About us
our pastoRAL TEAM
Rev. Tyler Sparrow
Father Sparrow is a local of North Carolina, born in Winston-Salem and raised in Johnston County. He attended seminary at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, PA from 2013-2021, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 2021 by Bishop Luis R. Zarama. He spent the first five years of his priesthood in his first assignment as Parochial Vicar at Saint Patrick Catholic Parish in Fayetteville.
Father Sparrow grew up a Catholic all his life, he and his family were members of St. Ann in Clayton until they switched to Sacred Heart in Dunn in 2003 after moving homes. He attributes his call to the priesthood to his many years of dedicated altar service, and the instruction and inspiration given him by his pastor Fr. Paul Parkerson for his entire time at Sacred Heart.
At the age of 18, he applied to universities for mechanical engineering as well as seminary, but ultimately decided to pursue the vocation to the priesthood. Through study, prayer and formation, he finally became solidified in his calling in his sixth year of seminary formation.
Father Sparrow enjoys ice hockey and music as hobbies. He grew up playing ice hockey for seven years, and learned a love for music in seminary. He studied primarily sacred music, and specializes in Gregorian Chant.
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Deacon Mike Vandiver
After a five year period of discernment and intensive theological studies, Rev. Deacon Michael Vandiver was ordained Permanent Deacon of the Catholic Church on June 28, 2014, by Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh. Deacon Mike, as he prefers to be called, began serving Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church following the retirement of Rev. Deacon Robert Price.
Deacon Mike is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12921 and a past Grand Knight. He is involved with many parish and community activities, one of which is the annual Bill Lord Memorial Golf Tournament which raises money to benefit children with special needs in Duplin County schools. He also leads the parish participation in the prison ministry which serves those who are incarcerated in both Duplin and Pender counties.
Deacon Mike has been honored by Pope Francis for his extraordinary service to the Catholic Church. On February 12, 2025, Deacon received the Benemerenti Medal at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral for his work with the prisons in the Diocese of Raleigh. Deacon Mike has been pivotal in expanding ministry to the incarcerated, often traveling considerable distances to bring the Word of God and the sacraments to inmates.
Deacon Mike retired to the Wallace area after a 30 year career with the Gillette Company. He and his wife have three children and nine grandchildren. Like many, Deacon Mike felt a calling to serve the Church and now shares his energy and love for Christ in service to our parish and community.