The Lord has called me to serve at New York University!!! Go Violets!

I was blessed to be raised in a Catholic family in New Jersey, where I always knew about the Lord and the beauty of His Church. However, for most of my early life, I lacked a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. In high school, I struggled with friendships, so I found my identity in my grades and achievements, focusing on what made me successful in the eyes of the world rather than on the state of my soul. I became obsessed with numbers, rankings, titles, and accomplishments, grasping at anything that could make me feel worthy. Yet despite my successes, I was left feeling unfulfilled.

I ended up attending the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!) and I was really excited for a fresh start. During my first year, I desired a sense of belonging and sisterhood, so I joined a sorority hoping to find friendships where I could feel known and loved. While I met many awesome people, I quickly realized that the relationships I was building could not satisfy the deeper longing in my heart. I found myself caught in a cycle of living imperfectly, shame, and searching for something more.

At the beginning of my third year, I felt the Lord gently calling me back to Him. That spring, I was invited to join a Bible study, and through the girls I met there and the community of Catholic Hoos, my understanding of authentic friendship was completely transformed. For the first time, I encountered people who challenged me to pursue holiness and who loved me enough to walk with me toward Christ. Through this community and the guidance of the FOCUS missionaries at UVA, I came to realize that Jesus had always desired my heart, even when I felt distant from Him. The sacraments became the center of my life, I began attending retreats, spending time in prayer, and growing in a genuine relationship with Christ. Everything that I had been searching for I found in Him.

The joy, freedom, and purpose I discovered through Christ transformed my life, and I knew I could not keep that gift to myself. I wanted others to experience the same love and belonging that I had found in Jesus and His Church. So when the opportunity to say yes to FOCUS came, I knew I had to respond. It is a tremendous gift to participate in the Lord’s Great Commission and accompany others as they encounter Jesus. I am filled with gratitude for all that He has done in my life, and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for the future!

Some give by going to the missions. Others go by giving to the missions. Without both, there are no missions. – Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Through answering God’s call to join FOCUS we are invited to completely rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners. My mission on campus at NYU will not be possible without the generosity and support of others. I am so excited about the opportunity to invite others on mission with me and to share my work with others. If you are interested in joining my mission team or hearing more about my story, please reach out!