Deacon Scott Gilfillan

Deacon Scott Gilfillan finished high school in Beaufort, S.C., and went on to Clemson University, where he majored in industrial engineering. He was a general manager for a steel company for 30-plus years. In 2018, he made a career shift from steel to hospitality – becoming the director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. He and his wife Kimberly have been married over 40 years and have three children and one grandchild. Deacon Gilfillan was ordained in 2001 and assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Newton, where he still serves. He was also assigned to Prison Ministry and has led various programs in three local correctional centers. He served as the diocese’s assistant director of deacon formation from 2007 to 2011 and as director of deacon formation from 2012 to 2019, in which he guided deacon candidates and wives in discernment and formation. Deacon Gilfillan’s passion is providing a fertile ground for personal growth, renewal and conversion. At the Catholic Conference Center, he is able to unite his passion with his depth of experience, leading and organizing retreats and workshops, plus doing spiritual direction. When he’s not at the center, you can find Deacon Gilfillan hiking on the trails, kayaking in a river, or sitting on the beach with his wife Kim.