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.

Fr. Joseph Stoverink

Fr. Joseph Stoverink

Director of Vocations

Kim Kearbey

Kim Kearbey

Administrative Assistant

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

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. John Fennewald
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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No one should discern alone. Discerning a vocation looks different for everyone, so we're here to answer your questions and walk with you wherever you're at on your journey.
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