Fr. Hank Lanik

Very Rev. Hank Lanik was born in 1961 in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in South Texas.  He graduated from MacArthur High School in 1979 and attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and studied Business Administration and Management.  After University Fr. Hank worked for James Avery Craftsman, Inc. managing and opening stores throughout the state of Texas and ending up in Dallas, Texas.  While there he left the business world and went to work for the Church as the Director of Youth Ministry of All Saints Catholic Church and the Associate Director of Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Dallas.  During that time he became very involved in Catholic Outdoor Ministry and was part of a group of people that opened up The Pines Catholic Camp in East Texas.  In 1991 Fr. Hank became the Camp Director and stayed in that ministry for the next 17 years.  In 2005 Fr. Hank entered seminary studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, and was ordained for the Diocese of Tyler on May 28, 2011, at the age of 50.  Since ordination Fr. Hank has served in various parishes throughout the Diocese of Tyler as well as a Dean and Chancellor of the Diocese of Tyler.  Currently Fr. Hank is the Rector and Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Administrator of John Paul II Campus Ministry at the University of Texas, Tyler, and serves as Vicar for Priests for the Diocese of Tyler.