Working to play a vital role in the “new evangelization” called for by Pope John Paul II, FOCUS will expanded to four new schools this fall. These new campuses bring the total number of schools with a FOCUS program to 27. The new campuses include the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), Bradley University (Peoria, IL), Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL) and University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City, MO).
FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, began in 1997 on one campus and now extends to 27 campuses in 15 states with 104 FOCUS missionaries. FOCUS takes recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Church, Scripture and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them out typically in teams of four to work with students on campus. FOCUS staff members initially dedicate two years of their life to this fulltime work on college campuses.
FOCUS teams are invited to a school by the local Newman Center or other Catholic ministries, with the blessing of the bishop, to bring the good news of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church to college students.
“I’m excited to lead the FOCUS team at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD this school year. We look forward to meeting and working with the future government and military leaders of America in the hope of building them up as strong Catholic leaders,” said Joshua Schroeder, FOCUS Campus Director at the United States Naval Academy.
FOCUS staff members reach out to students on campus, lead small group Bible studies, provide large group leadership training and conferences, and work one on one with students through personal discipleship to help them build virtue and habits of prayer.
“Within Catholicism we find the fullness of Christ’s teachings in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the power to live these teachings through the grace of the Sacraments,” remarked Curtis Martin, FOCUS Founder and President. “We have challenged young leaders to be generous with God, and they have responded.”
FOCUS exists on campuses in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland and New Jersey.
For a complete listing of schools with FOCUS, please contact Nikki Shasserre at (734) 330-6710 or the FOCUS office at (970) 336-9881.
