The Ordained Ministry

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An Application for Holy Orders must be made through the sponsoring priest.  Please contact your local priest to receive an Application Packet.

If you have any questions or need additional information about a particular track of ministry, please contact any of the following:

Chair of the Commission on Ministry:  The Rev. Beth Fain, St. Mary's, Cypress  

Chair of the Committee for the Diaconate:  The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon, Austin

Chair of the Committee for Bi-Vocational Priests: Charles Schubert, Brenham

Secretary, Commission on Ministry:  Ana Gonzales May, Austin Diocesan Center

General Guidelines For Nominees

God's call to Holy Orders is different for each individual. It begins a process which is often challenging and confusing. It turns a personal journey into a public one in which the call is evaluated by the church at large.

It is the hope of the Bishop of Texas, the Commission on Ministry, the Committee for Bi-Vocational Priests, and the Committee for the Diaconate that the Diocesan Guidelines and Application Packets will assist you on your journey of discernment. You are urged to call the Chair of the Commission on Ministry, the Rev. The Rev. Beth Fain (St. Mary's, Cypress) at 281.370.8000 or the Commission on Ministry Office at the Austin Diocesan Center (512.478.0580; 800.947.0580; Ana Gonzales May, Secretary) to ask any questions.

• Application Process Time Requirement It is realistic to allow at least one year to navigate through the process of discerning your call to Holy Orders. This will allow time for local and diocesan level discernment, as well as admission to a formation program.
• Deadline Calendar
  • The attached Deadline Calendar indicates a timeline for submitting Application Packets and conducting interviews. Submitting Application Packets well in advance of the deadlines increases your chances of being considered for interviews in a timely manner. Deadline dates are stringently observed.
  • Only applications submitted by the published deadlines assure that the nominee could begin formal preparation by the following fall.
  • The Commission on Ministry and its sub-committees all conduct other business during their monthly meetings, which preclude time for nominee interviews at every meeting. The closer to the deadline that information is submitted, the less the chance that you could begin formation the next fall. The admission to formation is ongoing.
• Application Packet The Application Packet for each track of ministry requires submission of documentation to the Commission on Ministry Office before the diocesan discernment process begins. All materials must be received before an action occurs.
• Seminary and The Iona School
  • Seminaries and The Iona School fill their openings as nominees are accepted. All schools have enrollment limits. Financial aid packages from seminaries are often fully expended by early spring. Late applicants are often denied financial aid.
  • It is a privilege to share this journey with you. Our prayer is that His will be discerned.