ALTUM
August 2022

Encouragement on the Journey to Sainthood: Cause for Canonization Opened for FOCUS Alumna Michelle Duppong
We are all called to be saints! We are each called to live lives of holiness and love of Jesus so that we might one day spend eternity with Him. In the busyness of life, that burning flame of desire to be a saint can be hard to keep ablaze.
FOCUS alumna Michelle Duppong is an encouragement for all of us to live lives of heroic virtue. As you may have already seen, the Diocese of Bismarck opened the diocesan investigation which could lead to the beatification and canonization of North Dakota native Michelle Christine Duppong. May Michelle’s witness inspire us all. The FOCUS Alumni team is praying for each of you to become the saints you are meant to be!
Michelle Duppong grew up in Haymarsh, N.D. She earned a degree in horticulture at North Dakota State University in 2006. While there, she encountered FOCUS and was so inspired by the apostolate that, after graduation, she served as a missionary for six years. In 2012, Duppong became the director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, using her missionary zeal to bring others closer to Christ. On Dec. 29, 2014, Duppong was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and battled the disease with perseverance and a patient, cheerful spirit, passing from this life on December 25, 2015.
News

Applications Open! Alumni Holy Land Pilgrimage
Join the Alumni team and other former missionaries and former students May 27 – June 4, 2023, for a life-changing pilgrimage in the footsteps of Christ, bringing the Gospels to life! (Details are subject to change, but we’ll keep you in the know!)
All former missionaries and students are invited. You are encouraged to bring a spouse or friend along with you on pilgrimage. Spots are filling up fast, so apply soon to save your spot!
When applying, please select “student” as that will place you as a participant.

Upcoming Events in Your City
We are beginning to plan Alumni events for Fall 2022, so make sure to have an account on FOCUS Connect if you want to stay in the loop. We’ll be sending out personal event invites four to six weeks before each event, but if you have recently moved or if we don’t have your most up-to-date information on file, email [email protected] to make sure we have your correct info on our invite list!
SEPTEMBER
- TBD Phoenix Breaking Bread
- TBD Denver FOCUS Family Picnic
OCTOBER
- 10/01/22 St. Louis SEEK First
- 10/1/22 Houston FOCUS Family Picnic
- TBD Dallas Breaking Bread
- 10/06/22 Kansas City Breaking Bread
- 10/08/22 Birmingham FOCUS Family Picnic
- TBD Boston Alumni Mini Retreat
- TBD D.C. Alumni Mini Retreat
- TBD New York Breaking Bread

FOCUS Family Prayer Request Line
The FOCUS Alumni team wants to unite our FOCUS family in prayer for one another. Please submit any prayer requests you have at this time here. In addition to having the Alumni team pray for your requests, we will have the responses viewable on FOCUS Connect for you to pray for others in the FOCUS family!
Looking for a job? Want to hire a FOCUS alumnus?
Visit our job board at connect.focus.org/jobs to see employers who are specifically looking for FOCUS Alumni to fill their open positions or reach out to Career Services Manager Elli Schmidt at [email protected].
About Us
Our mission is to connect, inspire and equip the alumni of FOCUS with ongoing resources and experiences to flourish in lifelong Catholic mission, leading others to become missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, bearing fruit in their families, parishes, workplaces and communities.
The FOCUS Alumni Relations team exists to provide you, our alumni, with inspirational content in emails and social media. We desire to build alumni communities in various cities, connect alumni with job listings and develop resources to support the living of Catholic mission in the world. We recently completed a Bible study for alumni called REVIVE, which can be used in a small group at your parish or for self-study. We are here for you! Let us know how we can serve you better: [email protected].
Get Involved! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; sign up to receive Thrive, or check out our job board!
What does AL+UM mean?
Al+um (Altum) comes from “Duc in Altum”, which means to “Set out into the deep.” This call, to set out into the deep, is the call of every person seeking after Christ. You are on a different mission now than when you were on campus, yet as you cast your nets, the Lord will certainly bless you with a great catch if you continue to trust in Him.