What Do You Get When You Invite Two Quirky Jesuits?

BY CHRIS KERR | January 10, 2014

What do you get when you invite two self-described “quirky Jesuits” with radio show recording equipment to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice?

Matt Wooters, S.J. with Louie Hoptop, S.J. in the background at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

Matt Wooters, S.J. with Louie Hotop, S.J. in the background at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

Back in September I was visiting Saint Louis University for some meetings and I thought I would connect with Matt Wooters, S.J. Matt was a student at John Carroll University while I was working there. We got to know each other over the years. I have enjoyed staying connected with Matt during his discernment, entrance, and now formation to become a Jesuit. Little did I know when I contacted Matt about meeting up this fall that he and a fellow Jesuit had started a radio show at SLU’s campus station (KSLU). Their show entitled “In Other News” is self-described as a mix of jokes, strange news, and all around witty banter they slip in subjects important to the Ignatian Family.

During my visit I had a chance to be interviewed by Matt and his partner in crime Louie Hotop, S.J., and afterward ISN decided we should invite them to record a show from the Teach-In. They spent the weekend trolling around interviewing speakers and attendees – both Jesuits and lay persons, asking them to respond to various questions about the themes of the weekend.

The short answer to my initial question — you get a lot of fun, social justice, and passion for sharing the prophetic message of Christ! Thanks to Matt and Louie for being with us this past November!

Below is what they came up with. Take a listen!

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[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177369846″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Christopher Kerr

Chris joined the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.