Father Dan Morales

Father Dan Morales, Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria, died on Saturday, September 3, 2016 after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 17, 1964 in Palacios and after attending public schools there, entered Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the fall of 1982 as one of the first seminarians for the newly formed Diocese of Victoria. He finished seminary studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas and was ordained a transitional deacon on January 27, 1990 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church by Bishop Enrique San Pedro.

Father Dan was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1990 by Bishop David Fellhauer at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Palacios. From that moment, his identity was rooted in who he is: a Priest of Jesus Christ. He faithfully served many parishes throughout the Diocese of Victoria. After his ordination to the priesthood, he served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Victoria. In 1993 he became the first pastor from the Diocese of Victoria for Sts. Peter and Paul in Frelsburg and St. Roch in Mentz. In 1995, Fr. Dan began his pastorate at Our Lady of the Gulf in Port Lavaca where he founded Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic School in 1996. In 2011 Fr. Dan returned to Victoria as pastor of St. Mary’s and then in 2013 as pastor of Holy Family. From 2006 - 2016 Fr. Dan served as Director of Vocations and Director of Seminarians. In 2006, he also began missionary work in Guatemala. His ministry to the people of Antigua and the residents of the orphanage of Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro has been a big part of his life ever since.

Fr. Dan is loved and remembered by the many people whose lives he touched, first of which are his parents, Paz and Andrea Morales of Palacios; sisters, Sylvia Cartier (Jim) of Fort Worth, Rose Mary Mallia of Santa Fe, TX, Kathy Matheny (Kevin) of Lakehills, Patty Morales of Austin, Margaret Espinosa (Roland) of Edna and Jo Ann Reyes of Austin; brothers, Paz Morales, Jr. (Fina) and Ted Morales (Nina) both of Austin; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other family members, friends, brother priests, parishioners, and those seeking Jesus in their lives.

Funeral services will be as follows:

Visitation will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1004 Magnusson in Palacios on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 beginning at 3:30 PM with a Rosary to be recited at 5:30 PM and vigil Mass to follow at 6:00 PM celebrated by Bishop David E. Fellhauer. On Thursday, September 8, 2016, visitation will begin at 8:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 704 Mallette Drive in Victoria with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 AM by Bishop Oscar Cantú and the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM officiated by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill. Graveside services will be at the Palacios Cemetery at 5:00 PM conducted by Bishop Oscar Cantú.

Pallbearers are Fr. Jacob Koether, Fr. Scott Hill, Fr. Kristopher Fuchs, Fr. Max Landman, Fr. Jasper Liggio, Fr. Philip Brune, Fr. Francisco Maldonado, and Fr. Adam Ortega.

Father Dan has requested, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to the Diocese of Victoria for the Education of Seminarians, P. O. Box 4070, Victoria, TX 77903-4070; Holy Family Catholic Church (Guataemalan Orphanage), 704 Mallette Dr., Victoria, TX 77904; or Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.