Fr. Mark Dunne was born in Ireland in 1972. He received his early education at the local primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. His secondary school education was at the local Carrick 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. 

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    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.

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    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.