It goes without saying: We are presently living in strange times. While the coronavirus has interrupted our work routines, our daily activities and our ability to come together and worship as a community of faith, FOCUS is determined continue to walk alongside our students, partners, friends and entire FOCUS family in daily prayer, the sacraments and opportunities for virtual fellowship.
We recognize more than ever that it is Christ’s mercy we can rely upon in any troubling situation. He is the source of our strength, hope and peace, and any difficulties we face during this pandemic is an opportunity for God to bring about a greater good.
Below, you’ll find a compilation of resources to help you through this time. As we each strive and struggle to find a new “normal” despite
the changes around us, we in FOCUS ask you to remember above all: You are
not alone. You are loved. As God’s family we are here for you, praying for
you and are ready to provide as many resources as we can to help strengthen you
in faith and accompany you during these challenging days.
Back to School
Whether you are headed back to campus or attending classes from home, FOCUS will be there! Get in touch with your missionaries for more information on how to get involved. Not on a FOCUS campus? Contact our Digital Outreach team.
Keeping Holy the Sabbath
Gather together with us in Spirit for Sunday Mass. Links to
livestreamed Masses are available below.
Mass on EWTN
- 8:00 a.m. ET (live)
- 12 p.m. ET (encore)
- 7 p.m. ET (encore, Monday – Saturday only)
Ascension
Live Mass, daily rosary, online Bible study and other resources.
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
How Can We Pray For You?
The early Christians prayed with and for each other in a spirit of
intense fellowship, united both by their mission and their sacrifices. Right
now, we can pray in fellowship on behalf of each other. Share with us your
prayer requests and let us know how we can lift you up to God in prayer.
Some Quality Time With God
As Pope Francis told the faithful in Italy earlier in March, “Don’t waste these difficult days.” While we continue to encounter the Lord during this season of Lent, take advantage of this opportunity to invest more deeply in prayer and your personal formation.
From the Blog
Prayer:
- 5 Things That Happen When You Pray For Others
- Intercessory Prayer
- How to pray for others more . . . better
- 30 Day Prayer Dare
Suffering:
Even more:
- A Search for Meaning in the Time of Coronavirus
- How to be Holy in Quarantine
- What Pixar Taught Me About God and Embracing Emotions
- 5 Things to Remember When God Seems Silent
Audio Talks
Fr. Robert Spitzer — Suffering and the Love of God
Sr. Bethany Madonna — The Power of God in Weakness
Videos
Three Encouragements from a FOCUS Missionary
Tori Vissat from the Freedom Project in FOCUS
Fr. Mike Schmitz — The Hour That Will Change Your Life
Jennifer Fulwiler — How I Found Truth as an Atheist
Pursuing Holy Leisure
As many have discovered, binge-watching TV shows and playing video games aren’t enough to fill the hours of isolation, and they won’t provide the rest and reassurance our souls need during these times. While in a state of quarantine, take an opportunity for holy leisure with these book, movie and podcast suggestions.
Movies
Podcasts
- Abiding Together
- All Things Catholic
- Catholic Stuff You Should Know
- Clerically Speaking
- Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Lanky Guys
- Pints with Aquinas
Books
Even More!
Check out even more resources and opportunities from these great Catholic organizations: