FOCUS brings its Catholic campus outreach program to California, adds 11 total universities for 2013-14

Cal, USC and UCSB become first West coast schools to receive FOCUS missionaries

DENVER, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is expanding this fall with 11 new campuses. For the first time, three of the new schools are in California: the University of California-Berkeley, the University of California-Santa Barbara, and the University of Southern California. FOCUS is now present on 83 campuses in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130819/DC66010LOGO)

One of the fastest growing ministries in the country, FOCUS was founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin. The organization, which has fostered 355 religious vocations since its founding, exists as a response to the Church's call for a "new evangelization."

"We live in a time of spiritual crisis and that's fantastic news for those of us who have been called to greatness," said FOCUS president Curtis Martin. "When things break down, greatness is needed to rebuild. It's a dark culture, but light shines farther in the darkness. FOCUS is about helping young people 'glow in the dark,' to shine with the light of Christ and transform poverty in whatever form."

In addition to the existing campuses, FOCUS will now also have a presence at the following schools beginning this year:

• University of California-Berkeley – Berkeley, CA
• University of California-Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara, CA
• University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
• Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti, MI
• Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA
• Murray State University – Murray, KY
• Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, OK
• Stephen F. Austin State University – Nacogdoches, TX
• Temple University – Philadelphia, PA
• University of Rhode Island – Kingston, RI
• Wayne State College – Wayne, NE

FOCUS missionaries, who receive more than 400 hours of proven training in catechesis, evangelization, stewardship and leadership development, will converge on college campuses in the coming weeks to engage in fall outreach where they will begin to set up large group events, small group Bible studies and engage in one-on-one mentoring.  Among the group's goals is to launch college students into lifelong Catholic mission.

About FOCUS:
FOCUS is a national outreach that invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same. www.focus.org.

SOURCE FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students