Gatesville Region Restorative Justice Ministry

The Gatesville Restorative Justice Ministry provides a pastoral presence to men and women inmates incarcerated in TDCJ prison units in the Gatesville region. The ministry is also available to serve TDCJ correctional facility staff and anyone associated with the incarcerated. The ministry is led by Deacon Ronnie Lastovica.

Deacon Ronnie Lastovica
Pastoral Care Coordinator for Gatesville Region

Ordained as a deacon June 18, 2000, Ronnie was appointed Chaplain to Prisoners in 2001 by the Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, and thus began his journey into prison/restorative justice ministry. He is a member of the first class of the diocese's Institute of Spiritual Direction, completing the three-year program in 2006. In 2014, he was appointed by the Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez to serve as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Gatesville Region, which is comprised of six major TDCJ units housing some 9,000 offenders, including the female Death Row. He is actively engaged in the ministries of administration, adult formation, preaching, pastoral care and spiritual direction within these units.