Rachel Matuszewski

Hey! My name’s Rachel. I’m a FOCUS missionary.

“Woe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the service of my thorn crowned Captain.” – St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

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Where I serve

The Lord has invited me to serve students and my teammates as team director at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA! Go mountain hawks!

After two years on campus at the University of Maine, I am excited to share the Gospel with students and form my teammates at a campus brand new to FOCUS!

My Story

Just as He replied to His disciples in the Gospel of John, Jesus has continually invited me to come and see. This was an open invitation to receive His love, realize my identity as His daughter, and be sent on the mission He has entrusted to me to share the Gospel.

Entering college at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, I thought clocking in my one hour on Sunday was enough. But the Lord placed friends and missionaries in my path who encouraged me to go deeper. These opportunities came through participation in our Catholic student ministry, a Bible study, and SEEK19 in Indianapolis. The Catholic Church was no longer ancient and inactive, but vibrant and fully alive. The depth of Christ’s love is reflected in His Church and continues to transform my heart.

During my junior year, I went on a mission trip to an Indian Reservation of the Zuni tribe in New Mexico. We taught students the Gospel at a Catholic school. I saw my younger self in these middle schoolers who didn’t understand why they participated in Mass or know Jesus desires a personal relationship with them. Through intentional conversations with one of the missionaries, I learned more about the importance of mission. Upon returning to campus with a zeal for souls, my friend began to teach me what it meant to live out my faith. It was the beginning of Christ instilling a missionary heart in me. I not only wanted to learn more about Him, but make Him known to others.

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My deepest desire is for students to know the life-changing truth of the Gospel. Jesus Christ died and rose for them, and now calls them to a relationship with Himself. This good news was the cause of death for martyrs and drastically changes our way of life if we choose to accept it. Once we experience Christ who is love Himself, we recognize the urgency of mission.

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 journeyed with me as I serve on campus. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you.

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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