The Friars
MEET THE FRIARS
The Friars
MEET THE FRIARS
Fr. Philip Neri Powell, O.P.
Prior
Fr. Philip Neri Powell, O.P. grew up in the Mississippi Delta and entered the Catholic Church as a convert. He earned a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Mississippi in 2000 before pursuing studies in theology and philosophy at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis and Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University. Ordained in 2005, he has served as a campus minister and professor at the University of Dallas, as well as parochial vicar at St. Dominic Church in New Orleans. After completing a license in the philosophy of science at the Angelicum in Rome, he joined the faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he served as Director of Homiletics, Professor of Philosophy, and a priest-formator. He current serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas and as an adjunct spiritual director at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas. In his free time, Fr. Philip Neri enjoys cooking, reading and writing poetry, and painting.
opdallasguestmaster@gmail.com
pnpowellop@gmail.com | 504-301-8642
Fr. Carlos Salas, O.P.
Subprior
Fr. Carlos Salas, O.P. was born and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. He moved to Texas with his parents while in High School, then went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Texas Tech University, where he met the Dominican Friars. He joined the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres upon college graduation. During formation he served in ministries for the homebound, Hispanics, people with disabilities, chaplaincy in a hospital setting, catechesis, and preaching. After priestly ordination in 2024, he served for two years as parochial vicar for Holy Ghost Catholic Church and co-chaplain at St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center, both in Hammond, LA. In 2026, he was appointed Director of Vocations for the Province of St. Martin de Porres. Fr. Carlos enjoys reading, baking, and a good conversation.
vocations@opsouth.org
Fr. Christopher eggleton, O.P.
Fr. Chris Eggleton, O.P. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, where he first encountered the Dominicans at St. Louis Bertrand Church, attending daily Mass with his family. After graduating from Bellarmine University, he worked for several years in the aerospace industry at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach, Florida, before discerning a call to religious life. There he met Fr. Joe Wyss, O.P., which led him to join the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres. Today, Fr. Chris places his greatest trust not in poker games or the Kentucky Derby, but in helping others form deeper relationships with God and one another in Christ.
Fr. carmen Mele, O.P.
Fr. Carmen Mele, O.P. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 1, 1947, and educated in Catholic schools from his earliest years through college. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Malaysia from 1969 to 1972. Responding to a call to religious life, he entered the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in September 1974 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1980. Fr. Carmen earned a Licentiate in Moral Theology from the Angelicum in Rome and later completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. Over the years, his ministry has taken him across the United States as well as to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, serving in a variety of pastoral, educational, and preaching roles.
He is available for preaching missions, retreats, and teaching engagements, bringing decades of experience, theological insight, and pastoral care to every setting.
cmeleop@yahoo.com
Fr. Francis Orozco, O.P.
Master of Novices
Fr. Francis Orozco, O.P. is a native of Oklahoma who entered the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres in 2009 after working in the insurance industry. He studied Philosophy and Spanish, with a minor in Latin, at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Professed in 2013 and ordained in 2015, he first served as Parochial Vicar of St. Elizabeth University Parish in Lubbock, Texas, and as Chaplain and Director of Raider Catholic at Texas Tech University. From 2018 to 2021 he was the Director of Vocations. Since the Fall of 2020 he served as Master of Novices for the Province.
forozco@opsouth.org
