Alumni In Action
Emma Nelson
My name is Emma Nelson and I will be doing a year of mission in Ireland with a program called NET Ministries Ireland! NET stands for National Evangelization Teams and they are dedicated to encouraging young people all over the world to love Jesus and embrace the life of the church. They accomplish this through many forms of ministry such as holding retreats, eucharistic adoration with praise and worship, teaching sacramental preparation classes, and so much more! I started going to Camp Higher Calling in sixth grade and went all the way through graduating high school, and have come back as an adult helper for the past few years. Camp is such an incredible program and it gave me an opportunity growing up to encounter Jesus. Even now as an adult volunteer camp continues to recenter me on Christ.
Part of being a missionary is fundraising to support me throughout the year.
In Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI said “Evangelising is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” We are all called to evangelize. I know not everyone can “give by going” but we all can “go by giving.” I am asking that you help support me in this call that we’ve been given. As a part of my time on NET, my initial goal is to raise 9,750 Euro, which is roughly 11,000 US Dollars. This will cover a portion of the cost of training, accommodations, food and transportation. All donations are appreciated. Some people find a one time gift to be best, but some find that giving in monthly increments is more convenient. I ask you to prayerfully consider joining me in this mission. All partners will receive NET Newsletters and updates from me throughout the year.
I want to bring opportunities to encounter Christ like Higher Calling Camp gave me, to the youth of Ireland and the future of our church.
Thank you for your prayers, I am so excited to serve the Lord this year and would love for you to become part of this mission with me!
Please prayerfully consider making a donation!
Anastasia (Ana) Kosiewicz
Hi! My name is Ana, and I've been involved with Higher Calling since I was a camper in 2011. I've been helping as a young adult counselor since 2019 and have been co-leading our games and activities for the last three years. While the people are a big part of the reason I keep coming back, the main reason is how incredibly impactful camp was on my spiritual life growing up, and getting to pay that back in a small way is such a gift. The time away from the world, the talks and sacraments received, the fun had, and the love poured out on me as a camper taught me what a life fully immersed in faith and God's love looked like, and how much joy came with that.
This year, after attending SEEK with some of our campers, I applied and accepted a job with FOCUS, serving as a full-time missionary at the University of Denver. FOCUS stands for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a postulate sending missionaries to serve on college campuses and in parishes with the goal of leading others to know Jesus Christ and fulfill His Great Commission. We do this on college campuses by meeting students in friendship, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and walking with them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence. Following the method Jesus taught us and modeled in scripture, we win students to Christ by meeting them where they are at in genuine friendship and introducing them to the gospel through bible studies, small groups, and events for encounter like SEEK. Then, once they have a desire to know Jesus, we build up students to be more like Him through prayer, the sacraments, fellowship, and encouraging and challenging one another in virtue. Finally, we send our students out, teaching them that the gift they have received shouldn't just stay with them, giving them the tools they need to go out and continue to "go out and make disciples of all nations."
I would love to bring you and your prayer intentions on this mission with me!
When I said “yes” to the call to join FOCUS, I also said “yes” to relying on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners and their generosity to help me through this mission. If you are interested in joining with me on this mission of bringing the Lord’s love, you can follow the link below my picture for more information!