Madalyn Parker

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.”

— Philippians 3:12

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Where I serve

I am a first-year missionary at the United States Coast Guard Academy! Go Bears!!

a photo of three people - woman, man, woman - in a church — My team! Photo by Lily Webster

My Story

I was born and raised Catholic and confirmed into the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter!

When I went to college, I was at a turning point with my faith: I intellectually believed in it, but I had very little relationship with God. I was caught up in treating God as a distant, disappointed entity rather than my loving, all knowing Father.

When I attended University of California, Irvine, my life changed. Because of FOCUS and the Catholic community on campus, I met peers who were on fire for Christ, who lived their lives with God at the center of it all. It was so attractive that, even when I wasn’t in the same place in my faith, I just wanted to surround myself with people who celebrated being God’s children.

At a retreat hosted by the Filipino Catholic community in my junior year, I had a complete 180 experience in adoration, where I finally felt and understood the love of the Father in a way that I could embrace. After that day, I knew I was going to live for God, no matter what.

In my senior year, God then really pursued me to become a missionary! After realizing that grad school immediately wasn’t what God was calling me to, I joined FOCUS!

My greatest hope is that I am always a vessel of God’s love to everyone I meet. I desire that everyone experiences a similar encounter with Christ, that reminds them that God loves you relentlessly, uniquely, unconditionally, and in a way that can and will change you dramatically for the better. I want to bring people to Christ, especially those who feel like their stories keep them away from Him.

Your Impact

One thing I’ve learned so far in my faith journey is that none of us walk it alone. God provides, and we also work in fellowship. Your generosity as a mission partner provides cadets with opportunities to encounter Christ on a deeper level. It allows me to be fully available to my cadets and bring the light of the Gospel to them. Your “yes” to mission with me through financial support can change lives, bringing them closer to the heart of Christ.

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

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FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

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.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

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