Welcome - Fr. Peter Keller

As of July 1st, 2023, Fr Graham will be leaving the Elgin Roman Catholic Family of Parishes to pursue further priestly discernment with the Companions of the Cross. The Companions of the Cross are a Catholic society of apostolic life of Diocesan Right for priests based in Ottawa, Ontario.

The new pastor assigned to The Elgin Roman Catholic Family of Parishes is Fr. Peter Keller.  He is arriving from the position of Vice Rector of St. Peter's Seminary in London. Fr. Peter comes with a wealth of pastoral experience and is a good leader.  Please welcome him as he takes on this new challenge in his life.

Hello, I am Fr. Peter Keller and I am happy to be the newly appointed pastor of the Elgin Roman Catholic Family of Parishes.

I am currently serving the Diocese of London as the Vice-Rector of Formation and the Dean of Seminarians at St. Peter's Seminary.

I remind my seminarians that the best view of the seminary is in the rear-view mirror of your car when you leave… because the real adventure of vocation begins when you take that great leap of faith and go where God leads you.

I was ordained in 1995 and have served in many parishes throughout the diocese.  I have served in large dynamic parishes in the diocese and also served in strong small cohesive parishes.  Each cluster of parishes have given me great joy because you really never know what to expect.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.  10 years ago, when Bishop Fabbro asked me to continue my studies and return to the seminary as a formator of young seminarians, I was surprised.  But I took a leap of faith and went to study in Rome for two years.  It was hard work and I missed my parishes so much.  After receiving my License in Theology and Formation, it was strange to return to the seminary where I had studied.  The place still smelt the same but this time I was on the other side of the head table.

Over the years, there were many small leaps listening to the Lord's call, finally a few weeks ago the Lord spoke again in the voice of the Bishop, when he asked me to return to a parish.  Again, I was surprised but everything has fallen so wonderfully in place.  It is the Lord's work.

My first weekend in the family of parishes is the August long weekend.  With the bishop's support, I began planning a 30 day retreat in July last fall, not knowing this would be a time of transition. My spiritual director suggested it and I found a wonderful opportunity to make the retreat at the birthplace of St. Ignatius, Loyola in Spain.  It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend some quality time with the Lord by reflecting on scripture. 

It will be hard work so I ask you to keep me in your prayers during the month of July as I make the leap of faith from my work as a seminary formation director to serving you as your pastor. My prayer is that we may know, love and serve the Lord in all things.

Fr. Peter Keller

Please join in our Novena Prayer for our new Pastor: