Fr. Richard Sutter – A Short Bio

Fr Richard Sutter – Priest of the Charlotte Diocese… (prefers to be called Fr Richard)

A native of Atlanta, Ga from a family of 6 (4 brothers and one sister). His parents, Lloyd and Jill Sutter, have taken up residence in Melbourne, FL. His Dad is a retired permanent Deacon. Fr Richard is happy to also call Florida home – a favorite vacation place of his to visit his Mom’s side of the family in the Lake Wales, FL area.

Fr Richard is a big fan of all sports and outdoor activities – but particularly enjoys training from Ironman Triathlons. His great accomplishment on the sport of triathlon was earning a slot to and competing in the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, TN where he raced alongside 4,000 of the best amateur triathletes from 90 nations. He also enjoys winter snowboarding, bass and ocean fishing, and golf when his schedule permits. He says “golf is a sport that helps him practice all the virtues – particularly because the white ball and course gets the most of him.”

The earliest childhood teacher he can remember with great affection was his 2nd Grade Teacher, Mrs Kessler! He is so very grateful for the teachers and coaches in his life!

A 1991 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a Major in Business Administration (focus on Marketing with a Minor in Spanish). Also attending UNCC for Army ROTC where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant May 1991. He was named the George C. Marshall Award winner and was commission #1 on the Davidson College ROTC Headquarters Order of Merit list, which resulted in a Regular Army Commission. A four year member of the Belmont Abbey College Student Government and Student Body President his senior year. Captain of the BAC Cross Country Team.

June 1991 – May 1997 served as an Infantry officer in the US Army. A graduate of US Army Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Schools. He served as a rifle platoon leader for the 1st Armored Division and the Assistant Division Commander – Support (One Star General Aide de Camp) while in Frankfurt, Germany. After completing the Infantry officer advance course as a captain he served with the G3 Operations Staff and assisted as 2 star generals aide de camp with the 10th Mountain Division in Watertown, NY. While with the 10th Mountain he made the Post 10mile team where he represented the 10th Mountain in the 1997 Army 10miler in DC achieving a personal 10mile race PR of 54:17.

May of 1997 he received an honorable discharge from the Army and began work just outside of New York City as a IT Project Manager for Quest Diagnostics, Inc. With 2 years he was promoted to an Account Manager to manage project managers in 4 different states. While living in Wood-Ridge, NJ he earned a slot and ran in the 1998 Boston Marathon with the time of 2hrs 58minutes.

May of 1999 he resigned from his job to enter the seminary.

June of 1999 – June 2009 he was a religious brother studying for the priesthood in the Legion of Christ. Between his philosophy studies in NY and his Theology Studies in Rome – he served as a boys high school formation instructor at Gateway Academy in St Louis, MO. Following 3 years of Theology Studies in Rome, Italy he was ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Peter J. Jugis at Belmont Abbey Mary Help of Christians Minor Basilica in Belmont, NC May 11, 2009.

May 2009 – December 2009 he began ministry in Louisiana as the New Orleans City Park Christian Brothers School (Grades 5th – 7th) Chaplain and Acadian Oaks Catholic Youth Center Chaplain in Lafayette, LA. December 12, 2009 he was ordained a priest with the Legion of Christ at The Major Basilica St Paul outside the Wall in Rome, Italy with 58 other classmates of his. After ordination he continued Chaplaincy work in Louisiana. June 2011 – June 2014 he served at Pinecrest Academy as Head Chaplain of the 900 student PreK – 12grade Catholic School in Cumming, Ga. June 2014 – December 2015 he discerned a diocesan priest vocation within the Savannah, Ga Diocese as Chaplain of Aquinas High School in Augusta, Ga.

December 2015 – May 2016 he took a sabbatical at Belmont Abbey Monastery to discern Benedictine Monastic Life. May 2016, with the blessing of Bishop Peter J. Jugis, Fr Richard served at St Joseph Catholic Church in Bryson City, NC. August 2016 he was assigned as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St Patrick here in Charlotte. Since July 10, 2018 Fr Richard has been serving as Parochial Administrator of St John the Evangelist in Waynesville, NC and Immaculate Conception Catholic Mission in Canton, NC. You can learn more about their work for Christ in the Smoky Mountains at stjohnrcc.com.