, Mark (Very Rev.)
Mt. Vernon
Duyka, Stephen (Rev.)
AtlantaPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Catherine of Siena (Atlanta) and St. Mary of the Cenacle (New Boston)
Duyka, Stephen (Rev.)
Atlanta
Edelen, Thomas (Rev.)
RuskPosition: Priest-in-Charge
Location: Sacred Heart (Rusk) and Ven. Antonio Margil (Alto)
Edelen, Thomas (Rev.)
Rusk
Elliott, George (Rev.)
NacogdochesPosition: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)
Elliott, George (Rev.)
Nacogdoches
Fenton, Patrick (Rev.)
MalakoffPosition: Parochial Administrator
Location: Mary Queen of Heaven (Malakoff)
Fenton, Patrick (Rev.)
Malakoff
Figueroa, Ruben
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Figueroa, Ruben
Diocese of Tyler
Frels, Jonathon (Very Rev.)
PalestinePosition: Pastor
Location: Sacred Heart (Palestine)
Frels, Jonathon (Very Rev.)
Palestine
Fuentes, Roselio (Rev.)
NacogdochesPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Nacogdoches)
Fuentes, Roselio (Rev.)
Nacogdoches
Gabriel-Maisonet, Guillermo (Rev.)
MadisonvillePosition: Pastor
Location: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Madisonville)
Gabriel-Maisonet, Guillermo (Rev.)
Madisonville
Garcia, Raymundo (Rev.)
ParisPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Our Lady of Victory (Paris) and St. Joseph (Clarksville)
Garcia, Raymundo (Rev.)
Paris
Gomez, John (Very Rev.)
TylerPosition: Vicar General
Location: Chancery (Tyler)
Gomez, John (Very Rev.)
Tyler
Gonzalez, Daniel (Rev.)
PeruPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Peru
Gonzalez, Daniel (Rev.)
Peru
Gonzalez, Juan Pedro (Rev.)
MexicoPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Mexico
Gonzalez, Juan Pedro (Rev.)
Mexico
Hamon, Victor (Rev.)
ColombiaPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Colombia
Hamon, Victor (Rev.)
Colombia
Hartnett, Patrick (Rev.)
IrelandPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Ireland
Hartnett, Patrick (Rev.)
Ireland
Henao, John (Rev.)
KilgorePosition: Pastor
Location: Christ the King (Kilgore)
Henao, John (Rev.)
Kilgore
Hernandez, Victor (Rev.)
EmoryPosition: Pastor
Location: St. John the Evangelist (Emory) and St. Celestine (Grand Saline)
Hernandez, Victor (Rev.)
Emory
Kalarickal, Luke (Rev.)
WhitehousePosition: Pastor
Location: Prince of Peace (Whitehouse)
Kalarickal, Luke (Rev.)
Whitehouse
Kannampuzha, Jose (Rev.)
HendersonPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Jude (Henderson)
Kannampuzha, Jose (Rev.)
Henderson
Kelly, Timothy (Rev.)
LufkinPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Andrew the Apostle (Lufkin)
Kelly, Timothy (Rev.)
Lufkin
Key, Paul (Rev.)
ChandlerPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Boniface (Chandler)
Key, Paul (Rev.)
Chandler
Kunnakkattuthara, Zach (Rev. Msgr.)
MarshallPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Joseph (Marshall) and Immaculate Conception (Jefferson)
Kunnakkattuthara, Zach (Rev. Msgr.)
Marshall
Kusmirek, Mark (Rev.)
FrankstonPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Charles Borromeo (Frankston)
Kusmirek, Mark (Rev.)
Frankston
Lanik, Hank (Very Rev.)
TylerPosition: Pastor
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)
Lanik, Hank (Very Rev.)
Tyler
Larrea, Luis (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Peter Claver (Tyler)
Larrea, Luis (Rev.)
Tyler
Lopez, Elpidio (Rev.)
TatumPosition: Priest-in-Charge
Location: San Pedro the Fisherman (Tatum)
Lopez, Elpidio (Rev.)
Tatum
Lourdusamy, Joseph (Rev.)
CentervillePosition: Pastor
Location: St. Leo (Centerville) and St. Thomas More (Hilltop Lakes)
Lourdusamy, Joseph (Rev.)
Centerville
Love, Lawrence (Rev.)
MineolaPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Peter the Apostle (Mineola)
Love, Lawrence (Rev.)
Mineola
Lowry, Nolan (Very Rev.)
AthensPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Edward (Athens)
Lowry, Nolan (Very Rev.)
Athens
Lucas, Jay (Rev.)
JacksonvillePosition: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows (Jacksonville)
Lucas, Jay (Rev.)
Jacksonville
Marin, Jose (Rev.)
LufkinPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Andrew the Apostle (Lufkin) and St. Patrick (Lufkin)
Marin, Jose (Rev.)
Lufkin
Mathai, Mani (Rev.)
WinnsboroPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Ann (Winnsboro)
Mathai, Mani (Rev.)
Winnsboro
McLaughlin, Anthony (Rev.)
KentuckyPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Kentucky
McLaughlin, Anthony (Rev.)
Kentucky
Munoz, Nelson (Rev.)
CenterPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Therese of Lisieux (Center) and Epiphany (Timpson)
Munoz, Nelson (Rev.)
Center
Neu, Joshua (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Chaplain
Location: St. John Paul II Campus Ministry (Tyler)
Neu, Joshua (Rev.)
Tyler
Nwankwocha, Ignatius (Rev.)
TexarkanaPosition: Chaplain
Location: CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital (Texarkana)
Nwankwocha, Ignatius (Rev.)
Texarkana
O’Dowd, Francis (Very Rev.)
DaingerfieldPosition: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Fatima (Daingerfield)
O’Dowd, Francis (Very Rev.)
Daingerfield
Oghenerukevwe, Daniel (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Chaplain
Location: CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital (Tyler)
Oghenerukevwe, Daniel (Rev.)
Tyler
Palmer, William (Rev.)
JeffersonPosition: Priest-in-Residence
Location: Immaculate Conception (Jefferson)
Palmer, William (Rev.)
Jefferson
Pappu, Xavier (Rev. Msgr.)
LongviewPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Matthew (Longview)
Pappu, Xavier (Rev. Msgr.)
Longview
Paradis, Steven (Rev.)
CarthagePosition: Pastor
Location: St. William of Vercelli (Carthage)
Paradis, Steven (Rev.)
Carthage
Pena, Luis Carlos (Rev.)
MarshallPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: St. Joseph (Marshall)
Pena, Luis Carlos (Rev.)
Marshall
Piedrahita, Carlos
TylerPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Cathedral (Tyler)
Piedrahita, Carlos
Tyler
Rasaian, Lawrence (Very Rev.)
TylerPosition: Judicial Vicar
Location: Chancery (Tyler)
Rasaian, Lawrence (Very Rev.)
Tyler
Rivera, Juan Carlos (Rev.)
PittsburgPosition: Pastor
Location: Holy Cross (Pittsburg)
Rivera, Juan Carlos (Rev.)
Pittsburg
Rodriguez, Matias (Rev.)
TrinityPosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Most Holy Trinity (Trinity)
Rodriguez, Matias (Rev.)
Trinity
Rottman, Gary (Rev.)
PalestinePosition: Prison Ministry Coordinator
Location: Palestine
Rottman, Gary (Rev.)
Palestine
Rowland, James (Very Rev.)
FlintPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Mary Magdalene (Flint)
Rowland, James (Very Rev.)
Flint
Ruggles, Christopher (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Ruggles, Christopher (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Sardinas, Juan Carlos (Rev.)
FairfieldPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Bernard (Fairfield) and St. Mary (Teague)
Sardinas, Juan Carlos (Rev.)
Fairfield
Savarimithu, Pancras (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Savarimithu, Pancras (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Sinnappan, Selvaraj (Rev.)
Sulphur SpringsPosition: Pastor
Location: St. James (Sulphur Springs)
Sinnappan, Selvaraj (Rev.)
Sulphur Springs
Snider, Michael (Rev.)
Holly Lake RanchPosition: Pastor
Location: Holy Spirit (Holly Lake Ranch)
Snider, Michael (Rev.)
Holly Lake Ranch
Stehling, Matthew (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Sabbatical
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Stehling, Matthew (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Stoeppel, Anthony (Rev.)
CaliforniaPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: California
Stoeppel, Anthony (Rev.)
California
Strickland, Joseph (Most Rev.)
TylerPosition: Bishop
Location: Chancery (Tyler)
Strickland, Joseph (Most Rev.)
Tyler
Suarez, Octavio (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Suarez, Octavio (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
Tharappel, Augustine (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Minister for Priests
Location: Chancery (Tyler)
Tharappel, Augustine (Rev.)
Tyler
Thason, John Robinson
GladewaterPosition: Parochial Administrator
Location: St. Theresa (Gladewater) and Queen of Angels (Overton)
Thason, John Robinson
Gladewater
Thomas, Jesudoss (Rev.)
CantonPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Therese (Canton)
Thomas, Jesudoss (Rev.)
Canton
Thomas, Joby (Rev.)
CrockettPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Francis of the Tejas (Crockett) and Most Holy Trinity (Trinity)
Thomas, Joby (Rev.)
Crockett
Tillekeratne, Eugene (Rev.)
HallsvillePosition: Priest-in-Charge
Location: Our Lady of Grace (Hallsville)
Tillekeratne, Eugene (Rev.)
Hallsville
Valentine, Joseph (Rev.)
TylerPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Joseph the Worker (Tyler)
Valentine, Joseph (Rev.)
Tyler
Vaverek, Gavin (Rev.)
ParisPosition: Pastor
Location: Our Lady of Victory (Paris) and St. Joseph (Clarksville)
Vaverek, Gavin (Rev.)
Paris
Vidarte, Jose Luis (Rev.)
LongviewPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Anthony (Longview)
Vidarte, Jose Luis (Rev.)
Longview
Vithanage, Denzil (Very Rev.)
LufkinPosition: Pastor
Location: St. Patrick (Lufkin)
Vithanage, Denzil (Very Rev.)
Lufkin
Walsh, Denis (Rev.)
Diocese of TylerPosition: Hermit
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Walsh, Denis (Rev.)
Diocese of Tyler
White, Morgan (Rev.)
IrelandPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: Ireland
White, Morgan (Rev.)
Ireland
Young, James (Rev. Msgr.)
Dioecse of TylerPosition: Retired
Location: Diocese of Tyler
Young, James (Rev. Msgr.)
Dioecse of Tyler
Young, Kevin (Rev.)
New YorkPosition: Ministry Outside Diocese
Location: New York
Young, Kevin (Rev.)
New York
Zelaya, Cristian (Rev.)
PalestinePosition: Parochial Vicar
Location: Sacred Heart (Palestine)