300 College Avenue P.O. Box 519 Los Gatos, CA

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1 Provincial Office California Province of the Society of Jesus 300 College Avenue P.O. Box 519 Los Gatos, CA t f Dear Friends of the California Province Jesuits, Forming Jesuits to serve God and the Church is a primary mission of the California Province of the Society of Jesus. Since 1540 when Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuit Order in Rome, the Society has depended on the generosity of benefactors to sustain its men during their formation. Today, the California Province continues to rely on donors whose gifts fund the education and training of future Jesuit Priests and Brothers. During the past two years alone, 15 young men have entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Ignatius House in Culver City, California. We are also pleased to announce that Radmar Jao, S.J., will reach a holy milestone on his formative journey on June 11, 2011, when he is ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Blase Cupich, Bishop of Spokane, at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane, Washington. Deacon Radmar has made an exciting series of weekly video diaries, entitled Path To Priesthood, that introduce us to his last weeks before ordination. To watch this informative and moving vocation journey, go to the California Province website: Here you can directly experience the unfolding events of the days leading up to his ordination. Currently, 51 Jesuits ranging in age from 20 to 48 are engaged in various stages of their formative journey, a rigorous process spanning 10 to 12 years: 12 men in the two-year Novitiate program (first stage of a Jesuit s formation as a religious and a minister) 15 men in First Studies (philosophy and theology) 11 men in Regency (teaching in a high school or university or doing pastoral work in parishes or other ministries) 8 men in Theology Studies (preparing for ordination to the priesthood or final formation for a brother) 5 men in Advanced Studies (doing graduate-level work to gain expertise in a specific academic discipline or professional field). While it is most encouraging that young men continue to be interested in a vocation with the Jesuits, they require a substantial commitment of resources as they proceed through formation. In fact, it costs about $50,000 to $60,000 per year to sustain each man engaged in First Studies, Theology Studies, and Advanced Studies. Your support of the Jesuit Formation fund makes it possible for the following men, among many others, to prepare themselves academically and spiritually for future ministries. They are personally grateful to all benefactors. Timothy Breen, n.s.j. Erick Berrelleza, S.J. Timothy Breen, n.s.j., 21, from Redondo Beach, California, entered the Society in 2009, is currently a second year novice studying at University of San Francisco in preparation for first studies. I am so thankful for the gracious support of all our benefactors. It is a great inspiration to me to know that we have so many people who believe in and support our Jesuit mission. Thank you so much for all you do for us! Erick Berrelleza, S.J., 28, from Los Angeles, California, entered the Society of Jesus in 2005, and is currently completing his first year of Regency teaching in the Department of Religious Studies at Bellarmine College Preparatory. I am filled with gratitude for the many opportunities that have been made possible through the generosity of our benefactors. I am always learning from the people I encounter each day, even my students, but from you, our benefactors, I learn to be generous with my time and talents. Thank you for teaching me,

2 for supporting our formation and sharing in our mission. I am strengthened because of you. Brendan Busse, S.J., 33, from Fullerton, California, entered the Jesuits in 2008, is finishing a Master of Theology from Loyola Marymount University and is in his first year of philosophical studies at Loyola University, Chicago. Jesuit generosity is rooted in our awareness of the incredible generosity of God, a generosity known to us in our many experiences of service and ongoing formation. While the generosity of our benefactors is but one example of the many gifts a young Jesuit receives, it is a foundational gift that prepares us to witness to God s graciousness in all the places we work. I m grateful to God for the gift of this vocation and I m equally grateful to the benefactors who make this work and my life as a Jesuit possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Br. Joseph Frias, S.J., 32, from San Francisco, entered the Society of Jesus in 2002 and is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Boston College. I am reminded of the men I visit in prison on Sundays. Without the generous support of benefactors I doubt that I would be able to study and give the time to these men. I appreciate the trust our benefactors put in the Society of Jesus. May all actions be for the greater glory of God. Brendan Busse, S.J. Br. Joseph Frias, S.J. Andrew Laguna, S.J., 24, from Chino Hills, California, entered the Society in 2008, and is pursuing a Master of Philosophy at St. Louis University. I am continually humbled by the generosity of our benefactors. Through your support I am able to receive the education that will form me into a better Jesuit and servant of the Church. Thank you for helping me to live out my vocation. Robert Stephan, S.J., 38, from Cincinnati, Ohio, entered the Jesuits in 2002, and is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Boston College. As a Jesuit in formation, I am deeply grateful for all of the support I have received. I am consistently consoled when I think of all the people who generously help make my studies and ministry possible. Andrew Laguna, S.J. As an honored member of our Ignatian family, you re invited to take a direct stake in educating and training these Jesuits. Please consider making a gift today in support of Jesuit Formation. Through your gift, you demonstrate the generosity of spirit on which the Jesuits Robert Stephan, S.J. and lay partners of the California Province depend on as we walk together in a New Century of Service. You will help to sustain the legacy of St. Ignatius, a legacy that lives on in Jesuit ministries devoted to Ignatian spirituality, education, and social justice. We also ask you to pray for vocations to the Jesuit Priesthood and Brotherhood. Your prayers are an essential part of the vocation process. As you pray for future Jesuit vocations, please remember the 51 Jesuits who are currently in various stages of formation training. Please know that all benefactors of the California Province are remembered in the Masses, prayers, and apostolic labors of Jesuit scholastics, Priests, Brothers and missionaries. Gratefully Yours in Christ, Rev. John McGarry, S.J. Provincial Rev. Chi Ngo, S.J. Assistant for Formation and Vocations

3 2011 Formation Appeal Donation Information Make checks to: California Province of the Society of Jesus Mail to: California Province Advancement Office PO Box 68 Los Gatos, CA For online giving, go to:

4 YES! I want to support the California Province s training of Jesuit Priests and Brothers o One-time Donation o $1000 o $500 o $100 o $50 o $20 o $10 o Other $ o Monthly Donation Please charge $ to my credit card Donation start date: (MM/YY) / End date: (MM/YY) / (optional) Payment Method: o My check payable to the California Province of the Society of Jesus o American Express o Discover o Master Card o VISA Card # CID # Exp. Print name as it appears on card Signature Phone Please make changes to your address above as needed Your gift is tax-deductible Thanks for your support

5 For additional information: call the Advancement Office at (408) or visit our website: q Send me information about Charitable Gift Annuities offered by the California Province. q Send me a brochure about Legacy Gifts to the Jesuits through estate planning and wills. q I have provided for the Jesuits in my will. q Please call me at to discuss other options. Please return this form with your tax-deductible check made payable to California Province of the Society of Jesus. Questions concerning your support of California Province may be directed to the Advancement Office at (408) Thank you for your commitment and generosity! Please visit to make your gift online. The California Province of the Society of Jesus is a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.