Dodge City resident Becky Hessman named ‘Diocesan Coordinator of Vocations’

Dodge City resident Becky Hessman has been named "Diocesan Coordinator of Vocations" for the Diocese of Dodge City, effective Sept. 1.

According to an announcement letter sent out by Bishop Ronald Gilmore, Hessman will work in collaboration with the staff as they "continue to strive to enable our diocese and all its parishes to become ‘schools of vocational discernment.’"

Her first task will be to expand the planning and steering committee for the "Year of Baptism/Vocation."

"Becky’s past involvement in parish and diocesan life give her a sense of our diocese that will serve her and us very well," Bishop Gilmore wrote. "Her involvement in RCIA attunes her to the process of conversion and discernment. Her service in the Restructuring Task Force provides her with an understanding of our diocesan resources and needs. Her degree in Pastoral Ministry obtained through our Pastoral Ministry Formation program grounds her in the teaching of the Church and currents of theological inquiry."

"I am both excited and amazed," Hessman said. "I’m amazed at how saying yes to this call is taking my life in a whole new direction. I never dreamed that I would some day be working for the diocese, or that I’d be working in the area of vocations."

The idea of a diocesan coordinator of vocations arose more than a year ago, and the search went out "far and wide" for a suitable candidate.

"We visited with a number of people who frequently were intrigued by the idea of nurturing a culture of vocation, of encouraging wide discernment of vocation, of preparing the field and planting the seeds that will emerge perhaps far in the future as those with priestly, religious, and a variety of lay vocations come forth in generous and committed service," Bishop Gilmore wrote.

Eventually, the search that went out far and wide returned close to home.

"Becky Hessman and I have visited and discerned," Bishop Gilmore wrote. "I am thankful to Becky for accepting my appointment and joining our fine diocesan staff. ...."