Bishop names Father Martinez president of St. John Paul II

As part of a special, joint student assembly this morning with St. John Paul II High School and Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School students, parents and faculty, Bishop Michael Mulvey announced the appointment of Father Peter Martinez, STB, MA, MDiv, as President of the two schools, with the goal of better serving the needs of the students and community.

Father Martinez returns to Catholic education with several years of parish ministry. He served as chaplain and Director of Institutional Advancement for St. John Paul II High School during its initial development between 2005-2010. At that time, Father Martinez was instrumental in implementing the initial vision of the school as a member of the founding committee.

His new appointment will allow the two schools' respective faculties to concentrate on the needs of students while assuring the viability of the schools through a unified administration. The new position will also allow for a shared mission and philosophy between the schools, while cultivating support and visibility for Catholic Education throughout the community.

Father Martinez was born and raised in Corpus Christi. He received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; a Masters of Arts and Divinity in Theological Studies University of St. Thomas in Houston; and a Baccalaureatum in Sacra Theologia from St. Mary's Seminary in Houston.

He was ordained a priest on June 12, 2004 and from 2004-2006 he served as Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. From 2010 to the present he has served as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Corpus Christi.

Bishop Mulvey asked both schools to be patient with Father Martinez until the end of this school year, because he will still be pastor at St. Paul.