Lydia Valentine

Acts 5:40-41: “After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

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Where I serve

Western Kentucky University

My Story

I grew up going to church at St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo, MS. I have always loved the Catholic Church and my Catholic faith. Going into college at Mississippi State University I had the perspective that I knew everything I needed to know about being Catholic and my faith. In college I witnessed people living out their faith in a way I had never seen, and at first I thought they were crazy. However, participation in church events with the campus missionaries and other college students deepend my faith and conviction to go deeper. I came to better appreciate the depth and richness of the Catholic Church and her teachings, to the point of being privileged enough to sponsor a friend of mine as she came into full communion with the Catholic Church. Getting to watch her faith, intimacy, and excitement for the Lord grow brought me so much joy. I could feel that God was calling me to be that support for others as they are on their journey of faith; not for me to make a difference on my own, but for God to be able to make a difference through me. I am now excited to continue growing closer to Him and striving for sainthood.

I have chosen FOCUS as my ministry because it is this very organization that has brought my spiritual life to where it is today. I want to give back and be a part of this mission for the sake of others. My involvement with FOCUS started with a FOCUS Bible study as a freshman in college, was transformed by a SEEK conference my sophomore year, was strengthened by structured discipleship over several years, and was deepened by a faith community that seeks not only to increase in number but to increase in depth through authentic friendships and the little way of evangilization. I want to strengthen that mission and be able to have the same impact on students on another college campus.

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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