About Us
Special Studies
Frederico Gianelli, SJ
Frederico is Brazilian-Uruguayan. Before entering the Society, he worked at Stanford Medical Center in Stanford, California, as a board-certified chaplain specializing in palliative medicine chaplaincy. He earned an equivalent of a Master of Divinity from the Facultad de Teologia-Monseñor Mariano Soler in Montevideo, Uruguay. As a minor seminarian, he was inspired by the Jesuits working in social justice ministries. During regency, he was a campus minister and the director of adult faith formation at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. He was most recently studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. Currently, he is serving as a minister and hospice chaplain in Belize City, Belize
John W. Guyol, SJ
John received a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Villanova University in Villanova, PA. After joining the Society he completed his First Studies at St Louis University in Missouri. He later performed his Regency as a teacher for two years at Jesuit High School in Portland, OR and then in Cameroon he studied French while working for JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service). His Theology studies were completed at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkley, CA and he was ordained in 2021. Currently, he is a graduate student working toward an MBA in Sustainable Solutions at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, CA.
Brett Helbling, SJ
Brett met the Jesuits at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Washington and attended the University of Portland earning a BBA in accounting. Hoping there was more to life than financial statements and unqualified audit reports, Brett became a professional volunteer in the Peace Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps where he respectively served in Costa Rica and at Dolores Mission Parish in Boyle Height, Los Angeles. Brett enjoys eating (always), running (sometimes) and sharks (never). He completed First Studies at ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara. Currently he is working toward a Master of Social Work at University of Washington in Seattle, WA.
Alex Llanera, SJ
Prior to entering the Society, Llanera graduated from Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He completed his First Studies at Saint Louis University in Missouri and finished Theology studies at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA. He did his Regency at St Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco as well as at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. He was ordained in 2018. He is currently a graduate student in Ignatian spirituality at Pontifical Comillas University in Madrid, Spain.
Lucas Sharma, SJ
Lucas graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington with a BA in sociology and economics and an MA in sociology from Loyola University Chicago. In between his academic studies, Lucas served as a Jesuit Volunteer in Washington, DC. He has also been a volunteer in homeless shelters in the US, as well as in Florence, Italy, while a student at Gonzaga. Lucas completed his First Studies at Fordham University in New York and performed his Regency as a lecturer in sociology at Seattle University in Washington. He completed his theology studies at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California and was ordained in June 2022. Currently, he is working on a PhD in Sociology at UC San Diego.
Phillip Sutherland, SJ
Phillip earned a degree in religious studies and chemistry from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. While attending college he served as an ongoing intern with the Washington State Division of Developmental Disabilities and served as an assistant to a L’Arche community. He completed his First Studies at Loyola University Chicago and performed his regency at St Andrew Nativity School in Portland, Oregon and Gonzaga University in Spokane. He completed his Theology studies at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He was ordained in 2017 and then returned to student life. Currently, he is a doctoral student in philosophy at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Rob Van Alstyne, SJ
Prior to entering the Society, Rob earned a degree in philosophy from Boston College. He completed his First Studies at St. Louis University in Missouri and performed his Regency at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon. He studied Theology at Regis College in Toronto, ON, Canada. He was ordained in 2019. Currently, he is a doctoral student in philosophy at Boston College.