Meet the
Current SLMs
Meet the heart and hands of our mission! Our current Salesian Lay Missioners (SLMs) are living witnesses to faith in action, dedicating their time, talents, and hearts to serve youth and communities around the world. Discover their stories, their missions, and the inspiring work they do as part of the Salesian family!
Rooted in Christ, Ready to Serve
Christ is the center of my life. Daily Mass, the Rosary, and time with Scripture fuel my desire to live fully aligned with God’s will. I want to go to heaven—and I want to bring others with me. I believe the laity are called to bring the Gospel to every corner of society, and I’m committed to doing that with joy and humility.
Why the Salesians?
When I discovered the Salesian Lay Missioners, something clicked. Their joyful spirit, deep love for the Church, and tireless commitment to youth and education resonated deeply with my heart and my gifts. I’m drawn to their focus on community life, evangelization through presence, and their belief that holiness is possible in everyday life. It’s a spirituality that feels like home.
Building the Kingdom with Code and Compassion
With a background in software engineering and experience teaching tech to youth, I’m passionate about bridging digital skills with human dignity. I love helping young people realize their potential—whether that’s through learning something new or encountering Christ’s love through presence and encouragement.
Drawn to Mission, Rooted in Faith
The desire to serve has been with me for as long as I can remember. From an early age, I felt a pull toward international mission and even began learning Spanish in middle school with the hope of one day traveling abroad to help those in need. While I explored opportunities with the Peace Corps and other NGOs, something never quite clicked—until I discovered Catholic organizations that served the poor with both material support and spiritual accompaniment. As my faith deepened, I realized I wanted to serve alongside others who shared the same Catholic values, grounded in humility, simplicity, and love.
From Capitol Hill to the Hill of the Lord
After graduating, I worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for three years, serving my hometown district and learning invaluable lessons about leadership and service. While I was grateful for the experience, I began to feel spiritually unsettled and uncertain about my next steps. I prayed, discerned, and eventually found myself returning to that long-held desire for mission. What moved me most about the Salesian Lay Missioners wasn’t just their global reach—it was the way they described mission as becoming a mother, sister, and friend to children who lacked those examples of love.
Choosing Joy with the Salesians
Attending the SLM Discernment Weekend confirmed everything I had been feeling. There was a peace that settled over me—a peace I hadn’t felt in years. I saw clearly the joy of a life rooted in God and of being part of a mission family that lives simply and loves deeply. For as long as I can remember, I’ve trusted God’s direction, and now I feel Him inviting me to step forward with courage and joy.
Why I’m Here
I’ve felt the call to mission since I was a child. Early service trips to inner-city Chicago, a Native American reservation, and rural Costa Rica planted the seed. Years later, after returning to the Catholic Church and growing in faith through adult altar serving and RCIA involvement, I knew it was time to respond. Serving as a Salesian Lay Missioner is my way of living out that call—offering my gifts to build up the Church and walk with others in faith.
Why the Salesians?
What excites me most about the Salesians is their commitment to joy, community, and the young. Their focus on presence, education, and faith-filled living is exactly the kind of mission I want to be part of. As someone who values structure, fraternity, and meaningful service, I’m eager to be shaped by the Salesian way of life.
Teaching and Witnessing Christ
I feel called to teach—especially English and history—and I’m certified to teach English as a second language. My background in writing and communication, combined with my love for the Church, makes me excited to help others gain language skills that can build bridges across cultures and grow the universal Church. Above all, I want to witness Christ in everyday moments and serve with humility, presence, and love.
Why I Serve
This year of mission came unexpectedly, but I believe it’s exactly where God wants me to be. I’m entering with a desire to deepen my discernment—whether that leads to the priesthood or another path of service. I know it won’t be easy, and I’m nervous about how God will challenge me, but I’m also excited to grow, to be stretched, and to open myself more fully to Him.
Drawn to the Salesians
What first drew me to the Salesians was their strong sense of brotherhood and family. Living in community with them has been one of the most beautiful aspects of my journey. Their joy, simplicity, and love for the young inspire me to do the same—to love God and neighbor with a generous heart.
Living for Christ, Loving Like Christ
Christ is everything to me. He’s not just a part of my life—He’s the center. I try each day to imitate His simplicity and love, to live with purpose, and to bring that love to those around me. Through the sacraments, daily Mass, prayer, the Rosary, and even acts of self-denial, I try to stay close to Him. I trust in the Church fully, and I believe the laity have a powerful role to play in helping guide souls to Christ.
Discovering the Salesian Charism
My first real encounter with the Salesians came through a visit to one of their schools. I was struck immediately by the joy of the students, the warmth of the Sisters, and the strong sense of family. That visit stayed with me. Later, attending a Salesian Lay Missioner Discernment Weekend, I again saw the strong love within the Salesian family and a commitment to bring a sense of community and the love of God to everyone. I knew I had found a home where prayer, mission, and community come together in a beautiful way.
Serving in Florida and Louisiana
I spent my first year as an SLM serving at the Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa, Florida. It was a year of growth, service, and grace—a true immersion into the Salesian way of life. In 2025, I began my current assignment at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana. Here, I support the mission by walking alongside young people, encouraging their growth in faith, character, and learning. It’s a privilege to be part of a community that believes in the goodness and potential of every student and has the willingness to be present for them.
A Heart for the Young and the Poor
What draws me to mission is the opportunity to serve the young and the poor with love and presence. I find great joy in the energy, honesty, and openness of children and teens. Whether it’s offering a kind word, helping with a project, or just being present to listen, I try to reflect Christ’s love through small acts of daily care. I believe every soul is precious, and there is no greater gift than helping someone discover God’s love for them.
Why I Serve
I’ve reached a point in life where I want to give everything I have and can to God—my time, my skills, my heart. I enjoy teaching, organizing, working with my hands, and doing little tasks unseen by all but the most observant. Whether I’m mentoring students, helping in the kitchen, or loading groceries in cars, I’m at peace and I try to provide an example of unconditional service and of striving for perfection because that is what God asked us to do.
Why have you joined the Salesian Lay Missioner program and/or what do you hope to accomplish thru your SLM mission?
My assignment is to help Seminarians and students alike enhance their knowledge and practice speaking English that is so important in today’s global community. I feel directed to continue to answer the Holy Spirit’s call to service and assistance to others wherever that may be in this world.
What do you expect to do on mission?
Engage in English conversations with Don Bosco school students and Seminarians in order to help build and enhance their English language skills.
As an SLM, I want to approach every day with a heart full of compassion, serving the most vulnerable with love and understanding, just as Christ did. I aim to embrace patience and adaptability, ready to immerse myself in new cultures and challenges, building connections that foster hope and transformation. My goal is to work with unwavering faith and humility, trusting in God’s plan as I join others in our shared mission to bring love and kindness to the world.
Why have you joined the Salesian Lay Missioner program and/or what do you hope to accomplish thru your SLM mission?
To offer a year of my life to God and grow in my faith and trust in God, as well as continue in vocational discernment.
What do you expect to do on mission?
Teach English to kids between kindergarten and high school