Alberto S.N.

Hi there! My name is Alberto, and I am currently in my fourth year at the University of Toronto Mississauga studying a major in Statistics with a minor in Computer Science. I was born in Villahermosa, a small city in the state of Tabasco, Mexico (yes—like the sauce!), where I spent most of my childhood before my family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba when I was about ten years old. Growing up, I loved staying active and played sports such as soccer, martial arts, and snowboarding. I also grew up surrounded by many animals, which gave me a deep love and appreciation for them. Later, my family and I moved again to Mississauga so I could attend university. Throughout these transitions, I have been deeply shaped by my family, especially by my mother’s strong faith and devotion to Christ.

Looking back on my life, I can clearly see how God’s providence has guided me through each step of the journey, even during times when my own faith was still growing. The many experiences and challenges my family and I have faced have strengthened my trust in God’s plan and deepened my awareness of the power of prayer and His unconditional love. This love has inspired me to serve others in my own community. At university, I have been involved in my campus Catholic community, where I help lead faith studies and accompany others in their faith journey. My hope is to continue living out Christ’s call to love and serve others by sharing the same love that I have received throughout my life.

Why do I want to be on Mission?

Throughout this spiritual journey, I desire to learn what it truly means to trust in God. I want to step out of my comfort zone by relying less on my own strength and more on His grace while sharing His love with others. I believe this mission will help me grow in my docility to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, learning to listen more attentively to where He is leading and to respond with greater faith and courage. It will also challenge me to grow in humility, recognizing that the fruits of evangelization do not come from my own abilities but from God working through those who are willing to say yes.

During this time of discernment, I spent time in adoration, where the Lord slowly took these anxieties as I rested in His presence. I began to notice that the “I” in my worries revealed that I was relying on myself rather than trusting in Him. Through constant prayer, I felt encouraged to apply without expectations but simply as an act of saying “yes” to the Lord’s invitation. This small yet powerful moment reminded me how little trust I sometimes place in God, and yet how loving and faithful He remains despite our imperfections.

At the same time, I hope this mission will strengthen my leadership skills and deepen my ability to proclaim the Gospel with clarity, compassion, and authenticity. By serving alongside missionaries and the local Church, I hope to learn how to accompany others more intentionally in their faith journeys. My desire is to bring these experiences back to my chaplaincy at UTM and to my parish community, so that I can continue serving others and helping build a stronger, more vibrant faith community centered on Christ.