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Denver Conference Spotlights Spiritual Progress on College Campuses
FOCUS spreading Ònew evangelizationÓ to growing mission territory: the university

Greeley, Colo., January 13, 2006 – With news reports detailing deteriorating moral life on AmericaÕs college campuses, thereÕs some Ògood newsÓ to report from Colorado. Hundreds of students from campuses throughout the western U.S. will gather in Denver from January 13-15 for the FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) Student Leadership Conference. The event seeks to strengthen university students and young missionaries fresh out of college who desire to change the prevailing campus culture.

Founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin, FOCUS has won a presence on 27 Catholic and secular campuses in 15 states, making it the single largest provider of Catholic campus ministry in the nation.

The campus outreach program helps college students face increasing challenges to living responsible lives. A new government report released in December finds one in 10 teens experiences major depression. According to some estimates, nearly 50 percent of Catholic students will lose their faith by the end of their freshman year, and 90 percent will lose it by the end of their senior year.

ÒFor many students on our campus, going to college means losing your faith,Ó states Katie Winkler, a sophomore at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. ÒYour parents arenÕt there anymore and when you make a bad choice Saturday night, it is hard to get up and go to church early Sunday morning.Ó

To combat these problems, FOCUS trains recent college graduates in the teachings of the Church, Scripture and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them to serve on college campuses as missionaries.

Winkler, initially hesitant to join FOCUS activities such as a weekly Bible study, was increasingly drawn to the missionaries and students she describes as Òyoung, fun, enthusiastic, and all-together in love with the Lord with a devotion to getting other people there as well.Ó

ÒFOCUS has given me the foundations for denying societal and material standards and keeping my eyes on the Lord,Ó Winkler says. ÒI enjoy being challenged to live Ôa life less ordinary.ÕÓ

Fellow Colorado State student Mark Valentine concurs: ÒMy father has told me to spend time with people who will push me and are going to be a great example, and I have found that in my friends met through FOCUS.Ó

During the conference, students like Winkler and Valentine will take part in education and training workshops, including sessions on prayer, the sacraments, the Eucharist, Mary and the saints, leading a Bible Study, discipleship, vocations and the relationship between virtue and career development.

FOCUS is also hosting leadership conferences this month in Chicago and Jersey City. More than 2,000 participants are expected to attend the three events.

On site registration to attend the talks at the Denver FOCUS Conference is open to the public and available at the door for $50.00.  For questions and hotel information, please contact FOCUS at (970) 336-9881.

Speakers at the Denver conference include:

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About FOCUS
FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is one of the most engaging and fastest growing movements in the Catholic Church. FOCUS is a national outreach program designed to help college students incorporate their faith into their daily lives.  FOCUS brings the fullness of life and truth in the Catholic Church to college students and gives the tools to help them share this good news with their friends.  Founded in 1998 on one campus, FOCUS now extends to 27 campuses in 15 states with over 100 staff members.   

 

For more information about FOCUS, visit our website at www.focusonline.org or call the FOCUS headquarters office at (970) 336-9881.