Dean Katz Installation Service

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Dean Katz Installation Service
Join us this evening for the Installation of the Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz as the Cathedral’s twenty-sixth Rector and ninth Dean. The bilingual service will be presided over by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas at 6:30 p.m. Childcare available.

Hoy viernes 3 de noviembre a las 6:30pm en la Catedral el servicio de instalación del Dean Katz será presidido por el Reverendo C. Andrew Doyle, Obispo de Texas. Habrá servicio de guardería.

About Dean Katz

Nat was called to Christ Church Cathedral Houston from The American Cathedral in Paris (formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity), one of the oldest English-speaking churches in the “City of Lights” where he has been the Cathedral Canon since September, 2020.

During his time at The American Cathedral in Paris, Nat was entrusted with leadership and oversight for the American Cathedral’s Children, Youth and Family Ministry, its Mission and Outreach Ministry, and its Young Adult Ministry. While in Paris, Nat also initiated the development and organization of a Las Posadas celebration during the Advent season, creative forms of worship such as a monthly Jazz Vespers service, and liturgical practices for parish study during the Lenten season. Nat was also principal in leading the European Convocation Youth Program during the American Cathedral in Paris Centenary Celebration in 2023.

Prior to joining The American Cathedral in Paris’ staff, Nat spent four years as an Associate Rector at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California. During his time at All Saints’ Nat had leadership over administration, liturgy, outreach, volunteer training, and ministries for youth and adults.

Nat was born and raised in the Summit-Morristown area of New Jersey. He began his spiritual path in the Lutheran church where he was deeply involved in church youth activities. As a high school student, Nat was invited to join a ground-breaking ministry that trained church youth to educate their high school peers about HIV with the goal of reducing transmission and building compassion for those living with the disease. This experience revealed his leadership and ministry skills, kindling an early interest in ordained ministry.

He left New Jersey to attend the University of Southern California where he received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Cum Laude, in 2002. During the summer between his sophomore and junior years, Nat held an internship with the Immigrant and Refugee Services Division of Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey. That experience brought him into contact with the realities of global migration and the great risks that are taken by those seeking safety, security, and a better life.

After graduating from the University of Southern California, Nat spent several years in strategic communications, advertising, community partnership development, and providing major giving and grant making support for Southern California Public Radio, an affiliate station of National Public Radio. It was during this time that Nat found the Episcopal Church, which was where he continued to explore how societal issues and religion could be reconciled in his life. His search for reconciliation led him to pursue a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 2010.Upon graduation from Harvard Divinity School, Nat was chosen to be an Epps Fellow at The Memorial Church, Harvard University, where he served as chaplain ministering to the undergraduate community from 2010 -2013. He served as chaplain there during the transition period following the death of beloved Harvard Divinity School faculty member, the Reverend Peter Gomes. It was there where his heart “came alive” with the prospect of ordination.

Nat returned to Los Angeles, California in 2014 and became Communications Director at Claremont School of Theology where he was responsible for strategic communications that supported fund raising, admissions, interfaith institutional partnerships, and community engagement. Nat also served as Chaplain for College Ministries at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral where he was responsible for designing and implementing a community of prayer and fellowship for students and young adults in the Los Angeles Metro Area. His work in developing interfaith relationships and ministries resulted in Nat being selected to be among a cohort of 50 rising leaders (aged 24-40) working in Los Angeles “at the intersection of faith, pluralism, and social change.” Nat was ordained to the priesthood in 2015 in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

Nat is passionate about interfaith and multicultural ministries, outreach, and expanding the reach of God’s love for all in creative forms.

Nat co-founded two chapters of Laundry of Love, a movement that works in partnership with local laundromats to provide monthly free laundry service to those in need. He has served on the board of the Pico Union Project, a nonprofit community and artistic organizing space housed in the oldest synagogue built in the City of Los Angeles, and has served on the Diocesan Program Group for Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Emergent and Creative Ministries.

Nat and his wife Shelly were married in July, 2023. Shelly is an international art consultant from Wilmington, North Carolina. Nat and Shelly met in Paris, and though they have both loved their time in France, they are excited about joining the Cathedral family.

Nat loves to read, cook, and travel; and describes himself as a “deep contemplative” by nature. He strives to make time to walk, read, listen to music, meditate, and be still daily. As for his gifts, he considers his listening skills and being “present” among his strong traits.

An Evening with Dean Katz

You can also view directly on Vimeo.