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2021 Ordinations

Christopher J. Kellerman, SJ

Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Province: USA Central and Southern

Highlights of Jesuit Formation:

  1. Worked in campus ministry at St. Louis University High School.
  2. Taught theology and history in the boys division at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado.
  3. Served as a deacon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Post-Ordination:
Will serve at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge and work at the Jesuit Social Research Institute in New Orleans.

Biography:
Christopher Kellerman, SJ, was born in Arlington, Texas, where he graduated from Lamar High School in 2004. He and his older brother spent most of their childhood watching professional wrestling on TV, but Chris also found time to learn to play the piano, as well as become a political junkie at a young age. He then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he studied music and political science and was an active member of the Catholic Student Association. He went on to earn his master’s degree in theology from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, where he began seriously discerning a religious vocation. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 2011, and after spending two years in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, studied philosophy in St. Louis and worked for a year at St. Louis University High School. Chris did his regency at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, and then earned his Master of Divinity degree at Regis College at the University of Toronto. For the past year, he has been working at the Jesuit Social Research Institute (JSRI) at Loyola University New Orleans as well as serving as a deacon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Chris is thrilled that he will get to spend another year at JSRI and serve as a priest at Immaculate Conception after his ordination.

Education:
Bachelor’s degrees, political science and music, Texas Tech University; Master’s degree, theology, University of Dallas; Master of Divinity, Regis College, University of Toronto; Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Regis College, University of Toronto

What is your favorite book you’ve encountered since entering the Society?
Before entering the Society, I had never read a full book by C.S. Lewis! A few years ago I finally read one: “Till We Have Faces.” It’s a remarkable novel about God’s love set in a surprising environment. I think I could read it over and over and never get tired of it.

Who’s your favorite saint, and why?
St. Óscar Romero has inspired me greatly due to his tireless devotion to social justice and his unwavering commitment to Christ.

What’s one interesting fact about yourself not everyone would know?
My favorite films are a weird combination: “Rudy,” “Jurassic Park,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Prince of Egypt” and “Sunset Boulevard”!

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had during your formation, and why was it meaningful to you?
I loved teaching at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. It was a total joy to get to teach every day, be a chaplain to some athletic teams, start a club and work with incredible colleagues. I think it helped me to realize just how joyful and fulfilling a life of serving the Lord can be.

Imagine you could travel back in time and meet yourself the first day you entered the Society of Jesus. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to yourself?
Don’t take yourself so seriously!

Meet the 2021 Ordinands

Thomas A. Bambrick, SJ
USA Midwest
Xavier Benavides, SJ
USA West
Jeffrey R. Dorr, SJ
USA Midwest
Jean Francky Guerrier, SJ
Canada
Garrett Gundlach, SJ
USA Midwest
Daniel N. Gustafson, SJ
USA East
John W. Guyol, SJ
USA West
Louie Hotop, SJ
USA Central and Southern
Bobby Karle, SJ
USA Midwest
Christopher J. Kellerman, SJ
USA Central and Southern
Jack M. Krouse, SJ
USA West
Adam J. Lalonde, SJ
Canada
Michael J. Lamanna, SJ
USA East
Aaron B. Malnick, SJ
USA Midwest
Brad Mills, SJ
USA West
Daniel Mora, SJ
USA Central and Southern
Martin Huynh Ngo, SJ
USA West
Hung Nguyen, SJ
USA Midwest
James R. Page, SJ
USA Central and Southern
Gerard Myriam Paul, SJ
Canada
Zachariah F. Presutti, SJ
USA East
Trevor J.B. Rainwater, SJ
USA Midwest
Brian A. Strassburger, SJ
USA Central and Southern
Jeff Sullivan, SJ
USA Midwest
William C. Woody, SJ
USA East