AL+UM

September 2023

This priest first learned the importance of frequent prayer in FOCUS

Though he was a “champion” of the holy half-hour prior to joining staff, Fr. Zach Tucker truly saw the importance of daily prayer when he became a missionary. He takes this reminder into mission as he shares the Good News with his parishioners. In this video, he encourages us, especially those of us who have moved recently, to find a community intent on pursuing virtue. “That’s why the hermits were weird … We’re called to have a community, to search for the Lord and His will together,” he says.

Fr. Zach Tucker is living mission as the associate pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He served with FOCUS from 2012 to 2014 at Arizona State University. On a weekend, outside of offering the sacraments, he enjoys hunting, fishing, watching sports and hanging out with his extended family.

News

Calling all missionary alumni to the Eucharistic Revival Challenge

FOCUS Alumni + the National Eucharistic Revival + SEEK24 are joining forces to offer SEEK for $25 to challenge participants!

What if every parishioner who sat next to you in the pew on Sunday had an ardent devotion to the Eucharist? What if you had a plan that offers space for each of those parishioners to experience Christ’s mercy and love in the True Presence? Join hundreds of your fellow FOCUS missionary alumni, the USCCB and the FOCUS Alumni team and answer the call to bring Christ’s presence to your parish and our country during the National Eucharistic Revival’s parish year.

When you take up the challenge, you will become a parish point person with the National Eucharistic Revival, craft and execute a plan for your parish and join other participants quarterly to discuss best practices. You’ll hear from Bishop Cozzens (chair of the National Eucharistic Congress) and others, and you will gather as a community at SEEK24 in St. Louis where you’ll be able to come for JUST $25 (plus another $25 for your spouse and kids, with free babysitting).

We want to support you as you reignite the eucharistic heart of your parish.

Ready to join the challenge? Click the button below to watch our launch webinarand for further details (including how to sign up for SEEK24 for $25)!

Not a FOCUS staff alum? We’d still love to have you participate, even though we can’t offer the same SEEK incentive. Your local Alumni Relations Missionary would love to connect with you about joining the Revival Challenge and our special SEEK24 event. Click the link to find out who serves your area and their email.

I'M IN

EWTN Global Catholic Network is hiring a human resources manager!

EWTN is the world’s largest religious media network, aiming to deliver the news to all people through a Catholic lens. The network includes global TV channels, radio, print and digital media and book publishing. They are looking for an experienced human resources manager to help administer HR policies and improve a workplace dedicated to the values of faith, family and hard work.

As the Human Resource Manager, you will partner with the HR team to administer HR policies and programs that create a welcoming, faith-centered culture. You will help with hiring and employee onboarding, along with performance reviews. You will be the go-to coach for other managers, offering support for improving relations, conflict resolution and performance management.This position is in an office where you can go to daily Mass and adoration, living out your Catholic faith in the workplace.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY NOW

Visit our job board at connect.focus.org/jobs to apply and 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].

FOCUS Alumni is coming to a location near you!

Join FOCUS Alumni missionaries in your city this autumn. Details about these events will be sent directly to alumni living in the area. Moved recently? Email the event contact if you’re near one of the cities below. Otherwise fill out this contact form to stay updated about future events in your area.

September 30, 2 – 4 p.m.: SEEK First, Louis, MO, [email protected]
October 7: Mini Retreat, Boston, MA, [email protected]
October 12: Alumni Gathering, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN, [email protected]
October 14: Alumni Gathering, Winona, MN, [email protected]
October 21: Game Day, Knoxville, TN, [email protected]
October 22: Mini Retreat, Washington DC, [email protected]
October 22: Diocesan Event, Omaha, NE, [email protected]
October 29: Mini Retreat, New York, NY, [email protected]
November 4: Alumni Gathering, Dallas, TX, [email protected]
November 17: Alumni Gathering, Atlanta, GA, [email protected]
Ongoing (Fridays): Lifelong U Virtual Group, [email protected]

Pray for us and let us pray for you!

The FOCUS Alumni team wants to unite our FOCUS family in prayer for one another. Please submit any prayer requests you have. We pray for these intentions every Monday as a team. Save the link for future re-use!

Our team’s intention this month is for all FOCUS alumni who are parents, for surrender as the new school year starts. As parents send kids back to school or start homeschooling, it’s easy to feel out of control and frantic with all the changes. We ask the Lord for deep peace and grace-filled reminders that their parenting efforts are forming saints in the midst of the chaos. Please pray with us!

About Us

Our mission is to fan the flame of lifelong mission in the hearts of our alumni in this apostolic age.

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.

Get Involved

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.

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