The Office of Catholic Social Teaching and Communications houses the executive director for the Office of Catholic Social Teaching and Communications, who also serves as the legislative liaison; the director of communications; the social media manager; and the Project Rachel coordinator. This office builds and maintains relationships with local and national media, both secular and Catholic, and develops content for the Diocese of Cheyenne social media platforms, the Diocese of Cheyenne website, and Diocese of Cheyenne print publications, including the Wyoming Catholic Register.
The director of communications coordinates internal and external communications and public relations for the Diocese of Cheyenne, on behalf of the Bishop of Cheyenne. The communication director manages and oversees diocesan communication activities with both the general public and Catholics and does so consistent with diocesan policies, goals, and guidelines. In addition, the communication director creates communication for the Diocese of Cheyenne annual appeal (Living and Giving in Christ: Unity through Diocesan Ministries), serves as editor of the Wyoming Catholic Register, and is the diocesan director of Catholic Relief Services.
The legislative liaison oversees diocesan-level Catholic Social Teaching initiatives, builds relationships with people of good will among Catholic clergy and laity, Wyoming legislators, other religious and secular leaders, and Wyoming media sources. The legislative liaison also identifies pending legislation that could impact human dignity and the common good. Through various media, the legislative liaison educates Catholics and the general public on the Diocese of Cheyenne's positions and how they are derived from the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
The social media manager works with the social media team to plan and develop content for facebook and instagram. The social media manager also monitors the platforms and works in cooperation with the Offices of Pastoral Formation, Hispanic Ministry, and Vocations to ensure that they are represented on the Diocese of Cheyenne social media platforms. The social media manager maintains the Diocese of Cheyenne website. The social media manager also is Laudato Si’ animator, through the Laudato Si Movement, a spirit-led organization whose work helps to support the Catholic Relief Services’ Campaign on Climate Change.
The coordinator of Project Rachel develops communications, offers presentations, and is available to answer questions or inquires related to post-abortion healing.
Deacon Mike Leman serves as a point of contact between the leadership and faithful of the Diocese of Cheyenne and representatives of the local, state, and federal governments. As legislative liaison, he gives voice to the Catholic perspective on issues of public policy and encourages political engagement that reaches beyond party affiliation or partisanship, with an emphasis on mutual recognition of common moral principles.
Deacon Mike's work is informed by Catholic Social Teaching, and he aims to share the beauty of its three principles: human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity.
A native of Wyoming and U.S. Army veteran, Deacon Mike worked as a firefighter in Fort Collins, Colorado, for 13 years before he began working for the Diocese of Cheyenne.
He now serves in his diaconal vocation at Saint Patrick Church in Casper. Deacon Mike and his wife have two daughters.
Deacon Mike may be reached at:
mleman@dcwy.org
Maria Ward has a passion for ministry work related to childbearing and reproductive issues and has specific training in Project Rachel Ministry. She is a part-time, remote employee of the Diocese of Cheyenne.
While being a full-time stay-at-home mom, she completed a master’s degree in pastoral theology and gave birth to a second daughter.Maria lives in Cheyenne with her husband and their two young daughters.
Maria may reached at: mward@dcwy.org