Joseph Ryan

“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire” – St. Catherine of Siena

God has called me into mission, and with your support we together can set the world ablaze with the love of Jesus!

Where I serve

SD Mines Squad I am serving as a first year missionary at the South Dakota School of Mines. I’m excited to encounter students on campus and invite them into a community of loving people, and into deeper relationship with our Lord.

My Story

I was born and raised Catholic and went to Mass on Sundays growing up. But as I got older, I stopped going to Mass and didn’t have an active prayer life. Being Catholic became more of a label for me, and less of a way of life. I went through the motions, but didn’t have a deep relationship with Jesus.

That all changed when I encountered the Pioneer Catholic Newman Center at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. Not long after I stepped foot on campus, I was invited into authentic friendships with FOCUS missionaries and fellow students who deeply cared about me despite having just met me. I was promptly welcomed into Bible Studies, Discipleship groups, and lots of fun events going on within the community. For the first time in my life, I got a taste of true friendship.

Eventually, in prayer, I started picturing what it would look like for me to be a FOCUS missionary. What started as a slight tug turned into a firm pull towards exploring the possibility of missionary life with FOCUS. After my interview weekend, I had a moment in prayer where I very clearly heard The Holy Spirit say to me “I want you to be a FOCUS missionary.” That moment lead me to where I am now: embarking on the adventure of a lifetime!

Your Impact

So many young souls on college campuses are lost and lacking a sense of purpose, not knowing who they are or what they are doing. In supporting me, you are participating in the universal mission of The Church to evangelize (Matthew 28:19), and contributing to the spiritual flourishing of the next generation.

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

GET STARTED

FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24