Welcome to St. Ignatius Loyola Parish

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IGNATIAN YOUNG ADULTS (IYA) COMMITTEE 2011-2012

My name is Jennifer Anderson and I have been with St Ignatius for 4 years and have become increasingly active in the Young Adult Community. Before most Sunday Socials, you’ll find me in the kitchen laughing while vigorously chopping vegetables and arranging platters of hors d'oeuvres. I’m excited to have the opportunity to share my gifts in service of IYA, and to get to know more of the community. Outside of St Ignatius, I love to knit (no, I won’t make you a sweater!), cook (especially brunch!), eat out (find a tapas place I don’t love), and travel (where’s the next trip?!).  In the past few years, I’ve become more interested in outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling (I’m doing my first century ride in June, 2011).  By day, I’m an occupational therapist making house calls to older adults who have become medically homebound, helping them to become as safe and independent as possible in their everyday activities. At St. Ignatius, I am a member of the Social Committee and I coordinate IYA communications.

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Becky Bignell has been a parishioner at St. Ignatius since moving to NYC from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006. When she’s not singing with Canticum Sacrum or dancing with Omega Liturgical Dance Company, you’ll probably find her in the kitchen baking sweet treats! She also works as Assistant Director of Educational Outreach at The Juilliard School, guiding young artists as they share their gifts with the New York and global communities. Becky has watched IYA grow tremendously over the past few years, and is excited to join the leadership team as they continue to offer young adults opportunities to live out their faith as men and women for others.

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Katie Bignell moved to NYC from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006 to pursue a dance career, and has been a parishioner at St. Ignatius ever since.  These days you might see her dancing around the altar with Omega Liturgical Dance Company.  If she doesn’t have her nose in a manuscript for her job in children’s books, you can probably find her in the kitchen baking something sweet.  Let her know if you have a treat request for the Sunday socials! Katie is a member of the IYA Social Committee.

“I hope that IYA becomes a place where young people can deepen their relationship with God through their relationships with other people who share similar beliefs and values.”

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Iris Stephanie Buhay was born and raised in the Philippines, and moved to the US five years ago (first in Virginia then New York).  A very active and hyper child, Iris has been involved with her school and community as a choir member, activity organizer, and public relations representative.  Never to sit still for a very, and I mean VERY, long time, Iris loves to travel, meet people, make small conversations and plan something (whether it be social get togethers, or outreach events, or helping friends plan their next trip).  She’s currently working as the Social Secretary/event planner for the Singapore Mission to the United Nations. At St. Ignatius, Iris is a member of the IYA Social Committee.

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Hi!  My name is Mary Camden and I am a pretty new member of St Ignatius, having only moved here from Maryland 3 years ago.  I came to NYC to work as an oncology nurse in pediatrics and it certainly keeps my life in perspective at all times!  I would say I’m a very shy girl, but if you get me talking about restaurants and chefs, I will talk all day!  It’s one of the things that I love about NY.  Being away from my hometown, IYA has been a great way for me to live out my faith in a community and I am so happy to be part of the Service Committee!

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My name is Greg Larsson and I have been coming to St. Ignatius since I moved to the city in March.  I work for The Hartford as an actuary or, as I like to tell people, a professional guesser.  I’m on the St. Ignatius softball team, and I love to play and watch sports, especially if it involves the University of Notre Dame, of which I am a graduate. At St. Ignatius I am a member of the IYA Service Committee.

“I hope to pass on to others the spiritual inspiration I have felt as part of the St. Ignatius Parish Community.”

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My name is Kelly Lee and I am a project manager for an HR outsourcing firm.  I am originally from St. Louis (Go Cardinals!) and received a BSBA from Washington University. During my free time I enjoy photography, baking, and taking yoga classes in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side.  I have been with St. Ignatius since 2010 and have really loved all the incredible opportunities to get involved in the Catholic community here.  Whether participating in a Weekend of Directed Prayer, Meeting Christ in Prayer retreat, or Ministry of Care at DeWitt Nursing Home, I am always amazed at the caring and supportive community here.  I am so glad to be a part of the IYA Spirituality and Faith Committee and look forward to many new opportunities to grow at St. Ignatius.

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Hi, my name is Consuelo Martinez and I am a member of the IYA Social Committee. I have been a parishioner at St. Ignatius Loyola since February 2011 and I couldn’t be happier; St. Ignatius has fed my spirituality and taught me to grow more than I could have hoped or imagined. Last year I attended the retreat for young adults.  I am originally from Managua, Nicaragua and moved to New York City in the fall of 2008. I work at a Digital Advertising agency and live on the Upper East Side.

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Patrick Murphy is an account executive in the digital advertising division of The Wall Street Journal.  A native of Atlanta, he moved to New York in February of 2010 and resides on the Upper West Side.  He has been a parishioner at St. Ignatius for a little over a year and thoroughly enjoys serving the vibrant Parish Community.  He is an alumnus of The University of Georgia and can be found watching football every Saturday throughout the fall.  Patrick also competes in triathlons, can be found outside whenever possible, enjoys collecting wine, and loves to travel whenever and wherever he can.

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Erin Robert graduated from College of the Holy Cross in 2006.  A former White House intern and public policy junkie, she is a regular volunteer at Part of the Solution ("POTS"), a Bronx soup kitchen and services provider committed to addressing root causes of poverty.  She works on the structured products team within J.P. Morgan’s Global Commodities group. Erin is a member of the IYA Spirituality and Faith Committee at St. Ignatius.

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Hi, my name is Jessica Roman. I have been with St. Ignatius Loyola for a little over a year. Last year I was a volunteer for the Ignatius Young Adults Sunday Socials. This year I am a member of the IYA Social Committee. I am truly excited to be a part of our community and give back any way I can. I am also a Eucharistic Minister at St. Ignatius, which brings me such joy and enlightenment. On a professional level I am a Mentor/Life Coach for young adults with mental illness. It’s both challenging (in a positive way) and purposeful. For fun I like dancing, going camping, photography, traveling, helping others, socializing, learning how to surf, trying new things, and living life to its fullest!

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My name is Gerard Ryan. I am a native New Yorker who attended Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School and Fordham University.At Fordham I was exposed to the Jesuits and their work in many ways. Often I would stop in the beautiful University Church for a quick prayer. An experience that had a particular impact on me was during my Freshman year as I was going into the University Church’s side entrance. There was a funeral taking place for a Jesuit — Fr. Joseph Fitzpatrick. I could not help but stay and listen to how this man had an impact on both his academic peers and local Bronx residents yearning to learn English. He was a true man for others. As a result, I am a member of this dynamic Parish because I would like to share in that same spirit that inspired St. Ignatius 400 years ago. I currently work as a real estate agent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  In my free time I like to cook, work out, and be a good owner to my two dogs. Here at St. Ignatius I am a lector and am part of the IYA Spirituality and Faith Committee.

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Andrea Santoriello is a corporate attorney specializing in alternative investments. A resident of the Upper East Side, Andrea treasures time in Central Park and enjoys food and wine, art, music, photography, spinning classes, and travel. Andrea is a lector at St. Ignatius and is also involved in the parish’s Meeting Christ in Prayer and Lay Ministers’ Enrichment ministries.  Andrea has been a parishioner at St. Ignatius for six years and is grateful for the friendships, community and opportunities for spiritual growth she has found at the Parish. Andrea is a member of the IYA Spirituality and Faith Committee.

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My name is Rosalyn Savarimuthu and I have been attending Mass at St. Ignatius for a little over a year. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended NYU for undergrad – so basically I’ve never left the city. Having studied Finance, I’m currently employed at Citigroup in their Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions group. In my spare time, I’m an active volunteer with a focus on skill-based volunteering with organizations such as Acumen Fund, nycTIES, and NYPACE. My hobbies include cooking, traveling and – much to my family’s chagrin – shopping! Speaking of family, I’m an 8th generation Indian Catholic. Legend has it that my ancestors met St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier (the first part of my last name, “Savari”, means Xavier). At St. Ignatius I am a member of the IYA Social Committee.

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Catherine Schwenkler is a Spanish teacher at a public high school in Manhattan.  She lives on the Upper East Side a few blocks from St. Ignatius.  Catherine grew up just outside of the city in Bergen County, NJ and is happy to have found such a wonderful Parish.  As part of the IYA Social Committee, she hopes to welcome new people to IYA and be a link to other events at St. Ignatius.

“My hope for IYA is that we serve as a truly welcoming community and as a group of people who live out their Christian faith.”

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Hi! My name is Fr. Anthony P. SooHoo, SJ and I am the staff contact person for the Ignatian Young Adults (IYA). I grew up in Flushing, Queens, but I have lived in Syracuse and Boston. I’m a graduate of the University of Chicago and Fordham University. As part of my training as a Jesuit I also attended Weston Jesuit School of Theology and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Currently, I am pursing a graduate degree at NYU in the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World. My favorite part of New York City is Central Park. Having studied the languages and cultures of the ancient Near East, I often visit the Metropolitan Museum when I have free time. I relax by cooking (my favorite food is Chinese), reading, playing chess, doing crossword puzzles, and watching Glee! I have a good sense of humor and am most creative when interacting with others on a team. I am blessed to be able to work with so many generous and enthusiastic people here at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish.

I look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Ignatian Young Adults, please email me at soohooa@saintignatiusloyola.org