Welcome Father AJ Houston

Notre Dame High is proud to welcome our new chaplain, Father AJ Houston, following his ordination in June, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.  Father AJ will be sharing his time between Notre Dame and St. Stephen Catholic Church.  Fr. Alexander (A.J.) Houston grew up in a Navy family that eventually settled in Farragut, Tennessee. In school he developed a love of music, and so after graduating from Farragut High School in 2011, he attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after college and served as an Army Musician stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Inspired by the preaching and joy of some influential Army Chaplains, and discerning a call to lifelong selfless service, A.J. applied as a seminarian for the Diocese of Knoxville, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. He graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and he serves in the U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate Program. He looks forward to following God’s call to a diverse set of vocations, including priest, Army Chaplain, teacher, and musician.