The Summit

FOCUS has reached a size which makes it impractical to host a National Conference every year. Now we alternate our National Conferences with what we call Local Leadership Summits every other year. The University of Maryland went in with George Mason University and the Naval Academy this year, and our Summit was last weekend, January 24 and 25. We'd been in planning for the past few months, and in the end it came off very well by the grace of God. The Leadership Summits are a bit different in makeup from National Conferences. We invite only our student leaders, and gear the Summit toward the particular apostolate that we are called to within FOCUS, whereas at Conferences anyone is welcome and there is a large spectrum of offerings to cater to the different demographics. From our three schools about 100 people participated.

At our Summit, Sister Mary Gabriel of the Sisters of Life spoke to us about our weekend's theme "Leave the 99". Monsignor Stuart Swetland of Mount St. Mary's Seminary celebrated mass and benediction with us, and Jeremy Rivera from FOCUS National spoke to us about evangelization. To many it was very encouraging and fun to meet the student leaders from the other schools. Meals and break times were spent in fun fellowship. But to many the messages of the speakers carried much weight. After a lazy break, many got the jumpstart of conviction they needed to encourage them to go out again for another semester of faithfully walking with Jesus. An image that Sister Mary Gabriel gave to us stuck out to many students: the yes that we make. Reflecting on Curtis Martin's book, Made for More, she recounted how Martin was adopted. His birth mother made a choice. She said yes to carrying that child to term and giving him up to someone who could better care for him. Now, because of her frail yes, look at all the people, all the fruit that Curtis Martin has born. It was an impressive reflection.

And now we're back to campus, I just held my first Bible study of the semester last night and I'm joyful to be back in this work. I will be conducting a sort of fly-by-the-cuff study on the Church Fathers. Keep me in your prayers, it is tough work. Apart from the regular campus activities, I am a chair for our Eastern Regional Interview Weekend. Getting my hands in a little work on the big picture is fun. Thank you immensely for your financial support and your prayers!