Name: Thomas Utecht
Age: 62
Spouse: Cara
Home parish: Mary, Queen of Peace in Rogers
Residence: Rogers
Profession: Business analyst (IT)
Children: Amelia (28), Alicia (25)
Birthplace: Crystal
Q) What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A) The call of Our Lord, the lives of so many of the saints and the example set by my parents in their service to the Church. I’ve also received so much encouragement and inspiration from my wife, children and family, as well as of a lot of holy men and women, both ordained and laypeople, too numerous to name.
Q) What made you certain this was your call?
A) The word “surrender” has been a big part of what I am called to — surrender to his will and not my own. This call was in my heart for many years prior to my actual entry into formation, and I tried for many years to serve in other ways that fit more easily into my will than into his. But Our Lord was both patient and persistent with me. He removed obstacles and objections and continued to show me that this is what he asks of me. And my heart kept hearing that word: surrender. As in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, I count myself among those who are sent out late in the day. But Our Lord is generous as well as patient and my eventual surrender to his plan has led to immense joy and blessings. Conforming my will to his is a victory, not a defeat.
Q) What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A) Assisting at the altar. Proclaiming the Gospel. Preaching and teaching.
Q) What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A) My mother suffered from Parkinson’s disease for 10 years prior to her death. Her quiet courage and steadfast grace were both inspiring and humbling. I think because of this, I feel most called to ministry to the sick and suffering, in particular to the elderly.
Q) What role will your family play in your new ministry?
A) Their support and encouragement, of course, is crucial to any ministerial effort on my part. My wife and I have often been partners in various forms of service to the Church and parish. To the extent that she is able, I expect this to continue. She, of course, will not enjoy the benefits of holy orders, but her own charisms can and do supplement mine and help to compensate for where mine are lacking. With the help of Our Lord, I will leverage that wherever I am able.
Q) Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A) Prayer, catechesis and community. Prayer refreshes and strengthens the believer and allows us to encounter Our Lord wherever we are, whether in a short conversation with God, a meditation on sacred Scripture or simple recitation of prayers we all know. Next, it is no secret that catechesis has been somewhat lacking for many of us. Without it we are ill-prepared to engage with our family, friends, neighbors or the culture at large in matters of faith. There are abundant resources out there to help us, and we must better equip ourselves and each other. Lastly, especially since COVID hit, our local Church has struggled to provide meaningful connections and a shared community among our fellow Catholics. I am hopeful that the work of the Archdiocesan Synod will bear fruit and benefit us in these areas.
Q) What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A) I am a great lover of sacred Scripture and of Catholic history, so those were favorites. But as to what was most rewarding, I would say the School of Prayer. As a child, I was taught prayers, but I was not really taught how to pray, at least not at a deep level. Our formation program is steeped in prayer … daily Liturgy of the Hours, lectio divina, Eucharistic adoration and silent meditative prayer. It’s in prayer that we encounter God, come to truly know him as a friend, and receive renewed strength, courage and grace to bring to our encounters with others.
Q) Who has been a model for your ministry?
A) Our Blessed Mother, and many of the saints. My own mother and father are my greatest not-canonized role models (though saints in my mind, nonetheless). I also take inspiration from my family, many friends, priests and deacons, but too many to name.
Q) What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A) Service to Our Lord. Service to Our Lord present at the altar. Service to Our Lord present in sacred Scripture. Service to Our Lord present in his people.
Q) What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A) In formation, we strive to identify which of the cardinal virtues we most struggle with, and in what area we most believe the lies that the enemy attacks us with. For me, my virtue struggle is faith. That seems odd for someone entering the diaconate, but it is not a lack of faith in God. What that really means is a struggle believing who God is for me, and believing that I am not “good enough,” and that God won’t love me unless I am. Some would characterize it as simply a lack of confidence, but the task is daunting, and the struggle is real. I, of course, am not good enough, but I don’t have to be. God loves me in my weakness and frailty, and I only need to receive his love and strive to do his will.
Q) What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A) Three words: invite, encourage and support. Recognize those who you think might be called and tell them so. Acknowledge and affirm their gifts that might contribute to a diaconal call. The Lord was tugging at my heart, but there were other people who recognized something in me and gave encouragement and affirmation. Also, formation is a long and time-consuming process. Support for both the men and for their families, both with prayer and with any needed help with other more “worldly” concerns goes a long way.
Q) What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A) It is something of a cliché among those in diaconal formation and our formators to say, “Trust the process.” That is an unsatisfying answer when you are in the midst of the process, but it is nonetheless true. If you feel called to this life, bring it to prayer and then explore it. It is truly amazing how many obstacles and objections the Lord will remove. You are not truly committed for several years until ordination, and your formators and fellow candidates will help you to discern whether this is what you are truly being called to. You will spend that time building a better relationship with Jesus and learning about our Catholic faith, which is never a bad thing. And the Lord will lead you where you are to go.
