Jul 06, 2022 by gtibbetts

Mason Ferner

Lumen Christi Missionary

My story

I am from Dakota Dunes, SD. I wasn’t raised in a Catholic family, and for most of my life I wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ or the Catholic Church. After I graduated high school, I attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. As a small town boy from SD, moving away from home and going to college in northern Minnesota was very exciting: new friends, new independence, and less corn fields. But soon after I arrived on campus, my big dreams and expectations of a seamless college career were met with heavy coursework, busy schedules, and struggles with stress and anxiety.

By God’s grace, I decided one week to attend on campus Mass through the Newman Center. There, I witnessed a beautiful community of joyful, young Catholic men and women. Over the course of the next year and a half, the Lord slowly convicted me of the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith. I attended RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) through my Newman Center and entered the Church in 2021.

This past year, I had the opportunity to serve on a retreat team with NET Ministries. Although I traveled across the country ministering to young people, I often thought of the spiritual poverty and need for missionaries back home. Through prayer God invited me to serve with Lumen Christi, and as Mother Teresa said, “find my Calcutta” with the young people of east river SD. I look forward to what the Lord has in store with Lumen Christi.

Where I Serve?

I will be serving at Roncalli Catholic High School in Aberdeen. I will have opportunities to integrate into the daily life of the students by joining them in classes, tagging along in after school activities, and assisting with school retreats. I will also be available to offer small groups, Bible studies, and one-on-one discipleship.

In the greater Aberdeen community I will participate in parish events, youth nights, daily Mass, and activities at NSU’s Newman Center.

Your impact

Thank you so much for allowing me to share how God has worked in my life and brought me to Lumen Christi. If you would like to learn more, get connected, or journey with me in east river SD, I invite you to join my support team. Here, you can say hello, check in, receive mission updates, and offer prayer intentions. My service with Lumen Christi is possible due to the generous prayerful and financial support of folks such as yourself. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I would love to accompany you on this journey with the Lord!