Jessica Vedane

“I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new evangelization . . . No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” – St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio

SUPPORT Jessica

Where I serve

I am overjoyed that the Lord has called me to serve at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio!

My Story

My life has been radically changed by God’s love and mercy and I strongly desire to bring others to know and love Him!

I am very thankful that my parents have raised my siblings and I in the Catholic faith. While attending Catholic schools growing up, I learned so much about the faith but I didn’t realize that the Father loved me so personally and specifically. My senior year of high school was a pivotal moment for me. I had an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist that forever changed the trajectory of my life. The Lord met me where I was. He encountered me with mercy and insurmountable joy.

As I entered my freshman year of college at the University of Northern Iowa, I joined a FOCUS Bible study and met missionaries there that really pursued me and helped me to continue to choose Christ, even when it was difficult. The next year, I decided to come back home to Des Moines to work. There, I joined a FOCUS Bible study with a missionary at Drake University. Through my time with her and the other girls, I truly learned the importance of daily prayer and frequenting the Sacraments.

A year later, I attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota (go marauders!) and completed my formal studies in Theology and Catholic Studies. My professors, chaplain, friends and missionaries at the University of Mary continually reminded me of the importance of having a strong Catholic community. We cannot do this alone! It was there that I was immersed in a beautiful Catholic culture that continued to inspire me and convict me of my calling to be a missionary.

I’m looking forward to walking with students through the challenges of college life, offering friendship and guiding them towards a deeper relationship with Christ. Please introduce yourself if you see me around—I would love to share more about my mission and hear your story too!

Your Impact

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. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me as I serve on campus. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you!

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

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FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24