Howdy!

My name is Abby Spiekerman, and I’m a freshman at Texas A&M University in the wonderful town of College Station. During my time here, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the Catholic community at the university’s home parish for students: Saint Mary’s. The culture is joyful, the friendships are real, and the faith is vibrant and alive.

Back in high school, I was blessed with so many opportunities to serve my parish — from being a Mass Coordinator and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to volunteering with Edge, Life Teen, and Confirmation. Through the Teen ACTS community, especially attending TACTS 2024 and serving on TACTS 2025, I truly encountered the love of Christ in a life-changing way.

When I arrived at A&M, my desire to serve didn’t just follow me…it grew. I’ve now served on two retreats with the Saint Mary’s Youth Retreat Team (SMYRT), and through them I’ve witnessed the incredible faith community here in College Station. During my first week of college, one of my team leaders — now a close friend — told me something I’ll never forget:

“Every day you are called to go on mission, and college is the perfect mission field.”

It sparked something in my heart I didn’t even know was there. That’s what we’re all called to as Christians: to be missionaries right where the LORD places us, setting the world on fire with faith, joy, and the love of Christ.

For the past year, I’ve been praying about taking this call even further. While reading Mother Teresa’s book Where There Is Love, There Is God, one line stopped me in my tracks: “The poor give us much more than we give them. They give us a chance to love Jesus in them.” It reminded me of the Gospel, where Jesus tells us that whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him. Loving others — every single one of them — is our mission, and who better to share the love of Christ with than people who need it most?

Right now, many families in South Texas are facing hardships due to gang violence and rising border tensions. So many families are struggling, and all are children of God who deserve dignity, hope, and compassion. I am incredibly honored to share that I’ve been selected to go on a mission trip to South Texas with Saint Mary’s to serve these families, bring the light of Christ, and meet them with open hearts.

This is where I humbly ask for your support.

Your generosity will help provide the supplies and resources needed to make this mission possible — to feed families, support local ministries, and bring the love of the LORD to communities who desperately need hope.

Thank you for considering a donation. Truly, every gift makes a difference.

God Bless, thank you so much, and Gig ’em!