Both Katelyn and I fill specialized roles within FOCUS. We serve at FOCUS’ Denver headquarters, devoting our time to a number of different national initiatives and managing other FOCUS staff.  My main duties include writing, editing, and guiding the development of FOCUS curriculum and formation materials.  I use my training in philosophy and theology along with my experience as a missionary to serve FOCUS’ Mission.  This year I am working to develop several bible studies, edit a number of internal curriculum, and I regularly give talks to train our staff. Further, one of my primary duties within FOCUS is to coordinate our Summer Projects Program, which you can learn more about HERE.  Outside of my duties in Formation and Curriculum Development, I serve on a number of committees to increase the effectiveness of our ministry. These committees oversee the planning of our international SEEK conferences, sexual purity initiatives, retreat programs, missionary development, and much more!  Many of the materials my department and I develop can be found HERE. Katelyn uses her past experience as a FOCUS missionary to mentor missionaries around the country and devotes a lot of her efforts to our mission at home!

Image from recent FOCUS Staff Training – a major departmental initiative using curriculum materials

Our backgrounds have provided us with a unique set of educational and ministerial experiences all of which contribute to our current work here at FOCUS.  I, John, first encountered FOCUS at Benedictine College as a first-year undergraduate.  At Benedictine I led bible studies and discipled students until graduating in 2012 with a double major in Philosophy and Economics.  After Benedictine I attended Baylor University for two years, where I remained integrally involved in FOCUS’ campus ministry.  At Baylor I earned a master’s degree in Analytic Philosophy with specialties in Ethics, Epistemology, and Metaphysics.  After Baylor I spent a year at Mundelein Seminary discerning the priesthood and earning graduate credits in theology.  After prayerfully discerning out of seminary I began working for FOCUS full-time, and I couldn’t be happier doing so.  My career with FOCUS began in Denver at our national headquarters, then included three years on campus while doing coursework for a doctorate in theology from the Catholic University of America.  I recently defended my dissertation at CUA, completing my doctorate in moral and systematic theology.  My dissertation topic was the nature of masculine virtue.

Katelyn first encountered FOCUS at the University of Tennessee. After undergoing a massive conversion in 2013, Katelyn decided to give her life to the Lord and serve as a FOCUS missionary. Katelyn worked on the ground at the University of Florida as a campus missionary, then spent two years building an international apostolate for young adults in Ann Arbor, MI. After our marriage in November 2019, Katelyn decided to come back to FOCUS, putting her experience to use by investing her time in missionary development. Want to get to know us a little? You can watch our wedding video HERE.

On a more personal level, our own journeys with Our Lord, especially as an undergraduates, involved many intellectual and personal struggles, some of which lead us away from the Church.  FOCUS played a pivotal role in both of our decisions to remain Catholic and commit our lives to Christ.  Now we want nothing more than to use our experiences and education to bring more souls to Christ and His Church.  

FOCUS Students using our publications at recent leadership summit

When we answered the call to join FOCUS, we made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners.  Working with Mission partners has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our ministry.  We are blessed and humbled to have so many incredible men, women, and families on our team.  Thank you!

To join our support team, please click on the blue support tab above and follow the steps from there.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. God Bless!