Director of deacon formation program retires
SALT LAKE CITY — After 10 years as the director of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s deacon formation program, Deacon Drew Petersen has retired.
Since he was ordained as a deacon in 2010, he has served in his home parish of the Cathedral of the Madeleine as well as in the Office of the Diaconate.
The deacon and his wife, Sandy, have six daughters. They have always been active serving other people’s needs, said Father Kenneth Vialpando, the diocesan vicar for clergy, at a March 15 retirement luncheon in the pastoral center.
Because of the deacon’s “wonderful marriage and successful career in vocations, you were able to bring your daughters into the practice of the faith, and now you have shared that faith with your grandchildren, family, friends, deacons and wives, and priests in the diocese,” Fr. Vialpando said. “You have been truly a blessing for our diocese, and we pray that God will bless you and your family for many years.”
Deacon Sunday Espinoza, who was in the same deacon class as Deacon Petersen, recalled seeing the Petersens serving lunch to the residents of St. Joseph Villa every Sunday.
“Thank you for that example,” said Deacon Espinoza, who manages the diocesan vocations office. He added that, as director of the deacon formation program, Deacon Petersen really helped the men and their wives through the process.
For the past two years, Deacon Petersen has passed on his knowledge of the program to the man who is now his successor, Deacon Scott Dodge.
“Deacons are a really important part of our diocese, and he has made sure that they are well formed,” Deacon Dodge said. “There is a lot effort, time and energy that goes into the formation of the deacons, and Drew has been instrumental in that part.”
The diocese has 55 active deacons; that number has decreased as the men retire or die, but deacons are vital to the ministry of the local Church, “so thank you for all your efforts,” Deacon Dodge said to Deacon Petersen. “I know the deacons that were formed under your tutoring hold you in a very high regard.”
Father Langes Silva, judicial vicar, who worked with Deacon Petersen in the diaconate formation program, said the deacon was friendly and gracious to all the people who came to the classes.
Bishop Oscar A. Solis thanked Deacon Petersen “for your fidelity, your faith and for your ministry.”
In a “roast” of the deacon, Fr. Vialpando noted that “he is going to be spending a little, just a little bit, more time at home with Sandy. … I am not sure if we will be praying for him or for Sandy. …. Who knows? We might receive a call a few days from now asking us to take him back,” Fr. Vialpando said, laughing.
“But, truthfully, he is always welcome back,” he added.
Deacon Petersen said that he was grateful for the time he spent at the diocese and for the opportunity to work with the deacon formation program.
“When I told [my family] I was joining the diaconate, they in all their wisdom told me ‘yes’ and supported me all the way through,” he said.
He is now going to spend more time with his family, but his deacon duties will continue.
“Once a deacon always a deacon,” he said.
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