Meet Our Priests and Deacons
-
-
Fr. Richard Sutter, Pastor
Fr. Richard was ordained on December 12, 2009, at The Major Basilica St. Paul in Rome, Italy, and has been pastor of St. Gabriel Church since October 2019.
He grew up in Atlanta, GA, one of 6 children, and graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 1991 with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish.
Before entering the seminary, Fr. Richard served as a U.S. Army Infantry officer for 6 years, graduating from Army Ranger and Airborne schools, followed by 2 years in the corporate world. His ministry has included serving as a Catholic school chaplain in Louisiana and Georgia, as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte and as Parochial Administrator of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville, NC.
Fr. Richard is a tri-athlete and enjoys many outdoor sports, including golf and swimming.
"These words of Jesus echo in my heart daily: 'It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.'" (John 15:16)
-
-
-
Fr. Kevin Tran, Parochial VicarOur parish is blessed to have one of our diocese’s newly ordained priests joining us to serve as parochial vicar (associate pastor). If you recognize Fr. Kevin Tran, ordained on June 15, he served here as a seminarian in summer 2022. Please give him a warm St. Gabriel welcome!
View our 2022 "Meet Kevin Tran" video here
-
-
-
Deacon Michael Goad
Deacon Michael Goad was a ordained a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte on May 31, 2014. He grew up in Aiken, SC, served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years, and has a Masters in Theology in 2008 from Loyola in New Orleans. He and his wife, Lisa, have been members of St. Gabriel Church since they moved to Charlotte in 1998. Deacon Michael enjoys jogging, golf, mountain biking and scuba diving.
His favorite Bible verse is Luke 1:49: “Behold the Almighty One has done great things for me.”
“I love being a joyful herald of the Good News! As a servant to the people of God, I still cannot adequately articulate this invitation God has given to me. God has always been generous to me, and I am eternally grateful to be His son.”
-
-
-
Deacon James Keaney
Deacon Jim was ordained on February 15, 2003 in the Diocese of Richmond, and has recently received permission to minister in our diocese.
Deacon Jim and his wife, Jennifer, have two adult children and one in college at Clemson. Jim attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy for 6 years. With their family, Deacon Jim and Jennifer have lived in Newport RI, Mayport FL, Blacksburg VA and Cookeville TN. Jim will continue his professional, full-time position as a Director of Operations while serving in ministry here at St. Gabriel.
He shares that “On our Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage in 2023, I encountered God’s strong invitation to walk and live my vocation more fully at St. Gabriel Church. I look forward to our continued journey together with great reverence. Gloria a Dios!”
-
-
Get to Know Our Clergy!
-
