I have been called to serve on the Campus Worcester Team in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a team of four we serve students at several campuses in the Worcester Area. We have begun walking with students at Assumption University, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester State University, and a few other local students to build community, lead bible studies, and have the unique opportunity to reach students across Worcester for Christ’s Great Commission.

Campus Worcester Team: Parker, Me, Julia, and Andy.

Growing up in a rural area of South Central Texas my faith has consistently played an important role in my life. I was raised Catholic in a largely Catholic community which helped to deeply root me in my faith. I loved learning about the faith through Catholic school and religious education classes. When it came time to think about college, I knew that I wanted my faith to continue to play a central role in my life.

From a young age I set my career goals to work with textiles in museums. Thus, in chase of this dream I studied Art Conservation at the University of Delaware. As a freshman entering college, UD seemed to fit all that I hope for in a university. Attending UD was in many ways far different than the small Texas communities I had grown up in. Being a student on campus was not always easy and I relied on my faith as a constant support beam. Although I was strong in my faith, I found myself still desiring something more. I greatly wanted to grow in deeper in my Catholic faith, yet I did not know how to do so. The girl who had loved religion classes and been deeply immersed in a culture that prioritized faith had become a young adult lost on a college campus where actively living the faith was hardly modeled. The campus often felt isolating and I spent my time studying in the library focusing on getting perfect grades and filling any free time with extra-curriculars to fill the longing for a community. All the while, I struggled to achieve the deeper growth in my faith I so greatly desired.

It wasn’t until my junior year that I finally recognized how to live my faith deeper. That fall we got FOCUS missionaries on the University of Delaware campus. Suddenly there were people working hard to build a Catholic community, modeling what it looks like to be a disciple of Christ, and inspiring me to actually achieve the growth I so desired. The missionaries on my campus greatly impacted me by inviting me into community. I no longer had to face the challenge of living my faith on campus alone as I was introduced to others who were longing for the same Christ-centered community. My experience as a college student was completely transformed by the missionaries presence. I finally began growing deeper in my faith, I found Christ-centered authentic friendships on campus, and I found the confidence to share the love of Christ with those around me on campus. Through my involvement with the Catholic Campus Ministry and FOCUS at UD, I began to see the power of being a witness of the Catholic faith. The power of living a life in imitation of Christ even when it feels like its against the majority of the culture. l felt a fire start burning in my heart for Christ and a longing to continue to share His love by inviting others into a community that places God at the center. Through my own faith journey I have grown and been transformed into a witness of the love of God–and I do not want to keep that to myself. I hope to serve as a witness to other young adults so that those who may feel stuck, lost, or alone may have the opportunity to say yes to Christ’s call to live and love like Him.

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. Would you join me in helping college students find community and authentic friendship through the love of Christ? As a mission partner, you have the God-given opportunity to allow me to be the face of Jesus for the young men and women who are looking for something more. Your support will help me serve the college students in Worcester. It would be an honor to partner with you in this mission to build community rooted in the love of and for Christ.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity to partner with me on mission please contact me at (830)-857-5734 or [email protected]