St. Andrew Parish Welcomes Two Visiting FOCUS Missionaries

FOCUS: “Fellowship of Catholic University Students” – is one of the most dynamic and effective “home missions” apostolates in the Church today! Trained in Church teaching, prayer, Sacred Scripture, evangelization and discipleship, FOCUS missionaries encounter students in friendship where they are, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence. Through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips, and discipleship, missionaries inspire and build up students in the faith. These young, college graduates, volunteer to serve as Lay Missionaries on college campuses throughout the United States – as well as short-term missions here and abroad! Trained as lay-apostles, they serve in coordination with campus ministries, where they exist, leading Bible Studies, prayer services, discipling classes, outreach to students of all walks of life, and retreats for Catholic college and university students! They raise their own funding and gift the Church with the dynamic witness of their lives! (To learn more: focus.org)

St. Andrew’s/Good Shepherd supports two FOCUS missionaries

Two FOCUS missionaries came to Sierra Vista to visit with their sponsors before returning to their placements.

Alicia Fanning is a 2nd year missionary serving at Boise State University. She grew up in Arlington, WA and graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Family Consumer Science. She has spent many summers in Sierra Vista with her grandparents, Rick and Jean Robidoux, and has helped with the St. Andrew’s Life Teen Program!

"During these last two weeks," said Alicia, "I have had the great privilege of speaking with two parishes, Our Lady of the Mountains and St. Andrew the Apostle, about what I do as a FOCUS Missionary. Having basically grown up in Sierra Vista with my frequent visits to my grandparents, it was an absolute joy to be able to engage these communities in the great commission. The generosity, kindness, and openness of Fr. Greg, Fr. Mike, and their parishes astounded me. I witnessed firsthand the hope that engaging in mission brings to people of all ages. Truly, the Lord is not nervous for His Church - He is alive and well."

MaKenna Ketter is a 4th year missionary serving as the team director at South Dakota State University. She is originally from Imperial, NE and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine College in Kansas. She is connected to St. Andrew’s through her cousin, Fr. Greg, and a handful of mission supporters that she met during her visit in the summer of 2019. What can you do?

"Any time I visit St. Andrew the Apostle Parish," said MaKenna, "I am consistently overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the parishioners. The Lord's mercy is so prevalent in the hearts of the people and I am so blessed to get to know some of them personally! I look forward to the next visit!"

When missionaries answer the call to join FOCUS, they make the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help them through this mission. If you are interested in joining a missionary in this way, look out for two FOCUS missionaries coming to visit the parish this weekend. They will be speaking at all of the weekend Masses and will be around afterwards to speak with any who are interested in supporting the mission of Christ through FOCUS! Please consider becoming a “mission partner” with one of these wonderful young women in one of the most important evangelization movements of our time!

Listen to their message here: