Fellowship of Catholic University Students

January 28, 2005 For Immediate Publication

Contact: Nikki Shasserre, FOCUS

(970) 336-9881, office

nshasserre@focusonline.org

www.focusonline.org

Curtis and Michaelann Martin Receive Papal Honor

Greeley, CO (FOCUS)- Pope John Paul II has named Curtis and Michaelann Martin recipients of the Benemerenti Award, a papal honor given for exceptional service to the Catholic Church. Cutis Martin is the President and Founder of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), one of the most dynamic and fastest growing movements in the Catholic Church.

According to The Denver Catholic Register, nominations for the award are typically made by the local bishop or the apostolic nuncio. Nunciature staff members review each candidate’s qualifications and then forward appropriate names to the Holy See’s secretariat of state for additional review. Worthy candidates are then recommended to the pope, who grants the awards and appointments.

Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., nominated the Martins to receive this distinguished award. In writing about the nominated married couples from the Archdiocese of Denver, Archbishop Chaput was quoted in the Denver Catholic Register as saying, “Each spouse has served the Church in a distinguished individual way and is fully deserving of the honor on the merits of his or her own witness, but each spouse has also supported the other’s vocation in a manner that offers a heroic model of Christian family and married love.” Speaking specifically about Curtis and Michaelann Martin, the Archbishop said, “the Martins have rendered distinguished service to the Church both individually and as a married couple”.

Curtis and Michaelann Martin have been married for 15 years and are the proud parents of seven children. Together, they work with FOCUS to help bring forth the New Evangelization called for by Pope John Paul II. In expressing his appreciation for the award, Curtis Martin thanked Pope John Paul II and encouraged the staff and supporters of FOCUS in their mission, “We are very grateful to the Holy Father for this award.  We hope that each of the staff, students and benefactors of FOCUS see this honor as an encouragement to stay committed to the New Evangelization.”

Curtis Martin holds a Masters degree in Theology and is a co-author of: Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue. He is also a contributing author of: Catholic for a Reason vol. I: Scripture and Mystery of the Family of God, Catholic for a Reason vol. II: Scripture and Mystery of the Mother of God, Catholic for a Reason vol. III: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mass. Curtis has written articles for The Journal for the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Couple to Couple League, Catholic Dossier, and was awarded the inaugural Excellence in Evangelization award by Envoy magazine. Michaleann Martin is the author of Woman of Grace: A Bible Study for Married Women and co-author of The Catholic Parent Book of Feasts: Celebrating the Church Year with Your Family. As a gifted author, teacher, wife and mother, Michaelann Martin uses her wisdom and insight to share a practical vision for finding fulfillment in life. She has captured the attention of audiences across North America giving talks on issues affecting Catholic women and family life. The Martins host the Eternal Word Television Network program “Family Matters,” which teaches the basics of building an authentically Catholic home life. They also co-wrote Family Matters: A Bible Study on Marriage and Family.

Pope Gregory XVI (1832) instituted the Benemerenti Medal, which he called a merit-medal to reward civil and military daring and courage.

The FOCUS program, in its seventh year of operation, exists on 25 campuses in 13 states, with close to 90 full-time missionaries. FOCUS plans to expand to additional campuses during the 2005-06 school year. FOCUS is a national outreach program designed to help college students incorporate the Catholic faith into their daily lives. www.focusonline.org