The 2025 Totus Tuus missionaries in the Davenport Diocese are, front, from left, Anna Gute, Krystal Osorio, Zulema Peinado and Madison Meyer; back, Seamus Reilly, Ambrose Nuxoll, David Cortez, Erik Manness and Emily Gayle.
By Lindsay Steele and Trevor Pullinger
The Catholic Messenger
Two teams of college-aged missionaries are leading Totus Tuus programs in the Diocese of Davenport this summer.
The weeklong, youth catechetical program emphasizes sacraments, vocations and developing a friendship with Jesus and his mother Mary. Missionaries participate in a multi-day training session before the program begins and travel as a team to minister to youths in participating parishes and parish groups. Responsibilities include keeping a well-defined daily schedule of prayer and activities, preparing for liturgies, catechetical instruction and organizing daily community-building activities. Missionaries actively promote a safe environment for children and youth, in accordance with diocesan Safe Environment policies.
Totus Tuus missionary teams are called to model the unity and communion of the body of Christ, said Trevor Pullinger, diocesan director of Faith Formation and Catechesis coordinator. “Each missionary brings unique gifts and responsibilities, but the team operates as a collaborative unit marked by mutual respect, open communication and a shared commitment to the mission.” This year’s missionaries are:
Team One:
Team Leader Zulema Peinado is a second-year missionary from Ottumwa, where she is a student at Indian Hills Community College. “I’m super excited for people to experience Totus Tuus and all its fruits,” she said.
Assistant Leader Madison Meyer is a gerontology student at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Her home parish is St. John the Baptist-Houghton. She is excited to see new parishes and meet new people this summer.
Liturgy Coordinator Erik Manness of Mason City, Iowa studies psychology at Iowa State University in Ames. He looks forward to spending the summer in southeast Iowa.
Multicultural Ministry Coordinator David Cortez is a member of St. Patrick Parish in Iowa City. Cortez, who is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, looks forward to evangelizing to the next generation and connecting more with his missionary team. “Most beautiful Blessed Mother, pray for us!”
Anna Gute, supplies and logistics coordinator, studies psychology and theology at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. “I’m so excited to see the love that all of the kids have for Jesus,” said the Boone, Iowa native.
Team two:
Team Leader Seamus Reilly is a second-year missionary from Elmhurst, Illinois. He is a student at Loras College in Dubuque and hopes to become a theology teacher after graduation. At Totus Tuus, he is “most excited to teach the kids about the most important thing in their lives: God. I am ready for a lot of fun!”
Assistant Leader Emily Gayle, a Houston, Texas native, is a member of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Iowa City. She looks forward to teaching youths about the sacraments. “They are such a beautiful part of our faith and a wonderful gift from God!”
Second-year missionary Krystal Osorio of Mount Pleasant, a forensic psychology student at St. Ambrose University-Davenport, is team two’s multicultural ministry and liturgy coordinator. “I’m excited to meet new people and help others enjoy Totus Tuus,” she said.
Ambrose Nuxoll, a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish and a student at the University of Iowa, both in Iowa City, is team two’s supplies and logistics coordinator. “I am super excited to grow in my faith this summer and help give back and spread the Gospel to others,” he said.
Totus Tuus will take place at the following locations:
June 7-13: St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Ottumwa; Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish, Clinton.
June 14-20: St. Joseph Parish, DeWitt.
June 21-27: Sacred Heart Parish, Newton; St. Wenceslaus Parish, Iowa City.
July 6-11: St. Ambrose University, Davenport (hosted by Quad City-area parishes).
July 12-18: St. Mary Parish, Solon.
July 19-25: St. Alphonsus Parish, Mount Pleasant; St. Mary Parish, Pella.
July 26-Aug. 1: St. Patrick Parish, Iowa City; St. Mary Parish, Williamsburg.
To sign up for the Davenport event go to https://tinyurl.com/QCTotusTuus; all other locations, contact the hosting parish. For more information to go https://davenportdiocese.org/totus-tuus.
