Vocations
We all have a vocation…
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau wants to help you discover how God is calling you! He loves you personally and intimately through Jesus in the Holy Spirit, and at your baptism, He called you to a vocation to build the kingdom and grow in holiness.
Our vocation is who we are; a career is what we do.
What are Holy Orders?
The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the “common priesthood of the faithful.” Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community. The Church confers the sacrament of Holy Orders only on baptized men, whose suitability for the exercise of the ministry has been duly recognized. Church authority alone has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.
The information above as well as additional information about the Sacraments of the Church can be found at: The USCCB Website
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.


Regional Vocation Promoters
Fr. Allen Kirchner
Joplin Area
[email protected]
Fr. Charles Peirano
[email protected]
Fr. Andrew Williams
Springfield Area
[email protected]
Fr. Nicholas Newton
Mountain View Area
[email protected]
Fr. Jesse Hiett
Cape Girardeau Area
[email protected]
Vocation News & Events
Saturday Morning Sips with Sisters
Saturday Morning Sips with Sisters
SATURDAY MORNING SIPS WITH SISTERS All female teens in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for a beverage, breakfast snack and casual conversations with Religious Sisters, Sat., March 22,
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner will be held Tue., March 25, 4 p.m. at the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield. Mass at 4 p.m. will be followed by dinner and a talk.
ENCOUNTER WITH GOD’S CALL
ENCOUNTER WITH GOD’S CALL
ENCOUNTER WITH GOD’S CALL March 28-30, 2025—Conception Seminary College, Conception, MO Encounter With God’s Call is a seminary discernment experience for high school sophomores through recent college graduates (ages
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, April 4, 12-Noon at St. John Henry Newman Center to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner
Project Andrew—Miriam Dinner will be held Mon., April 7, 4 p.m. at St. John Henry Newman Center, Cape Girardeau. Holy Hour begins at 4 p.m. then Mass at 5:15 p.m.,
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, May 2, 12:15 p.m. at O’Reilly Catholic Student Center to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, June 6, 5:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, July 4, 9 a.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, August 1, 5:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, October 3, 5:15 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of
First Friday Mass for Vocations
First Friday Mass for Vocations
Join Bishop Rice on Friday, December 5, 12: 15 p.m. at O’Reilly Catholic Student Center to pray for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life in the
Stay up to date with the latest for vocations!
Meet our Diocesan Seminarians


Mr. Daniel Dunn
Theology III
Sacred Heart Seminary – Franklin, WI

Mr. Jared Koehler
Pre-Theology
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Mr. Damian Criddle
College
Conception Seminary

Mr. Nathan Haak
College
Conception Seminary
Vocation Resources
Serra Club International – Resources for fostering vocations in the parish
Diocesan Priest – What is a Diocesan Priest? Are you called to serve?
NCDVD – Resources from the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
Religious Communities of Men & Women
Communities of Women
ASC—Adorers of the Blood of Christ, https://adorers.org
OSB—Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, https://benedictinesofmary.org
BVM—Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, https://bvmsisters.org
CMR—Congregation of Mary Queen, https://www.trinhvuong.org
DSF—Congregation of the Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi, https://cmswr.org
CCVI—Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, https://www.amormeus.org
MCM—Cordimarian Sisters, https://www.cordi-marian.org
FSSE—Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, www.franciscansisters.com
GHMS—Glenmary Home Mission Sisters, https://glenmarysisters.org
OSF—Little Portion Franciscan Sisters
LSOSF—Little Sisters of St. Francis, https://www.littlesistersofstfrancis.org
MS—Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln, www.mariansisters.org
MC—Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, https://cmswr.org
SSND—School Sisters of Notre Dame, https://ssnd.org
SMCR—Siervas Misioneras de Cristo Rey, https://siervasmisionerasdecristorey.wordpress.com
RSM—Sisters of Mercy, https://sistersofmercy.org
CSJ—Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, https://csjcarondelet.org
SMP—Society of Our Mother of Peace, https://www.marythefont.org
OSU—Ursuline Nuns, https://www.osucentral.org
Permanent Diaconate
Office of the Diaconate
Deacon Dan Vaughn
Director of Permanent Diaconate
[email protected] | (417) 546-5208
Deacon Mike Fritz
Associate Director of Formation (West)
[email protected] | (573) 690-5684
Deacon Mark Kiblinger
Associate Director of Formation (East)
[email protected] | (573) 579-3458
Do you feel called to a religious vocation? Let's get in touch!
Use this form if you'd like to be contacted by a local vocations promoter to talk about the discernment process and vocations opportunities in our diocese.
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