Where did you grow up?
I grew up in La Verne, CA on the east side of Los Angeles County.
What degrees do you have and where did you earn them?
I have a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I also have an M.A. in Social Philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago.
What publications and awards best represent your work?
I'm currently writing for an online web-zine called "The Jesuit Post (thejesuitpost.org)." This website is a collaborative project of some young Jesuits who hope to use social media to comment on popular culture from a Jesuit perspective. If you're going to waste time online, we hope to help you find God in the process! We take 'finding God in all things' very seriously: you'll find political commentary alongside Taylor Swift reviews, spiritual wisdom alongside Gangnam Style videos; it's great! This project combines my interests in creative non-fiction writing, theology, philosophy, and, of course, popular music and lots of YouTube videos!
What currently fascinates you?
I'm interested in Ignatian Spirituality (as a Jesuit this is no surprise!). I'm particularly concerned with how we come to discover God's presence in the dusty details of our ordinary, sometimes chaotic, lives. My last major academic project was titled "Indwelling Power: Homelessness, Addiction, and the Recovery of Agency in the Ignatian Spirituality Project."
Have you read any good novels lately?
I'm currently reading anything from the 'Europa Editions' publishing company. They specialize in first edition English translations of international (primarily European) authors. They introduced me to Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which you should start reading as soon as you're finished with this sentence. Brilliant! Beautiful! It's philosophically profound and full of heartfelt wisdom. Go...read! Now!
What classes are you most excited to teach this year?
Obvious answer: Ignatian Spirituality. It's my heart and soul. A close second: Poverty in America. Nothing brings us closer to God than the attention we give to the poor and suffering in our midst. This class is about that sacred art of attention. I'm lucky because teaching both of these classes allows me to be thinking always of faith and justice! Win-win!
If you had one piece of advice for students, what would it be?
"Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything." Okay...I stole this from Pedro Arrupe, S.J. but it's good advice and the best teachers are thieves! So I'm not ashamed to steal his good ideas. If you want my own original idea, here it is: There are no God forsaken places and there are no God forsaken people.Live a life that proves this to be true. Find God everywhere you go and in everyone you meet. Know yourselves beloved and spread this knowledge to others. And don't forget to breathe. That's important.
What are your office hours this quarter?
My office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45 pm. I'm also widely available at other times by appointment.