Christopher Barreto ’84 – 2024 St. Ignatius of Loyola Award for Distinguished Service

Much like St. Ignatius, as a young man, Chris was not particularly tuned into his Catholic faith. Describing himself as privileged — his father was a physician who had immigrated from Brazil at age 28 to create a better life for his family — Chris attended Brophy but admits that he “was not very serious about it.” After graduation he headed to the University of Arizona, initially planning to study medicine. Chris notes, “I was distracted by all the things college life offered, and ultimately settled for a career as a pharmaceutical representative.” He continues, “I was living a pre-cannonball life — kind of selfish, definitely not being a man for others.”

After graduating from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in economics, and earning an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Chris moved to Philadelphia where he spent 15 years working in pharmaceuticals and enjoying big-city life. But his father had planted a seed that was starting to germinate… When Chris was a boy, his father would often take him along on weekend visits to older homebound patients. Although the young Chris did not particularly appreciate having to tag along, he did so knowing that afterward he and his father would play football or do something special together. Now as an adult living in Philly, Chris easily engaged with older adults. Whether in his apartment building, on city streets, in parks or restaurants, Chris enjoyed interacting with them — a gift he believes resulted from watching his father minister to his older patients.

In 2005, his mother asked him to consider coming home; his father was not well. Chris moved back to Phoenix to help care for his father who passed away in 2006. Chris calls this his ‘cannonball moment’ that led to a time of soul-searching where he began to recognize how all those special times with his father at a younger age were a ‘gift’ of being present to older adults in service. This led to a calling to medical social work. “The lessons taught by my father, combined naturally with my God-given gifts, led me straight to social work and seeking justice within the medical setting,” he says.

Inspired to help older adults, Chris completed a master’s degree in social work at ASU and worked in adult daycare, providing service and support for older adults and their families. Soon, the opportunity to pilot a medical resident home-visit program at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center brought Chris into a close working relationship with the Sisters of Mercy who first founded St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1895. “I now work mainly with immigrants,” says Chris. “They deal with so much systemic racial injustice. They are often sick from arduous journeys and chronic illnesses. They have a human right to health care.”

And Chris’ journey again intersects with Brophy, as he now works with the school’s Romero Program, a senior-level course in the Religious Studies Department. Chris notes, “Through interaction with Brophy students, it is possible to see how, in them and in me, the seeds of service are planted in our minds and hearts — indeed, they were there even when I wasn’t paying attention.”

He continues, “Today, I fully understand how important a Jesuit education is and that, in addition to my father’s influence, it led me here. I know I’m using my talents and God-given gifts in my work with the marginalized.”

Chris has also become a student of the concept of mercy. In 2019 Chris committed to becoming a Mercy Affiliate at St. Joe’s where he is focused on the mercy charism and practicing it on a daily basis. “We are actively engaged in the work the Sisters started and want to make sure the charism of mercy remains present,” he says, noting that mercy itself plays an important role in healing.

This year he graduated with a Master’s in theology from Georgian Court University where he studied mercy at a deeper level and across all faiths. Chris reflects, “Once, I listened only to my ego; now, I listen to my heart.”

Chris, thank you for being open to your own Ignatian cannonball moment and for the essential work you do advocating for the human right to quality health care. We are proud to recognize you as the 2024 recipient of the St. Ignatius of Loyola Award for Distinguished Service.