Mary Mone

Missionary at the University of Tampa

“We have to learn how to give ourselves, to burn before God like the lamp placed on a lamp stand to give light to those who walk in darkness.”

-St. Josemaria Escriva

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Where I serve

I am in my first year of serving at the University of Tampa. The University of Tampa is an expansion campus for FOCUS, so alongside my team, I have been tasked with starting a new program there. Because there is no pre-existing campus ministry, we have been starting a program from ground-zero. I consider this to be a great honor from God and am so incredibly excited to be serving the students of UT.

My Story

Growing up Catholic Christian, I’ve always had a love for the Lord in some capacity. Throughout my childhood, especially through being homeschooled, I was given all the tools to learn about Jesus and the logical truths of the faith. Though I was given all of the right tools, just like 8 out of 10 people under the age of 23 today, I drifted from my faith as I was entering into college.

At Tyler Junior College, I focused on my studies, wrapping my identity up into the work I was doing for the student newspaper, my relationship status, and into being a leader at my job. I attended Mass on Sunday, but that was the extent of any religious activity. Although people around me had no idea, I had drifted away by not intentionally choosing Christ and instead becoming focused on all the fake promises of what the world was selling. When I transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University, I began to meet people at the Catholic campus ministry (including FOCUS missionaries!) who simply wanted to be my friend and didn’t want to “take” anything from me. After encountering authentic friends who desired freedom and virtue for me, I knew I had to change my life around.

When I decided to follow Christ, I could not waste ANY time. The day I decided I needed change, I started going to daily Mass and praying for an hour each day. I had spent so long rejecting God, that I knew a relationship with Him was the only thing that would help me to be restored. As I was pursuing this relationship with God, I began to get more involved in FOCUS Bible studies, discipleship, and at my campus ministry as a media intern.

I learned during this time that God has a burning desire to know my heart and to encounter me in the middle of my most wholesome and my most shameful moments. This is why I accepted God’s invitation to be a missionary: to bring the good news that Christ desires intimacy with each person uniquely and to be a living witness that He is the only one who can ever satisfy our thirst.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have began to journey with me as I get sent onto campus. If this mission or my story inspires you in any way, I want to talk with you! Please reach out to me personally either by phone (815) 830-9700 or through email at [email protected]. It would be a privilege to have you partner with me in this life-changing mission!

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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