Recent Graduates

I’m a native of the greater Sacramento area and grew up attending Catholic schools before attending the University of Alabama to earn my B.S. in commerce and business administration. While living in Tuscaloosa, I volunteered to assist in directing the high school youth ministry program at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish and served as an elementary reading mentor and college readiness mentor in local title I schools. My volunteer work at the parish and in the community was incredibly fulfilling and is what ultimately led me to pursuing a professional career in ministry. Upon graduation I returned to Sacramento and started working at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish as the Director of Mission and Outreach and Young Adult Ministry. When the opportunity arose to work in Campus Ministry at my alma mater, I jumped at the chance and currently serve as the Director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, California. In addition to my work in campus ministry, I also teach a senior-level theology elective focused on Catholic liturgy. My experience working in Catholic schools has shown me how the unique environment of Catholic education offers much when it comes to forming young people into compassionate leaders who can serve the Church and their communities. As I complete my M.A. in pastoral ministry, I look forward to continuing to serve in Catholic secondary education.

I’m sure there’s a CS Lewis quote I could use as a summary for this short bio…. While I was an undergraduate at Purdue in aerospace engineering, my aunt was completing her MDiv at St. Louis University on her way to becoming an Episcopalian priest. I enjoyed perusing her library and borrowing books during brief visits. The seed was planted then. But it wasn’t until my own children were in high school and college, and after reading copious amounts of CS Lewis’ work (and a little Tolkien), that I started the GPPM journey. I thought perhaps that through the five years of part-time class work I would discern what was next. A path forward clearly tied to the course work is not yet clear, and that’s okay. For now, I’ll continue playing my flute and singing at mass, catechizing little ones, finish building one last satellite, and accompanying colleagues through the challenges of work. Along with music and preaching/writing, I enjoy backpacking and hiking, spending time with family and friends, and cuddling with the 4 cats of our household. Ah, I found the necessary quote. My journey through the GPPM (including the 19th annotation) is better described by my favorite author: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity So, I’ll set my sails and see where the Holy Spirit blows….

I was born in El Salvador and came to the United States in 1986. I have been married to my husband, Roberto, for 35 years. We are the proud parents of two adult children, Monica and Robert. Over the past twenty-five years, I have served in various capacities as a minister in the Diocese of San Jose, where I am currently working as a Case Manager in the Tribunal Office. In addition, I graduated from the Institute for Leadership in Ministry (ILM) and the Diocese’s Advanced Lay Leader Program. The Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University has helped me grow in my spiritual and professional development. The program’s emphasis on pastoral care taught me how to blend mindfulness with active ministry. My journey through this program provided a space to integrate theological concepts, spiritual practices, and multicultural traditions, transforming my approach to church leadership. I am grateful to the professors for encouraging and challenging us to be and do our best, the administrative staff for keeping us on track and for all their support, and to my classmates for the camaraderie and prayers. I am leaving this program not just with a degree, but with a renewed commitment to continue serving the people of God.

I was raised as a 'cradle Catholic' and grew up with the teachings of the Church. I have always tried to do my best in my personal life, within my family, and at work. I feel very lucky to have a beautiful family—my parents, siblings, and relatives—and especially my son, who gave me the incredible gift of motherhood. I hold an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from the Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico City and a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from Santa Clara University. Throughout my career across various industries, I have consistently approached my work with deep dedication and passion. For the past several years, my goal has been to gain the theological, pastoral, and spiritual knowledge necessary to serve youth, young adults, and families within diverse communities. My son’s memories remain my greatest motivation to pursue this education. I am fully aware that I have much more to learn. I have a deep desire to continue growing in my understanding of God’s teachings. I am sincerely grateful to the faculty of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM) and its entire staff for helping me to achieve my goal. Each of you has had a profound impact on my religious and spiritual life. The seed has been planted, and I feel the 'flame of a candle' warming my heart to continue this journey.

Avenilde Sahagun was born and raised in Southern California as the oldest daughter of three. She still lives with her two loving parents, sister, and brother. Avenilde grew up participating in ministry from her parents' active participation in their home parish. She has a strong passion for ministry, she currently works as the religious education coordinator at St. Edward Parish in the San Bernardino Diocese. Before beginning the GPPM, she graduated from California Baptist University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She also started a master’s program in school counseling but put it on hold to pursue the GPPM. As she completes her studies in the GPPM program she is looking forward to continuing the masters program she put on hold. She is excited to see where God may lead her next but for now she will continue to journey with her community at the parish level. She is incredibly grateful for her family’s, friends’, and pastors’ support as she continues to pursue her calling in ministry.

In 2021, at 64, after a 20 year upbringing in Wisconsin and a 44 year tech career in Silicon Valley I entered the GPPM at SCU as part of the San Jose Diocese’s Lay Formation. By that time, I had established a family and a home, and the beginnings of an adult relationship with God and the community of St Catherine parish in Morgan Hill CA. As I reviewed my 15 GPPM courses over the last five years, I saw the GPPM was more than learning facts. Instead I saw a gradual inculturation of their “long view” about relationships with God, others, and myself. My consciousness, that had been focused on “short term” things before, now has a new set of eyes to experience and imagine a future life that includes service.

My name Chinyere means “God`s Gift” (Chi-God & nyere -gift) in my Igbo culture in Nigeria. In my cultural tradition, children are named after God in ways that reflect the circumstances surrounding their birth. I was born and raised in Nigeria, Africa, in a devoted Catholic family, where faith played a central role in shaping my identity and vocation. After completing my undergraduate studies in Nigeria, I began my missionary journey in Kenya, and I am currently continuing this mission in the United States with the Sisters of St. Rose of Lima. My primary ministry has involved serving vulnerable communities and accompanying women experiencing gender-based violence. I later enrolled in a one-unit Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, which inspired me to pursue chaplaincy. Alongside my background as a professional teacher, I furthered my studies by obtaining a master’s in counseling psychology. Throughout my ministry, I have found fulfillment serving in various roles, including volunteer work in both Africa and the United States. Currently, I serve as a hospital chaplain at Trinity Health. The Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministry (GPPM) has significantly enhanced my chaplaincy skills, particularly in engaging diverse denominations, and deepened my understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, Vatican II, and ecumenism. One of the most enriching aspects of the program has been the opportunity to build a community of learners. I greatly appreciated the relationships formed with fellow students and the guidance of dedicated professors, whose support and accessibility have been invaluable. The program’s leadership has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and formation. My hope is that this program will continue to form and inspire individuals who are passionate about ministering to the poor and marginalized, following the moral example and leadership of the Church as led by pope Leo XIV.

I was born in 1959 and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. As a cradle Catholic, I attended St. Mel’s Catholic School. Then I attended Bishop Borgess Catholic High School, and then the University of Detroit, a Jesuit school, where I received my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. In 1983, I received a master’s degree from Stanford University in electrical engineering and studied for two more years towards a PhD but left to start a company. I have been a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Palo Alto since 1982, married my wife, Veronica, in 1985, and we have been happily married ever since. We have two children and two grandchildren. Veronica is originally from Mexico City. We are also members of the Carmel Mission Basilica Parish in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I founded two startup companies. At Silicon Engines, I built a supercomputer for NASA’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Project. At Raycer Graphics, we developed high-end 3D computer graphics. After Raycer, I became a registered patent agent but went back to engineering and worked at Nvidia for 23 years, where I designed AI supercomputers. I attended the Institute of Leadership in Ministry, run by the Diocese of San Jose, and completed that three-year program in 2021. I complete the DSJ’s four-year Advanced Lay Leadership Program in 2025, that included 12 classes in pastoral ministry at SCU. For my MA, I chose to write a master’s thesis about AI, theology, and ministry. Overall, I have spent eight years studying Catholicism. Going forward, my primary ministry will be adult retreat programs at both of my parishes. I am thankful to all my SCU professors for great teaching and help in deepening my faith. I also treasure all the friendships I have made at SCU.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to God for the gift of being part of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM) at Santa Clara University. I am especially grateful to Dr. Joe Morris, Lynne Lukenbill, and Dr. Paul Schutz for welcoming me into this program, and to all who have walked beside me on this journey. GPPM was a dream I once held from afar, and now, it has become a life-giving reality. I was born and raised in Nigeria, and I later joined a religious community in Kenya. Being part of GPPM has been deeply enlightening and transformative. In November 2024, I experienced a profound loss when my beloved mother passed away following a car accident. But in the winter of 2025, taking the “Wounded Healer” course became a sacred space for me to process my grief. It deepened my understanding of pain, healing, and service. This program has strengthened my call to become a professional chaplain. I hope to live as a “wounded healer,” not a “wounded killer,” offering compassion born of experience. I am especially grateful for the chance to serve as a volunteer at the mobile shower ministry at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in San Jose. It is a joy to walk with our beloved brothers and sisters in this way. Long live GPPM! Blessings to everyone!

I consider myself profoundly blessed to have been a student in the GPPM. Thank you, Santa Clara University! To the Seattle Archdiocese, thank you for welcoming me as part of the 2023 Christifideles Cohort and for supporting me both as an employee and a minister. Lastly, to my fellow classmates: I have learned so much from each of you and only wish I could have met and studied with you in person rather than just online. Though my formal studies have come to an end, there is still much learning to do, and I look with great anticipation toward what God will ask of me next. Presently, I serve as the Pastoral Assistant for Pastoral Care at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Joseph, and the Proto-Cathedral of St. James parishes in Vancouver, Washington, where I minister to families experiencing death, grief, and incarceration, as well as to those in need of Sacramental care in hospital and homebound settings. I have been an employee of the Seattle Archdiocese since 2013 and am privileged to journey alongside my fellow ministers in service to the Church and to one another. During my time in the GPPM, I discerned a calling to study the priesthood of the laity and our call to serve as priest, prophet, and king by virtue of our baptism. As I step forward as a new graduate, I look forward to continually renewing my own baptismal promises and helping to empower and equip others to do the same.

Melchizedek Chidi Obi was born in Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria. He studied philosophy at Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Awka, Nigeria (2003-2007) and theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria (2008-2012). He was ordained a Catholic priest on August 18, 2012. He is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Nigeria. Since his ordination, he has served in many parishes, retreat centers, and houses of formation. He was a parochial vicar at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Nanka (2012-2013); Formator at Nazareth Formation Centre, Isiagu (2013-2014); Deputy Director and Chaplain at Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral, and Conference Centre, Okpuno (2014-2017); Teacher and Spiritual Director II at St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha (2017-2019); Lecturer and Spiritual Director II at Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Awka (2019- 2022); Chaplain at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Awka (2019-2022); Parochial Vicar at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Umuchu (2023-2024) and Graduate Student Assistant at Santa Clara Mission and Ministry, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA 95053 (October 2025 to present). He is gifted in creative writing, especially poetry and short stories. His skills and hobbies include reading, writing, spiritual accompaniment, listening to music, taking walks, traveling, playing volleyball, preaching, and organizing retreats, workshops, and seminars. He has also published two creative works in poetry: Soundless Songs of the Soul (2013) and Just for a While (2023). As he completes his Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministeries, Melchizedek is interested in the connection between spirituality and creative writing. Thus, Contemporary Issues in Spirituality (SPIR 290), along with other courses in GPPM, were very helpful in expanding his passion forcreative writing and spirituality. I am really appreciative of the insights and encouragement I got from GPPM.

I have served and worked in the Diocese of San Bernardino for 18 years. I am married, a mother of five, and a grandmother. Throughout my journey, I have embraced various roles, which have deepened my appreciation for the position I hold today. As a Hispanic woman committed to the church, I believe it is vital to mentor other women and create a path for future generations. Graduating from the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministry (GPPM) has empowered me to pursue a path that many may not realize they can take. My years of dedicated service have enriched my life as a mother, wife, and member of the church community. These experiences have shaped my understanding of faith and the importance of service. As a graduate of Santa Clara University's GPPM, I am inspired to continue forging a meaningful path. I believe each person is called to contribute to the good in our world, and I strive to empower others to recognize their potential. God has entrusted me with this sacred mission, and I look forward to serving Him in our community. Let us walk together in faith and hope, believing that through our collective efforts, we can create lasting change. God bless you all, and a heartfelt thank you to my family for their unwavering support throughout these years.

My name is Quang Phu Nguyen (Br. Peter). I am a member of the Brothers of The Christian Schools (F.S.C), a Catholic Institute established in France in 1680. Our mission is serving the poor, especially the poor children by giving them a good education, and we use schools as a good environment to help them. I was born and grew up in a small village in the highland of Vietnam, and I am the oldest in a family of three brothers and two sisters. When I was a student, living in a boarding house of De La Salle Brothers, I was inspired by this special charism. After graduation, I decided to join this institute in 2010. After making the final vow in 2019, I worked as a vocational director and accompanied young people who wanted to join the religious life as Brothers for 3 years. And then I was sent to the U.S. for study and I will return to Vietnam after graduation. Inspired by De La Salle charism, I love to help the poor children, especially in my country, giving them an opportunity to have a better life and a better future. Moreover, I also love to help young adults to discern their vocations, invite them to dedicate their life to God and serve others. The GPPM Program helped me to prepare myself from fundamental theology to pastoral ministry, especially in youth ministry. I hope that this preparation will help me to do my ministry better.

My name is Ryan Arneson and I am from Puyallup, Washington. My academic studies at Santa Clara were part of a larger program of lay ecclesial formation in the Archdiocese of Seattle called Christifideles. Through this program, lay ministers, parish staff and Catholic school staff are formed both spiritually and academically in order to meet the growing need for laity support within our archdiocese. As the Archdiocese of Seattle enters a period of parish merging as part of our "Partners in the Gospel" initiative, I am pleased to see how my education at Santa Clara has already been made an impact on my profession as a Catholic school educator and Team Leader on our school campus. My wife and I are expecting our first child this coming May and are overjoyed/humbled to raise her in the faith that I myself re-verted to and that my wife converted to! Whether it is within my small Catholic school community, the offices of the Archdiocese of Seattle Chancellory, or the "zoom classrooms" of Santa Clara, it is has been a joy to see how the Catholic faith continues to be shared, taught and learned throughout so many different parts of our society; truly a well of knowledge that we can never quite reach the bottom of!

Thanh-Thao “Sue” Do was inspired to pursue a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministries after a retreat experience in which she witnessed a moment reminiscent of “Little James” from The Chosen. She felt a strong spiritual call toward disability ministry, which led her to begin advocating for accessibility accommodations while serving as a lector at Most Holy Trinity Parish. Building on this calling, she organized a liturgical accessibility workshop at Santa Clara University, which contributed to the installation of handrails at the altar of the Mission Church. This initiative was made possible through her advocacy, stakeholder feedback, and support from the Jesuits. Her most meaningful experience in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries was coordinating an Accessibility Mass on the Santa Clara Campus as part of her Sacraments and Liturgy course. As an undergraduate at Santa Clara University, she majored in English with a minor in Catholic Studies and actively participated in Campus Ministry. She is a TEDx speaker focused on perseverance and has authored four books. Her writing has appeared in America Magazine, Christus Ministries, Odyssey, and Volume II of The Ignatian Spirituality Reader published by Loyola Press. She is the eldest of five siblings in a Vietnamese immigrant family. She is deeply grateful to her family, Father Joe Kraemer, S.J., and Candee Lucas for their spiritual guidance, to her boyfriend, Patrick Devlin, for his love and support, and to God for affirming her call to disability advocacy within the Church. Currently, she serves as a bilingual administrative assistant at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Diocese of San Jose. She looks forward to continuing her formation, expanding her knowledge, and seeking further opportunities to serve the Church through her graduate training.

My name is Sr. Sujatha D’Souza. Sujatha means ‘Born Good’. I grew up in India in a loving Catholic family, blessed with my parents, two brothers, and a home filled with love and life alongside our beloved pets. My childhood was enriched by the beautiful harmony of different religions in my neighborhood. Each morning began with a sacred symphony: at 5:30 am, the call to prayer from the mosque; at 6 am, the ringing of the church bell for Holy Eucharist; and by 7 am, devotional songs from a Hindu temple. As a three-year-old, I learned these prayers by heart, embracing three languages without formal teaching. My days were filled with simple joys, reading books, playing, writing short stories, acting in school dramas, and dancing. Faith was an integral part of my life. As a teenager, I was inspired by a religious sister whose selfless care for girls in distress stirred something profound in me. After graduation, I felt a calling to serve those in need. Leaving home was difficult, but my love for Jesus overshadowed that challenge. I joined the Congregation of Sisters of Charity, and during my initial formation, I spent a year with abandoned children. Understanding their pain clarified my vocation, leading me to joyfully commit my life to God and His people. I served as a teacher, sharing knowledge and values with young minds. After my theological studies, I embraced a mission in California, guiding children and youth in their faith journeys. Inspired by God’s call, this journey unfolds in faith, sustained by hope, and directed toward serving others. I carry this prayer in my heart: “Lord, You are my strength. Use me as your instrument to bring Your love to those in need.”

I am grateful for the GPPM community. Every course, professor and the students have shared experiences and provided insights into the good work of service that is necessary and active amongst us. I trust the journey God has for me and I am excited to complete the Certificate in Restorative Justice and Chaplaincy. My additional studies in Latino/a Theology have enlightened the beauty of history, culture, tradition and faith. I am a native of San Jose California and a lifetime Catholic. I completed GPPM in 2020 when I was retiring from a thirty-year career with the County of Santa Clara Department of Finance. I was a volunteer with the Diocese of San Jose since 1990. I completed the Institute of Leadership in Ministry in 2014. My education consists of an associate’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior and leadership from the University of San Francisco, also a Jesuit University. In 2025, I completed a certification in Catechesis from the Jesuit School of Theology Hispanic Institute in Berkeley where for the first time for me, the entire curriculum was in Spanish. Whenever asked I proudly say that I speak, “San Jose California Spanish” As the current Director of Catechetical Ministry at Saint Clare Parish, I believe in the importance of our pastoral plan, implementing our best approaches, listening and responding to our bilingual communities, the guidance to form catechists, children, adults, families and those new to Catholicism. The love’s in my life are my adult children (Anthony and Erica), family, and close friends. I enjoy music, dancing and spending time together. My prayer, May God continue to bless us, May the Word of Jesus continue to teach us and may the Holy Spirit continue to Guide us. Amen

Thirty-two years working in and around the criminal justice system — with a J.D. and more questions than answers — brought me back to Santa Clara (BSC '79). Questions about justice, about harm, about what the Gospel actually asks of us. The Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries gave me a place to take those questions seriously. The work that defined this season is a project called What Did Jesus Actually Say? — a Gospels-first inquiry aimed at the seventy million Americans who have walked away from institutional Christianity, not because they stopped believing, but because the institution stopped making sense. Two volumes in. More to come. None of this would have happened without the people who refused to let me stay comfortable. Dr. Amanda Quantz gave generously beyond the classroom — her guidance shaped WDJAS in ways that will outlast the degree. And Fr. Max Oliva, S.J. ('62), my spiritual director since 2012, guided, goaded, and encouraged me to start this journey in the first place. Some debts can't be repaid. They can only be carried forward. I leave SCU more curious than I arrived, which I take as the best possible outcome. The questions got better. The work got clearer. And the road ahead looks longer and more interesting than the one behind. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.