Totus Tuus missionaries serving the Davenport Diocese this summer are, front, from left, Madison Meyer, Faith Neeley and Natalie Hertzler. Back, Justin Meier, David Cortez, Coleton Daniel and Mason Heath. Sofia Cabada, not pictured, is also serving as a missionary.
The Catholic Messenger
Two teams of young adult missionaries are leading Totus Tuus programs in the Diocese of Davenport this summer.
Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness and eucharistic worship. Participants explore vocations in a broad sense. This includes priesthood, consecrated life, lay ministry, marriage and the diaconate.
“Our missionaries come from a variety of backgrounds, including college students, seminarians and young professionals, but they share a common desire: to proclaim the Gospel and accompany young people in their faith journey,” said Trevor Pullinger, diocesan director of Faith Formation and Catechesis coordinator. “Through prayer, catechesis, witness and joyful fellowship, they help young people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church.”
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.
Team One:
Team Leader Justin Meier of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Davenport is a seminarian discerning the priesthood for the Diocese of Davenport. He has been in seminary formation for nearly a year and enjoys riding his bike, riding his motorcycle, playing cards, and meeting new people. His favorite saint, and confirmation patron, is St. Joseph because of his humble self-giving and faithful care for Jesus and Mary.
Co-leader Mason Heath is a seminarian for the Diocese of Davenport and a member of Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish in Muscatine. He enjoys hiking, playing board games, spending time with friends through communal video games, and reading. His favorite saint is St. John Paul II, whose joyful witness and love for Christ continue to inspire him.
Liturgy coordinator Natalie Hertzler is from Central Texas and is excited to serve the Diocese of Davenport this summer. She holds an associate’s degree in business administration and is currently discerning how God is calling her to serve him most fully. Her favorite saint is St. Louis de Montfort because of his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Supplies coordinator Faith Neeley is a member of St. Boniface Parish in Farmington. She recently graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines with a degree in kinesiology and health promotion. Faith enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and exploring God’s creation. Her favorite saint is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, whose faith and perseverance inspire her.
Team two:
Team Leader David Cortez is a seminarian for the Diocese of Davenport and a member of St. Patrick Parish in Iowa City. He enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new places. One of his favorite saints is St. Óscar Romero, whose courage and dedication to the Gospel inspire him to lay down his life for Christ.
Co-leader Madison Meyer is a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Houghton and a senior at the University of Northern Iowa, where she studies gerontology. In her free time, Madison enjoys volunteering, reading, and watching movies. Her favorite saint is St. Teresa of Calcutta, whose example of loving service and devotion to Christ continues to inspire her.
Liturgy and Supplies Coordinator Coleton Daniel is a member of St. Patrick Parish of Iowa City and a senior at the University of Iowa studying exercise science. He enjoys shared meals, spending time outdoors and staying active with friends. One saint he greatly admires is St. Josemaría Escrivá, whose pursuit of holiness in ordinary daily life has had a profound impact on him.
Sofia Cabada, the newest addition to team two, is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. She in an incoming junior at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, where she studies philosophy. Her favorite saint is St. Paul the Apostle, whose conversion and witness to the Gospel inspire her faith.
Pullinger encourages the faithful of the Diocese of Davenport to pray for the missionaries this summer. “Please pray that their witness may bear abundant fruit and that all those they encounter may grow closer to Christ through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.”
Upcoming Totus Tuus programs will take place at the following locations:
June 27-July 3: St. Mary-Williamsburg, St. Mary-Solon.
July 11-17: St. Joseph-DeWitt, St. Mary-Pella.
July 18-24: St. Joseph-Ottumwa.
July 25-31: Holy Family-Riverside
To sign up or volunteer, contact the parish.
(Trevor Pullinger, diocesan director of Faith Formation and Catechesis coordinator, and Lindsay Steele, diocesan reporter for The Catholic Messenger, contributed to this article.)
