Priesthood today is an exciting vocation. Deeply rooted in the Eucharist, a priest serves as a sacrament, a sign, of God's abiding presence. A priest gathers regularly with members of a community, leading them in praise and worship of God. However, this gathering is always for a mission – to spread the Gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ!

Diocesan Priesthood is parish-based ministry in which a priest assists the Bishop in leading God's people to the Kingdom. The Diocese of Cheyenne encompasses the state of Wyoming. More than 45,000 Catholics currently are served by 52 diocesan priests. The largest parish in the diocese is St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne, whose membership exceeds 2,400 families.

The mission of Diocesan Priesthood is to give leadership and direction to a faith community, commonly called a parish. This certainly entails leadership in prayer, both communal and private. It also means calling forth the many gifts within the community for service in the areas of worship, education, formation, finance, and personnel.

For more information, email Vocations Director Father Brian Hess at:
[email protected]

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In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons receive the sacrament of Holy Orders and are members of the clergy ordained for service. They are called to be icons of Christ who “came to serve and not be served” (Mt 20:28). Unmarried deacons who will later be ordained to the priesthood are referred to as “transitional deacons,” while those perpetually remaining deacons are called “permanent deacons.” Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, as may single men who have made a commitment to celibacy.

For more information about the Diocese of Cheyenne diaconal formation program or the ministry of deacons, please contact Deacon Joe Sandrini, Director of Diaconal Formation, at: [email protected] 
or Deacon Kim Carroll, Director of Deacons, at: [email protected]

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Helpful Documents

Qualities and Characteristics of a Deacon

Impediments to Holy Orders

Basic Requirements for Admission

Diaconal Formation Program Requirements

Requirements and Expectations for Wives of Men in Formation for the Permanent Diaconate

Diaconal Ministry Office

Please feel free to contact:
Deacon Joe Sandrini, Director of Diaconal Formation, Diocese of Cheyenne

[email protected]
home: 307-746-2102
cell: 307-275-0641

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Religious Women Serve in Wyoming and Beyond

Women have made and continue to make incredible contributions to our Church, society, and culture as professed members of Religious Communities. These women, dedicated and gifted, have made a decision to live the Gospel values through vows and/or promises of chastity, obedience, and poverty, and, for some, stability. These vows or promises are made after a period of inquiry and discernment. For some communities, these vows are renewed every year and for other communities vows are taken solemnly once in a lifetime.

Throughout our history, women have stepped forward, hearing the call of Jesus to serve the poor, the outcast, the disenfranchised, and people with no voice.  These women are called to meet the needs of others. In so doing, they have come to know more deeply the Christ with and for whom they serve. Other women have chosen to further their educations to become teachers in Universities and Colleges, as well as nurses, doctors, and lawyers.

These women heard the call of Jesus and said, "yes," as a whole hearted response to the question, "Will you follow me?" Other women have heard the call to serve God's people through a vocation of prayer.

The question is now yours to answer.

Helpful Links

Mount Grace Carmel

Abby of St. Walburga

Marriage

The Vocation Office recognizes the Church's understanding of Marriage as a sacrament at the service of unity. Though discernment of and preparation for the sacrament ordinarily takes place within a parish, the Vocation office in collaboration with Catholic Marriage, Family, and Respect Life Ministries, promotes the sacrament of marriage. Below, is a brief description of the theology of marriage. For further information contact your local parish.

Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God (CCC 1534).

Through these sacraments, those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God." On their part, "Christian Spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a special sacrament (CCC 1535).

It is here that the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way "by the reception of the sacraments, prayer, and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity." Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and "a school for human enrichment." Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous-even repeated-forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one's life (CCC 1657). 
 

 

Single Life

The single state is not considered a vocation in the strictest sense unless that involves vows to perpetual virginity. The Church, however, has great concern for the pastoral care of single persons.

We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of particular circumstances in which they have to live--often not of their choosing--are especially close to Jesus' heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude of the Church, especially of pastors…Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion…No one is without a family in this world: the Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who 'labor and are heavy laden" (CCC1658).

If you are single and are looking for opportunities to gather with other singles please contact the your local parish for events. The Vocation Office can offer spiritual direction and direct you to retreat opportunities to discern where God may be calling you.