About Diocese of Reno
The Diocese of Reno (Latin: Dioecesis Renensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering northern Nevada in the United States. Established by Pope Pius XI on March 27, 1931, its mother church is St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas (since May 2023) and is currently led by the eighth Bishop of Reno, Daniel H. Mueggenborg. The diocese spans roughly 70,852 square miles across twelve counties and includes 28 parishes, 6 missions, 4 elementary schools, 1 high school, and 3 preschools/childcare centers serving approximately 132,982 Catholics.
- Bishop
- Daniel H. Mueggenborg
- Established
- 1931
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Reno, Nevada)
- Territory
- Twelve counties of northern and central Nevada: Washoe, Humboldt, Elko, Eureka, Lander, Pershing, Churchill, Mineral, Lyon, Carson City, Storey, and Douglas.
- Parishes
- 28 parishes and 6 missions
- Province
- Archdiocese of Las Vegas
About the Diocese of Reno
The Diocese of Reno serves the Catholic faithful across northern and central Nevada, with its chancery at 290 S. Arlington Avenue in Reno. Established by Pope Pius XI on March 27, 1931 and canonically erected August 19, 1931, it was renamed the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas in 1976 and reverted to its original name in 1995 when southern Nevada became the separate Diocese of Las Vegas. It is now a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. Legal title is 'The Roman Catholic Bishop of Reno, and His Successors, a Corporation Sole.'
- Established March 27, 1931 by Pope Pius XI
- Canonical erection August 19, 1931
- Renamed Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas October 13, 1976 by Pope Paul VI
- Re-designated Diocese of Reno March 21, 1995 by Pope John Paul II
- Patrons: Our Lady of the Snows (August 5) and the Holy Family
- Covers 70,852 square miles across 12 counties
- 28 parishes, 6 missions, 4 elementary schools, 1 high school, 3 preschools/childcare centers
- First Diocesan Synod: September 27, 1957; Second Diocesan Synod: December 2, 2016
Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg
The Most Reverend Daniel H. Mueggenborg is the eighth Bishop of Reno. Born April 15, 1962 in Okarche, Oklahoma, he graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1984 with degrees in geology and computer science before entering seminary. He completed pre-theology at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana and theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, earning a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1990. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tulsa in 1989, he served as parochial vicar, pastor, high school chaplain and teacher, Newman Center chaplain, Director of Clergy and Education, and Vicar for Religious. Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle on April 6, 2017; he was ordained a bishop on May 31, 2017. On July 20, 2021 Pope Francis named him Bishop of Reno, and he was installed September 24, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Reno.
- Born April 15, 1962 in Okarche, Oklahoma
- Ordained priest 1989 for the Diocese of Tulsa
- Licentiate in Biblical Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, 1990
- Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, 2017–2021
- Eighth Bishop of Reno, installed September 24, 2021
- Episcopal motto: 'Misericordis sicut Pater' (Merciful like the Father)
- Avid outdoorsman: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Grand Canyon, Camino de Santiago
Catholic Schools
The Diocese of Reno operates four Catholic elementary schools, one Catholic high school, and three early-childhood centers, all accredited through the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA), with the option of dual accreditation through Northwest/AdvancEd. The system traces its roots to Mount Saint Mary's Academy, opened by Dominican Sisters in Reno in 1877. Bishop Manogue Catholic High School reports a 99% graduation rate.
- Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Reno (Grades 9–12)
- St. Teresa of Avila School, Carson City (K–8)
- St. Albert the Great School, Reno (K–8)
- Our Lady of the Snows School, Reno (K–8)
- Little Flower School, Reno (K–8)
- St. Teresa of Avila Preschool, Carson City (the only WECA-accredited preschool in Nevada)
- St. Albert the Great Child Development Center, Reno
- Saint Clare's Montessori School, Incline Village (Preschool–8)
- Superintendent: Brother Christopher Hall, C.F.C., Ed.D.
Parishes & Mass Times
Twenty-eight parishes and six missions make up the diocesan family, from the cathedral in downtown Reno to missions in remote desert and mountain communities. The diocese maintains an online parish finder that lets visitors search by city or zip code. A network of parishes with Hispanic Ministry serves Spanish-speaking Catholics across the territory.
- Cathedral: St. Thomas Aquinas, 310 W. 2nd St., Reno (Rector: Rev. Charles Durante, V.G.)
- St. Rose of Lima Parish, Reno (founded by Bishop Straling)
- Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center (University of Nevada, Reno)
- St. Paul's Church, Winnemucca (founded 1884)
- St. Augustine Parish, Austin (oldest standing Catholic church in Nevada)
- Parishes with Hispanic Ministry across Carson City, Sparks, Yerington, Fallon, Elko, Sun Valley, Fernley, Dayton, Incline Village, Gardnerville, Zephyr Cove, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca, and Reno
Ethnic & Hispanic Ministry
The Office of Ethnic Ministry connects the diocese with its diverse cultural communities and supports pastoral ministers in parishes. Director Maripaz Ramos and her team collaborate with Faith Formation and Parish Pastoral Services to serve Hispanics, Filipinos, American Samoans, and other ethnic communities across northern Nevada.
- Director of Ethnic Ministry: Maripaz Ramos ([email protected], 775-326-9423)
- Serves Hispanic, Filipino, and American Samoan communities
- Many parishes offer Spanish-language Masses and sacramental preparation
Catholic Charities & Social Outreach
Catholic Charities is the social-services arm of the diocese, serving God through community programs in northern Nevada. The diocese also maintains an active immigration-support ministry ('You Are Not Alone') and convenes the annual Catholic Services Appeal to fund diocesan ministries.
- Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
- Immigration Support: 'You Are Not Alone'
- Annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) 2025
- Virtual Plate online giving program
Media & Evangelization
The diocese reaches beyond church walls through TV Mass, the High Desert Catholic magazine, a YouTube channel, and weekly Gospel reflections emailed from Bishop Mueggenborg. The diocese also participates in the national Eucharistic Revival.
- TV Mass broadcast
- LIVE Mass streaming online
- High Desert Catholic quarterly, mailed to ~20,000 homes
- Bishop's Gospel Reflections email subscription
- Eucharistic Revival initiative
- Faith Questions and Answers online resource
Vocations & Faith Formation
The diocese supports priestly, diaconal, and lay vocations. The Diaconate Formation Program, established in 2001 by Bishop Straling, is held jointly with the Lay Ministry Formation program as part of the diocese's emphasis on collaborative ministry. The diocese currently counts 9 seminarians, 38 permanent deacons, 36 active priests, and 13 retired priests.
- Diaconate Formation Program (est. 2001)
- Lay Ministry Formation Program
- Young Adult Ministry
- Rite of Election for adults and children each Lent
History Highlights
Catholicism came to Nevada with the 1858 Comstock Lode gold rush; the first Catholic church was built in Virginia City in 1860. Pope Pius XI created the Diocese of Reno on March 27, 1931 at the urging of Cardinal George Mundelein of Chicago. The see was renamed Reno-Las Vegas in 1976 and split in 1995, with the Diocese of Las Vegas taking the south. Since 2023 the diocese has been a suffragan of the newly elevated Archdiocese of Las Vegas.
- 1860: First Catholic church in Nevada (Virginia City)
- 1865: St. Augustine Parish, Austin — oldest standing Catholic church in the state
- 1871: Saint Mary's, first Catholic church in Reno
- 1877: Dominican Sisters arrive in Reno; open Mount Saint Mary's Academy
- 1908: Dominican Sisters open Sisters Hospital (now St. Mary's Regional Medical Center)
- 1931: Diocese erected; St. Thomas Aquinas becomes cathedral
- 1976: Renamed Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas
- 1995: Diocese of Las Vegas created; see reverts to Diocese of Reno
- May 2023: Diocese of Las Vegas elevated to archdiocese; Reno becomes its suffragan
Contact & Visiting the Chancery
The diocesan chancery is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Parking is located on Ridge Street, with the office entrance also on Ridge Street.
- Chancery: 290 S. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501-1713
- Phone: (775) 329-9274; alternate (775) 326-9410; in-state 800-255-0688
- Fax: (775) 348-8619
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Website: catholicreno.org
