God has called me to serve college students at the University of California, Berkeley! Go Bears!

Coming into my first year at the University of California, Irvine (Go Anteaters!), I knew that I wanted to maintain my Catholic faith. However, I soon realized that despite the intellectual knowledge I had of the faith, and the various involvements I had at my home parish, there was one thing I was lacking: a personal relationship with Jesus. Even with attending Mass every Sunday, going to weekly Bible studies, and weekly prayer meetings, my faith started becoming a checklist in college and I very quickly became tired.

It wasn t until I attended SLS20 where my faith journey started to change. Myself and thousands of other attendees had the privilege of having Eucharistic adoration right after the New Year countdown into 2020. As I was kneeling, being vulnerable to God and recognizing all of the baggage I was carrying, I felt Jesus looking intently at me in the Blessed Sacrament. It was at this moment where I was overwhelmed and convicted that the Lord knows, sees, and loves me, and desires a relationship with me. Although I don t have a perfect relationship with Jesus, more and more He has called me closer to His heart, and becoming a FOCUS missionary is another call in this great adventure!

As a missionary, my greatest desire is to lead all students to Christ. My life has been transformed by Jesus and I want nothing more than to bring this joy to others and introduce them to the life-changing message of the Gospel. In His ministry on earth, Jesus humbled Himself to meet us on our level, taking on our humanity, and spent most of His time investing deeply in a few. I look to Jesus own example to find the best method of reaching the world. I’ve been constantly amazed by the different souls I’ve encountered on campus, and can t wait to encounter the souls I will meet at UC Berkeley.

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 contact me ([email protected]) and I will schedule an appointment with you. I’d be HONORED to share this mission with you.