Bailey Petersen

Hi! My name’s Bailey, and I’m a first-year FOCUS missionary at Stony Brook University:)

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

St. Catherine of Siena

Where I serve

It’s time for this Midwest girl to learn a little bit about the East Coast! I am so excited that God has called me to serve at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York this year! Go Seawolves!

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Meet my team: Justin, Amber, me, and Nick!

My Story

Growing up, I was blessed to be able to attend Catholic schools from preschool through high school. It was at school that I learned who God was and began to fall in love with Catholicism. The Truth of the Catholic Church is something that has always drawn me in and kept me engaged with my faith. When I got on campus at Simpson College, I knew that I wanted to take my faith more seriously. I immediately got involved with Simpson’s Catholic Student Organization and the Catholic church in town. Because of these connections, I was able to meet a FOCUS missionary through Digital Outreach.

Walking with my missionary changed the way that I lived out my faith and gave me the courage that I needed to share it with others. For the first time in my life, I was able to encounter Jesus in a personal way, rather than just through the textbooks in school. Slowly but surely, Jesus started to become a friend to me, and my desire to share His love with others grew. Getting to share God’s love with other young Catholics on my campus was the highlight of my college experience and something that I knew I wanted to continue for a lifetime. Jesus continuously made this desire known to me, and I felt Him inviting me to say “YES” to being a FOCUS missionary.

I look forward to getting on campus and journeying with students through the joys and struggles of college life! I hope to help them fall in love with the Truth of the Catholic Church and grow in their own personal relationship with Jesus!

Your Impact

By saying YES to being a FOCUS missionary, I have chosen to rely on generous gifts, both spiritually and financially, from mission partners to support me on mission! I have been blessed with the most amazing people who have graciously decided to journey with me as I serve on campus, and I would love for you to join the team! If you are interested in journeying with me on mission, either financially or spiritually, please let me know how to contact you so we can set up an appointment and chat! I am always available at [email protected] and (563) 726-5280. I would be honored to share in this mission with you! God bless!

Give Now

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

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

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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.

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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