Bishop Rodríguez Appoints Monsignor David R. Cruz Pastor of New Lubbock Parish
 
LUBBOCK-Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, Bishop of Lubbock, has appointed Monsignor David R. Cruz as founding pastor of a new Catholic parish in South Lubbock, effective July 1, 2015. Bishop Rodríguez made the announcement at a gathering of advisory board members on December 19 at the Catholic Renewal Center.

Monsignor David R. Cruz, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Lubbock has served the parish since July 2001. He received a one-year extension of his pastorate recently—until June 30, 2015.

Father David Cruz was ordained to the priesthood July 12, 1986 in Lubbock, and has served the Diocese of Lubbock as associate pastor of Christ the King Cathedral, associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Plainview, Director of the Catholic Renewal Center and the Cursillo Movement spiritual director. He also served as the director of evangelization and the diocesan-wide RENEW process. Father Cruz served as pastor of Saint Theresa, Carlisle, Saint Margaret Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe Churches in Lamesa

Father Cruz served as Rector of Assumption Seminary in San Antonio from 1995 to 2000, pastor of Olton Saint Peter and Hale Center Saint Theresa, and Dean of the Plainview Deanery. He was named a monsignor in November 2009.

In September 2014, Bishop Rodríguez announced in a letter to priests and deacons, the beginning of an initiative to create a new Catholic parish in Lubbock for the Diocese of Lubbock. In the letter, Bishop Rodríguez asked for suggestions of a leader for the new parish to be established in South Lubbock at 108th Street and Indiana Avenue.

“First, I want to announce to you and all your faithful the initiative to build a new church and a new parish on 108th (Street) and Indiana Avenue,” Bishop Rodríguez wrote,” where with previous studies, it was determined that this is the area where growth has occurred and holds priority for building.

In 2013, Bishop Rodríguez announced a 69.5 percent growth in self-identified Catholics in the Diocese of Lubbock.

In the September 2014 letter, Bishop Rodríguez asked that all Catholic faithful in the diocese keep this modest beginning in their prayers.

“As we begin this new initiative for a new canonical parish,” Bishop Rodríguez wrote, “I ask for your prayers as we make a Master Plan for the 12 acres of land and plan an initial building for gathering, and start Mass as soon as possible.”

The boundaries for the new parish to be located at 108th Street and Indiana Avenue, extend west to east from Quaker Avenue to Peach Avenue and north to south from 82nd street to 130th Street in South Lubbock.