The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS, is a Catholic apostolate that seeks to invite college students into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and equip them with the formation and resources to lead others to Him. Through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips, and everyday accompaniment, FOCUS missionaries inspire and build up others in faith, sending them out to spread the Good News and live out the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Learn more about FOCUS’ mission here.
The Catholic Center welcomed FOCUS missionaries in 2021! Meet our missionaries below!
Kellie Fleming
Kellie has been serving at UGA since the fall of 2024.
This is my fourth year as a FOCUS missionary. The past three years, I was serving at the University of Kansas, and the Lord has now led me to Athens, GA! My life was changed during my undergrad at Colorado State University when I came to understand the Father’s love for me and the way He persistently pursues our hearts. As a missionary, it is my greatest desire is to lead all students to Christ and help others find the peace and joy I have experienced in the faith. St. John Paul II said, “Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure,” and I can attest to this truth. I can’t wait to see what adventures God has in store at the University of Georgia.
Rachel Casey
Rachel has been serving at UGA since the fall of 2023.
From a young age, the Holy Spirit entered my heart, but I felt alone in my pursuit of the Faith. My desire to experience deep friendship led me to separate my faith from other areas of my life and look to fulfilling relationships outside the Lord.
At the end of my freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin, I was exhausted from juggling the expectations of others, the incessant pressure to achieve, and my attempts to architect an abundant life for myself. Underneath my performance and self-dependence, I feared rejection from others and how my life would change if I listened to the Holy Spirit stirring in my heart.
Through the ministry of FOCUS on campus, I was encouraged to center my life on daily prayer and the Sacraments. Jesus encountered me anew with His perfect love that casts out all fear (1 John 4:18) and grounded my heart in the Truth that He had never stopped pursuing and thirsting for me. I began to experience how the Lord delighted in me particularly and the freedom to be myself.
As a missionary, I desire for every person to live in the Truth that they are loved and known completely. The unconditional love of Jesus Christ defines our life and invites us to the heights of love through His grace.
Calista Beverly
Calista has been serving at UGA since the fall of 2023.
From a young age, I was immersed in the beauty of the Catholic Faith. I attended Catholic school for a few years, was blessed with a good family, and was given a solid faith foundation. For most of my life, I knew a lot about Christ, but I didn’t truly know Him. So when I stepped onto campus as a little freshman at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, I didn’t know who I was, I had a deep thirst for more, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it.
I began to get involved with the Ragin’ Cajun Catholics at my Newman center on campus, and it was the start of a major transformation the Lord was working in my life. I began attending retreats, small groups, and—for the first time—had good Catholic friendships. Through prayer, formative community, and walking in discipleship with the FOCUS missionaries, the Lord gave—and is continuing to give—me a new heart.
I’ve had the privilege of serving at retreats and on mission trips and walking with some incredible women in discipleship in the past. The Lord is continuing to transform my heart through these encounters and has invited me to take part in His plan as a FOCUS missionary!
Sean Clennan
Sean has been serving at UGA since the fall of 2024.
As a missionary, my greatest desire is to lead all students to Christ. My life has been transformed by Jesus, and I want nothing more than to bring this joy to others and introduce them to the life-changing message of the Gospel. I remember when I was a sophomore in college, I was really struggling with what to put my identity in. Would it be in who I was as a student? A fraternity brother? A good sibling? Right around that time, one of my friends from the Newman center asked me if I wanted to strive to live a life that was centered around Christ, and he showed me where I could truly find my identity as a son of God. Since then, I have seen God slowly working in my life to heal me and to draw me in closer to Himself, and now I want to give the same opportunity to those around me.
Benjamin DeLaughter
Benjamin has been serving at UGA since the spring of 2024.
In December, I went to the Holy Land and SEEK (FOCUS’ national conference) in a 20-day period. In both places, I had an encounter with the Lord and realized His genuine love for me. After realizing His love and what it means to be a son of the Father, all I’ve wanted to do is spread the joy and love he showed me to others! I hope to make a difference in as many lives as I can through the Holy Spirit!
