As of now, students may only understand Father Chris Cartwright to be Xavier’s new chaplain, but little do they know there is much more to him.
After years of serving at different churches across the world, even serving right next door at Brophy College Preparatory from 1998 to 2002, Cartwright has officially started his ministry at Xavier.
Danielle Lambert, head of campus ministry, said having Cartwright, a Jesuit priest, is a blessing, as he is a “wise council,” and brings a great sense of “mission and identity as to what it takes to have a thriving campus ministry and to connect with the students.”
Since her brother is also a Jesuit priest who has known Cartwright for many years, principal Carol Ann Michaelson ‘89 was previously familiar with him, and thinks of him as “a really lovely person – just kind, easy-going, and eager to be a part of the Xavier community.”
Michaelson appreciates his history working in campus ministry and his understanding of the needs of the school at a deeper level.
Cartwright said he considered a variety of careers – some being a fireman, teacher and even a doctor, but as one of five boys in his family, his mother had always hoped at least one of them would join the priesthood. Eventually, priesthood stuck.
As a music lover and musician himself growing up, Cartwright played the trumpet and piano, sang in the choir and enjoyed an assortment of different music genres. Although he never played on a team because he didn’t want to “break the hands” he needed for band, he is a big fan of football, specifically college football. Since he grew up in Long Beach, California, he is loyal to the western teams, and will especially be rooting for Arizona State this year.
He enjoys chocolate as his favorite snack, describing it to be one of his strongest cravings. Cartwright may have a strong love for chocolate, but he has found an even deeper love in the priesthood.
“Every day is different, which is one of the reasons I love this work,” Cartwright said. “I don’t like routine, so I like the spontaneous ability of this lifestyle.”
“Jesus is a brother, as well as Lord, and so I feel it is possible to have some sort of holy intimacy with Him. For 46 years, I have preached again and again about His life, and I am still learning the aspects of His life,” he said.
For those in search of guidance when it comes to their relationship with Jesus, Cartwright advises, “If you treat Jesus like a friend, then you have to be honest. You can be mad at your friend, but you work it out and stay friends. Really, it is a commitment.”
“If it’s a friendship, it means this person loves me, and that I love this person, which can be a bit of a challenge,” Cartwright said. He explained that the focus is not about what you can get from the relationship, but what you can give to the relationship.
He says he hopes students feel comfortable to be themselves around him and know they are appreciated by him. “I am not here to tell them what to do with their lives. If anything, I’d like to be a friend,” he said.
“I believe in Jesus as our God and as someone who loves us enough to want to be with us. So I hope as people spend time with me, they can see I really do believe that,” explained Cartwright.
He expressed his hopes that his own example and love for Jesus can shine into the lives of others as well.
“From the perspective of when I began the priesthood, it looked like this was a worthy and worthwhile way to spend my life: helping others, being present for others, and doing good,” Cartwright said. “I can say over the years, not only was that true, but nobody could have had a more rewarding and meaningful life as I have.”
