This past year, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing! Now, I am serving as a Catholic missionary at James Madison University in Virginia! Go Dukes!!

Here is my team! (from left to right): Ethan, Me, Katie, and Luciano

Being a cradle Catholic, I am grateful that I always knew Jesus and that He loved me. However, for most of my life I only lived out my faith by going to Mass on Sundays, praying sometimes, and staying out of trouble. I thought I was giving my due to my faith, but I didn’t even realize how much I was missing in a real relationship with Jesus Christ. 

This all changed before my senior year of high school, when I went on a retreat that changed my perspective. During this retreat, I saw college aged retreat leaders living out their faith daily. I witnessed them living out true relationship with Jesus: frequenting the sacraments daily, praying daily, and devoting their entire lives to Jesus and being in relationship with Him. I was so excited because I realized that this is what my life could look like, too!

After this retreat, I started frequenting the sacraments, diving into a daily prayer life, and trying to answer Jesus’ call to give my life to Him. This relationship only deepened and flourished in college when I met a FOCUS missionary who invited me to her Bible study! Not only did I enjoy meeting for Bible study and discipleship groups throughout my years in college, but more importantly I encountered a deep and authentic relationship in my missionary who came to know and love my heart, guiding me towards Jesus. I am so grateful to say that this missionary is now one of my best friends! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to be this person for someone else, diving deep into the hearts Jesus has entrusted to me and growing in beautiful friendships!

You are a part of this mission! In order to make this impact possible, I need your help. When I said yes to FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I am honestly so grateful for this opportunity to be able to share this mission — something so dear to my heart — with my mission partners and invite them on this journey with me! If you are interested in joining my support team, please let me know the best way I can reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be so honored to share this mission with you! Know of my prayers for you!!