Hi Friends!

Sunday was the final day of my full-timership. Being at the Jesus Youth National Leaders Summit in Kearny, NJ was a beautiful way to conclude it—sharing graces and receiving prayers from the community. I returned home on Monday, and it feels like a new beginning after years of being away for college and full-timership. As I settle back in, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you who have been part of this incredible journey.

Here’s the scrapbook from my final two months: click here

February began in Philly with the Sexual Integration & Redemption Course offered by Desert Stream Ministries and co-hosted by the Theology of the Body Institute. The training focused on restoring relational integrity within the broken Body of Christ. The training was experiential; as we participated in the program as part of learning how to accompany others. It was a powerful time of both formation and personal healing as we were being equipped for this ministry. In Philly, I also got to connect with Jesus Youth members in the region and also the opportunity for a sharing of graces. 

The mission to the First Nation community in Pukatawagan followed right after. Our time in Puk was a beautiful celebration of life, faith, and culture. This marked the 5th mission trip Jesus Youth has made there. Our team consisted of nine Jesus Youth members from the United States and Canada, and for most of them it was their first mission experience.

Returning to Puk was nostalgic as I reconnected with elders and friends. On my previous visits, I used to wonder whether any real change was taking place, and it has been encouraging to witness how change, though often slow, becomes visible in the trust and relationships developed from the consistent visits. At the end of the 2 week preparations, 18 children were Confirmed by the new Archbishop of Keewatin–Le Pas, Most Rev. Susai Jesu. During our travel, the ice roads were quite challenging, which led to some unexpected adventures and memories. We also enjoyed some Northern experiences like beautiful Northern lights, snowmobiling and ice fishing. I left with a profound sense of gratitude for the community that had opened my heart, taught me lessons of faith, love, and belonging that will stay with me forever. 

From there, preparing to wrap up, I had a beautiful time of rest, retreat, and recollection at Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island under the guidance of Fr. Benedict, OSB. The retreat helped expose and break some of the lies I had come to believe, like those of the older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son, drawing me into a deeper embrace of the Father, to receive His love and to live in the freedom of being His child.

The wrap up was at the Jesus Youth National Leaders Summit, where we reflected on the movement’s journey since the 2024 National Assembly and also looked ahead to the future. This year is particularly special as Jesus Youth celebrates its 40th year Jubilee worldwide, and Jesus Youth USA its 25th. Ending my full-timership at the summit felt especially fitting–a missionary sent forth by a community, is returning home to that same community.

Communion and mission are profoundly connected with each other. They interpenetrate and mutually imply each other, to the point that communion represents both the source and the fruit of mission: communion gives rise to mission and mission is accomplished in communion. Pp. John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 32.

When I reflect on the last two years, two key themes stand out from this time of formation through mission: a deeper self-discovery and a growing trust in God. The many experiences, challenges, encounters, conversations and moments of reflection have shaped my understanding of mission, its joys, challenges, and the humility it demands. Coming back, my world looks different than when I left it, not just in appearance, but in a way that a life lived in mission and prayer uniquely reveals. Although my formal commitment has ended, the call to mission continues.

I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has accompanied me on this journey—the mission partners, prayer warriors (Orandi Bellator), Jesus Youth leadership, priests, religious, and my family. Your faith, encouragement, and prayers have always been a support, especially during the many tough times. You are all in my prayers, and I request your continued prayers as I try to figure out the next chapter of my life with God’s help. As they say in Cree, there is no goodbye but rather ‘See you later’.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 1:3-6