by Craig Sanger
FOCUS Missionary

Every two years, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) hosts a conference on the national level. This is a time where college students are invited to take some time, explore their faith and meet other college students from around the country.

This year, the “Made for More” FOCUS National Conference was held in Orlando, FL, from Dec. 30 through Jan. 3. More than 3,500 college students from around the country gathered at the world’s largest Marriott resort for the half-party, half-retreat experience. Amid this sea of college students were 61 Duhawks, proud of their faith and their school.

Each day of the conference was packed full for the students. In addition to daily Mass and prayer, participants attended various talks and presentations. The speakers delved into topics like evangelization, international missions, relationships, exploring the the cultural damage of moral relativism and practical ways to grow in one’s spiritual life. Speakers for this event included prominent figures like author Matthew Kelly; the Rev. Benedict Groeschel, the director of the Office for Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York; and speaker Jeff Cavins.

It was extremely powerful to see so many young people in one place worshipping the Lord at Mass and at Eucharistic Adoration every day. Loras is a strong community with a very dynamic faith. We’re spoiled by the many rich ways our spiritual needs can be met, and it’s easy to take this for granted. So it’s great to see students from all over worshiping as one large community.

“When you come to a small Catholic school like Loras, you get used to the same people fully expressing their faith, which is great,” said sophomore Liz Kottkamp. “At conference, I got to see nearly 4,000 students willing to live their faith publicly, which was great because it really reminded me that the Church is bigger than the Loras community.”

At the heart of the “Made for More” theme is the Good Shepherd Discourse from the Gospel of John. Jesus says to His audience, “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it to the fullest.” (John 10:10)

Using this metaphor of a shepherd and flock, Jesus calls himself both a “good shepherd” and “the gate” through which we enter the fold and have life. Today’s culture has many ways of enticing us away from Jesus’ flock. Cultural messages endorse a lot of instant gratification and reject anything that might infringe upon our “freedom” to do whatever we want, whenever we want, with whomever we want. It could be anything, really.

Underachieving, binge drinking, hooking up, greed, and apathy are just a sample of the temptations all around. These things are usually pleasurable in the moment and may be fun to keep up for awhile, but always leave us wounded, confused and lacking any lasting peace. They promise to make us feel good when we think that might be all there is to this life. We truly were made for more!

Each one of us is a daughter or son of a loving God, who became like us to be our good shepherd. He doesn’t force this on anyone, however, but allows us to reject Him if we choose. He desires each one of us to be under His watchful care so we might experience the fullness of life. As divine sons and daughters, we are not called to mediocrity, but to live a great life that ultimately is fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

Curtis Martin, who founded FOCUS 12 years ago, encouraged everyone at the conference with this Gospel message. His words ring true for everyone, and especially for any young student who is searching for a purpose in life. Remember: “We live in a world that offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort ….you were made for greatness!”