Fr. Zach Tucker – St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church

Have you met Fr. Zach Tucker?

We asked Fr. Zach some questions so that we can get to know him better.

What is your name?

Fr. Zach Tucker

How long have been a staff member at St. Stephen the Martyr?

8 Days

What is your position?

Associate Pastor

Where did you work before St. Stephen the Martyr?

St. James Catholic Church

Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?

I grew up in Omaha and I was home-schooled from kindergarten through my sophomore year of high school, when I transferred to Mount Michael for junior and senior years.

Tell us about your family (spouse, children, grandchildren, pets, etc.):

I am the oldest of six boys, and I am the only one still to live here in Omaha where my parents still reside as well.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

As a priest, obviously, my weekends tend to be busy, but I still like to take time to spend with my friends or family, watch the various sports I enjoy, or occasionally take a nap.

What do you like to do for fun? What do you like to do to unwind/relax?

I enjoy fishing and hunting, as well as a whole bunch of different sports, including some normal ones like college football and golf, and some weird ones like cycling, triathlon, and endurance motor racing. I am also a project person, so I like cleaning, organizing, or just DIY fixing stuff around the house or on my truck.

What’s your least favorite chore around the house?

Doing the dishes, hands down!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A pilot.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I am a nerd about a lot of things: live music, heavy metal, science fiction, musicals, fishing, fast cars, games, cooking, and the list goes on.

What is your favorite food?

Oh man, this is hard. I love trying all kinds of different cuisines! If I had to narrow it down to my favorite type, definitely Filipino food!

What is your favorite sweet treat?

I am not a huge sweets person, definitely more the savory type. That being said, I am a sucker for cheesecake.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

I have been told several times that I am a good listener. This means a lot to me because we live in a world with so much noise which means people often feel they go unheard.

What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?

A knife, a ferro rod, and rope.

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

No alarm set, fresh cup of coffee when I wake up, brisk sunny fall day, no wind, somewhere beautiful to fish/camp/hunt preferably out in the middle of someplace beautiful.

What do you enjoy most about working at St. Stephen the Martyr?

I haven’t been here long, but both the staff and the people of the parish have been incredibly welcoming, not just to me, but to anyone who comes through the door.

Which word in our mission statement has the most impact on you? Why?

Encounter – We live in a world where even as we become more digitally connected, we also, paradoxically, become more isolated. To introduce others to Christ and His Church, we must encounter them where they are, as fellow human beings, love them, and bring them to Jesus. It’s only in truly encountering them, and bringing them to an encounter with Jesus, that we will change hearts and save souls!

What advice do you have for others to grow their Catholic faith and relationship with Jesus Christ?

The simplest place to begin, or to continue to grow, is to spend time with Him. We only grow in relationship through time, so it is with Jesus. Daily prayer, particularly consistent daily prayer, is the best place to continue to be conformed to Him, and to receive the grace necessary to be Christ to others.