PHOENIX — One Valley priest embodies wearing many hats in the pursuit of one goal.
Father Estevan Wetzel, who is a priest at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix, is now also serving as a chaplain for the Arizona Army National Guard. And that's not all.
His most recent calling? the director of prison ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix.
“We grew up at Most Holy Trinity Parish and I attended Saint Mary’s High School,” said Wetzel.
Born and raised in Arizona, Wetzel said he had "normal insecurities, a few scary moments," like most people did throughout childhood.
Wetzel comes from a very loving family, but along the way, there were some unexpected situations.
“Some of my family members had some trouble with the law here and there… and I’m just trying to figure out where do I fit,” he said.
But he said things changed after a heavy freshman year.
“For the first time heard Jesus say you’re not a face in the crowd, I love you and I’m calling you to be a saint, and that just caused me to start going to youth group, church, and the vocation slowly developed from there,” said Wetzel.
It wasn’t until that calling that he had clarity.
“…where I was like oh, I’m good,” he said. “The Lord loves me, He has a plan for my life and that kind of just changed my perspective, no matter what had happened before.”
Since then, his life has changed in so many ways. After high school and then priesthood, he went back to Saint Mary’s High School to teach and to be a chaplain. He also worked with students at John Paul II High School.
“I see the same insecurities or struggles, but then even more so,” he said. “The Lord has always put on my heart to have and to share hope.”
And now, that mission has grown even more. About a year ago he was drawn to a member of the military who was going through a difficult time.
“Two of his friends had taken their own lives… and that started to move my heart,” said Wetzel.
It just so happened that a priest who was working with the Arizona Army National Guard was retiring, and there was an opening.
“This was the way I could, in a small way, I could accompany our soldiers,” he said.
Wetzel is now a chaplain for the Army National Guard, providing religious services for our soldiers and advising the commander.
“I’m just part of the team to make sure that we have good and healthy and well-rounded soldiers,” he said.
Around the same time he met that military member, he lost a family member.
“One of my cousins passed away in an encounter with the police,” he said. “I just remember that day… I got the phone call, and he was gone.”
It was then the bishop presented his most recent calling – the director of a prison ministry, something he knew he had to do.
“…because I want to help them,” he said. “The Lord will bring hope to a world that is in so desperate need of hope, and so that’s what I see and hope and pray is happening.”
For Wetzel, while his career in the long term is still to be determined, he believes the Lord will continue to work through all of his ministries.
“The beautiful thing is that miracles happen when we let the Lord work,” said Fr. Wetzel.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.