I will be serving at Minnesota State University in Mankato! I will also be doing outreach at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota.

I was born and raised Catholic, and though I knew my faith intellectually, my heart had not encountered the Lord. In college, I attended Sunday Mass regularly and by the grace of God realized that I was missing something. I was missing a personal relationship with Christ, causing me to turn towards sin instead of Jesus. In other words, I longed for the Lord and numbed that ache with worldly pleasures. Recognizing this, I began to prioritize the sacraments in my life as well as seeking out a strong Catholic community. I knew in my heart, “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). I encountered others striving to love the Lord and others with all their hearts. In my desire for that same good, I began investing more time in my faith.

Then FOCUS entered the scene. I was introduced to a well-structured bible study, and was soon asked if I wanted to receive intentional formation in discipleship. I said yes to placing Jesus at the center of my life, one of many yesses that led me to a deep and loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through formation, I grew in my zeal for souls, desiring the same love of Christ to be known by others. This desire to lead others to Christ and to be transformed into His likeness led me to say yes to joining the apostolate of FOCUS.

You have an opportunity to join me on this mission. You can do this by supporting me first through prayer and second through financial support. This mission is not possible without great generosity.

In supporting a mission, you join in the fruits and graces of the mission. As St. Paul explains in 2nd Corinthians,

“The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Every prayer and every dollar represents a piece of your life. This is how you can give your life to fulfill the great commission when you cannot directly devote your time to go out and make disciples.

Let God lead your heart in prayer. If you are led to give, you will be investing in the outstretched hand of Christ, offering love and formation to those in dire need of the message of hope found in Jesus Christ.