Katie

“My whole life I’ve looked at my faith as a code by which to live and eventually if I followed this code, I would be happy and satisfied. I thought I had a strong faith foundation but that foundation crumbled when I heard John Leyendecker’s talk at Focus Conference 2011. I heard of his strong relationship with Christ and Mary his mother, and realized that I did not have that in my life. I had never thought that a relationship with Christ was what I needed. I thought obedience was enough. During Dr. Reyes’s keynote, he spoke about how God gave us free will to obey him and love him. I thought that I had known this fact before and tried to explain it to others. So much more came out of it when he added that God will follow us no matter what we do; He will never give up on us. Faith seemed to become more of a journey with the Lord and not just obedience. Then came Chris Stefanick’s talk making all of us take a step back and look at what the Lord has done for us and how much he loves us. This made Dr. Reyes’s talk even more poignant because at that point I realized that Christ loves us so much that he will follow us on our journey through life. In one weekend my faith changed from being simple obedience to God’s Word to a journey with the Lord where I can have a relationship with my Creator and where I can run to him with any need that I have.”
-Katie, Freshman

Megan

“During a short talk with a FOCUS missionary, I was caught off guard by an offer to attend a FOCUS conference in Denver after the first of the year. I have attended Catholic Conferences previously when I was a teenager and was familiar with these big talks that are so intense and give you the feeling that you are on top of the world, and you are a changed person. Then reality hits and it’s back to the same daily life of sin and suffering. I am now a junior in college and have been distant from the church for about 2 years. As I sat there with the opportunity to take on this ‘Conference’ once again, I thought about how I did not want to take this scholarship away from someone who would be on fire for God after the conference more than I would be. As I thought about it, I made a promise to God; I will not use this experience for my own self happiness but to gain something more. What I did not expect was to fall in love with Christ in a way that changed my heart forever. I opened my heart to God, and He came into it with a purpose, a purpose to love me and take me on this pilgrimage that will be life- long and lead me to the kingdom of heaven. By the Grace of God, I have been able to see the light through the FOCUS conference, and I will always thank that one person God put in my life to encourage me to take a chance - one that will never be forgotten.”
-Megan, Junior

Student Testimonies

"The Newman Center has definitely been a highlight of my first year in college. It has, first and foremost, helped increase my love and knowledge of God through the bible study and has played a key role in helping me develop a strong faith. I’m especially glad that NAU’s campus is a FOCUS campus. The missionaries were extremely helpful in getting me involved and helping me feel comfortable within the community. Not to mention the FOCUS conference was an amazing experience and helped affirm my faith. Without the help of FOCUS and the Newman Center I can’t imagine how much more of a different person I would be. Especially in college when it can be hard to find people who have the same ideals, morals, and behaviors as you do when trying to live a Catholic life. I’m very thankful for all the people I have met through the Newman Center as they help keep me strong and remind me of God’s love for us as his children."

-Alejandro, Freshman