Meet our new deacons: Steve Tatz

July 2, 2022

Steve Tatz, of the Basilica of St. John Parish in Des Moines, had admired priests since he was at Sacred Heart Catholic School and Dowling Catholic High School.

He worked as a vocations specialist for the Diocese of Des Moines in 2001, when he became more aware of church ministries including the diaconate.

“It was then that I started sensing a nudge from God that maybe he was calling me to serve as a deacon,” Steve said.

“We spoke about it for years, but the timing didn’t seem quite right, especially with young children at home,” said his wife, Lisa. “The calling continued to grow through the years. We had been turning more and more of our lives over to God, so we finally decided to respond to the call.”

“There was never an ‘epiphany’ moment but, rather, a loving and growing relationship with God and the recognition of a broken world still very much in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ,” Steve said. “I want to help and serve his people.”

The Tatzes said they’ve grown spiritually intellectually, pastorally and personally.

“I’m so thankful to be able to have taken part in the formation with Steve and the others in the cohort,” Lisa said.
“I cannot say enough of the value and importance of journeying together with our wives, the core team, and the bishop,” Steve said. 

“Humans were meant for relationships, for communion. This definitely is not something that could ever be done exclusively by books or online.”

He added: “And our marriage has grown even stronger as a result. I pray that love spills over into my diaconal ministry.”