International Jesuits in the Midwest Province
THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF THREE FEATURES ON INTERNATIONAL JESUITS. MANY OF THESE MEN ARE SUPPORTED IN THEIR FORMATION BY THE GENEROUS BENEFACTORS OF THE MIDWEST PROVINCE. IN ADDITION TO BRINGING JESUITS TO THE UNITED STATES, THE MIDWEST PROVINCE ALSO SENDS JESUITS OVERSEAS TO STUDY. THIS PAST SUMMER, NEWLY ORDAINED FR. MATTHEW IPPEL, SJ, ASSISTED REFUGEES IN THE MABAN REGION OF SOUTH SUDAN
To support the education and training of these Jesuits and all Jesuits in formation, please visit jesuitsmidwest.org/support-us
Mr. Pablo Velaquez, SJ
From the Caribbean Province, Mr. Velaquez recently finished his first studies at Loyola University Chicago and now teaches at a Jesuit high school in Jamaica.
Fr. Tshikolu Kazadi, SJ
From the Central Africa Province, Fr. Kazadi is continuing in his PhD studies in environmental climate engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. He is conducting research in Kinshasa and Brussels as he works on the final two chapters of his dissertation.
Fr. Arek Ciemiega, SJ
From the South Poland Province, Fr. Ciemiega is a campus minister at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., and completed his online masters in education leadership through Creighton University.
Mr. Pablo Velaquez, SJ
From the Caribbean Province, Mr. Velaquez recently finished his first studies at Loyola University Chicago and now teaches at a Jesuit high school in Jamaica.
Fr. Rajesh Somepalli, SJ
From the Patna Province, Fr. Somepalli is studying for a PhD in education at Marquette University in Milwaukee. The focus of his dissertation will look at the impact of digital communication on education in North India with a focus on the most socially marginalized groups in Bihar.
Fr. Oscar Momanyi, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Fr. Momanyi is studying for a PhD in theology at Marquette University. His dissertation focuses on Pope Francis’ integral ecology and synodality process for the Church in Kenya.
Fr. Oscar Nduri, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Fr. Nduri is in PhD studies in theology at Marquette University. He focuses on radicalization-deradicalization and the role of faith in his journey. He also helps at the MU Center for Peacemaking.
Mr. Greg Okumu, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Mr. Okumu is in his second year of regency at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, where he teaches both theology and computer science and helps with sports and extracurriculars including soccer and trapshooting.
Mr. Diego Avalos, SJ
From the Ecuador Province, Mr. Avalos completed his English as a Second Language courses at Creighton University in Omaha and was active in the Jesuit community and faith life on campus.
Fr. Paul Coelho, SJ
From the Kohima Jesuit Region, Fr. Coelho is well known across the Midwest Province for his doctoral studies in education at Marquette University; his 10 years in apostolic work at Mahvpíya Lúta | Red Cloud Indian school, Creighton University and Jesuit Academy in Omaha; and his work as provincial assistant for vocations. Father Coehlo currently serves as regional development director for the Kohima Region.
Mr. Sebastián Zúñiga Acurio, SJ
From the Ecuador Province, Mr. Acurio completed his English as a Second Language courses at Creighton University and has now advanced to theology studies in Brazil ahead of ordination. While at Creighton, Mr. Acurio was also active in faith life on campus.
Mr. Miguel Alvarado, SJ (left) and Mr. Julio Caldero, SJ (right)
From the Peru Province, Mr. Alvarado and Mr. Caldero recently studied English as a Second Language at Xavier University in Cincinnati. They also offered presentations at XU and other area ministries regarding Jesuit work in the Peru and Argentina- Uruguay provinces.
Fr. James Ayaga, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Fr. Ayaga received his EdD from Creighton University in 2025. Studying remotely, his thesis focused on the phenomenological study of teacher education among primary school teachers in South Sudan.
Mr. Raúl Andrés Véliz Quinto, SJ
From the Ecuador Province, Mr. Quinto is studying English as a Second Language at Creighton University. He recently finished his regency at Unidad Ecuativa San Felipe Neri in Riobamba, Ecuador.
Little Sisters of Saint Francis
While not legally or financially sponsored by the Midwest Jesuits, four Little Sisters of Saint Francis, from Kenya, are sponsored by a Midwest Jesuit institution, Saint Ignatius College Prep. The Sisters continue their work in formation, teaching, retreats, spiritual direction, counseling and vocation promotion. They also serve as sacristans at the school and Church of the Holy Family. Their community resides in the former Saint Procopius Convent in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.
From left, Little Sisters of Saint Francis Srs. Edelquine Shivachi, Mary Njane, Bernadette Wanza and Juditta Njau.
To support the education and training of these Jesuits and all Jesuits in formation, please visit jesuitsmidwest.org/support-us
IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER
Saint Ignatius College Prep senior Courtney Beatty (’26) at The Narrows in Zion National Park as part of the Chicago high school’s On Holy Ground summer course.
Photo: Fernando Fonseca