Religious communities around the world have been celebrating ordinations and professions of vows in the past year, some of whom have men and women with ties to St. Louis. They include:
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Four Jesuits of the USA Central and Southern Province with ties to St. Louis were ordained to the priesthood June 12 at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans presided at the ordination Mass.
Father Louis Hotop met the Jesuits while a student St. Louis University High School. As a teen, he was active in a local youth group, Boy Scouts and in campus ministry at school. The activities helped to form and solidify his desire to dedicate his life to the good of others. He entered religious life right after high school, at the age of 18. After ordination, Father Hotop will head to the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, where he will minister to migrant communities on the U.S.-Mexico border and help with sacramental supply in diocesan parishes.
Father Christopher Kellerman was born in Arlington, Texas and entered the Jesuit Novitiate of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, in 2011. After two years, he went to St. Louis, where he studied philosophy at Saint Louis University and served for a year at St. Louis University High School. After ordination, Father Kellerman was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Baton Rouge, while serving as interim director of the Jesuit Social Research Institute in New Orleans.
Father James Page was born and raised in New Orleans. While a student at Pomona College, he met Father Donald Hawkins, SJ, at that time the pastor of the Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans. Father Hawkins was the first person to suggest a vocation to the priesthood. In St. Louis, he taught Scripture at St. Louis University High School. While there, he also helped in the school’s retreat programs and started a Philosophy Club. His first assignment as a priest will be serving at St. Francis Xavier “College” Church in St. Louis and assisting in Saint Louis University’s campus ministry.
Father Brian Strassburger was born in St. Louis, then lived in five states in his first 10 years, until his family settled in Denver in 1994. He later returned to his birthplace to attend Saint Louis University, where he majored in mathematics, with a certificate in business administration and a minor in philosophy. Father Strassburger entered the Society of Jesus in Grand Coteau in 2011. After ordination, Strassburger will serve in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, to respond to pastoral needs in the area, with a particular focus on the migrant community.
St. Louis native Father John Guyol was ordained to the priesthood for the Jesuits’ USA West Province on June 12 in Los Angeles. Father Guyol was born and raised in St. Louis and began considering religious life while attending Chaminade College Preparatory School. After attending Villanova University, he discerned his religious vocation while working with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest in Hays, Montana, on the Fort Belknap Reservation with the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre peoples. During his studies with the Jesuits in St. Louis, he worked with the Missionaries of Charity in St. Louis, collaborated with campus ministry at Saint Louis University and sang with the choir at St. Matthew Parish in St. Louis. After ordination, he was missioned to the Ravalli Jesuit Community in Missoula, Montana, where he will serve at St. Francis Xavier Church and St. Ignatius Mission.
Dominicans
The Dominicans of the Province of St. Albert the Great recently ordained three men to the priesthood May 22 at St. Pius V Parish in South St. Louis. Archbishop Emeritus Robert J. Carlson was the presiding prelate.
Father James Pierce Cavanaugh grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, attended Catholic grade school and high school, and met the Dominican Friars at Indiana University-Bloomington, where they staff the Newman Center. He was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish and Grade School in Madison, Wisconsin. His top ministerial interest is evangelization of the family.
Father Benjamin Keller grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, attended Catholic grade school and met the Dominican Friars during a summer in Columbia, Missouri. He was assigned to the Newman Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where the Dominican Friars minister. His top ministerial interest is ministry to athletes, and teaching cultivation of the virtues.
Father Adrian Patrick McCaffery grew up in South Bend, Indiana, attended Catholic schools through college, and met the Dominicans while in minor seminary and while doing graduate work at Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He was assigned to St. Louis, where he will finish a doctorate in philosophy in preparation for academic ministry. His top ministerial interest is helping young minds to integrate questions of science and philosophy with the Catholic faith.
Additonally, two men from the Province of St. Albert the Great will profess their final vows Aug. 14 at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest, Illinois. Brother Jordan DeGuire and Brother Peter Lewitzke have studied at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis and will continue studies for the priesthood at St. Dominic Priory and at the Aquinas.
Father Christopher Johnson was ordained to the priesthood Aug. 8, 2020, in River Forest. He had studies at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, ministered to college students at Saint Louis University, and served at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in St. Louis. Father James Martin Nobles was ordained to the priesthood June 12 in New Orleans. He also studied at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis and assisted at the Catholic Student Center at Washington University.
Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines)
Brother Jean-Marie Hogan, OSB, professed his first vows with the Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines) on Dec. 8, 2020, at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kansas. The former Thomas Hogan is from St. John Paul II Parish in Affton. He attended St. Dominic Savio School and a 2015 graduate of St. Louis University High School. He attended the University of Dallas before entering the community.
Adorers of the Blood of Christ
Sister Krystal Funk, ASC, will profess her final vows on Aug. 8 in the Chapel at Ruma Center in Ruma, Illinois. Sister Krystal studied at Maryville University and did her equivalency work to sit for her music therapy boards. She also ministered as an activities assistant at Aberdeen Heights Senior Living Community in Kirkwood while doing her equivalency work.
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus
Sister Maria Josefa of the Pierced Heart of Jesus will profess her perpetual vows with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus on July 2 at St. Agnes Chapel at the sisters’ convent in Kirkwood. Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will preside at the Mass. The former Elizabeth Kreienkamp is from St. Clement of Rome Parish in Des Peres.
Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians)
Sister Anne Weis, FMA, will profess her first vows with the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco in New Jersey on Aug. 5. She is from St. Ferdinand Parish in Florissant.
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Kristina DeNeve, CSJ, professed temporary vows with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on June 15 in the Holy Family Chapel at the motherhouse in St. Louis. The native of Moline, Illinois, served at Fontbonne University as visiting fellow, and will continue at the university as an instructor and academic affairs coordinator.
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio)
Sister Christi Sanchez, CCVI, made her first profession with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word on Aug. 15, 2020. Sister Christy spent time in St. Louis for her novitiate.
Discalced Carmelite Nuns
Sister Miriam will make her first profession with the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in St. Louis in August 2021. The former Catherine Lamlech is a native of Chicago.
This information was provided by the religious communities and archdiocesan Office of Consecrated Life.
