Daniel E. Garcia

Early life and education

Garcia was born in Cameron, Texas as the first child of Daniel and Sarah Garcia. He graduated from C.H. Yoe High School in 1978 and earned an Associate degree from Tyler Junior College in 1982.^[1] Subsequently he entered formation and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in 1984. Garcia completed his Master of Divinity studies at Saint Mary's in 1988. In 2007 he earned a Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies from the Saint John's School of Theology.

Ordination and ministry

Garcia was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John E. McCarthy on May 28, 1988. He then served as associate pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin until 1990. He then served one year terms as associate pastor at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, St. Louis Catholic Church, and then St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. He was named pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in 1995, a position he would hold for the next 18 years.

In addition to serving in parishes, Garcia has served on many diocesan boards and committees.^[2] These included the Priests’ Personnel Board, the College of Consultors, and the Presbyteral Council. He has also served as Chair of the Presbyteral Council and as Dean of the Austin North Deanery. He was a member of the Diocesan Vocation Team, the Liturgical Commission, and the Diaconal Advisory Committee, as well as serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Bishop. On March 3, 2014 Bishop Joe S. Vásquez appointed Garcia as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

Auxiliary Bishop of Austin

On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, Garcia was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Austin and Titular Bishop of Capsus by Pope Francis.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from Bishop Vásquez.