25 years after departing Jesuit High School Sacramento, Fr. Francis Stiegeler, S.J. makes his return; this time as chaplain. 

Principal Dr. Michael Wood ’99 was a student when Fr. Stiegeler served as principal, and Fr. Stiegeler had a major impact on Dr. Wood’s approach to the position.

“One thing that sticks out about Fr. Stiegeler was his sincere care for the student body, to get to know us and to be really present at as many things that he could,” Dr. Wood said. “It’s why I greet students in the morning down [at] American River Drive, why I do the lunch line. Just being with students more in non-formal ways is something that Fr. Stiegeler did.”

Fr. Stiegeler chose to become a priest after having served as an officer in the army; he became a priest to pursue a spiritual life.

“I wanted to be in an area where you can be what is most important,” Fr. Stiegeler said. “The people that have most impressed me, and seemed to me to be the happiest, are ones who have a mature act of spiritual life.”

Being a priest took Father Stiegeler to many places. In addition to being at Jesuit for 7 years, Fr. Stiegeler taught at St. Ignatius for 22 years and was even the catholic chaplain for the 49ers for 16 years. After all these years, Fr. Stiegeler is glad to have joined the priesthood.

“You can be a machine making a million dollars but that is not something human beings are here for,” Fr. Stiegeler said. “I never doubted that I felt like I made the right decision.”

Now, Fr. Stiegeler is back at Jesuit working as chaplain, which involves filling a variety of roles.

“The chaplain’s role is an important role when we’re fortunate enough to have one,” Dr. Wood said. “They spend most of their time on the sacramental ministries. [That includes] masses, doing reconciliation services, helping out on retreats, helping out in the campus ministry office.”

Mr. Michael Shaughnessy was Fr. Stiegeler’s co-worker at St. Ignatius. Fr. Shaughnessy is confident that Fr. Stiegeler will thrive at Jesuit. 

“Fr. Fran will bring a great sense of Ignatian spirituality and an appreciation of Jesuit education,” Mr. Shaughnessy said. “He loves Jesuit High and he is a great listener.”

With Fr. Stiegeler coming back, the school is looking forward to his future with Jesuit. 

“Jesuit High School is so fortunate to have Fr. Stiegeler return for his second tour of duty here, and we all look forward to working with him as a colleague,” Dr. Wood said.