A Source of Hope and Optimism

By Fr. Sean McEwen, SDB, Delegate for Mission Animation

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) spans college campuses across the USA. Its members are missionaries who describe what they do as "a campus outreach that pursues college students with intentionality and love." They "invite them into a growing relationship with Jesus and the Catholic faith, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same" (https://www.focus.org/). In short, they are missionary disciples who live out their baptismal call to work and serve, to ensure the message of Jesus is offered to all they meet.

Last month, I had the chance to accompany a group of these faith-filled missionaries from the University of Northern Iowa on a mission trip to the small Island of Floreana, one of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. Before I embarked on this trip, I was unsure of what to expect, unsure if this short one- week sojourn would be more beneficial to the residents of the Floreana or to the students who eagerly prepared for this adventure. Our planned tasks for the week included participation in an Oratory of sorts at the elementary school, some manual labour around the small church, and home visits to the families who live on the island. I was pleasantly surprised to see that we didn’t come as tourists bearing loads of gifts to drop off and then disappear a week later. Instead, we came to share—share friendships, share time, and share our faith.

Throughout the week, the daily scriptures constantly referenced themes of service and relationship. These themes were lived by every member of the FOCUS team, as well as each resident of Floreana that we encountered, and I believe we encountered almost all its residents. They were welcoming and appreciative of our presence and, in their own words, said that this was one of the few times they encountered foreigners who were genuinely interested in getting to know them, speak with them, and hear their stories of life on Floreana and its history. This was the first visit FOCUS has made to the island, and one of the goals was to establish a relationship with the people there to continue to return.

For me personally, it was my first opportunity to serve as a chaplain for FOCUS, and I can sincerely say it was an impactful experience. Aside from the sheer beauty of Floreana and the warm hospitality of the residents, perhaps what I appreciated the most was the witness of faith each of the FOCUS missionaries embodied. I found this witness strengthen me in my own religious vocation. Their openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they discern where God is calling them in each of their lives is a source of hope and optimism.