Shock and sadness at death of Fr Mark Dunne in USA

There is shock and sadness in the Carrick-on-Shannon area, in Croghan-Drumlion parish and the Diocese of Elphin, with the news of the death of Fr Mark Dunne in Texas, USA, aged 50 years.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, Texas wrote, "With great sadness but confident hope in the love and mercy of God, we announce that 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. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time and will be posted at dioceseoftyler.org when finalized."

Fr. Mark Dunne was born in 1972 and resided with his family at Boyle Road, Carrick-on-Shannon. He received his early education at the local primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon and his secondary school education was at Carrick-on-Shannon Vocational School.

After graduating from the vocational school, he commenced his studies for the priesthood for the local Diocese of Elphin at St. John's College in Waterford City.

Afterward, he was transferred to St. Patrick's College in Maynooth. In Maynooth, he completed his studies with a  diploma in Pastoral Studies. 

After some time, he was invited by Bishop Edmond Carmody to come to the Diocese of Tyler. He arrived in May 1999 and began further studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston in August 1999. There he concluded in 2001 with a Master's in Theology.

On September 8th, 2001, he was ordained a transitional deacon at St. Andrew's Church in Lufkin by Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio.

Six months on March 9th, 2002 he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Corrada at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.

His first assignment was at St. Anthony's Church in Longview. Afterward, he was assigned to Holy Family Church in Lindale.

Other assignments were at St. Mary's Church in Longview and St. Mathew's Church in Longview. His recent assignment was at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus in Union Grove/Gladewater while in charge of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Gilmer.

He commenced his assignment here at Sacred Heart Church in Mount Vernon on July 1st, 2020.