I will be serving my 1st yeart of mission at Arizona State University, where I will have the opportunity to engage with students on one of the nation’s largest campuses. I’m excited to keep living in the sunshine and to explore all the beauty Arizona has to offer! 

My team at ASU: Michael, me, Caitlin, Mary Beth, and Braden!

Hey! My name is Lourdes, and I’m a first-year FOCUS missionary!

I grew up in a Catholic household where my parents instilled in me the importance of living out the faith. They sent my three younger siblings and me to St. Finbar in Burbank, where I received my sacraments, joined the choir, became an altar server, and first encountered the beauty of the Catholic faith.

I then attended a Catholic high school just down the street, excited to continue growing in my education, my talents, and my relationship with Christ. While I certainly grew academically and personally, I also encountered an unexpected challenge. Although I attended a Catholic school, an authentic, faithful community was often lacking, and living out my faith made me feel like a minority. At times, there was even resistance to the Church, and I experienced hardships that stretched me and taught me what it meant to choose Christ intentionally.

When I began college at CSUN, I knew where my heart wanted to be. I longed for an authentic Catholic community and a mission bigger than myself. During my freshman year, I met the three FOCUS missionaries on campus and was immediately drawn to their mission of building authentic friendships and inviting students into a deeper relationship with Christ. There were many moments when I wished our community were larger or had more support, but through prayer, I felt the Lord continually inviting me to stay, love the people He had placed before me, and trust Him with the rest. Rather than waiting for the “perfect” community, He was inviting me to help build one.

Over the past four years, through Bible studies, discipleship, and simply sharing life with missionaries and students—many of whom have become my closest friends—I discovered what I believe is the greatest adventure we are all invited into: helping others encounter Jesus Christ and walking with them as they grow in holiness. I found that my deepest joy comes from living this mission and inviting others into it. Looking back, I can see how the Lord was quietly equipping me for the mission He had in store.

In saying “yes” to God’s invitation to pursue Him and others through being a missionary with FOCUS, I willingly made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of partners to help me through this mission. I’m blessed to get to cultivate a team of amazing people to journey with me on mission. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know the best way to reach you, and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you. Please feel free to reach out with questions and prayer intentions at any time!

Let’s make some saints out of sundevils!