Haley York

Welcome, everyone!
My name is Haley York and I have been blessed to work at St. Augustine’s University Parish since 2016. After 2 years as a FOCUS missionary I became the Director of Campus Ministry through which I have been able to lead our growing team of Campus Ministers!

I was in high school when I first realized Jesus desired a personal relationship with me. I was scared to change what I lived for, but I knew that realization meant that my life could never be the same. I started down the path of growth but it was entirely focused on me and not how I could positively impact others. Entering college I knew I had so many areas in which I needed to grow in virtue, prayer, and leadership. I first encountered FOCUS in a freshman women’s bible study and as I became more involved I was invited to be a student leader with the organization. Being a student leader meant that I needed to devote more time to my growing relationship with God and to begin to let down the walls of my own control so God could be in charge of my life. Since 2014, my sophomore year of college, I felt God might be calling me to work for FOCUS in the future. Through prayer, God consistently confirmed that missionary life with FOCUS was the path He was calling me to post-college.
Jesus’ plans for us always seem to be different than what we have for ourselves. It’s interesting how many times I have heard this and how often He never fails to remind me of it. When I was first sent to UW-Platteville as a FOCUS missionary 2 years ago only God knew the journey He had in mind for me at St. Augustine’s. As my 2-year contract with FOCUS was coming to a close I began praying about whether or not I was being called to stay with FOCUS or if God was leading me down a different path. After months of discernment I was surprised to realize that God was actually calling me to leave the FOCUS job I loved for a brand-new Director of Campus Ministry role at St. Augustine’s! Although His plans can baffle us at times, they are truly a gift. Neither my job with FOCUS nor my new one in Campus Ministry is better or more important. Rather, it is all about trusting God’s will as we try our best to pursue Him wherever He calls. I hope to inspire students to develop their own relationship with God that will last a lifetime.

Your Impact
Please join me in the pursuit of souls for Christ. My life was given purpose through my relationship with Jesus, and my time with powerful role models and fellow student leaders helped me grow in virtue and direction. Your prayers and support are invaluable in amplifying this mission to reach college students with the message of God’s love and to win them over as they search for truth in this critical time in their lives. Thank you so much in advance and know that your support will make a difference.