Pastoral Message – July 4, 2021
I want to introduce a young lady to you all. I’d ask you to read a bit of her autobiography. She’s stepping out in faith to do something that will bless the world. So keep on reading…
“Hi! My name is Emily Ambrosio. Fr. Reynold allowed me to tell you a little bit about myself and a little bit of what I’m about to do.
My story is one of Jesus’ consistent and tender pursuit of my heart. Although I grew up Catholic, I always longed to learn more about what it means to live out the faith and who Jesus Christ is to me. After serving in high school youth ministry throughout high school and my first two years of college, I found myself always going back to old habits. I struggled with encountering the Spirit of Jesus on a retreat but then placing my identity in things that would never satisfy.
Once I transferred to San Diego State University for my last two years of college, I began to see the Father’s great love for me through being in a FOCUS bible study, being involved in the Newman center at SDSU, and having FOCUS missionaries walk with me and challenge me higher. Jesus Christ soon revealed His great love and mercy for me. I came to realize that my deepest identity is being a daughter of God. As I began to live from this identity, I saw the abundance of life He promises each and every one of us and had the freedom to love others authentically. I found myself being called to love and serve Jesus by being a FOCUS missionary myself. FOCUS stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students. In just a few weeks I’m leaving the only place I’ve lived all my life, Southern California, and moving to Moscow, Idaho where I will be a Catholic missionary on the Campus of the University of Idaho.
Having said yes to Jesus’ call to serve Him as a FOCUS missionary, I desire to intentionally walk with students as other missionaries did for me to show them the goodness of the Lord and His unconditional love for every soul. As Jesus continues to deepen my relationship with Him, He reveals His burning love for souls, and places that burning love in my heart as well. I pray that I may be led by the Holy Spirit in being the hands and feet of Christ and facilitating that encounter with Him. It is such an honor to walk with college age women and witness the Lord changing their lives and hearts.
So I invite you to join me in my mission of sharing the Gospel with college students and inviting them to walk with Christ. First, please pray for me and all missionaries. Next, if you have children or grandchildren in college, have them search out the Newman Center, or Catholic club or local parish. There might be a FOCUS missionary presence on their campus. FOCUS is a great way to help them stay connected to their Catholic faith. If you are interested and would like to learn more about how to support me, I would love to meet you. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me. You can call me at (949)-309-0530 or email me at emily.ambrosio@focus.org. You can also find more information on my FOCUS missionary page at https://www.focus.org/missionaries/emily-ambrosio.
Thank you and God bless!
So Fr. Reynold here again. Thanks for reading about a young Christian woman who is putting her faith into action. As Emily wrote, please pray for her and her missionary work. But maybe contemplate how she is stepping out in faith. Maybe also ask God to help you discern His call for you. Each day we’re called to be on a mission. Let’s be encouraged by Emily to live for Jesus in our own places in the world.
