Fellowship of Catholic University Students Leaving Mount

Colin Long

The Mount has officially parted ways with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) causing great controversy and for many. These are devastating consequences to the Mount’s Catholic identity, mission and service moving forward.

At the Mount FOCUS has been serving thousands of students through ministry, service and personal relationships centered around Discipleship, social justice and Catholic social teaching for over 15 years.

Yasier Herrera (C’25) reflects on FOCUS’s role at the Mount in her spiritual formation. Herrera states, “Because of FOCUS, I was able to meet a missionary who became a lifelong friend and sister. I grew in my faith and learned what it meant to persevere in frustrating moments. I knew I could count on having a support system through our missionaries.”  

I can attest to the significant influence of faith through my re-conversion, challenging me in so many ways to aspire to be more like a Saint. As a senior looking back at my four years I don’t know if I would have stayed at the Mount if it weren’t for FOCUS’s charism to transpire through my heart, transforming my life, opening up a vocational discernment and eventually inspiring my decision to attend the University of Notre Dame with the primary goal of living out my faith in service to God and others.

Lexi Eastman (C’25) said, “Because of the friendship and guidance of my missionaries, along with the constant pursuit and support of everyone involved in focus Bible studies, FOCUS helped lead me to a deeper faith, guide me to conversion to Catholicism, and changed the trajectory of my college experience and probably my whole life.”  

In my past four years at the Mount, I served in Guyana, Christ in the City in Denver and attended numerous conferences and retreats with hundreds of other Mount Students, all sponsored by FOCUS. Most missionaries fundraise their salary and emphasize “radical availability” or almost 24/7 clockwork of investing their time, effort and talent for us. We reached well over 300 students through Bible study and discipleship programs, increasing retention, forming well spiritually enlightened communities of faith and changing the hearts of many.  

Anthony (C’25) expressed his appreciation for FOCUS citing, “I am really thankful for the opportunity to have the FOCUS missionaries at the Mount during my time here! They were so helpful in providing a space to help grow my faith here. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with and group closer to Christ with them these past four years. The FOCUS team did so much with outreach and hosting events as well. They will be greatly missed!”  

Adrien (C’27) described the numerous memories she had, citing “Our FOCUS missionaries are a beacon of Catholic outreach and ministry!  They always made us feel welcome by inviting us to join in their fun, from spontaneous rosary walks and intimate Bible studies to, you guessed it, SEEK! I’ll especially miss the Lighthouse once football season rolls around—it was the ultimate spot to celebrate the Eagles’s Super Bowl victory! The Mount—and especially Campus Ministry—  won’t be the same without FOCUS. Although I’m saddened that the missionaries will no longer be part of our Mount community, I’m grateful for all they’ve done to enrich Mary’s Mountain! I wish Murphy, Peter, Lily, and Emma nothing but the best and I will miss them greatly!”  

FOCUS will truly be missed, and we cannot be prouder of the mission, charism, and community they built at the Mount.