A sign of summer: Totus Tuus missionaries bring faith to life for young Catholics

By Dc. Tom Cuskey Editor

They are a team of twelve, called by Jesus to spread the Good News of the Gospel among the children of God.

No, not two thousand years ago but summer 2023, and if this doesn’t suggest that the Holy Spirit is at work in the Diocese of Syracuse, nothing probably will.

The Totus Tuus (Totally Yours) missionaries, a dozen of them assigned to our diocese, are out among us this summer, working with our youth and young adults at parishes hosting this unique faith program. They are collegeage disciples from as close by as DeWitt to as far away as Texas and Washington State. These young men and women — including two of our seminarians — are pursuing various avenues of study, but they share a common bond: a love of the Lord and a desire to serve.

According to the Totus Tuus website, as many as 50 dioceses across North America host the program every summer, “dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith is, evangelization, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship.”

Bob Walters, director of the diocesan Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Discipleship, celebrates this as the sixth year for Totus Tuus in the diocese. “It’s a milestone for us,” he said, adding that the elementary program is built on a sixyear curriculum, so parishes and their youngsters are encouraged to make this an annual event.

“Totus Tuus has a wide-reaching impact on the diocese,” he added,” from the missionaries themselves and the formation they receive to the parishes they serve in, including the children, the teens and their families.” He said it’s

“life changing” for the missionaries who are truly evangelizing the communities they visit. “They really are introducing people to the faith for the first time. Some of the individuals who attend, their families become Catholic.”

Mary Angela Fisher, associate director of the diocesan office, is with the missionaries on an almost 24/7 basis when they arrive for their orientation.

“I’m really impressed by their faith, by their spiritual lives and their relationship with Jesus.” She added that it stems from “how they use that and go out into mission, and to fuel the joy they have for the children and the teens they serve.”

The group working locally this summer spent the first few weeks of their time here in specialized training and instruction to prepare them to provide young people from elementary through high school with an experience of faith that is fun, stimulating and bursting with energy and love for Jesus. Now, as summer break begins, they are sent in groups, two men and two women (think Jesus sending his disciples in pairs). They’ll spend the better part of July and August serving at various parish sites hosting week-long programs. Elementary-age youngsters attend daytime sessions while middle and high school students participate in evening programs.

Meet the missionaries!

Here is the group assigned to the Diocese of Syracuse this year:

Lauren Brandl

Hometown: Canonsburg, Pa.

Home parish: St. James.

Current education: studying elementary education at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Best way to spend down time: I love talking and laughing with my siblings. What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I wanted to develop skills and experience for my possible future classroom.

What are your hopes for the experience?: I really hope to grow closer to Jesus.

Jacob Cottet

Hometown: Syracuse.

Home parish: Holy Cross, DeWitt.

Current education: Le Moyne College.

Best way to spend down time: Running.

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? My love for Jesus and my desire to draw closer to him! Having attended Totus Tuus, I knew being a missionary would be edifying.

What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to enjoy the community and fellowship with the other missionaries. And, of course, to have fun with the kids!

Cecilia D’Alberto

Hometown: Cicero.

Home parish: Holy Cross, DeWitt.

Current education: Niagara University, chemistry major with a biology minor.

Best way to spend down time: In my down time, I like to take walks with my dog.

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I was interested in becoming a missionary because I enjoy youth ministry and have been inspired by past missionaries. I felt called by Jesus to be here during prayer.

What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to grow in my own faith and help the youth to do the same. I also hope to help them have a personal relationship with Jesus and know Christ’s love for them.

Fiona Donlon

Hometown: Greenville, N.Y.

Home parish: St. John the Baptist Church.

Current education: Franciscan University (nursing).

Best way to spend down time: playing guitar and singing, hanging out with four sisters and friends, playing sports. What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I’ve had many retreat/camp experiences where young adults had such joy and love for the faith that they shared with me, and I want to be able to do the same for the young people of this diocese. What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to be able to share the joy of Christ and form relationships with all the youth I interact with, and in doing so grow more in my faith as well.

Hannah Fitzgerald Hometown:

McGraw, Cortland County. Home parish: St. Mary’s (Cortland).

Current education: SUNY Cobleskill; dual major in canine training and management and early childhood. Best way to spend down time: I like to walk my dogs, Shadow and Oscar. What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? When I was in high school, there were Totus Tuus missionaries that came to Cortland. I attended the evening program and I saw a lot of joy in the team at my parish. Like those missionaries, I love the Lord and serving young people, so I applied. I was in Gary, Indiana, last summer as a Totus Tuus missionary and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I’m excited to be in my home diocese this summer.

What are your hopes for the experience? My goal this summer is to introduce young people to Jesus and Mary. I hope to light a flame that sparks a love for the sacraments, Mass and saints. I also hope to improve my prayer life by giving myself completely to Mary, in order to grow closer to her Son.

Jonathan Hoole

Hometown: Utica.

Home parish: Mary Mother of Our Savior.

Current education: Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary-Theology

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Best way to spend down time: CrossFit!

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? It was suggested by Bishop Lucia as a summer assignment, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. I hope to take what I learn and apply it to my formation at seminary! What are your hopes for the experience? I wish to be able to imitate Jesus better and help others do the same.

Joshua Navos

Hometown:

Federal Way, Wash.

Home parish: St. Vincent de Paul.

Current education: Franciscan University of Steubenville. Best way to spend down time: Reading!

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I heard a very clear call this past spring that the Lord wants me to be his missionary this summer. After much prayer and research, I discovered Totus Tuus, and the rest is history! What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to use my gifts to introduce kids and teens to the love of Christ. The Lord is going to work in big ways this summer!

Dominic Neighbor

Hometown:

Lancaster, Ohio.

Home parish: Saint Bernadette.

Current education: Franciscan University of Steubenville, theology and catechetics.

Best way to spend down time: Disc golfing.

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I’ve heard great things about the program from missionaries from different dioceses. My roommate last semester (shout out to Isaac!) convinced me to apply for Syracuse and now we’re both here this summer!

What are your hopes for the experience? I’m really excited to share what I’ve learned from my relationship with God with others. I’m also excited to gain experience teaching in the classroom setting. And finally, excited to grow closer to God in prayer over the course of the program.

Reece Pagel Hometown: Ponder, Texas. Home parish: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Denton, Texas).

Current education: Oklahoma State University, nutritional sciences.

Best way to spend down time: I don’t think I could pick just one! Some of my favorite things to do are play Bananagrams with my friends, listen to music and read.

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? Since restoring my relationship with Jesus, I have yearned for an opportunity to help others who have fallen away to do the same. I was also drawn in by the chance to live in

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 community with other young people who love Jesus and share my desire of spreading the Good News!

What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to make true connections with the children and teens I encounter! I want to share this divine love that I have encountered, to tell the kids and teens how much the Father loves them, and how much he wants a personal relationship with them.

Elizabeth Peppel Hometown: Barnesville, Minn.

Home parish: Assumption Parish.

Current education: Franciscan University of Steubenville studying social work. Best way to spend down time: I love to cook for my family and friends. I also love to spend time outside hiking.

What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? I wanted to be a part of a mission that went out to meet and form the future Church. It is so special getting to encounter the younger kids and share with them what I’ve learned growing up in the faith.

What are your hopes for the experience? I hope through my own relationship and pursuit of the Lord that I can bring others close to him.

Isaac Turner Hometown: Crosby, Minn. Home parish: St Joseph’s.

Current education: Franciscan University, business management.

Best way to spend down time: Hiking, caving, most things outdoors. What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary? Growing up, I went to public school and lost my faith. Upon a conversion back, regaining it and devoting my life to Jesus, I’ve found true love, peace and purpose. I want to share it with those high schoolers I meet who are where I was then, that Jesus gives them all the purpose they can’t find in the world.

What are your hopes for the experience? I hope to bring all kids I encounter to encounter Jesus’ love, mercy and presence. If there’s anything I wish for, it’s that I would simply be the vessel through which Christ works. I also hope to grow closer in relationship and devotion to the Lord.

Gianni Verginio

Hometown: Cicero.

Home parish: Saint Rose of Lima. Current education: Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary-Theology 1.

Best way to spend down time: Hanging out with friends, playing golf and hiking. What sparked you to become a Totus Tuus missionary?: I enjoy working with young people. Also, just being present to them as a witness of faith.

What are your hopes for the experience? To experience Christ in the young ones, as well as growing in my own faith while teaching them.

To learn more about Totus Tuus, contact the Office of Youth and Young Adults Ministry at 315-470-1427 or at syracusediocese.org/offices/youth-andyoung-adult-ministry/totus-tuus/