2022 Novices

MacLean, 32, graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane and earned a bachelor’s in international studies from Point Loma Nazarene University. He taught history and was a speech and debate coach at Gonzaga Prep, which is where his discernment process with the Jesuits began. In 2019, he took a pilgrimage in China following the route of Matteo Ricci, SJ, from Macau to Beijing; it was on this trip that he decided to apply to the Society of Jesus. MacLean likes reading, watching football and writing.

Tyler, 27, graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 2020 with a bachelor’s in political science. He recently finished a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Oakland, California, as a crew supervisor for a conservation corps. Tyler encountered the Jesuits through the writings of Anthony de Mello, SJ, and Daniel Berrigan, SJ, while in college. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts and going for hikes.

Charlie, 23, graduated from Avon High School and then entered college seminary for the Diocese of Cleveland at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, Ohio. While in seminary, he attended John Carroll University, where he first encountered the Society of Jesus up close. During his first year of major seminary at St. Mary Seminary in Wickliffe, Charlie began discerning a call to Jesuit priesthood. He enjoys reading, listening to and playing music, and watching various series and documentaries on Netflix.

Tony, 43, has a bachelor’s in music from the University of Southern California and a master’s in commercial music from California State University. He also attended the Southern California Conservatory of Music where he learned how to read Braille music, play piano and use adaptive music technology. He is a professional musician and has played the drums for more than 30 years. He taught music, including percussion, piano, Braille music and vocal techniques. Tony likes watching movies and reading, especially science fiction.

Jonathan, 24, graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California. He has a bachelor’s in philosophy and humanities for teaching from Seattle University and a master’s in educational studies from Loyola Marymount University. At Seattle U, he attended retreats, sang in the choir and became passionate about Jesuit education. He spent two years as a high school math teacher in Phoenix and spent a summer teaching at the Jesuit high school in Lusaka, Zambia. Jonathan enjoys golfing, hiking, cooking and reading.

Samuel, 23, has a bachelor’s in accounting and finance from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He has worked as a barista and an accountant and volunteered as a youth leader at a Spanish-speaking parish. He has a strong interest in and devotion to St. Aloysius Gonzaga. By learning about the discernment of spirits and attending vocation retreats, Samuel confirmed a calling to the Society of Jesus. He enjoys playing soccer and following Formula One.

Tiga, 26, studied philosophy at the Institut de Philosophie Saint François de Sales in Port-au-Prince from 2019 to 2022. He worked at Holy Cross School in Fonds-Verettes as a substitute teacher, as well as a bursar and disciplinary officer for two years. He was introduced to the Jesuits in 2018 through his spiritual director Fr. Stanley Charles, SJ. Tiga taught catechism at Collège Saint-Ignace, which also nourished his desire to join the Society of Jesus. He enjoys listening to music.

James, 25, graduated from Boston College High School and received a bachelor’s in philosophy and Catholic Studies from the College of the Holy Cross. He earned a master’s in education from the University of Notre Dame, where he was an Alliance for Catholic Education fellow, teaching at St. Mark the Evangelist in Harlem, New York. The Jesuits James met at Boston College High and Holy Cross influenced his vocation, as did the Jesuit educational background of his grandfather and parents.

Mark, 30, received a bachelor’s in philosophy from Providence College in Rhode Island and a master’s in theology and ministry from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, where he first met the Jesuits. He worked as a service area director for the Boy Scouts of America and as a campus minister and director of retreats and liturgy at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, where he fell in love with Ignatian spirituality. Mark enjoys cooking and basketball.

Shimicky, 22, graduated from high school in 2020 and then worked as a secretary at a parish. He learned about Ignatian spirituality through the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King, which awakened his desire to journey with the Jesuits. During his time as a Jesuit candidate, Shimicky spent four months at the Manresa Spirituality Center and in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, working as a civics teacher at the Foi et Joie school. He likes music, soccer and reading

Lee, 27, has a bachelor’s in English from Louisiana State University and spent time volunteering at a YMCA in South Africa after graduating. He was an aquatics manager at the YMCA and a fundraiser and grant writer for a zoo. He grew up in the United Methodist Church; during his conversion to Catholicism, he read the works of Karl Rahner, SJ, which led him to seek out more Jesuit writers. Lee’s hobbies include sailing and playing water polo and rugby.

Alex, 35, earned a bachelor’s in philosophy and theology from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and a doctorate in Eastern Christian Studies from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He spent six years living in Europe and has worked as a high school Latin and religion teacher at Sacred Heart Academy in Anniston, Alabama. The Jesuits he met before joining the Society served as important spiritual fathers to him and helped him see God’s love for his life. Alex enjoys swimming, reading, movies, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Gus, 28, was born in Japan and grew up in Berkeley, California, where he was received into the Catholic Church in 2012. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s in theology from Santa Clara University and Boston College, respectively, with formative travel to the Philippines, Rome, Brazil and the Holy Land shaping his vocational discernment. He served the homeless as a Jesuit Volunteer in Montana and most recently taught theology at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver. Gus enjoys swimming, cooking and hiking.

Will, 30, graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in May 2022. He is a mock trial national champion and worked as a law clerk to fight human trafficking. Will earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas A&M University, then attended the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio and later studied theology at The Catholic University of America. An Eagle Scout, Will enjoys backpacking, kayaking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Tom, 26, received his bachelor’s in history from the University of Chicago and spent a gap year working in Washington, D.C. He then earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Tom first encountered the Jesuits at the University of Chicago through Fr. Paul Mankowski, SJ, and became more familiar with the Society of Jesus through several Jesuits at Notre Dame. His hobbies include playing tennis, running and reading.

Todd, 24, grew up profoundly deaf and earned a bachelor’s in communications studies and business administration from the University of Nebraska, where he played football. He was introduced to the Jesuits after sustaining a career-ending injury his junior year and reading the story of St. Ignatius while in recovery. He worked as a student assistant for football at Nebraska and in campus ministry and with adults with intellectual disabilities. Todd enjoys Deaf culture, college athletics, swing dancing and visiting Lake Okoboji in Iowa.

Jon, 28, studied history and religion at Oberlin College, where he first encountered the Jesuits through the writings of Antonio Monserrate, SJ, and Daniel Harrington, SJ. After converting to the Catholic faith as a young adult, he participated in silent retreats and discernment visits to Jesuit communities. It was through these experiences he fell in love with Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit commitment to a faith that does justice. He spent three years working in the provost’s office at the University of Maine. Jon enjoys theater, travel and sailing.

Alejandro, 30, has a bachelor’s in history from the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia, where he met the Jesuits, who made the Catholic Church relevant to him. He earned a master’s in education from the University of British Columbia and taught history and English at a high school in Colombia. He also worked at a men’s homeless shelter, a group home for adults with disabilities and a nursing home. He has an interest in history, especially the early modern period.

Kyle, 22, is a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School and Marquette University, where he received a bachelor’s in classical languages and theology. He assisted the RCIA/confirmation program at Marquette’s campus ministry, worked as a proofreader for a publishing company and volunteered at soup kitchens. Getting to know the Jesuits at Fordham Prep and Marquette and having Daniel Gustafson, SJ, as a religion teacher, influenced Kyle’s vocation. He enjoys listening to music and hiking.

Kevin, 28, has a bachelor’s in psychology from UCLA. He was a retreat coordinator for the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative in Los Angeles. As a Jesuit volunteer, he served as a campus minister at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities in Minneapolis and as a case manager at Catholic Charities in San Jose, California. He spent five months living in community with Jesuits and volunteering at the Kino Border Initiative at the U.S.-Mexico border. He enjoys basketball, weightlifting and reading spiritual books.

Hai, 30, was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, and came to the U.S. at age 13. He earned a bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and then studied at St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana. He assisted with youth ministry at a parish and was involved with the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement. Hai enjoys designing houses and furniture, drawing, painting, and reading theology. He participated in the Three Weeks a Jesuit program last summer.

John, 23, graduated from Jesuit High School of New Orleans, where he was a member of the Sodality, National Honor Society and the tennis team. He also participated in campus ministry, peer support and choir. He recently received his bachelor’s in political economy from Tulane University, where he was an active member of the Catholic Center, belonging to the pro-life club and the student leadership team. John’s interests include reading and writing poetry, studying languages and literature, and conversations with friends.

Alvaro, 38, has a bachelor’s in history and Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a Spanish-language press secretary for former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and as deputy press secretary for former Congressman Xavier Becerra. He was co-coordinator of the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and volunteered as an interpreter for pro bono immigration attorneys. Alvaro’s hobbies include practicing guitar, taking walks and watching sports, especially the Lakers and Dodgers.

Eric, 32, has a bachelor’s in chemistry from Emory University, as well as master’s degrees in philosophy from Louisiana State University and in sustainability from Wake Forest University. He taught chemistry and physics at a high school, was a business analyst and director of strategy at Birdseye Renewable Energy, and was chief operating officer at Aspire Power Solutions. He volunteered for five years as a math tutor for elementary school students. Eric enjoys running, hiking, basketball and soccer.

Paul, 30, graduated from Whitman College with a bachelor’s in geology in 2015. He then worked as an environmental consultant on nuclear and petroleum cleanup efforts in Washington state. His experiences in young adult ministry in his home diocese of Fort Worth, along with those of fraternity life in college, inspired a love of service and communal living. His grandfather taught at Gonzaga University and planted the seeds of his interest in the Society of Jesus. Paul’s hobbies include weightlifting, backpacking and studying Mandarin Chinese.

Reed, 23, graduated from Nolan Catholic High School, where he was in the jazz, marching and concert bands, as well as the choir. He was also involved in musical theater and served as a Kairos leader. Reed later attended St. Joseph Seminary College and completed a degree in philosophy from Holy Apostles College & Seminary in May 2022. His pastimes include singing, hiking, rock climbing, and playing guitar, bass guitar and drums. He also enjoys deep conversations.

Leley, 22, graduated from high school in 2020 and then worked as a graphic designer, decorator and painter. He was in charge of altar servers at his home parish and was a member of the Eucharistic Youth Movement. He first learned about the Society of Jesus through a diocesan priest and became passionate about the Society after spending time in two Jesuit houses, where he saw their simplicity and commitment to the mission. Leley enjoys reading and music.

Jack, 23, first read about the Jesuits in grade school and started discerning more seriously in high school. His discernment took him to the College of the Holy Cross, where he majored in English and Catholic Studies. After graduation, he spent a year on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, living with Jesuits, teaching religion and English, driving a school bus, and coaching track. In his free time, Jack loves going on random adventures, hanging out with friends and being outside.

Mathieu, 34, studied philosophy at the Institut de Philosophie Saint François de Sales and psychology at the Université Notre-Dame d’Haïti, both in Port-au-Prince. He worked for two years as a parish secretary at Notre Dame d’Altagrace and was responsible for the altar servers at the Chapelle Sixtine Notre Dame de Fatima. He was part of the liturgy committee at his parish of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel and a member of the Legion of Mary. Mathieu enjoys reading and soccer.

Mitchell, 26, graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and earned a bachelor’s in philosophy from Georgetown University. He worked in sales at an insurance broker and a tech company. His time at Bellarmine Prep and Georgetown influenced his vocation to the Society of Jesus, as did retreats and Jesuit mentors, including Fr. Stephen Fields, SJ. Mitchell enjoys cooking, reading, history and biographies, and he has an interest in theology.

François, 25, has a bachelor’s in international studies and French from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s in law and diplomacy from Tufts University. He was a research fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, D.C.; a teacher and campus minister at Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York; and a teaching assistant at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. François’ hobbies include tennis, running and fencing.