Seven New Jesuits In California

Brendan Busse, 30, from Los Angeles, California, has a BA in English from Loyola Marymount University. He taught religion at a high school in Greater Los Angeles and did Jesuit Volunteers International Belize for two years. Most recently, he has been working in Campus Ministry at LMU as Director of Community Service and Social Justice. He enjoys reading, writing, film, playing the guitar, and travel.

Andrew Laguna, 21, from Chino Hills, California, has a BS in biological sciences from the University of California, Irvine. He has helped as a retreat leader with the confirmation program at his parish and has worked as a barista for a well-known coffee seller. Andrew enjoys running, soccer, and reading.

Curtis Leighton, 24, from Seattle, Washington, has a BA in English from the University of Notre Dame. After graduation, he worked for the past two years as a teacher at a grade school in Gilroy, California, for the “Teach for America” program. Curtis enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities, cooking, and American Literature.

Alex Llanera, 20, from Sacramento, California, went to Jesuit High School in Sacramento and has a bachelor’s degree with majors in political science and theological studies from Loyola Marymount University. He organized a service trip for LMU students to the Philippines. His interests include playing cards, politics, recreational reading, and working out.

Justin Mungal, 23, from Santa Clara, California, has a BA in statistics from UC Berkeley. He worked briefly as a high school math teacher in El Paso, Texas, for the “Teach for America” program. He enjoys traveling and spent two months on a backpacking trip through Australia. Justin also enjoys swimming and playing the drums and is learning to play the guitar.

Travis Russell, 23, from Roseburg, Oregon, has a BS in global security and intelligence studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. He has done volunteer work in his parish. Travis is interested in aviation and Islamic culture; in his free time he enjoys biking, hiking, scuba diving, and golf.

Robert Van Alstyne, 22, from San Carlos, California, has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Boston College. He has worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, as a counselor at a summer youth camp, and as a volunteer tutor for middle-school students. He enjoys swimming, playing acoustic guitar, singing, hiking, camping, reading, and listening to classical music.

Link to the post entitled Meet the new California Jesuit Novices at the blog The Tech Stop.