Meet the missionaries!

Totus Tuus 2024 is spreading the Good News locally this summer

Above: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia with the Totus Tuus missionaries in the Cathedral garden following the commissioning ceremony.

By The Catholic Sun staff

Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright

Fifteen young adults gathered July 2 to receive a special blessing from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia following the midday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The missionaries, here for the summer Totus Tuus program, stood before Bishop in the prayer garden outside the church for the commissioning.

“Lord, look kindly on your servants, we send them forth as messengers of salvation and peace,” Bishop Lucia prayed over them. “Guide their steps with your mighty arm, and with the power of Your grace, strengthen them in spirit, so that they will not falter through weariness.”

Totus Tuus is designed for children and teens and is held in multiple churches throughout the diocese. Like Vacation Bible School, Totus Tuus (Latin for Totally Yours) is committed to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, discipleship, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship.

The Catholic Sun connected with this year’s Totus Tuus team to learn more about them and their motivations as missionaries. Here’s what each had to say:

Rebecca Bolster, TT Missionary

Home: Steubenville, OH

Home Parish: Holy Family

Currently studying/working: Psychology at Franciscan University 

Why Totus Tuus: Working the Steubenville conferences the past two summers and witnessing the thousands of teens encounter Christ for the first time inspired me to want to help in a more personal way to show others the love Christ has for them.

 

Claire Breckenridge, Parish Missionary

Home: Vernon Center, NY

Home Parish: Our Lady of Good Council. Verona

Currently studying/working: History at Franciscan University/Steubenville

What are your hopes for the experience: That the kids and teens will have fun and grow closer to Jesus. That I will grow spiritually and be able to serve others.

 

Bridget Burr, TT Missionary

Home:  St. Paul, MN

Home Parish: Church of St. Joseph

Currently studying/working: I am a Brand Ambassador for Jimmy John’s!  I am in charge of orientation and training for all new employees, and making sure the stores in my franchise are operating at brand standard.

Why Totus Tuus: I love Jesus! How could I turn down the opportunity to spend my summer as a missionary? The world needs to know how wonderful He is!

 

Carolyn Cooke, TT Missionary

Home: Abington, MA

Home Parish: Church of the Resurrection

Currently studying/working: Theology, Catechetics, Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Why Totus Tuus?:  I wanted to become a Totus Tuus missionary because every summer in the past has been completely and totally for me. Being a Totus Tuus missionary requires sacrifice. I knew that spending a summer on mission would help me to grow in discipline and relationship with the Lord. I love working with kids and I love Jesus. 

 

Miguel Daez, TT Missionary

Home: Sterling, VA

Home Parish: Christ the Redeemer

Currently studying/working: Youth ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville

What are your hopes for the experience: I’m very excited to be serving in this Diocese for Totus Tuus! The training and catechesis we received here were exceptional! I look forward to meeting kids and teenagers and letting them know about the love of Jesus. Viva Cristo Rey! :D

 

Cecilia D’Alberto, TT Missionary

Home: Cicero, NY

Home Parish:Holy Cross Church, DeWitt

Currently studying/working: Majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Religious Studies,  Niagara University.  

Why Totus Tuus: I am so excited to serve for a second year as a Totus Tuus Missionary in Syracuse because I love serving the youth in the diocese and the opportunity for prayer in a community with my fellow missionaries.

 

Daniel DeMoor, TT Missionary

Home: Boerne, TX

Home Parish: St. Brigid

Currently studying/working: Master’s Degree in Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

What are your hopes for the experience: To grow in prayer, community, virtue, and intimacy with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Joey Gill, TT Missionary

Home: Endicott, NY

Home Parish: St. Joseph’s, St. Anthony’s, St. Ambrose

Currently studying/working: Theology and Catechetics, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Why Totus Tuus: I was introduced to Jesus at a very young age and I want to share my love for Him with others.

 

Elizabeth Hotalen, Parish Missionary

Home: Vestal, NY

Home Parish: Our Lady of Sorrows

Currently studying/working: Graduated from SUNY Broome Community College and will pursue continuing education in Childhood Education or Youth Ministry.

What are your hopes for the experience: I hope to let the Holy Spirit lead me to help others meet and build a relationship with Jesus.

 

Anna Lucia  Jeffers, TT Missionary

Home: Spartanburg, SC

Home Parish: St. Paul the Apostle

Currently studying/working: B.A. in Media Arts, University of South Carolina

What are your hopes for the experience: The Holy Spirit placed within me a desire to be a Totus Tuus missionary after I attended a day program in third grade. My hope is to serve as a joyful witness to Christ’s love. This adventure is for and from Christ.

 

Katie Laubenstein, Parish Missionary

Home: Jamesville, NY

Home Parish: Holy Cross

Currently studying/working: Business Administration, Ithaca College 

Why Totus Tuus: Working with my youth minister, Steve Nepil, sparked in me a desire for become involved in youth ministry. Being able to help kids have the same experience that I had in high school has been a wonderful experience.

 

Reece Pagel, TT Missionary

Home: Ponder, Texas

Home Parish: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, Texas

Currently studying/working: Nutritional Sciences at Oklahoma State University

Why Totus Tuus: I was a missionary in the Diocese of Syracuse last year, and one summer just wasn’t enough! Teaching children and teenagers alike about Jesus fulfilled my heart in a way that I hadn’t ever experienced, and I can’t wait to be on mission again!

 

Sean Patterson, TT Missionary

Home: Omaha, Nebraska

Home Parish: Immaculate Conception

Currently studying/working: Catholic Studies, English, Philosophy and Theology at Saint Louis University

Why Totus Tuus: I had nothing better to do, literally! I cannot imagine a better way to spend my summer than by preaching the saving Word, which the world is dying to hear and dying from not hearing. If we have truly encountered Christ, how can we not share him with others?

 

JP Quejada, TT Missionary

Home: Manassas Park, Virginia

Home Parish: All Saints’ Catholic Church

Currently studying/working: Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville

What are your hopes for the experience: I am very excited to experience the Lord working through Totus Tuus to reach the hearts of youth in this diocese! I am also excited to continue exploring the possibility of a priestly or religious vocation through my experiences this summer!

 

Sean Wagner, TT Missionary

Home: Mobile, Alabama

Home Parish: Holy Name of Jesus

Currently studying/working: Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville

What are your hopes for the experience: To grow as a disciple and plant the seed of the Gospel in every heart I encounter.

 

Claire Walters, Parish Missionary

Home: Syracuse, NY

Home Parish: Holy Cross, DeWitt

Currently studying/working: Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Why Totus Tuus: Totus Tuus and my parish had a huge impact on my faith life. I wanted to give back to the community that served me so well.

 

Editor’s note: The Parish Missionaries work in their own parishes during the summer, working with their youth ministry programs and helping with Totus Tuus when the team comes to their parish. Totus Tuus (TT) missionaries work in traveling teams, spending a week in each assigned parish location.