The seventh and current pastor of St. Charles is Fr. John H. Hughes. He grew up residing in Port Acres, TX, and attended Catholic schools in the area, starting at St. Therese the Little Flower School (his home parish), and upon its closing finished elementary school at St. James School in Port Arthur. He then attended and graduated from Bishop Byrne High School in 1978. Fr. John attended Lamar University in Beaumont and received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree.

Upon graduation Fr. John took a job with the Diocese of Beaumont working at the Catholic Newman Center on the Lamar University campus. While in this job, his role in ministerial positions grew and not only did he work on the college campus but he also helped with the Diocesan Youth Office and became a Youth Minister at St. Anthony Cathedral.

Continually called to new challenges, Fr. John entered Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, right outside of Milwaukee, in 1990. His ordination took place on June 11, 1994 for the Diocese of Beaumont and he has since served St. James Parish in Port Arthur (1994-1995) under the guidance of Fr. Dan Malain, St Jude Parish in Beaumont (1995-1997), St. Louis Parish in Winnie (1997-2000), St. Jude Parish in Beaumont (2000-2015) and is currently pastor here at St. Charles Parish in Nederland, beginning in July of 2015.

Fr. Emmanuel Odoemene is a priest of the Catholic diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria. He was ordained a priest on July 20, 1996, after completing studies in Philosophy (1991) and Theology (1996) at the Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri, Nigeria (an affiliate of Pontifical Urban University, Rome).

Since his ordination, Fr Emmanuel’s ministry has taken him to dioceses within and outside Nigeria. He served in the diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, as a parish priest and as the founding Editor of The Partner Newspaper of the diocese (2002 – 2006).

On completing his assignment, he was sent to pursue further studies in the United Kingdom where he obtained an M.Sc. in International Development at Bath University (2007). He took a doctorate at the University of London (Institute of Commonwealth Studies), (2014), whilst also ministering in the diocese of Portsmouth. His interest in the educational development of young people led to his PeaceWorld initiative – a platform he designed for introducing Catholic Social Teaching in Schools/Colleges – visit: peaceworldproject.org

He joined the St Charles family at the end of May 2023. About his move to the United States, Fr Emmanuel said that it has given him yet a new chapter in his ministry – to experience life and ministry in another part of the world, stating that “I come to you as a brother, a Christian and a friend.”

Peace World Project!

“I appeal to everyone: let us pool our spiritual, moral and material resources for the great goal of educating young people in justice and peace”

 - Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2012

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Deacon Chris Penning, D.O. is a board certified family practice physician. He has been in full time private practice in Bridge City, TX since 1993. Deacon Chris & Bethanie were married in 1994 and have two children. Dr. Penning was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Beaumont in 2006.  He currently serves the Catholic community of St Charles Borromeo.

Deacon Alan Bihm is the Director of Construction, Building Operations, & Real-estate for the Diocese of Beaumont. Deacon Alan and Donna were married in 1986, have two children and two grandchildren. Deacon Alan was ordained May 27, 2024 and serves the Catholic parish of Saint Charles Borromeo.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28

Deacon Chris Sherman was ordained in May of 2023 and has served at St. Charles Borromeo since then. He is a former teacher and coach and has a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University. Deacon Sherman and his wife Deborah were married in 1992 and have 4 adult children.