Darien Rivas

Hi Hello! My name’s Darien and I’m a FOCUS Missionary.

Servus Mariae Nunquam Peribit

Where I serve

After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 2021, the Lord called me to serve Him as a full-time FOCUS missionary. I know that Jesus loves me deeply because I was tangibly shown that through the friends that walked with me in the faith. It is a gift and an honor to be able to walk with students, loving them in friendship, and accompanying them in what it means to truly be disciples of Jesus.

I served for three years at the University of Illinois Chicago, and I now have the privilege of bringing mission home, serving as the Team Director at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley!

You’ll typically find me hanging out at the Catholic Center, enjoying a coffee or exploring the valley! The Father’s heart longs for every soul, and He thirsts for you. Let’s be friends and talk about it!

My Story

The Lord has placed in my heart the desire to let every soul know how absolutely necessary and intimately important they are to the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world. I think that the moment that you recognize that you are needed, that you are not dispensable, is the moment that you are able to find a home in the church, because you are the church. I said yes to FOCUS because its mission is rooted in this very essence; bearing Christ to everyone we encounter and then inviting them to do the same.

As a missionary, I get to walk alongside other college students into deeper encounter with our Lord through the truth of His Gospel and through relationship, ultimately equipping them to become living witnesses of Christ and His Mother in the world.

Our Lady of Schoenstatt Shrine – the place where my conversion began.

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 we can schedule an appointment! I’d be honored to share this mission with you.

You can give me a call at 956-789-8478 or email me at [email protected]

SUPPORT Darien

Find other missionaries

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

GET STARTED

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