We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of our Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son – St. Pope John Paul II
The Lord has called me to move east from the coast of California to serve at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! When you ask the Lord for adventure, He surely delivers! I am extremely excited to walk with the students at Drexel as a first-year missionary.
Growing up, I considered my faith very important to me but I struggled to understand who I was in the eyes of the Lord. Although I believed in a God who loved me, I put my identity into the things I did, thinking my worth was defined by how much (or how little) I accomplished in life. Upon entering college, I spent the majority of my time chasing worldly successes, thinking they would lead to the happiness and fulfillment my heart so desperately yearned for. However, I was left only feeling more alone and empty.
In His goodness, the Lord led me to the loving Catholic community at UC Irvine, where I met fellow students who intentionally pursued me in authentic friendship. Through them, I experienced what it truly means to be seen, known, and loved. My friend’s joyful living out of the Gospel helped me realize that the desires of my heart are found in knowing and living more totally for Christ. Little by little, the Lord drew me closer to Him. In the summer before senior year, amidst painful life events, I encountered Christ’s overwhelming love in the Eucharist. No longer able to hide my brokenness, I brought my wounds to Him in the Blessed Sacrament, where I encountered His healing compassion and mercy. Soon after, I encountered a missionary who lovingly walked with me in discipleship, helping me realize that my true identity is found in being a beloved daughter of God. Through her guidance, I learned that the true purpose for which we were made is to be in relationship with God and with others – to love and to be loved.
My encounter with God’s great love through the Eucharist and virtuous friends I met in college has brought so much joy and healing to my life. As a missionary, my greatest desire is to invite students into a personal relationship with Christ and share the life-giving message of the Gospel with them, so they too may experience the freedom and joy of sharing in His blessed life.
When I answered the call to mission with FOCUS, I made the decision to rely fully on the generous spiritual and financial support of mission partners. If you feel called to support me on mission, please let me know the best way to reach you and I’ll set up a time to meet! Please contact me at [email protected] or 603-203-6474. I would be incredibly honored to share in this mission with you!
We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.
We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.