Subdeacons ordained at Saint Jude Maronite

While he was growing up, his parents’ focus was the church, he said; their attitude was ‘Save your soul, and everything else is second.’

Allam moved to Washington, D.C. at the start of his career. There, he met and married his wife, and had no intention of returning to Utah. However, at a turning point in his career, he chose to move back to be closer to family.

His devotion to the church never faltered. "I always felt I wanted to be up on the altar, but I didn’t want to ask to be ordained a subdeacon," he said.

Then, when Monsignor Bill Bonczewski arrived in the parish in 2008, he asked Allam to consider becoming a subdeacon.

"That was what I was waiting for," Allam said.

Unlike Allam, Covacci was raised in the Roman Catholic rite. He grew up in a small town in Italy, and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he holds the rank of major. While deployed to Iran, he often led the Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest, and trained as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

Still, he felt something was missing. When he first was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, several priests suggested that he attend Saint Jude Parish, where he found he was attracted to the Maronite rite.

"There were all these little indicators in my life that pushed me here," he said. "I just enjoy the spirituality of the Mass more."

Covacci switched from the Roman to the Maronite rite. Although he felt no doubts about the switch, he nonetheless spent time in prayer before making the decision. Then, after a period of discernment, he undertook the subdeacon training.

"I’ve always served," Covacci said, "but this is more important than what you serve in other aspects of the community. It’s a calling. It’s a sense of fulfillment that you don’t get doing other stuff."