Meet our Seminarian, Steven Gutierrez

06/14/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Friends,

Every year, during summer, the vocations office of the Diocese of Phoenix assigns theology seminarians to certain selected parishes so as to experience what a typical parish life looks like. Our parish has been fortunate to have been selected two years in a row, beginning with seminarian Max Rich last year. This year, we are blessed with the assignment of seminarian Steven Gutierrez, who will be with us from June 2 - August 4. This is an opportunity for us as a parish to participate in a crucial stage of his formation for the priesthood.

So, I invite all of you to not only give him a warm welcome but also a helping hand where possible, so as to provide him a great experience with us.

But who is Steven Gutierrez? I will let him answer that question by sharing something about himself in his own words as follows:

My name is Steven Gutierrez, and at 28 years old, I am the oldest of three siblings. Growing up in Phoenix, AZ, my spiritual home has always been St. Augustine Parish, where I worked for a year before answering the call to the seminary. I spent two enlightening years studying at ASU, and I recently completed my fifth year of formation at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Denver, Colorado. The pivotal moment in my journey to the priesthood came during adoration, where I found myself kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. It was there that I first truly felt the calling I had been searching for. After years of wandering away from my faith and feeling lost, the peace of Jesus enveloped me in that sacred space. In that moment of profound clarity, I sensed Him inviting me to "follow Him."

After six years away from the Church, I finally went to confession, and once again, I encountered the healing peace of our Lord. I owe so much to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, the prayers of our Church, and especially the steadfast love and prayers of my mother that guided me back to the faith. Never lose hope—prayer truly works! I am profoundly grateful to the Lord for assigning me to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tempe this summer. Here, I have the opportunity to serve a wonderful community and immerse myself in the pastoral dimensions of my formation. I invite you to pray for my journey towards the priesthood, and I welcome you to say hello and ask me any questions. Together, let us trust in the transformative power of the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, who calls us all to deeper faith and service. Thank you.

At the foot of the Cross,
Steven Gutierrez