FOCUS Parish Talks

This past weekend I spoke at 6 masses between the two parishes of St. Theresa in Frederick, CO and St. Scholastica in Erie, CO. I shared what FOCUS does and how each parishioner can become a part of my specific mission.

As I mentioned in a past entry, ALL of my income comes from those who decide to become mission partners by supporting me financially.

After the weekend was over, I received the contact information for 26 people who wanted to become a monthly donor for this mission and another $700 in one time donations.

A weekend like this makes me feel numerous things. First, that I need to continue putting all my faith in God that he will provide for me. Secondly, how inspiring it is to see so many people believe in the FOCUS mission and want to become a part of it!

I have included my speech below if you are interested in reading what I presented at the masses.

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"I’d like to start off with a question. Now, you don’t have to raise your hand, but:

How many of you have a family member who left the Catholic faith in college?

A brother, a son, sister, a daughter?

Hello! My name is Steve Pries, and I’m a full-time Catholic missionary for FOCUS - the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. FOCUS is the largest Catholic campus ministry program in the United States today. FOCUS takes college graduates, trains us, and puts us right back onto the college campus where we share the good news about Jesus!

But before I tell you about FOCUS, I have some news that may concern you: In a recent study of Catholics aged 18-25, many of them college students, almost HALF of them said they attended mass at most only a few times a year!

The good news, though, is that FOCUS is changing this trend. In just 10 years since our inception in 1998, we’ve brought thousands of college students on 36 campuses in 22 states to Catholic Bible Studies. Of those involved in FOCUS, 42 young women have entered the convent and 140 young men have entered the seminary, for a total of 182 vocations in just 10 years.

FOCUS is not just building up future priests and nuns – but also future doctors and lawyers, husbands and wives - who are in love with Christ and His Catholic Church.

Before I accepted this full-time position in charge of missions and pilgrimages for FOCUS, I was a student at Colorado State University involved in Bible Studies with FOCUS. This brought me to the 2006 National Conference, when I was inspired to sign up for the Camino de Santiago, a 200 mile walk across northern Spain. In July of that same year I joined 4 FOCUS missionaries and 3 others students like myself on this amazing pilgrimage. It was a 12 day walk and on day 2 I got my first blisters. About half way through the trek, I didn’t think I was going to finish. With the Lord’s grace and some assistance from a fellow pilgrim, I walked into Santiago on July 24! My life changed in those 12 days of walking, and so do the lives of the many others who participate in FOCUS Missions.

FOCUS is truly a front row seat to watch God work miracles in students’ lives.

Now I hope to go and make the same impact as a program manager for Missions & Pilgrimages, as a full-time Catholic missionary. But please know that as a missionary my health care, insurance, rent and personal expenses come from the faithful like you.

I will give by going - and you can go by giving.

Specifically, I need to raise $3,000 in monthly support by September 1 so that I may carry out my mission. I ask you to prayerfully consider joining my support team at $25 to $100 per month. FOCUS is a nonprofit organization, so your gifts are 100% tax deductible and there are no minimum or maximum gift amounts.

In your pews you will find contact cards. Notice there is no return address on them, because I will be in the back of church after Mass to collect them from you and answer any questions you may have. If you are at all interested in joining me this year for this awesome adventure for Jesus, please fill out your card now and hand it to me after mass.

Here are just a few of the benefits of adopting me as your missionary:

1. God blesses both the missionary (gesture to yourself) and their mission partners (gesture to the people) for their generosity

2. Each day I lift up your intentions during my morning holy hour, my rosary and mass, and

3. You’ll receive my quarterly newsletters and other correspondence updating you on my position with FOCUS and the exciting missions that are happening

It is very important that when you fill out your card, you return it to me after mass so that I’m able to contact you in the next week and share with you more about FOCUS and our vision for life.

I’d like to close with a story: I was on the trip I had mentioned earlier and I had just arrived at the first shelter in Spain. I found a top bunk with a small book on it, and thought someone had just set it down but had no intention to reserve the bed. As I climbed onto the bed, a man with long hair and a beard came walking into the room and politely explained in Spanish that I was getting onto his bed. He pointed to the next one over and told me that I could sleep there.

I noticed this man now lying next to me reading his book and it seemed he had no other possessions. I asked where his pack was. "I don't have one." What? He is going to do the whole Camino with no pack? No change of clothes? Nothing?

I grabbed one of my own shirts and offered it to him. He politely accepted the humble gift.

The next day we both went on our way, and we did not run into each other the rest of the way. 12 days and 200 miles later in the streets of Santiago, I saw this "Man with Nothing" walking by with the shirt I had given him! Overwhelmed with joy I yelled in his direction and ran after him. In a couple awkward seconds I reminded him who I was and pointed at the shirt that he was wearing. We laughed together, shared a hug and snapped a quick photo.

Each time I look at that photo, I do not see a man that I gave a shirt to. I see the beginning of my conversion to Christ and His Church. It has been said that a week on a mission trip with FOCUS is like a year’s time in a Bible Study on campus. My job with FOCUS is to provide these life changing opportunities to college students across the country.

I hope to meet you after Mass. Thank you for your time and God bless you."