The winding road...

Paul Procella's story

By Monsignor Paul Procella

After two years in the Air Force and graduation from Stephen Austin University, Msgr. Procella spent 28 years in analytical instrumentation used for performing chemical analysis, rising through the ranks to a highly responsible and successful position as international sales manager.

Married for 20 years, he and his wife, Bobbye, made the church a focus in their lives. When Bobbye died in 1979, he became more involved in his parish than ever. From that involvement and reading an article about the ordination of an older man, his inclination to priesthood began to grow.

In 1983 he entered Sacred Heart School of Theology and was ordained for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 1987. His first assignment was at St. Edward's Parish in Spring, Texas. Later he was assigned to St. Mary Magdalene in Humble, Texas, a parish that has grown from 1600 families to 3,000 families. He built a new church, opened a parish grade school and served on the Presbyteral Council for the diocese. Currently he is dean for the San Jacinto Deanery, serves on the Pension Retirement Commission and actively recruits second-career vocations. He was a valuable member of the SHST board of directors from 1990 until 1999.

Msgr. Procella has always been a man of high energy and dedication — to his wife, to his career and for the last 15 years, to his ministry, to the people of God in his care. He has chosen to give back — to serve.

We are grateful for the contributions this Sacred Heart alumnus has made to the priesthood and to our seminary.

Msgr. Paul Procella's Story continued