Clergy

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The Rev. Vanessa Cato ​(Rector)
​The Rev’d Vanessa Cato was born in the UK, where she lived, worked and worshipped for sixty years. An active member of the Church of England from her mid-teens, she assisted in Sunday School and led Brownie and Girl Scout troops for over 20 years. Trained as a schoolteacher, she taught a number of years in the state school system. In 1993, after seminary training at post-graduate level in Cambridge, England, Vanessa was ordained. In 1994 she became one of the first women priests in the Church of England. As Rector in several churches, her  roles included hospital chaplaincy, a trustee of Alms Housing and  other charitable bodies, serving on four School Governing Boards, four years as Chair of Governors, and an inspector of church schools. From 2003-2011 Vanessa combined the role of Parish Priest with that of Diocesan Children’s Work Adviser, offering assistance to over 400 churches. In 2011 Vanessa was called to serve as Rector at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden. Among the many ministries Vanessa supports and encourages at Good Shepherd are those related to her particular passions of giving children and young people the best opportunities to thrive and be nurtured in a loving, caring environment. Vanessa also encourages Adult faith formation, and likes to nurture vocations, both lay and ordained. Supported by her leadership, the church provides assistance to many people locally and further afield who are currently struggling in life. Vanessa helps to run an Outreach Girl Scout Troop in Ogden at Youth Impact. She is also an active member of the Ogden Rotary Club. She is a Trustee of Ogden Family Promise.  In 2015 Vanessa completed a term on Diocesan Council. She currently serves on the Diocesan Youth Formation Committee. Vanessa was an Alternate for the Episcopal General Convention in 2015, and is currently an Alternate for the next General Convention. Vanessa has two sons, and five grandchildren, all of whom live in America. 
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The Rev. Isabel Gonzalez (Assistant Priest: Latino Ministry)
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