New priest at St. Andrew

Intermountain Catholic

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Father John Evans

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of profiles on the priests who will be taking new assignments this year in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.)

SALT LAKE CITY — If the Diocese of Salt Lake City had run a help wanted ad for the position of pastor for Saint Andrew Parish in Riverton, the qualifications would have included experience with an elementary school and fundraising, enthusiasm, and the ability to speak Spanish.

Father John Evans meets all those requirements and brings more to the table, as well.

Fr. Evans was born in Goldsboro, N.C. in 1968. His father, Alfred, served his career in the U.S. Air Force, so his family moved often. One of his assignments was to Hill Air Force Base, which was Fr. Evans’ introduction to Utah.

Fr. Evans attended high school in Anchorage, Alaska, but returned to the Beehive State to attend the University of Utah. He graduated with a degree in economics and took a job as a computer programmer in Salt Lake City.

Although he went through the religious education program as a child and his family attended Mass at the church or chapel on the bases where they lived, "Growing up in a military family, I never thought of being a priest, I always planned on getting married," Fr. Evans said. "It wasn’t until after college that I began to think about it. It wasn’t until after college, I would say, that I spiritually grew up."

For the five years between graduating from college and entering the seminary, "I was on a pursuit of truth and happiness in my life," he said. "I was pretty happy; I had a lot of positive things happening in my life, but I was reflecting on the nature of happiness and truth for a lifetime."

During that time, Fr. Evans was involved with the Saint Catherine of Siena Newman Center, where he participated in Bible study, faith-sharing groups, retreats and hospital ministry. He also formed a prayer life, and during prayer he discerned a call to the priesthood.

He entered the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s in divinity. He was ordained a priest in 2004. His first assignment was to the University of Oregon campus ministry; his most recent was to Saint Dominic Church and School in Los Angeles, where he handled the Hispanic ministry in addition to helping with the English Masses.

The decision to take leave from the Dominican order came about because "I like being more independent," he said.

Once he decided to become a parish priest, he contacted Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Not only did he want to return to Utah because he enjoys outdoor activities such as fly-fishing, but also because his parents, Alfred and Amelia Evans, now live in Clearfield and are members of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton.

Fr. Evans’ connection to the Beehive State means "he brings that understanding of Utah and our special circumstances here," Msgr. Fitzgerald said, while his experience with the parish in Los Angeles means "he brings experience of a large parish operation and the experience of working with Hispanics, which will also fit him well."

Fr. Evans’ financial and technology education and background also will benefit Saint Andrew Parish and school, said Msgr. Fitzgerald, adding that Fr. Evans is young, enthusiastic, and "very excited to come to Utah. That always means a lot."