Francesca Chiara Battista

Francesca Battista

“Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon Heaven, the only one goal of all of our labors.”

– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Where I serve

After serving two years on campus at the University of Virginia, the Lord has invited me to accept a new role as the Team Director of Parish Mission at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia. I could not be more excited and humbled that the Lord has called me to bring to the parish setting what I have learned evangelizing on a college campus. It has been a true joy to serve as a FOCUS missionary on campus, and I look forward to all the Lord has planned in these next years working with families and young adults in the diocese of Arlington.

My Story

By the time that I had arrived at UC Berkeley for my freshman year of college, the Lord had planted a deep desire in my heart to embrace my Catholic Faith for the first time as an adult by going to Mass by myself. I began to go to Daily Mass that summer, which utterly changed and restored my life. Being a Catholic Christian went from being the most important part of my identity to being the very foundation, meaning, and source of my life. The Lord continues to sweep me off of my feet and share the contents of His Heart with me.

While at Berkeley, I encountered my need for deep Christian friendship, sharing the depths of my heart with others and learning to allow them to receive me as a beloved of Christ. I was immediately included in the the Catholic community at Berkeley through the intervention of FOCUS missionaries who pursued me in intentional and loving friendship. I also became very close with the Western Province of Dominican Friars, and served as a chapter leader with the Thomistic Institute on campus, which opened many unexpected doors for my spiritual and human development. Then and now, Jesus calls me into the fullness of my faith, heals me, and guides me to His own Heart, where He has prepared a place for me, and a place for you!

I am blessed to serve you as a FOCUS missionary. Please know of my prayers for you! All you holy saints and angels, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Your Impact

When I committed to serving full-time as a missionary, the Lord invited me to rely entirely upon the financial and spiritual support of my mission partners in order to preach the Gospel in parishes and on college campuses, and thus—please, God!—unto the ends of the earth. Would you like to join in this mission by becoming a member of my support team? It would be my pleasure to meet with you or speak with you over the phone and an honor to be supported by your generosity. Please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email! May God reward you and keep you always safe in the palm of His Hand!

(650)-722-2946

[email protected]

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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