Thomas Horlander

Thomas & Kristen Horlander

Hey! We’re Thomas and Kristen. I’m a FOCUS missionary and Kristen is my lovely wife!

Where We serve

I currently serve at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bridgeport, PA!

Our Story

I am entering my fifth year as a FOCUS missionary! My first two years I served at the University of Southern Indiana, and the next two years I was at DePauw University. My next adventure is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bridgeport, PA!

Why the move to a parish from the college campus? A few reasons come to my mind when I’m asked that question. Primarily, the parish is where the family is formed. If families come to know Christ Jesus, hopefully children will be less likely to leave their Catholic faith once they go off to college. Secondly, the Catholic bishops have asked FOCUS to go into their parishes to transform the diocese in this way. I would not be moving to be in a parish if the bishops didn’t ask for missionaries there – I’d stay on campus otherwise. Thirdly, all are deserving of hearing about a life of prayer and discipleship with Jesus; it shouldn’t be limited to just college students!

I’ve seen in my own life what discipleship and prayer can do. I’m a different man than I was four years ago when I joined staff because prayer and fellowship has changed lives around me – it has changed students I’ve worked with, missionary teammates of mine, and it’s changed my own life. I’m super excited to see how it can transform Sacred Heart as well and I would love to have you on the team!

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me as I served with FOCUS both on college campuses and in Catholic parishes. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you!

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

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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