Jeff Sutterman, Deacon at
St. Katharine Drexel, Frederick
by Judy Williams, CEM Center
Photo: Courtesy of Owen Sweeney, Catholic Review

Jeff Sutterman is serving the parish of St. Katharine Drexel, Frederick as Deacon.  Jeff was among 11 men ordained by Cardinal Keeler into the Diaconate on Sunday, May 21, 2005 at the cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

Originally from Rock Island, Illinois Jeff has lived in the Greater Washington DC area since 1990.  He holds a bachelors degree in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, and a Masters of Theology from the Washington Theological Institute.  Jeff and his wife, Beth, currently reside in Frederick with their three children, Samantha, 5; Anthony, 3; and Timothy, 4 months.  Jeff is employed as an intelligence analyst for Northrop Drummond

Jeff credits much of his religious journey to his relationship with his wife, Beth, a native of Rockville. After they met in 1990, they discovered that, though they were both raised in the Catholic faith, they had some differences in their religious traditions, due to being raised in different parts of the country.  In an effort to fill in some of the gaps in what they understood about their faith the two of them began attending religion classes, first at St. Elizabeth’s in Rockville, and then at Georgetown.  At Georgetown they enrolled in the certification program in Theological and Liturgical Studies.  Jeff’s desire to deepen his religious life led him to enter the diaconate through the Archdiocese of Washington.

His formation was interrupted by his move to Frederick county in 2002, however he was able to pick up where he left off with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He interned at St. Timothy parish in Walkersville.  Besides the diaconate, Jeff is active at St. Katharine Drexel in the RCIA and adult faith formation programs.  He also ministers to the homebound, which he considers a privilege, as he has learned many stories of faith from the people he visits.

Through this life of service to others – his family, and those in the parish and community where he lives – Jeff has discovered that it is a process through which the Holy Spirit works, quietly bringing love and hope to all.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me….
Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine,
you did for me.”  Matthew, 25:35-40

 We welcome Jeff to ministry in Central Maryland!