Meet our Totus Tuus 2024 missionaries!

The archdiocese’s summer programming is in full swing! The 2024 Totus Tuus Summer Missionaries have completed their week-long training and are now working in our parishes to spread the joy of Jesus Christ.

We asked some questions of this summer’s Totus Tuus missionaries, and their answers are below. Keep reading to get to know them better!

Aidan Fontenot

Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Parish of origin: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Favorite Saint: Saint Francis of Assisi

Why Totus Tuus?

Like a first-year student, I wanted to do something spiritually impactful and fulfilling my first summer of college before the internship began. My friend JD Self then told me about Totus Tuus in Denver and what a wonderful experience he had that sold me.

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Emma Sue Findley

Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Home Parish: St. Joseph, Vinton, Louisiana
Favorite Saint: Saint Francis de Sales

Why Totus Tuus?

I have a friend who served with Totus Tuus last year and it was wonderful to hear how this service program shaped his life. I really look forward to investing my heart and the gifts God has given me into my teammates and the children of Totus Tuus.

Jérémie Somtochukwu Obiano

Hometown: Nibo, Nigeria
Parish of origin: Sainte-Thérèse Catholic Church
Favorite Saint: Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi

Why Totus Tuus?

For my spiritual growth: deepen my faith and my spiritual life through prayer, the sacraments and service. I want to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and share their Catholic faith with others. Additionally, I want to be part of a vibrant and supportive community of like-minded people. Finally, I want to experience the joy of sharing the Catholic faith with others and seeing lives transformed.

Therese Maska

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Parish of origin: Saint-Albert the Great
Favorite Saint: Saint John Paul II

Why Totus Tuus?

I want children and teens to know how much their Heavenly Father cares about each of their wants, needs, struggles, and aspirations, and that the Catholic Church is their home. By serving others, I hope to spread God’s joy, peace, and love and deepen my love for Him.

Marc Smoorenburg

Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
Parish of origin: Notre-Dame de Lorette
Favorite saint: Saint Martin de Porres

Why Totus Tuus?

When I was a kid, Totus Tuus was the week I always looked forward to in the summer. It was full of games, songs and skits, but above all, it was full of God’s love. I want to be able to offer this kind of summer week to Catholic children, just as others have done for me.

Gabriela Garcia-Porras

Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Home Parish: St. Albert the Great Newman Parish
Favorite Saint: Saint Joseph

Why Totus Tuus?

The mission of Totus Tuus has always been close to my heart, especially since I first encountered Christ through a similar ministry. I know this fun, faith-filled summer will bring many young people to Jesus through Mary, which is why I am honored and beyond excited to serve with Totus Tuus!

Daniel Paul Olivas-Rey

Hometown: Brighton, Colorado
Parish of origin: Saint-Augustin
Favorite Saint: Saint Padre Pio

Why Totus Tuus?

The reason I am doing Totus Tuus this summer is because I want to be able to love and serve those around me, especially the youth in the church. To teach the mission of Jesus Christ and his eternal love for us!

Hyacinth Budke

Hometown: Maple Lake, Minnesota
Home Parish: St. Timothy Catholic Church
Favorite saint: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Why Totus Tuus?

I grew up in rural Minnesota and was fortunate to have a Totus Tuus team in my parish every year from 1st through 12th grade. I was deeply impacted by the missionaries and their testimony and I wanted to give back to the program that gave me so much. Therefore, I served two years in my own diocese, but this year I felt called to apply outside the comfort of my home and the Lord led me to serve in Denver!

James Ball

Hometown: Westminster, Colorado
Home Parish: St. Thomas Aquinas, Boulder, Colorado
Favorite Saint: Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Why Totus Tuus?

Totus Tuus has always been a part of my family’s life and has had a real impact on my faith. I’ve been going to Totus Tuus since I was 6, and even before that, my sister did. I thought it was time to give back to something that was truly an inspiration to me.

Name: Elizabeth (Biz) Vall

Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Parish of origin: Notre-Dame de Lourdes
Favorite Saint: Saint John Paul II

Why Totus Tuus?

Totus Tuus was monumental for me as a child. I want to be there for this next generation like the previous generation was for me!

Please pray for these missionaries as they give of their time and talents to our children this summer.