We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
Hey, I’m Joanna! I’m a FOCUS missionary at San Francisco State.
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
After four years of school in New England, God has called me back to the Golden State! For my second year on mission, I will be returning to San Francisco State University. I am so excited to share the Gospel with students at SF State this year alongside my team!
Team SF State 2024: Josh, Grace, Anthony, and me!
I was blessed to be raised in a Catholic family with the examples of faithfulness of my parents and siblings. I first encountered Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration when I was in middle school, and I have been seeking Him ever since.
While I knew that I wanted to remain Catholic in college, I didn’t know what it meant to live with Christ at the center of my heart until my time at Brown. I was welcomed into Brown’s Catholic Community by an incredible group of students and FOCUS missionaries, who became my dearest friends, led me in Bible studies, taught me how to pray, encouraged me to frequent the Sacraments, and challenged me to let the Lord transform every part of my life.
During the pandemic, I witnessed and experienced firsthand the loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness that so many college students face today. The culture on campus told me that my value came from accomplishments and success, but I came to understand that my true identity is as a beloved daughter of God, who loves me for who I am, not what I do, and desires simply that I love Him with my whole heart. I am so grateful for the missionaries who walked with me through college and invited me into a joyful life lived entirely for Christ.
A few of the women I walked in discipleship with at Brown!
As a missionary, I hope to do the same for the students God places in my life! The Lord has lavished tremendous graces on me and given me abundant life, and now, He is inviting me to pour out these gifts to others! I want nothing more than to bring Gospel joy to students and invite them to share with others in turn. Before His Ascension, Jesus commissioned His apostles to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). I pray that I can fulfill this Great Commission by investing deeply in a few students, inviting them to a life animated by prayer and the Sacraments, and teaching them to go forth and do the same for others.
What a joy it is to continue this journey and share the fullness of life with students at San Francisco State!
When I accepted the call to join FOCUS, I trusted in the Lord’s Providence and chose to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners, to allow me to invest fully in the students I serve.
I am so blessed by and grateful for all of the generous people who are already journeying with me and supporting me. Your partnership on mission is bringing about the transformation of our Church and culture for Jesus Christ. If you are interested in joining this mission with me, please let me know the best way to reach you. I would love to set up an appointment to chat. It would be a gift to serve Christ’s mission alongside 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.