FOCUS Summer Project 2023

The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task,
at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him
 in the building of the civilization of love.
 St. John Paul II

At first blush for kids who grew up in Tucson AZ, it might seem that working ten weeks of their 2023 college summer at a self-proclaimed ‘mountain sanctuary’ in Big Sky MT (Yellowstone Club) may not be so very spiritual or faith-based.  

Yet for six of our very own parish active and visible young adults/ UofA college students – Michael Lamb, Ryan Pittner, Juliana Rickel and Joseph Roa, Juliana Siml and Joseph Siml - formed in their Catholic faith by their families and supported during their grade school and high school years through St. Thomas’ Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs (including Life Teen) - spiritual growth/formation is exactly what the summer of 2023 will be all about. 

A total of 60 Catholic college and university students will participate in this year’s Yellowstone Club location’s mission. 

They’ll be part of Summer Projects, an offshoot of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), a Catholic collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same.

This 10-week formation and mentorship experience (where authentic community meets intensive formation in the faith) is designed to take each participant’s faith to a greater depth.
Summer Projects aims to give its participants the lifelong mission experience of working a nine-to-five ‘job’ while striving to live as a disciple of Christ. Throughout this summer, Michael, Juliana (x2), Ryan and Joseph (x2) will be accompanied by FOCUS missionaries, formed by top speakers in the faith and grow in their understanding of the “why” for what they believe in the Catholic faith.

The 2023 Summer Projects Experience at Yellowstone Club happens June 1 – August 10.

This self-funded, application-based process offers the opportunity to choose to live the Gospel amidst adult responsibilities. And it is an invaluable experience which allows participants to:

• Encounter God through the sacraments, scriptures, spiritual direction, and daily prayer. Become a stronger Christian by spending time with missionaries, priests, and expert theologians.
• Strengthen their foundations as Christian leader through a weekly speaker series, bible studies, retreats and mentorship.
• Spend their summer among other Christians in a vacation destination. Build authentic friendships to last for years to come!
• Engage a full-time, 40 hours a week job. Learn to live their faith in a real-world context!
• Learn how to share and pass on the gospel to others.

So, what can we do?
Pray for these young adults as they prepare for their ‘mission’ and throughout the summer. Learn even more about FOCUS and all it offers to the future generations of our Catholic Church. Tell others!

Prior to their departure and upon their return, you many encounter these folks (together or separately) on our campus often. When? On weekends, of course, but also at daily Mass in the chapel. Engage with them!  Encourage them!  Indeed, they are our future.