Annabelle Merten

Hi! My name is Annabelle and I am a FOCUS missionary at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas!

”Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Where I serve

God has called me to serve at Fort Hays State University, “Roll Tiges!” I am so excited to be on campus and leading students closer to Christ!

Fort Hays team (me, Paige, Ella, Anthony, and Rand)

My Story

I am a convert to the Catholic faith as of April, and have loved being radically open to God’s calls in my life. I graduated from the University of Kansas this year and was surrounded by a great community at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center and I am so excited to be part of the Fort Hays community now.

I got a nudge from God to enter into OCIA this past August. I had been invited to Adoration and Mass by my next door neighbors and was coming around to the idea of being Catholic. Their way of life inspired me to want what they had — and that was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that was poured out into our interactions, conversations, and time spent together. I finally decided I was ready to say yes to the Catholic Church. Because of this yes I was able to have a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist during Adoration at a FOCUS retreat. I knew then that it was the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and my choice to undergo OCIA was exactly right.

It was this radical openness that introduced to me the idea of becoming a FOCUS missionary. God has called me to extend His invitation to other students, to share His love and mercy, and to lead others in the way I was led. It is because of the leading example of others in my life, I am exactly where God wants me to be.

Father Luke (KU Chaplain) and I at the Easter Vigil, April 2026.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to become a FOCUS missionary, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners. I would love to have your support on this journey.

Please reach out to me via email or phone to connect. I’d be honored to share my story, how God is working within FOCUS, and how He may be inviting you into partnership with Him.

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