Miriam Skinner

“Actions speak louder than words. Let your words teach and your actions speak.”
Anthony of Padua

Where I serve

I have the privilege to serve at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana!

My Story

When I arrived at the University of Dallas, I had a strong foundation in my Catholic faith. I was blessed to grow up in a Catholic home and had learned a lot about the faith. But I hadn’t yet encountered the person of Jesus Christ—I didn’t have a relationship with Him.

During college, I got swept up in worldly distractions, and my faith quickly took a backseat. I was searching for meaning and fulfillment in places that ultimately left me empty. It was during this time that a group of FOCUS missionaries began to pursue me. They saw me not just as another student, but as someone worth knowing and loving. Through their intentional friendship and authentic witness, they helped me recognize the deep need I had for Christ—and the freedom and joy that come from living for Him.

God also used my time on the soccer team in a powerful way. My teammates became some of my greatest spiritual companions. They pushed me to live out my faith with integrity, both on and off the field. I realized that if I wanted to truly witness God’s love to others, I had to be rooted in a relationship with Christ myself.

It was from this lesson that I knew being on mission is what God is asking of me.

Saying “yes” to Jesus led me to say “yes” to mission. I’m so excited to serve as a missionary at Nicholls State, especially with student-athletes—because I’ve lived the challenges they face, and I’ve seen how powerfully Christ can meet us right in the midst of them.

Your Impact

Saying “yes” to God’s call to be a FOCUS missionary means I’ve also been invited into something beautiful: building a team of mission partners who support this work through both prayer and financial giving. If you feel called to help bring the Gospel to college students in this way, I would love to meet with you and share more about how you can be part of this mission. As St. Mother Teresa said,

“Some give by going, others go by giving.”

Together, let’s reach this generation with the love 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)!

GET STARTED

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