House Fathers

Vincent Sullivan, S.J.
Rector
Fr. Sullivan entered the Society of Jesus on July 30, 1965. After philosophy and theology studies, he undertook regency at Xavier High School in Chuuk, Caroline Islands and was ordained a priest in 1976. After ordination, Fr. Sullivan worked at Saint Ignatius Retreat House, Long Island (Inisfada) for two and-a-half years. Since 1979 he has served as parish priest and pastor of St. Anthony's Parish, Oceanside, N.Y.; Director of Inisfada; pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in New York and St. Peter's Parish in Jersey City. He was named rector of Ciszek Hall in 2004. 
(New York Province)

Greg Muckenhaupt, S.J.
Minister & Assistant Rector
Fr. Muckenhaupt entered the Society of Jesus in August 1977. After philosophy he was assigned to regency at Xavier High School in Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia. Following his ordination in 1989, he received his Masters degree in Oceanography and returned to Micronesia in 1992. During his time there Fr. Muckenhaupt served on the island of Pohnpei as the Director of the Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei; President of the Ponape Agriculture and Trade School; and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. He was assigned to Ciszek Hall in August of 2006.  (New York Province)

Jim Smith, S.J.
Assistant to the Rector & Spiritual Director
Fr. Smith entered the Society of Jesus in 1949 and was ordained in 1962. As a scholastic, he taught for one year at Canisius High School in Buffalo, then did graduate studies in mathematics at The Catholic University of America. He was a member of the Le Moyne College faculty from 1964 to 1993. Subsequently, he did spiritual direction and retreats while serving as minister and treasurer of the Jesuit communities at the St. Andrew Hall novitiate and at Le Moyne College From 2005 to 2007 he was a parish priest at St. Ignatius Loyola, Manhattan, joining the Ciszek Hall community in August 2007.  (New York Province)

Scholastics

Alejandro Baez,  S.J.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Alejandro was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco-Mexico and grew up in Reseda, CA. Before entering the Society, he worked as an accountant for four years and coordinated lay missionary work to native people in Oaxaca. He served as pastoral assistant, director of religious education and music minister for six years at St. Peter's Italian Church in Los Angeles. As Jesuit he visited and lived among the Yup'ik people at St. Catherine of Siena, in Alaska and also worked as living assistant in L'Arche Spokane and as a pastoral assistant, cantor and choir member at St. Agnes Church in San Francisco. His final assignment was at the Jesuit Conference in Washington, D.C. in the social and international ministries. He enjoys singing pop-opera, praise and worship, gospel, as well as playing the organ, tennis, running, and watching movies.  ( California Province).

Dennis Baker, S.J.
Buffalo, NY
Dennis, 27, is an alumnus of Canisius High School, Fordham University, and Niagara University. During both his undergrad years and graduate school, he studied in Ireland. After two years of teaching, he entered the Society in 2004. During his novitiate, he was missioned to Xavier High School in Micronesia. His interests include sports, barbecues, and things redheaded.  (New York Province)

Ravi Budhooram, S.J.
Jamaica, West Indies
(New England Province)

Julian Climaco, S.J.
Cebu, Philippines
Julian, 32, was born on the island of Cebu, Philippines, and grew up in Los Angeles, CA. Before entering the Society, he worked for eight years as a Registered Nurse with specializations in cardiology and occupational health. He also served as music director for his local parish and chorister for Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles. As a Jesuit in ministry, he has been to the Spokane Reservation in Wellpinit, WA, the L’Arche Community of Seattle, WA, and Campus Ministry at Santa Clara University. He is currently studying philosophy and music at Fordham, as well as exploring New York City during his free time. Some of his interests include singing, playing the piano, reading, and aviation.  (California Province)

Jim Donovan, S.J.
Long Island, NY
Jim, 43, grew up on Long Island and entered the Society of Jesus in 2004. He earned a B.A. in Biology from LeMoyne College; a MSEd in Bio/Ed from Fordham University and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration from Hofstra University. Prior to entering the Society, Jim spent 17 years in secondary education as both a science teacher and department chairperson. As A Jesuit, he has served as a hospital chaplain; worked in jail ministry and studied Spanish in Mexico. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and swimming.  (New York Province)

Ryan Duns, S.J.
Cleveland, OH
Ryan, 27, decided to forsake the rock-star life of an Irish accordion player in order to join the Society in 2004. As a Jesuit he has taught kindergarten, worked at the Little Wind River Reservation, taught remedial mathematics at the University of Detroit-Mercy, and spent his Long Experiment doing CPE at Loyola Medical Center in Chicago. Prior to entrance, Ryan earned a BA at Canisius College and an MA at John Carroll University. He enjoys teaching and performing Irish music and cooking.  (Detroit Province)

Quentin Dupont, S.J.
Lille, France
Quentin, 27, was born and raised in France, the youngest of four children. As a senior in college he studied abroad at Santa Clara University, where he completed a degree in economics, accounting and finance. After a year-long Master's degree at the Universite of Paris II in Finance, he entered the novitiate in California. In the novitiate he worked with Native Americans in Montana, with persons with mental disabilities at L'Arche in Spokane, WA, and at the University of San Francisco. Quentin is currently studying for the MA in Philosophical Resources at Fordham. Quentin enjoys movies, music and using spreadsheets.  (California Province)

Carlos D. Esparza, S.J.
Dallas, TX
Carlos, 28, hails from the great state of Texas. He graduated from Jesuit College Prep. in Dallas in 1998 and, thereafter, attended Harvard University where he received a A.B. in Computer Science. Carlos then worked for the federal government as a computer scientist before entering the Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit, he has enjoyed counseling juveniles in prison. He has also had the opportunity to teach mathematics in Houston, El Salvador, and Belize. He is a film aficionado. 
(New Orleans Province)

Peter Folan, S.J.
Massapequa Park, NY
Pete, 29, grew up on Long Island and entered the Society of Jesus in 2003.  He received his B.A. in Great Books and German from the University of Notre Dame (2000).  After graduation, he spent a year as a research associate for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and two years teaching religion at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, MD.  Since entering the Society, he has helped resettle refugees, studied Spanish in Mexico, worked at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, and served as a campus minister at Le Moyne College and Saint Joseph’s University.  (Maryland Province)

Kyle Gautreau, S.J.
Baton Rouge, LA
Kyle, 27, is a Southern expatriate living in New York City. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Louisiana State University. He enjoys the fiction of Walker Percy, the historical works of Shelby Foote, the films of Stanley Kubrick and the music of John Coltrane.  (New Orleans Province)

Avery Gray, S.J.
Jamaica, West Indies
Avery, 24, grew up in Jamaica and entered the Society of Jesus in 2005. Prior to entering the Society, Avery worked as a reporter at Reggaetimes Magazines and a Floor Attendant at the Monte Carlo casino. He was president of Our Lady of the Assumption Youth Assembly and Deanery One Youth Fellowship, a member of the Jamaica Red Cross Association and a member of Catholic Youth Ministry Jamaica. As a Jesuit, he has served as a Chaplin and Literacy teacher in jail ministry, studied Spanish in Bolivia, worked with the Anishinabe people in Wickwemikong, Ontario, Canada and at St. Ann’s Primary, Jamaica as a teachers’ aid. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, art and tennis.  (New England Province)

Nathan Halloran, S.J.
Vado, NM
Nathan grew up milking cows, riding horses, serving the poor and fighting abortion in Vado, New Mexico. He earned degrees in theology and philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville and entered the Society of Jesus after graduation.  He wants to be a missionary, preferably to Russia, but most of all wants to be a Catholic saint, despite being a Jesuit. He likes every sport invented except for croquet and bocce ball.  Recommended reading: Evelyn Waugh's "Edmund Campion."  (New Orleans Province)

Joseph Hill, S.J.
Scottsdale, AZ
Joe, 25, after spending his childhood years in Arizona, moved to England at aged 9. He attended Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit boarding school in the north of England. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA in Theology. At college, he played rugby for the Oxford under 21 team, and was captain of St. Benet’s Hall boat club. He spent one year in Rome, Italy, doing further studies in theology at the Gregorian University. In 2004 he entered the Society. As a Jesuit he has been missioned to McAllen, Texas, to work at a Hispanic parish; to Mobile, Alabama to live at a L’Arche community; and to Tijuana, Mexico to help at the Casa de los Pobres. He enjoys playing all sports, reading literature, and spending time with friends.  (New Orleans Province)

Christopher P. Johnson, S.J.
Minneapolis, MN
Christopher, 43, entered the Jesuit novitiate in August 2004 following a 13-year career in the executive search industry. Other professional experience included service on the executive staff of the Boy Scouts of America and work for a national trade association. Chris grew up in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. where he earned a B.A. in economics. As a student he worked as an intern for a U.S. senator and later for a member of the House of Representatives. Since entering the Jesuits, Chris has served as a volunteer at a child care center for children of new immigrants, lived with a L’Arche community in the Toronto area, spent a month on pilgrimage among the homeless in New York and Washington, D.C., volunteered for a non-profit that was formed to help revitalize 10 blocks of south Minneapolis, worked in development at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Reservation, taught CCD in the Bronx, and spent a summer on mission in the wilds of N.E. India. Chris enjoys variety in circumstance, engaging with others in meaningful work, and thinking and reading about things.  (Wisconsin Province)

Joseph Koczera, S.J.
Rochester, MA
Joe Koczera, 27, was born and raised in Southeastern Massachusetts. He holds degrees from Georgetown and Notre Dame and is currently in his second year of philosophy studies at Fordham. As a Jesuit novice, Joe worked in refugee resettlement programs in San Jose, California and Windsor, Ontario, taught social studies at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and studied Spanish at the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya in Lima, Peru. His academic and personal interests include Byzantine Christianity, Canadian history, and the politics of identity and memory in societies divided by language and religion. Joe enjoys browsing used bookstores, keeping up his French, listening to classical music and exploring Manhattan on foot.  (Chicago Province)

Justin Kopa, S.J.
Washington, D.C.
Justin, 26, was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Scranton, PA. Before entering the Society, he attended Georgetown University, where he studied biology and world religions. After graduation, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Syracuse, NY. He is currently in his second year of philosophy studies at Fordham and does biology research in a lab at NYU.  (Maryland Province)

Drew Marquard, S.J.
Cleveland, OH
Drew grew up on the west side of Cleveland, OH where he experienced the hardship of being a Cleveland sports fan. He attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and received a BA in Philosophy. After graduation he moved home to Cleveland where he worked as a Youth Minister and attended St. Mary's Graduate School of Theology. He entered the Society of Jesus in August of 2004. Since entering he has worked at a nursing home, as a kindergarten teacher, at an AIDs hospice in Greenwich Village, as a chaplain at the Oakland County Jail, and as a theology teacher at The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. He enjoys baseball, running marathons, Bruce Springsteen and Irish music, and watching movies.  (Detroit Province)

Jake Martin, S.J.
Chicago, IL
Jake Martin, 33, was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and he received his B.A. in Theatre from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before becoming a Jesuit, Jake performed and wrote improv and sketch comedy all throughout Chicago. His interests include Canada, tennis and reading.  (Chicago Province)

Brent Otto, S.J.
Framingham, MA
Brent, 28, is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history and was trained and certified to teach high school. Upon graduating, Brent received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and spent a year in India studying cultural and religious diversity in Catholic schools. Then he taught history at Auburn High School in Massachusetts for two years. In 2004 Brent entered the Jesuit novitiate in Syracuse, NY. As a novice he worked in Jail Ministry, hospice care, primary and secondary education, high school campus ministry in Jamaica and studied Spanish in Mexico. Currently he is working on a master’s degree in philosophy at Fordham University. He is involved with St. Martin of Tours Parish locally and a Christian Life Community at Fordham. Brent’s other interests include spiritual reading, Indian cooking, his family genealogy, foreign affairs, environmental issues, rowing and hiking.  (New England Province)

David Paternostro, S.J.
League City, TX
(New Orleans Province)

Martin O. Silva, S.J.
Manila, Philippines
Marty, 45, grew up in Manila and moved to California thereafter. He has an undergrad in Economics from the University of the Philippines, an MBA from Pepperdine University and has industry experience in banking, brokerage, telecommunications and shipping. Marty was involved in leadership positions in his parish Young Adult Group in San Francisco, where he also took courses from the School of Pastoral Leadership. His Jesuit experience has involved him with Katrina relief work in New Orleans, a L’Arche community in Seattle and campus ministry in Honolulu. He enjoys tennis, golf, badminton, SCUBA, photography and hanging out with friends.  (California Province)

Vincent Strand, S.J.
Dousman, WI
Vincent, 24, was born and raised in Dousman, Wisconsin. Before entering the Jesuit novitiate in St. Paul, Minnesota, he attended Marquette University where he studied biological sciences and theology when he wasn’t busy watching Marquette basketball. As a novice, Vincent served as a chaplain at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center in downtown Minneapolis, spent five months in Ecuador working in a variety of social apostolates, and wandered between monasteries in the Western United States during a one-month pilgrimage. His interests in basketball, baseball, fishing, and hunting help alleviate the perpetual suffering associated with being a Milwaukee Brewers fan.  (Wisconsin Province)

George Teodoro, S.J.
Renton, WA
George, 27, grew up in the Seattle area, and graduated from Seattle University with a BA in History. After studying Southeast Asian Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra, and working in real estate management, George entered the novitiate in Portland, OR. As a Jesuit, George has served in the recovery effort in New Orleans and as a live-in assistant at L'Arche Spokane, as well as teaching history, music and math at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, WA. George's interests include music, composition, swimming, baseball, cooking and all things nerd. (Oregon Province)

Quang D. Tran, S.J.
New Orleans, LA
Quang, 23, was born and raised in New Orleans where he attended Brother Martin High School. He is presently a senior at Fordham, finishing his bachleor in English and philosophy with a minor in dry humor. The Americans think he's Vietnamese, the Vietnamese think he's American, and the Chinese think he's Chinese. He's a bit confused himself.  (New Orleans Province)

Ike Udoh, S.J.
Walnut Creek, CA
Ike was born in the U.S. and grew up in Nigeria, emigrating back to the United States in 1997. Prior to joining the Jesuits in 2004, he completed a Bachelor's degree in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. Presently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Philosophy. His novitiate experiences include working at a battered women's shelter, Hospital ministry, parish work, teaching and Spanish language study in Mexico. Some of his hobbies are singing, walking (especially on the beach), reading and movies. (California Province)

Michael Wegenka, S.J.
Katy, TX
(New Orleans Province)

The Jesuit Provinces of the United States