Father Bryce Lungren — Wyoming Cowboy and Catholic Priest “The more you live out your sonship with God,” says Father Lungren, “the better your life will be.” Father Bryce Lungren (photo: Photo Provided) Alexandra Greeley BlogsJuly 27, 2021 Out in the wild, wild West — actually, in Wyoming — ranching, herding cattle, and riding horses must be part of everyday life for many folks there. Imagine, then, a dashing young man who turned in his spurs to become a priest. That would be Father Bryce Lungren, parochial vicar at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming. Why a cowboy/priest? As it turns out, Father Bryce is a Wyoming native. “Our extended family had a ranch,” he said. “I grew up Catholic and it was a staple in life. We went to Mass every Sunday. After high school, I moved to Montana, and worked for 10 years, three of which were ranching. I guess my biggest decision in life came that first Sunday on my own, when it was up to me whether to go to Mass or not. And thanks be to God, my uncle just picked me up and we went.” From then on it was a steady stream of learning about Catholicism, he said, and eventually, he started asking bigger questions. While he was ranching, he kept thinking that life was as good as it gets. But, he added, he realized his heart was not fulfilled. He realized that the priesthood was looking back at him. “And I learned about the beauty of the Church and of the priesthood through Catholic radio,” he said. “My whole MO (modus operandi) as a priest is to be a son before a Father,” he said, “so I live out our baptismal identity as sons and then out of that my priestly vocation. What I do currently is like Peter: I left all behind and followed the Lord. And then over time he gave it back to me, so I am basically ranching again.” No wonder Father Bryce has found his true home and vocation: tending to parishioners and herding cattle. Continued at: Father Bryce Lungren — Wyoming Cowboy and Catholic Priest| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com) The Cowboy Priest, I thought this was a good story to brighten up the day.
I admire these individuals, I wish I had had the same insight at that age. Wyoming has a Catholic college, Wyoming Catholic College - Wikipedia So, does North Dakota, University of Mary I believe which is in Bismarck, surprisingly, I recently met a student from there. Bismarck is almost the coldest spot in the continental US. Kind of stuck with me.
