FOCUS Commissions 79 New Missionaries

July 11, 2008 - 3:27 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

Fellowship of Catholic University Students to send nearly 200 field staff to serve on 39 campuses nationwide

Denver, CO (JULY 11, 2008) - On the 232nd anniversary of our nation's founding, 79 new lay Catholic missionaries made a public Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity during a Mass held at the Abbey Basilica of Maryhelp on the campus of Belmont Abbey College.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, known as FOCUS, concluded its 10th New Staff Training on the campus in Belmont, North Carolina with the Mass and other events. The five- week training has been described as "part boot camp, part retreat, and part graduate school." FOCUS serves public and private colleges and universities across the United States.

Veteran missionaries of the organization also renewed their pledge to adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"The Commissioning Mass was beautiful and it really touched my heart that we are all now officially Catholic Missionaries," stated Danielle McKenna, 22, a first year missionary.

"It is wonderful to know that there are many like me who want to share the Gospel and the hope of Jesus Christ to not only our country, but to the world. I think it's a great witness to our country and even our Church that we, as lay Catholics, are so passionate about this mission," she continued.

McKenna graduated from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire and is from Charlton, MA. She will be part of the FOCUS team that serves the midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.

Heading towards the academic year 2008-2009, FOCUS has prepared nearly 200 field staff to serve on 39 campuses in 21 states. Campuses with new FOCUS teams this year are Auburn University, (Auburn, AL), Washington University, (St. Louis, MO), Ramapo College, (Mahwah, NJ), Belmont Abbey College, (Belmont, NC), Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, MD), Ball State University, (Muncie, IN), University of Minnesota,(Duluth, MN), and University of Illinois-Chicago.

Teddy Ariniello, 23, another first year missionary and recent graduate from the University of Colorado, stated his thoughts about the event.

"The last week of training had been a bit exhausting. But as a commanding officer musters his troops and incites them to courage on the battlefield, Curtis Martin stood before us to reinvigorate our missionary zeal. To make this statement of faith and accept our commission in this official way truly inspired courage and excitement for the road ahead of us. With Christ and the Church walking before us, why would we cower? As the great missionary said, 'If Christ is with us, who can be against us?""

Ariniello will be sent to the University of Maryland. He also stated, "I left Belmont Abbey in solidarity with my brothers and sisters, knowing we were entering a battle together."

After the homily during the Mass on July 4th, the President and Founder of FOCUS, Curtis Martin, led the staff in Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. The oath states:

I, N., on assuming the office of missionary with FOCUS, promise that I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church whether in the words I speak or in the way I act.

With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the responsibilities by which I am bound in relation both to the universal Church and to the particular church in which I am called to exercise my service according to the requirements of the law.

In carrying out my charge I shall preserve the deposit of the Faith in its entirety, hand it on faithfully and make it shine forth. As a result, I shall shun whatsoever teachings are contrary.

I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the whole Church and shall look after the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law.

With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the Faith, or established by them as the Church's rulers.

May God help me in this way.

ABOUT FOCUS: Founded in 1998, FOCUS is a national student outreach organization serving both secular and Catholic college campuses. Through small group Bible studies, large group leadership training, and one-on-one discipleship, FOCUS brings the teachings of Christ and the faith and moral traditions of the Catholic Church to college students and gives them the tools to help share those teachings with their friends and family. While fostering an increased interest in religious life among college students is one of FOCUS' stated goals, the organization's primary objective is to form communities on college campuses nationwide where students can follow Jesus Christ and live out their Catholic faith in environments that are often hostile to such beliefs. www.focusonline.org.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Justin Bell (303) 522-0450
jbell@focusonline.org
FOCUS Mission Communications

Contact

FOCUS
Http://www.focusonline.org
CO, US
Justin Bell - Associate for Media Relations, 303 522-0450

Keywords

campus ministry

Category

Catholic Organizations

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,176

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérèse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »