News Story

Midwest Jesuits Welcome 10 New Novices

The 2019 class of new Midwest Jesuit novices

It is with tremendous joy that the Midwest Jesuits introduce the 10 men who entered the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus at the Jesuit Novitiate of St. Alberto Hurtado in St. Paul, Minn., on August 17, 2019: [back row:] David Herr, Noah Banasiewicz, Ryan Serfas, Brian Burtka, Min Keun “Daniel” Park; [front row:] Thomas Doran, Evan Krummel, John “Ty” Wahlbrink, Nathaniel Cortas, Benjamin Jansen.

	Noah Banasiewicz, 21, graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach. Noah continued his studies at Loyola University Chicago; he also interned with the fund accounting team at an investment firm in Minneapolis. His first introduction to the Jesuits was during his preparation for Confirmation while his older brother also attended Fordham University; he quickly fell in love with the writings and spirituality of St. Ignatius.

	Brian Burtka, 21, was raised in Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit. He graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy in 2016. While at U of D Jesuit he began to discern God’s call, considering the Jesuits. He attended Michigan Technological University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2018. After graduation, Brian spent a semester as an intern doing research in science and engineering at Argonne National Lab in the Chicago area.

	Nathaniel Cortas, 22, is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he studied as a Gaines Fellow in the Humanities and earned a degree in English and music. While at UK, he worked as an editorial assistant for an academic journal, performed with the university’s wind symphony and men’s chorus, and was involved in the Newman Center. A native of Louisville, he became attracted to the Society of Jesus through the writings of Jesuit Frs. James Martin, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Daniel Berrigan.

	Thomas Doran, 22, first met the Society of Jesus through Creighton Preparatory School, where he also ran track and cross-country. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a major in theology and minors in philosophy, Catholic social tradition, and Italian. While there, he participated in the Rome International Scholars Program. Many conversations with religious and non-religious influenced his decision to enter the Jesuit Novitiate, but the most impactful were while volunteering with homeless people, migrants, and refugees in Omaha, at the U.S./Mexico border, and across the Mediterranean Sea Basin.

	David Herr, 25, grew up on a farm outside of Fontanelle, Iowa. He studied psychology at Creighton University where he was introduced to the Society of Jesus and became familiar with Ignatian Spirituality. He studied clinical psychology at Missouri State University, and after graduation worked as a therapist and couples counselor. David has enjoyed teaching the Catholic faith and spirituality as a 7th and 8th grade catechist and adult RCIA instructor.

	Benjamin Jansen, 34, grew up in Greenwood, a suburb of Indianapolis. He studied Japanese at the University of Hawaii and Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, before working in hotel management in Waikiki. He returned to his science roots and worked in a biomedical engineering lab before completing preclinical studies at the IU School of Medicine. Ben spent the past two years working as a medical writer for a healthcare marketing firm while discerning a religious vocation. He experienced Jesuit history while learning about St. Francis Xavier during his time in Japan and has continued to explore the Society through the works of Jesuit Frs. Walter Ciszek, James Martin, and others.

	Evan Krummel, 26, graduated from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in English. After graduating, he worked both in corporate recruiting and the financial services industry. Evan experienced the Jesuits through retreats, classmates, spiritual direction, and the writing of Fr. James Martin, SJ.

	Min Keun “Daniel” Park, 32, was born and raised in South Korea, until his family migrated to the northern suburbs of Chicago when Daniel was 12. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in world literature. Since 2010, he has been employed as an associate at a CPA firm and as an assistant manager at MCA Corporation. He began discerning God’s call when he felt God’s love at his confirmation retreat and while serving as a catechist at his home parish of St. Paul Chong Ha Sang in Des Plaines, Illinois. Daniel learned of the Jesuits through encounters at his parish.

	Ryan Serfas, 22, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and was raised in Edwardsville, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis. Ryan graduated from Marquette University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. While at Marquette, Ryan participated in the all-male a cappella group, the liturgical choir, various intramural sports, and led a number of retreats. Ryan began discerning his call to the Society of Jesus and the priesthood while at Marquette University.

	John Tyler “Ty” Wahlbrink, 25, is from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the University of Cincinnati for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in applied economics. After graduating, Ty worked as an econometrician in a leadership program at a regional bank. Ty became acquainted with the Jesuits through literature, social media, and America online.