Fr. Ryan Hiaeshutter: Road to the Priesthood – CDA Court #2478, Dallas, Texas

The Beginning… The Middle…. The

Fr. Ryan Hiaeshutter Newly Ordained…

What is your favorite Liturgical Season?

Advent – I love the idea of ‘silence & prayer’ during this season as we meditate upon the coming our Lord and what it means for the world.

What is your favorite Sacrament to Celebrate?

Sacrament of Reconciliation – I have seen people enter the confessional absolutely terrified, and then they leave with the forgiveness and peace of the Holy Spirit

What has been a surprise to you in your ministry so far?

The staff size here at CTK is very minimal. The parish assignments that I’ve had in the past as a seminarian, all the parish staffs have been rather large.

What has been a joy to you?

Administering the Anointing of the Sick. It has brought great consolation and peace to families and those I’ve anointed.

Have there been any disappointments?

Have you felt welcomed and supported by your parish?

Pandemic aside; is your work what you expected?

What are some of the things you have learned in your work that Seminary didn’t or couldn’t teach you?

How to respond to people that proclaim, “There is no pandemic!” or “Fr…there’s simply not enough being done to protect the community from COVID.”
The stones seem to come from both sides…and the priest has to work with them all

What are some of the blessings of Parish work?

There are many, but just to name a few:
- When someone comes into the office for confession and they leave with the peace of God resting upon them.
- I anointed one little boy who was about 2 or 3 years old, and immediately after anointing his hands, he looked at me and said, “Thank you!”
- Most priests might not like this, but the way the rectory is set up, the parish offices are on the ground level of the building and the priests’ living quarters are on the 2^nd floor. I love being able to walk right into the church from the rectory. One thing I have asked, this I shall seek—to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Do you visit parish members for social visits in addition to administering Sacraments?

It’s been limited this year (in light of Covid), but I have been able to share a meal with some parishioners this year.

Do you have a funny story about your work?

During the final blessing after mass, I once forgot to mention “…and the Son”
“May Almighty God bless you, the Father….and the Holy Spir….wait…what?? Oh! May Almighty God bless you, the Father, AND THE SON, and the Holy Spirit.”
I just started laughing…and so did the people.

What is a typical weekday like for you?

Mass in the morning, check emails, homily prep, and various interactions with office staff and parishioners, lock up the church at 5:30.
Every day can vary really.

What parish work falls uniquely to you based on your position as Parochial Vicar?

Do you cook for yourself?

What do you do on your day off?

I sleep in a little later, ha! I will normally head over to my godparents’ house and spend the day with them.

Do you wear street clothes on your day off? Why or why not?

Yes…because it’s my day off. The clothes do not make the priest; God makes the priest.

Who are your closest friends—no names—Priests or lay people? How do these friends support you?

Both priests and lay people.
- I feel supported by my brother priests because we share the same experiences
- I feel supported by my close relationship with lay people because they genuinely pray for me and want me to succeed.

Do you get “tired” of saying multiple Masses on Sunday?

I don’t get tired of saying multiple masses, with respect to the mass itself; I do, however, simply get tired/fatigued from being on my feet so long.

What is something we may not know about you?