From 1967 to 1985, Rivera did pastoral work in Durango and Zacatecas while serving as a professor of dogmatic theology and the prefect of discipline at the Durango seminary.
Dari 1967 sampai 1985, Rivera melakukan karya pastoral di Durango dan Zacatecas, serta menjabat sebagai profesor teologi dogmatik dan prefek disiplin di seminari Durango.