from 1982 to 1987, cistone served as parochial vicar at st. jude parish in chalfont, member of the admissions board for the archdiocesan permanent diaconate program, and newman chaplain at delaware valley college of science. he was also defender of the bond on the metropolitan tribunal (1983–1989), and parochial vicar at st. francis of assisi parish in norristown (1987–1989) and st. bernard parish in philadelphia (1989–1991). in 1991, he became dean of formation for the theology division of st. charles seminary.