ALTUM
October 2022
Living in the Love of the Father by FOCUS Alumni Alex Shannon
In this video, Alex shares the most important advice he heard when leaving campus. In the busyness of life post-college, it is easy to feel like we’re going through the motions when it comes to prayer — or even that prayer and mission is a burden on top of our many other responsibilities. Alex reminds us to be renewed in our identity as beloved children and to let love motivate our prayer and mission.
Alex Shannon was involved with FOCUS for four years as a student at Missouri State University. He participated in FOCUS Summer Projects, attended FOCUS conferences and invested in his peers through discipleship. Upon graduation, Alex spent two years discerning the priesthood at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. When God made it clear to Alex that this wasn’t his call, Alex started work as a software engineer. He has a passion for forming men as disciples and is a co-host of the podcast Laymen’s Terms.
News
Marriage on Mission Webinar with Curtis and Michaelann Martin
All engaged and married couples and those discerning marriage are invited to join Curtis and Michaelann for a date night on Thursday, December 1. Through real life stories and practical wisdom, the Martins will share how to strengthen your marriage and live your vocation with joy and purpose.
Registration coming soon!
Join Us at SEEK23
Join us at SEEK23 in St. Louis this January 2 – 6. Exclusive alumni events for former students and missionaries, a Making Missionary Disciples track geared specifically toward parish and family life, and opportunities to join with thousands of Catholics for prayer and sacraments make this a conference you will not want to miss!
Bring your family, friends, small group participants, pastor—or anyone who desires to be inspired in hope for the Church and equipped with a vision for missionary discipleship and the practical tools to live it out!
Learn more at seek.focus.org
(Missionary alumni receive $100 off registration as a thank you for your service to the apostolate.)
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 4 – 6 weeks before each event, but if you recently moved or we don’t have your up-to-date information, email [email protected] to make sure we have your correct info on our invite list!
OCTOBER
- 10/15/22 Omaha Diocesan Alumni Event
- 10/15/22 Sioux Falls Alumni Gathering
- 10/17/22 Dallas Breaking Bread
- 10/20/22 New York Breaking Bread
- 10/23/22 Minneapolis Alumni Gathering
- 10/26/22 Columbus, OH Alumni Gathering
- 10/27/22 Lincoln Alumni Gathering
- 10/21/22 D.C. Alumni Mini Retreat
NOVEMBER
- 11/05/22 Boston Mini Retreat
- 11/05/22 Nashville Mini Retreat
- 11/08/22 Orange County Alumni Gathering
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? The FOCUS Lifelong Mission Team is hiring!
FOCUS Lifelong Mission Team Project Manager
This is a crucial role to help FOCUS as we continue to grow and learn how to support our staff alumni and parishioners to have the resources they need to be equipped for mission beyond the college campus.
The Lifelong Mission Team is comprised of the FOCUS Parish Outreach and Alumni departments. We collaborate throughout the year by offering events and support around the country to serve those desiring to be on mission in their parishes.
God has abundantly blessed our missionary efforts on campus for the past 20+ years and we are just scratching the surface when it comes to understanding how to be missionary and make disciples in the parish. Learn more and apply here.
FOCUS Birmingham City Champion
The City Champion role is designed to connect, encourage, support and build the Catholic culture in Birmingham, AL. Bringing together the FOCUS alumni family, connecting with diocesan leaders, building bridges with other Catholic apostolates and forming relationships with local college seniors, this role will pour fuel on the flame of Catholic life within the city of Birmingham. Contact AJ Garcia for more information at [email protected]
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.
We appreciate the sponsorship of CMF Curo: A Living Healthcare Ministry!
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