(Carla) As a Program Director of Parish Outreach, I support the FOCUS Parish in its various departmental projects and administrative needs. This role can be best described as being a “missionary to the missionaries”. I am part of the Lifelong Mission Team which includes the Lifelong Mission Advancement, the Parish Outreach and Alumni teams. I enjoy caring for our Leadership, and our parish missionaries. Through this role, I serve anyone in the post-campus audience from priests to parishioners of all ages. I am grateful to be able to serve these leaders and missionaries through my role, and contribute to the mission of proclaiming our Lord Jesus Christ from a behind the scenes point-of-view.

In 2016, my husband Josh felt a strong call from the Lord for us to become FOCUS missionaries, after attending World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland with FOCUS. We saw the joy, and freedom the missionary families lived in sharing the Gospel, and we also desired to witness to others through our beautiful marriage vocation. We were placed at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA in our first two years, and we hoped that our striving to live a Christ-centered family life was an encouraging witness to the students there. In 2019, we moved to St. Louis, MO, and continued our mission through the use of our God-given gifts. Josh has always been passionate about the Truth and has used his academic pursuits as an opportunity to lead others towards Christ. In the summer of 2024, he finally finished his doctoral dissertation, and will be defending his thesis in the Fall to officially earn his PhD in Philosophy degree.

(Carla’s Personal Story) From the country where I was born (the Philippines) and raised in until I was 15, to the country where I finished high school and completed my undergrad (Canada), and finally the country where I moved to and now reside in to be with my husband and start and grow a family (USA), the Lord has been following my heart and loving it completely. As I searched for something deeper and more meaningful in the midst of my undergraduate studies, I encountered Jesus Christ through the Holy Eucharist in Adoration. My experience of his love was so profound; it brought me utter joy and peace knowing my true purpose on this side is to constantly open my heart to receive his graces so I can be closer in union with Him and the Father in Heaven. Alas, this LOVE was too big, all-consuming, that I desire for others to encounter Him in a profound, transformative, healing way as well. So here I am, using the beautiful gifts the Father has given me so I can serve His children and be who I am meant to be in Christ Jesus! Thank you for being part of this journey to Divine Love.

When we answered the call to join FOCUS, we made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help us through this mission. We’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with us in the past five years as we participate in the mission of Jesus Christ. If you are interested in partnering with us, please email Carla at [email protected]. We’d be honored to share this mission with you and let you know how you can support our family.