Chris Jordan, SNJM

Sister Chris Jordan, the second of five children born to Patrick and Irene Jordan, grew up in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood of Southeast Portland, OR. After graduating from St. Agatha Grade School, she headed off to St. Mary’s Academy, where she first came to know the Sisters of the Holy Names.

By the end of her experience at St. Mary’s, Chris felt a call to religious life and a deep desire to teach. With 12 fellow adventurous souls, she entered the Sisters’ novitiate at Marylhurst.

After graduating from Marylhurst College, Sister Chris finally got to be in the classroom. She taught for 10 years in North Portland at Assumption and Holy Redeemer grade schools. This was followed by 32 years at St. Ignatius in Southeast Portland. During this time, she earned a master’s degree in Learning Disabilities at Western Oregon University. She worked on using standardized testing at archdiocesan schools, and continues to do so at St. Ignatius.

Sister Chris loved EVERYTHING about teaching, except perhaps playground duty. She enjoyed being part of providing a challenging, faith-filled and fun place for kids to learn and become. She is most grateful to her students, who are her joy and of whom she is so proud, and to their families.

She also was a foster parent for the state for several years, providing a home for five children. She felt it to be a quite rewarding and humbling experience.

Sister Chris is thankful for her family, friends and her colleagues for their love and companionship. She is filled with gratitude to the Sisters of the Holy Names for their inspirational, ministerial and gracious lives, and for the opportunity to be “companions on the journey” with these extraordinary women.