The Mission at Mesa

Zach Hofmeister | Colorado Mesa University | April + May 2025

Dear Friends,

This will be my last newsletter as a FOCUS missionary, and it seems like it's all gone way too fast. But God is so good, and I'm so thankful for all the blessings He's poured out on our campus this Easter season and this year. Thank you so much for being with me on mission!

We invited students to go on a hike on Holy Saturday

We got to pray at the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine on Holy Thursday - the same one where I proposed to Allison.

Holy Week

For Holy Week we were able to slow down and enter into more prayer and fasting with students leading to Easter. We had good conversations with those preparing to receive sacraments and in our discipleship groups, calling to mind how much we have received from Christ and His death for us. My favorite holy week tradition the students have at Mesa is making a 3am holy hour on Good Friday.

"Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." - Matthew 28:5-6

Easter - Christ Is Risen!

We had 4 students receive sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass. Robert and Elijah were confirmed, and Brenden and Miranda also received their first Communion! You could tell that the Holy Spirit was present in our community in the week of Easter and after; people were more joyful than usual and seemed to have a greater desire for prayer.

Brenden, one of my disciples, receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time at Easter

Drew, me, Gabe, and Dylan being silly at brunch on Easter Sunday

The guys at my last Bible study meeting - Gabe led the last two himself!

Me, Gabe, Mason, Joe, and some more guys went on a camping retreat after Easter

Graduations & Conclusions

After Easter, the semester began to wind down. We had final Bible studies, final discipleship meetings, and made plans for faithfulness over the summer. We got to spend a lot of quality time with our friends before saying goodbye to the ones moving on, which I am very grateful for.

Students Becoming FOCUS Missionaries!

"I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest." - John 4:35

It is such a blessing to have not one, but two awesome students who are now new missionaries with FOCUS! This summer, they are preparing to go to other campuses by prayer and finding partners for their mission, as you have been for me. I would love to invite you to please prayerfully consider reaching out to them and supporting them as they go to reach souls for Christ!

Clare, Sophie, Olivia, Jacky, and I on graduation day! Check out Liv's awesome cap!

Olivia on placement day - she'll be serving at Northern Arizona University!

Olivia Linnebur

Olivia served as the president of Mesa Catholic this year and is so good at bringing Jesus into everything she does and leads. She's also an incredible chef and could probably fund her mission with a side coffee business if she were allowed to.
Read Olivia's bio and support her here!

Sophie Schnieders

Sophie was a social media coordinator for Mesa Catholic and shot our engagement photos! She was also a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and led a Bible study for her sisters. She has an outgoing heart for the Lord and is a great friend.
Here is Sophie's bio and support link!

Sophie with her teammates - she will be serving at the University of Washington!

...And More Missionaries!

Me and Robert

Robert

Robert was inspired by his confirmation teacher, Ace, to serve as a missionary to kids and teens over the summer with a Catholic program called Totus Tuus. He's currently spending 8 weeks at 8 different Colordo parishes, sharing his testimony, leading camp activities, and running around with kids. I'm super proud of him and excited to hear how the Holy Sprit is working in and through him!

The New CMU Team

At FOCUS summer training, Joe and Jacky welcomed Amanda and Mauricio - two new first-year missionaries coming to Colorado Mesa in the fall! I'm excited to get to meet them in August.

Joe, Amanda, Mauricio, and Jacky on Placement Day at training

The USAFA graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium

Air Force Academy Graduation

I went to 3 graduation ceremonies in May - CMU, Allison's school, and the USAFA graduation! It was so awesome to watch Pete, Joe, Rod, James, and many other friends graduate from the Academy and move on to the next stages of their lives. They are now enjoying a 60 day break before moving to their new jobs. Please keep them in your prayers!

More Photos!

A group of us went to support our friends competing in a track meet 🏃🏻‍♂️

Father Carl came over for Divine Mercy Sunday and gave us a concert! 🎸

We celebrated Jacky's birthday together 👑

My disciples invited me to go see the Minecraft movie with them 🍿

A fun picture from the Holy Saturday hike 🥾

One of the last times we had a lot of the guys together 🥲

Prayer Requests

Please keep praying for Allison and I as we prepare for marriage this September
For joy and fruitfulness on mission for Olivia, Sophie, the new CMU team, and all of FOCUS as they share the good news of Jesus with the world
For the healing of an anonymous student

For Gabe and Barrett who are leaving CMU, that they would find faithful Catholic friends who lead them to love the Lord
For Jacky and Joe as they stay on mission
For my job search, especially the discernment of God's will and courage to share the Gospel in every new setting

Thank You For Everything

I cannot thank you enough for your prayers over these past three years for me, my teammates, and my students. God loves it when we ask that others would come to know Him on earth, and I know your prayers have supported me and opened so many doors for Him. Thank you also for your financial support, past or present, that enabled me to encounter so many souls at Colorado Mesa and USAFA. This is the end of my mission with FOCUS, but it's not the end of the fruit that God has tended over these years through our prayers and work that we have shared. Above all, I am praying that you would continue to come to know Him and fall in love with Him more and more, and I ask that you would pray that for me as well. He loves us so much.

Until we meet again, Zach

Goodbye from the '24-'25 CMU missionary team!

Please pray for Allison and I as we prepare for our marriage!