Fellowship of Catholic University Students

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a Catholic outreach program for American college students founded in 1997 by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri at Benedictine College. ^[1]

Catholic outreach to American Students

FOCUS established its pilot program in January 1998 at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, with two staff members and 24 students. Curtis Martin met with Pope John Paul II in 1998, and shared the vision of FOCUS with him. The Pope's words to Curtis were, “Be soldiers.” At the invitation of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, former Archbishop of Denver, a FOCUS program was established in the fall of 1998 at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Archbishop Chaput has said, "No one does a more dynamic job of reaching college students for Christ than FOCUS." ^[2]

FOCUS' purpose, what the organization calls "The Main Thing" is: "Inviting college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendship in which they lead others to do the same. ^[3]

FOCUS currently has over 400 full-time staff members. FOCUS takes recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them out typically in teams of four to serve on college campuses. FOCUS staff members make an initial two-year commitment to this full-time work on campus. FOCUS works with the approval of the local bishop and the support of the local pastor, as well as existing campus ministries.^[4]

Curtis Martin

Curtis Martin is the founder and CEO of FOCUS. In 2011, Curtis Martin was appointed as Consulter to the Pontifical Council of the New Evangelization by Pope Benedict XVI. ^[5] Martin is one of just 25 consultors and one of two Americans named to this Pontifical Council. ^{[6] [7]}

Martin holds a Masters degree in Theology and is the author of the best-selling book Made for More, and co-host the EWTN show Crossing the Goal. In 2004, Curtis and his wife Michaelann were awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II for their outstanding service to the Church. ^[8]

Current campuses

In fifteen years, FOCUS now extends to 99 campuses in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

^[9]

See also

• Catholic spirituality
• Life Teen
• Universal call to holiness
• Vocational Discernment in the Catholic Church
• World Youth Day

References

External links

• Official website
• Article on FOCUS

Catholic lay spiritual organizations Third Orders Oblates of St. Benedict Lay Carmelites Secular Franciscan Order Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Third Order of St. Francis Third Order of St. Dominic International associations of the faithful with official recognition Chemin Neuf Community Christian Life Community (CVX) Christian Life Movement (CLM) Cooperators of Opus Dei Couples for Christ Cursillo Communion and Liberation Emmanuel Community Focolare Movement Heralds of the Gospel International Alliance of Catholic Knights International Catholic Conference of Scouting International Federation of Catholic Universities International Kolping Society International Union of Catholic Esperantists International Union of European Guides and Scouts Lay Claretian Movement L'Arche International Legion of Mary Militia Christi Militia of the Immaculata Neocatechumenal Way Regnum Christi Sant'Egidio Community SIGNIS Schoenstatt Movement Teams of Our Lady Teresian Association Union of Catholic Apostolate Worldwide Marriage Encounter Confraternities Confraternity of Catholic Saints Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Confraternity of the Rosary Confraternity of Penitents Personal prelature Opus Dei Other associations of the faithful not listed above Apostolate for Family Consecration Catholic Charismatic Renewal Catholic Worker Movement Fellowship of Catholic University Students Madonna House Catholicism Portal