St. Rita of Cascia High School Welcomes Kieran Kellam ‘98 as Director of Campus Ministry

CHICAGO — Josh Blaszak ‘02, Principal of St. Rita of Cascia High School, announced Kieran Kellam ‘98 has been appointed Director of Campus Ministry.

Kellam returns to St. Rita — where he served for 12 years in various roles as a teacher, coach, club moderator, and the Social Science Department Chair — from Mount Carmel High School. In Kellam’s new role, he will steer the spiritual programming offered by the St. Rita Campus Ministry Center, in addition to teaching AP US Government & Politics and senior Theology.

“We are thrilled Kieran is returning to St. Rita,” Blaszak shared. “He will be a key leader in daily student life and spirituality, which is an area he has been passionate about since he started here back in 2009.”

Kellam has been an educator for 14 years, beginning his career at St. Rita as a Social Science teacher. In 2013, he was named the Social Science Department Chair. Kellam also taught English and Theology, coached Freshmen soccer, moderated the Creative Arts Society, and participated in various steering committees (Academic Strategic Planning, Technology, and School Culture).

In addition to his service to Academics and Student Life at St. Rita, Campus Ministry has also been a priority for Kellam. During his time at the school, Kellam was an adult leader on over 20 Kairos retreats. He was a member of a cohort of teachers who created the current senior Vocations course, which he will be teaching this year and focuses on self-awareness and discerning God’s call professionally, personally, and sacramentally. Kellam also grew professionally as an Augustinian educator by attending the International Augustinian Education Conference, Student Augustinian Values Institute, and Augustinian Values Institute.

“St. Rita has always been a second home to me,” Kellam said. “I am honored to fulfill the role of Campus Minister. The work of this office has profoundly and positively impacted my life.  My goal is to continue and expand our efforts in cultivating young men who understand that they are loved by God and are inspired to respond to Him by truly loving others.” 

Kellam earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Urban Studies, from Illinois State University. He received his Master of Arts in teaching from National Louis University.

A native of the Southside of Chicago, Kellam attended St. Thomas More School before becoming a Ritaman in high school — along with his brother Bob ‘92. He currently resides in Evergreen Park with his wife of 17 years, Jordan, and is a member of St. Barnabas Parish.

“The core values of Unitas, Veritas and Caritas are desperately needed in the lives of young men today,” Kellam explained. “I truly believe that our efforts at St. Rita makes a marked difference in our world.  As an Augustinian community, we teach young men to share their lives and restlessly pursue oneness with Christ by loving all of God’s people. I can’t think of a better job than that.”