THIS IS THE SECOND 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 SUMMER, NEWLY ORDAINED FR. MATTHEW IPPEL, SJ, WILL RETURN TO THE MABAN REGION OF SOUTH SUDAN.
Fr. Jean Audrey Touloulou, SJ
From the West Africa Province, Fr. Touloulou, or Fr. “JAT,” works in campus ministry at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and is working on a master’s in education through the online program at Creighton University. Next year he will experience more classroom time, including French co-teaching and regular assistance in theology classes.
Fr. Jarosław “Jarek” Mikuczewski, SJ
From the Polish Southern Province, Fr. Mikuczewski is a visiting instructor in Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. He is also an associate professor of philosophy at Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow, Poland. With a PhD in healthcare ethics from Saint Louis University, he is well-positioned to teach at a Midwest Province university’s professional school of health sciences.
Mr. James Kamau, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Mr. Kamau recently completed his requirements for a master’s in engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy and stayed on for a semester at UDM in an internship with his mentor, Dr. Nassif Rayess. Mr. Kamau is doing sustainability consultation for Catholic non-profits to lessen their carbon footprints and energy expenses.
Fr. Benard Omondi, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Fr. Omondi is a campus minister at University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He is studying in his third of four years for an EdD in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University in Omaha. In November, he received honorary induction into the Jesuit honor society, Alpha Sigma Nu.
Fr. Fabrice Kameni, SJ
From the West Africa Province, Fr. Kameni is in his second year of PhD studies in computer science at Marquette University in Milwaukee. His specialty is cyber- security, and he has provided occasional pro bono help to small groups including the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He co-ministers to the Francophone African diaspora community in Milwaukee with Fr. Deogratis (below), and celebrates weekly Sunday Mass.
Fr. Fikiri Deogratias, SJ
From the Central Africa Province, Fr. Deogratias is working on a PhD in education at Marquette University in Milwaukee. His focus is leadership analysis in higher education, and the intersection of mission and business leadership. He also serves as resident chaplain of Schroeder Hall, co-ministers to the Francophone African diaspora community in Milwaukee with Fr. Kameni (above), and celebrates weekly Sunday Mass.
Fr. Fikiri Deogratias, SJ
From the Central Africa Province, Fr. Deogratias is working on a PhD in education at Marquette University in Milwaukee. His focus is leadership analysis in higher education, and the intersection of mission and business leadership. He also serves as resident chaplain of Schroeder Hall, co-ministers to the Francophone African diaspora community in Milwaukee with Fr. Kameni (above), and celebrates weekly Sunday Mass.
Fr. Mahesh Nayak, SJ
From the Jamshedpur Province of India, Fr. Nayak is working on a PhD in biomedical sciences at Creighton University in Omaha. His presentation, “Exploring the Impact of Stress Hormone in Auditory and Vestibular Function,” received the Best Graduate Student Oral Presentation award in the university’s Research Week. He also offers regular Masses in the Nursing School of Health Sciences and rotates at St. John’s Parish.
Fr. Amit D’Souza, SJ
From the Goa Province of India, Fr. D’Souza works in administration, special projects and campus ministry at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha. He also coaches cross country and soccer and is working on an EdD in interdisciplinary leadership at Creighton University in Omaha.
Fr. Ngondwe Ponsiano, SJ
From the Eastern Africa Province, Fr. Ponsiano ministers at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, Fla., where he is working on a PhD in social work at Florida State University. His focus is inclusive education for refugee children with disabilities, and his research stems from his observations of Jesuit Refugee Services at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, which serves Sudanese, Ethiopian and Somali refugees.
Ursuline Franciscan Sisters
While not financially supported by the Midwest Jesuits, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters are sponsored by a Midwest Jesuit institution, MahVpiya Lúta | Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota, and contribute to its mission. The partnership began after a 2017 visit to South Dakota by Kohima Regional Superior Fr. Arul Susaimanickam, SJ. Following a conversation with the Midwest Province, and outreach to the Major Superior of the Ursuline Sisters in India, the first two Sisters arrived in South Dakota in November of 2018.
(Foreground, from left) Ursuline Franciscan Srs. Mary Dukru, Rana Rosalia Phuba, Catherine Neiketounuo Thakro and Otoli Sumi.
IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER
The 2025 ordinands at Madonna della Strada Chapel on the campus of Loyola University Chicago following ordination Mass at St. Ita Church in Chicago.
Photo: Steve Donisch