Our Parish

Fr. Chris Schroeder
Parochial Administrator
Christ the King and St. Joseph Parishes
7/1/25 - Present
frchris@ctks.net

I am glad to have the opportunity to serve as your pastor.  I look forward to helping you connect to the grace and love of Jesus Christ! 

I grew up in Manchester, MO with my parents and two younger siblings.  My parents gave me the gift of a Catholic education, starting at St. Joseph Elementary in Manchester (now closed) and then going to De Smet Jesuit for high school.  From there I attended Saint Louis University for two years, where I took adult responsibility for my faith life for the first time and began working on my spiritual well-being. 

Through that process, I began to discern the religious life, since I greatly admired the Jesuits I had known at De Smet and SLU.  After sophomore year, I entered the Jesuit novitiate and would spend the next 12 years in formation as a Jesuit.  (Of course, this entailed many travels and assignments… keep tuning in for more details!)  I was ordained in 2014 at St. Francis Xavier (College Church) here in St. Louis. 

After ordination, I served in Kansas City at Rockhurst University, in Dallas at Montserrat Retreat House, and back in St. Louis at my alma mater De Smet.  Over the course of time, it became clear that while I continued to love and respect the Jesuits and their way of life, I did well personally with more stable surroundings than most Jesuits are allowed.  In 2021, I began a two year leave of absence from the order in which I discerned my next step.  During that time I worked at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur in community health, helping patients who came to the ER without insurance. 

Through the course of my leave, I became aware that I wanted to continue with ministry and that the St. Louis Archdiocese was the best place to do that for me.  In 2023 Archbishop Rozanski graciously accepted me for a trial period (which concluded April, 2025), during which time, I have served at St. Justin Martyr parish in Sunset Hills, and at St. Charles Borromeo/St. Peter parishes in St. Charles. 

While it was hard to leave my previous assignment, I am excited to be with you all in University City and Clayton!  I am confident that we will all help each other grow closer to God and to make the Gospel truly present in our world and our lives. I look forward to learning from you all what makes your communities special and how the Holy Spirit is at work already.  Please pray for me as I begin to settle in, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of my story with you!

Fr. Chris

I come from a third-generation Catholic family living in Chennai (commonly known as Madras), India.  I was ordained a priest on April 17, 1997, as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (aka “Redemptorists”). 

I came to the USA in 2015 and was incardinated (became a priest of the Archdiocese of St Louis) in 2017 by Archbishop Robert Carlson. 

Prior to taking on the chaplaincy assignment at St Luke’s hospital, I served as an associate pastor at St Francis Borgia, Washington, MO and St Alban Roe, Wildwood, MO. 

Deacon Ray Keily
RETIRED

Born and raised in Richmond Heights, St. Luke's Parish.  Attended Maplewood-Richmond Heights schools, graduating in 1944.  Served in the Army, June 1944-December 1946.  Graduated from St. Louis University in 1949.  Also attended South Dakota College of A&MA, Yale and University of Minnesota.  Married Jane Lux in June of 1959.  They have four children (one deceased), 14 grandchildren and one great-grandson.  Deacon Ray has been a parishioner at Christ the King since 1961.  He was ordained a Deacon in June 1994.  

Deacon Dave Dille
ddille@ctkstl.com

I converted to our faith in college.  I made my Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil during my senior year and Karen and I were married the following summer.  I quickly became active in parish and school life and that activity continues to be a source of strength today.  I was inspired to become a deacon by our parish deacon, Ray Kiely.  His example of joy in his ministry spoke volumes to me in my calling.  He has been my mentor, colleague and friend.  Deacon Dave was ordained June 4, 2016. 

Karen Sheridan, Parish Secretary
RECTORY@CTKSTL.COM

I grew up in Florissant, MO and attended St. Sabina Parish and grade school. My high school years were spent at St. Mary’s Academy in O’Fallon, MO. I was married in 1984, we adopted our first daughter in 1990 and our second daughter in 1993. Our grand-daughter was born in 2007. Over the years we have lived in Cincinnati, OH; Pensacola, FL; Houston, TX; Austin, TX and back to Florissant in October, 2009. I began working at Christ the King in September, 2012 and what a blessing it has been. I am so thankful to be part of the Christ the King family.

Jo Ann Jost, Parish/School Admin.
jjost@ctks.net

My name is Jo Ann Jost. I am a life-long resident of St. Louis. My husband, John, and I have three married children, six grandchildren with another due in October. I graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in biology. I taught elementary school for 20 years – first at St. James the Greater and later at Holy Infant School. During my last seven years, I worked at St. Roch School as the administrative assistant. At Christ the King, I will be assisting both in the school and the rectory. I am so happy to be part of the Christ the King community. Everyone has been so welcoming.

Dawn Riske,
Music Director
driske@ctkstl.com

Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm was a fine beginning for my life.  Church was important to our family, and my love for music was nurtured through school choirs singing in church, fine music played on the pipe organ, and the encouragement of the larger community.  My first piano teachers were nuns!  Choral and instrumental training throughout my educational years were part of my journey to a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in Sacred Music.  My involvement with colleagues in the American Guild of Organists and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians provides a great support for ministry. What a joy to be serving Christ the King, where the blessing of music is deeply appreciated.  Soli Deo Gloria.   

Kate Rehkemper, Communications
krehkemper@ctkstl.com

Kate is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and moved to University City in 2012 when she married her husband, Gavin. She grew up in Kansas City, MO and Dallas, TX, and has also lived in Des Moines, IA and Madison, WI. As a teen, she participated in her church's youth ministry and loved attending Catholic HEART Workcamp.