SHELBY — Growing up in Shelby, Elliott Suttle never set foot inside the Catholic church less than a mile from his home. Decades later, after a journey that took him around the world, from agnosticism to Catholicism and ultimately to the priesthood, he has returned home as its pastor.
Sporting his signature cowboy boots, Father Suttle was formally installed Wednesday as pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish – his first assignment as a pastor since being ordained at age 50 in 2024.
“It’s an honor to be a pastor in my hometown,” Father Suttle said with his Southern drawl. “It’s great to be back in Shelby, and I think I have been well received thus far in my time here.”
For parishioners, Father Suttle seems a natural fit. But his journey home was anything but direct.
Growing up, he left his Southern roots and his Methodist faith behind, teaching in Japan and living around the country. He spent years as an agnostic before finding his thirst for truth quenched by the Catholic faith. He converted, entered seminary and was ordained a priest.
Now, at 52, Father Suttle has come full circle – serving the Catholic community in the same town where his own journey of faith began.
“Father Suttle grew up here and went to school here. He has a good understanding of Southern culture, and that’s unique,” says parishioner Brian Finnegan. “He is familiar with the locals and the town. He is pretty much the best possible option for this parish.”
Bishop Michael Martin, who celebrated the Sept. 16 installation Mass, prompted loud applause when he announced during his homily that the congregation had “won the lottery” with Father Suttle as the prize.
“You are indeed all lottery winners, not simply because you have a wonderful pastor,” Bishop Martin said. “I’m excited about what all of you will do together… That this community will be difference-making, in here and out there, if only we commit ourselves to follow Christ as true disciples.”
He asked the more than 100 parishioners attending to set aside their laundry lists of wishes for their new pastor and focus instead on their own service to the Church.
“We are called to serve and every time we do, the cross is involved,” the bishop said. “We will have to die to ourselves. We will be martyred just a little bit every time we respond.”
He encouraged parishioners to remember the needs of their new pastor, the Church and God.
“(Father Suttle) needs your love,” Bishop Martin said. “He needs to know that people are concerned about him, that people want to find ways to lighten his load. He commits himself to all that and more for you. Are you willing to do the same?”
During the installation rite, the official letter of appointment was read to the congregation, then Father Suttle made his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity and signed the documents officially naming him pastor.
Finnegan, who attended the installation with his wife and two children, says he is already feeling lucky with his new pastor as he figures out his own role of discipleship.
“This is a very Protestant area, and with his background as an adult convert, he will definitely be able to help us evangelize,” he says.
Father Suttle also makes parishioner Mary Ellen Barker feel like a lottery winner, though she admits God has a sense of humor.
“He was in school and attended the same classes with my children. The interesting thing is that I have six Catholic sons, not one is a priest, but the Methodist kid around the corner becomes a priest,” Barker laughs. “God works in mysterious ways. It’s so beautiful. You have to be open to God. You have to pray and to take part in the sacraments of the Church. Faith is something to embrace.”
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by Troy C. Hull
