We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
SEE MORESEE LESS 
Mary Mone
Missionary at the University of Louisiana Monroe
“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
Where I serve
The Lord has called me to serve college students at the University of Louisiana Monroe! ULM is an expansion campus for FOCUS, so alongside my team, I have been tasked with starting a new FOCUS program there. We will work hand in hand with the campus ministry to reach as many souls as we can and to invite them into the life of Christ.
As Team Director, I am in charge of spearheading the mission charge. I will be leading and forming a team of missionaries to reach the entire campus for Jesus Christ. I consider this to be a great honor from God and am so incredibly excited to be serving the students of ULM.
Team ULM left to right: Christina, Mary, Pedro
My Story
Growing up Catholic, 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. I found myself grasping at what the world was offering: comfort, success, and recognition. 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 know who I was at my heart. 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 attending daily Mass and began a true prayer life. I had spent so long rejecting God in my inner heart, 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.
It was in college that I encountered the truth of God’s burning desire to know my heart and to meet 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 decided to invite others on this mission with me and rely on the spiritual and financial support of my mission partners. This is one of the biggest blessings because I get to share what God is doing in the lives of others through your prayers and support! 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.
“Some give by going, and some go by giving. Without both, the Mission does not exist.” -St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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