After joining Jesuit High School in August of 2022, Freshman Faith Formation and French teacher, Father Jack Krouse SJ announced that he would be leaving at the end of the 2025-26 school year, concluding an impactful 4 years at Jesuit.
During his time at Jesuit, Father Krouse taught 2 different classes, faith and French. He also was a Chaplain for Friday Masses, the senior Pilgrimage, junior Encounter, and the sophomore and freshman overnight retreats.
He also re-launched the Knights faith support program for young men at Jesuit with Dr. Fiorella and helped Mrs.Kuenz with aspects of the Ignatian formation for faculty and staff.
After four years at Jesuit Father Krouse shared that he had many highlights during his time at Jesuit but all have to do with God’s love and community.
“The laughter, camaraderie, and friendships I witnessed each year while teaching Freshman Faith Formation and French. To see students begin to make Jesuit their home too, after arriving at the start of freshman year at a brand new place,” Krouse shared.
This love also included him celebrating the evening Mass for the Senior Pilgrimage with those around him.
“Packed to the walls with seniors united arm in arm singing together after the day’s journey,” Krouse said.
He also shared the highlight of an event held dear to many in the Jesuit community, the junior Encounter.
“Witnessing God’s loving and healing spirit at work in the hearts of those on the Encounter retreat, gathered together by the river at St. Benny’s,” Krouse shared.
Not only did Father Krouse impact the student body in class, but outside of the classroom as well.
Senior Maraki Melles, a member of his 5th period class from his first year teaching Freshman Faith, shared how memorable he was as a teacher.
“Father Krouse was the nicest teacher I have ever had and was always so understanding. It was also nice having him my freshman year knowing it was his first year as well, and I felt like we all grew together with him,” Melles said.
Father Krouse shared that he hoped he inspired his students to see and know God’s presence in their lives, his dreams for their future, and the reassurance that we are all loved unconditionally.
“Personally, I hope that my years of ministry here at Jesuit, as a teacher and a priest, a colleague and a friend, in partnership with God, helped make known God’s loving kindness and tender mercy,” Krouse stated.
Father Krouse also revealed the impact that Jesuit has made on him, and the many lessons that the community has taught him.
“The Jesuit community has revealed so much goodness to me, and so much heart, among God’s people, in a world that can sometimes feel fast-changing and at times uncertain,” Krouse shared. “What’s certain is that God brought us all together here at Jesuit, each of us traveling a different path to get here. And God has been at work in the hearts of all who arrive here each and every morning for a day spent together, discovering God’s grace in so many different ways across this campus over the years.”
When asked about the impact Father Krouse had on freshman Osa Ogbiede and junior Grace Nguyen it was nothing but impactful.
“He was always a very patient, kind, and heartwarming teacher, who always has a smile on his face, ” Ogbiede said.
“He always made my day positive after being in his class and offered really unique insights about life,” Nguyen shared.
Father Krouse also shared that after these four years, he will take away so many insights and examples that he’s learned of God’s loving kindness, creativity, and talent.
“I have received so much in return from this beautiful community of students, colleagues, families, and friends, and for that I thank God. As Psalm 84 says: ‘one day within your courts, O Lord, is worth more than a thousand elsewhere’. How true that has been for me here, at Jesuit High School,” Krouse said.
As he leaves the school at the end of the year, Father Krouse left one piece of advice for the same class he came in with and will now be leaving with.
“As life unfolds on the road you will travel, pause now and then let Jesus gently ask you these same questions. And remember the words of his great promise: ’Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.’ Godspeed on the journey ahead, Class of 2026, and God bless you.” Krouse said.
After the school year ends, Father Krouse will be moving to Spain for a 7-month program to complete his last stage of Jesuit formation. He will join 11 other Jesuit priests from around the world to partake in study, service, reflection, prayer, and visit the places that were important in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
“By spring 2027, I will probably know my next mission, in all likelihood back here on the West Coast. While I do not know exactly what that will be, I love serving in a Jesuit high school and would be very happy to continue serving in one of the schools of the Jesuits West Province,” Krouse shared.
